The quarter-finals of this year’s Champions League campaign had it all: excitement, games taken to the brink and international upsets, but only four teams could make it into the final four. Manchester City in Europe had to change their game plan but still battled it out against Atletico in an intense affair. The Citizens entered the second leg with a one-goal advantage and managed to keep Diego Simeone’s men at bay to see them progress.
A goal-fest between Liverpool and Benfica ended 6-4 to the English side on aggregate. Liverpool opted for a weaker side to face the Portuguese giants at home and finished the game 3-3 but their dominance at the Estadio de Luz was enough to see them through.
A late equaliser from Villareal’s Samuel Chukuweze saw them snatch a semi-final spot on goal difference. An infamous win crushed Bayern Munich’s hopes whilst propelling Villareal’s. Real Madrid managed to come out on top in Chelsea in an emotional bout that Chelsea fans thought they had secured with ten minutes to go – Real Madrid, as they usually do found a way to hit back late and knock out the champions.
Manchester City in Europe: Will th Citizens be Crowned European Champions This Season?
Manchester City
Manchester City are the current favourites to come out victorious in this Champions League campaign. Since Sheik Mansour took over in 2008, they have been England’s most successful club following their domestic domination. Despite their exuberant expenditure in this period, they are still chasing European success after failing to beat English rivals Chelsea previously. Manager Pep Guardiola is a serial winner and will have his eyes set on the one major trophy that is missing from the Etihad.
Liverpool
Liverpool will be looking to continue their European glory by bringing home silverware to hopefully complete a remarkable quadruple. The Reds have been very successful this year as they relished Carabao Cup glory, are in contention for the FA Cup and are still hoping to bring home domestic success – the competition at the top of the Premier League may turn out to be a hindrance with squad rotation becoming an issue. This being said, they have been a force to be reckoned with in Europe this season after surviving the ‘group of death’ without losing a game.
Villareal
Unai Emery’s men have been dubbed as the underdogs in this year’s competition but have so far knocked out two giants of European football: Juventus and Bayern Munich. Their semi-final competitors Liverpool will be celebrating Villareal’s surprise progression, but the Champions League challengers would be naïve to underestimate the Yellow Submarine. They savoured Europa League glory last season when they got the better of Manchester United in an extensive penalty shoot-out – this victory secured them a spot in the Champions League, and they have ensured to continue their dream.
Real Madrid
In a painful match up against the current holders Chelsea, Real Madrid managed to escape the firm grips of the team from England when Karim Benzema secured the two-leg victory with a cultured header. The 13-time winners, who also sit at the top of the La Liga table, have proven time and time again that they are more than a match for any rival when they are in the fine form that they currently find themselves in. Madrid are still in contention for success with just four sides left and are the only team to have successfully defended their title in the modern era – quite the feat in the football world.
Manchester City’s to Lose
As mentioned, Manchester City are the superior favourites and all teams will be keen to knock them off the top spot. They return to Madrid to hash it out with La Liga leaders Real and their brute force in attack and measured defending will set them out to contain free-scoring Madrid.
Though Liverpool will find it difficult against Spanish side Villareal, they should meet Manchester City in the final, who are plodding on mercilessly in all competitions. Jurgen Klopp’s side are the best team in Europe in knockout clashes under the floodlights, but Manchester City look capable of navigating their way past any obstacle in front of them, including all teams left in the running. Manchester City’s ability to restrict sides to a small number of chances on target will make the difference.
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