Hi to all my Scorum friends!
In this post and in the next one, I will analyze the situation of the 16 teams that are facing each other in the knockout phases of the Champions League 2018/19.
After the first leg, there were some surprises, but also some confirmations. In any case, nothing is decided yet and the last word is not said: there are still at least 90 minutes to play and anything can still happen.
Let me know in the comments section if you agree with me or if you think otherwise.
And good reading!
OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS - FC BARCELONA
Before the kick-off, Barcelona was the favorite team for qualification. And the chances remained more or less unchanged after 0-0 in France. Although many already expected a victory of the Blaugrana, the draw is a score that allows the Catalans to qualify with any victory. And at Camp Nou, except for clamorous eventualities, it will be another story, compared to the first leg.
Olympique Lyonnais, for its part, has once again proved to be a very difficult team to deal with, especially when they play at home. Don't concede goals to Messi and co. (even if they are no longer those of the Guardiola era) is still a feat. The French team will only need to score at least one goal and not lose.
AS ROMA - FC PORTO
Without any doubt, one of the most balanced matches of the round, but this was already known from the day of the draws. The first challenge between the two teams confirmed that the qualification will probably remain uncertain until the end. Roma has shown something more than its opponents in the match of the Stadio Olimpico. The team managed to take the lead and to go on 2-0 thanks to Nicolò Zaniolo' s fantastic double. But the goal conceded in the last minute has set the score at 2-1, reopening everything.
It's exactly to that goal that Porto is grabbing to try to overturn the defeat. Scoring away was very important for the Lusitanians and they succeeded to do it. Now it will be necessary to win the return match, trying not to concede any goals. Not really a so simple mission.
LIVERPOOL FC - FC BAYERN MUNCHEN
Hands up who expected a draw without goals in this match. Well, I don't see anyone ...
The quantity of OVER played has been exorbitant, with great pleasure of the bookies.
Instead, caution and attention prevailed on both sides. Liverpool have built most of their Champions League fortunes in their home games, both in the last season and in this one. It will be more difficult than expected to go in Monaco without having won at Anfield. Anyway, the Reds will have to score a goal and not lose. Every defeat, on the other hand, will be fatal.
Bayern Munchen played a very careful and reasoned match, managing to keep Neuer's goal inviolate against Klopp's stellar forward. A fact that puts them in a position of slight advantage for the qualification, in my opinion. The mission is to win the return match, any result will be good to eliminate the opponents. In any case, we will lose a great protagonist and a possible candidate for the final victory.
AJAX - REAL MADRID
Challenge with great charm, as there are 17 Cups won in total by the two teams. Clearly, Real Madrid is the master and in fact, although not in a brilliant moment, the team of Solari confirms to have been born to play this tournament. In Amsterdam, the two formations give life to a lively and entertaining match, especially thanks to Ajax, which doesn't suffer from any reverential fear towards the champions in charge.
The result, however, is in favor of the Blancos, who, after suffering the freshness of these terrible young boys, put things right and win with the score of 1-2.
A result that greatly reduces the chances of qualification of the Dutches, already not particularly high before the match. They will not only have to win, but will have to score at least 2 goals without conceding anyone.
It would be something epic. But I think it's a really remote eventuality.
Thanks for reading. Goodbye and see you soon for the second part.
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