In what was the most incredible first half of football this season, Manchester City and Tottenham scored five goals between them in 21 minutes.
It was always expected to be an incredible game at the Etihad this evening.
Tottenham had a 1-0 aggregate lead after the first leg in London and Pep Guardiola’s side had to score to get back into the tie.
With the attacking talent City have, it was always going to be difficult for Spurs to stand strong.
However, no one quite expected what would follow that first leg when the two met again on Wednesday evening.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 09: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 09, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Rolling with the punches
It all started when Raheem Sterling scored the first goal of the game in the 4th minute of the game.
After some brilliant work from Kevin De Bruyne, Sterling curled a brilliant shot into the bottom corner making it 1-1 on aggregate.
An amazing statistic has emerged online this evening, showcasing the lack of progression made by Manchester United on the personnel front over the last 8 years.
Barcelona vs Man United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men travelled to the Camp Nou tonight, for the 2nd-leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Barcelona.
Hosts Barca headed into proceedings in firm control of the tie, having emerged from Old Trafford last week with a precious 1-0 win.
As such, ahead of kick-off in Catalunya, the Spanish champions were viewed as clear favourites to secure their place in the competition’s final-4.
And, when the 90 minutes were said and done, not only did Barca advance, but they did so in some style.
Messi at the double
It took the hosts just 20 minutes to put the tie to bed as a contest, after Lionel Messi fired in an early double.
The Argentine attacker opened the game’s scoring with a trademark piece of individual brilliance, capitalizing on a mistake from Ashley Young to rifle home a wonderful effort from the edge of the box:
Lionel Messi 😱🤯
We are blessed to watch him play football 🙏
Another amazing goal… pic.twitter.com/4wbZ7uECuP
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 16, 2019
And it was 2-0 just minutes later, as Messi again found the net, this time with the help of an absolute howler from David De Gea.
A relatively tame right-footed effort from the Barca captain somehow managed to squirm under the body of the United shot-stopper, in a real moment to forget for De Gea:
United’s defensive woes
As such, Manchester United’s European campaign has come to an end for another season.
The Red Devils’ sub-standard squad, particularly defensively, was laid bare for all to see tonight, with Barcelona’s rake of attacking talent having made short work of the likes of Ashley Young and Phil Jones.
And, as showcased by an incredible statistic garnering plenty of attention online, the struggles of the United backline should not come as much of a surprise, considering all 4 of Young, Jones, Chris Smalling and David De Gea, 3 of whom have long been considered liabilities, were also plying their trade for the Manchester giants upon their elimination from the Champions League in 2011.
Viewers of the clash between Manchester United and Barcelona have taken to social media in their droves this evening, to take aim at David De Gea.
Barca welcome United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils are currently locked in action with La Liga champions Barcelona at the Camp Nou, in the second-leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie between the clubs.
The tie’s first-leg at Old Trafford last week saw visitors Barca emerge with a crucial away win, courtesy of an early Luke Shaw own-goal.
As such, the Blaugrana headed into proceedings this evening as clear favourites to advance.
Messi at the double
And it didn’t take long for Ernesto Valverde’s men to all-but secure their place in the Champions League’s final-8.
After a blistering start from visitors United, during which Marcus Rashford rattled the crossbar, Barca soon settled, before a mistake from Ashley Young with a quarter of an hour on the clock saw Lionel Messi take full advantage.
After cutting in from the right in trademark style, the Argentine superstar unleashed an unstoppable low drive beyond David De Gea into the bottom corner of the away goal.
And, incredibly, it was 2-0 just minutes later.
This time, though, De Gea not only had the chance to save Messi’s brace-clincher, but very-well should have.
Another low effort, this time with the Barca captain’s weaker right foot, somehow managed to squirm under the body of the United shot-stopper, in a real moment to forget for De Gea.
Liverpool and FC Porto will go head-to-head on Wednesday as they look to fight for a place in this year’s Champions League semi-final.
Jurgen Klopp’s side do come into the game with a big advantage as they beat Porto 2-0 in the first leg at Anfield.
Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino got the goals in that outing.
However, despite Porto having to overturn a 2-0 deficit, Liverpool fans may have been hoping for a few more goals in the home leg.
This is because Liverpool’s away form in Europe this campaign has been rather questionable.
Baring their round of 16 win over Bayern Munich, the Reds have lost all of their other away UCL ties this season.
Jurgen Klopp during the Premier League match between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor on January 1, 2018 in Burnley, England.
Liverpool injury update
Prior to facing Porto, Liverpool have been handed some injury boosts.
Jordan Henderson picked up an ankle injury on Sunday as Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-0 to return to the summit of the Premier League table.
However, the England midfielder has trained with the main squad ahead of Wednesday’s game and now looks to be in contention to feature.
Adama Lallana has also returned to training with the first team after missing Liverpool’s last three outings.
Jordan Henderson trains despite picking up an ankle injury (vs Chelsea) on Sunday. Adam Lallana is also back with the group after missing the previous three matches due to a muscular problem. #LFC #FCPorto @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/QSKKajePQK
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) 16 April 2019
Dejan Lovren was, however, left at home when Liverpool travelled to Porto.
Jürgen Klopp has explained why the decision was taken to leave Dejan Lovren out of our travelling squad to @FCPorto.
Italia tidak punya wakil di babak semifinal Liga Champions musim 2018-2019. Juventus sebagai wakil terakhir justru menelan kekalahan saat menjamu Ajax Amsterdam di Stadion Allianz, Turin, Rabu (17/4) dini hari WIB.
Juventus awalnya diunggulkan karena bisa menahan imbang Ajax 1-1 di leg pertama lalu. Mereka bahkan sempat unggul lebih dulu berkat gol Cristiano Ronaldo di menit 28.
Namun mental skuad Ajax tidak goyah meski mereka dalam keadaan tertinggal. Berkat kerja keras, tim asuhan Erik Ten Hag sukses menyamakan keadaan di menit 34.
Adalah Donny van de Beek yang bisa menceploskan bola ke gawang Wojciech Szczesny. Berawal dari sepakan Hakim Ziyech, bola justru mendarat di kaki Van de Beek. Para pemain Juventus mengira sang lawan sudah berdiri dalam posisi offside. Namun wasit beserta asistennya punya keputusan berbeda. Van de Beek masih berada dalam posisi onside. Tanpa gangguan, ia sukses menyarangkan si kulit bundar.
Selepas jeda, Juventus menarik keluar Paulo Dybala dan memainkan Moise Kean. Striker 19 tahun itu diharapkan bisa menambah daya gebrak sepanjang babak kedua.
Namun sayang, yang terjadi justru sebaliknya. Juventus kebobolan lagi di menit 67. Kali ini gawang mereka dikoyak oleh Matthijs de Ligt. Ajax unggul agregat 3-2.
Jika ingin lolos, Juventus wajib mencetak dua gol tambahan. Akan tetapi skuad didikan Massimiliano Allegri tak mampu menunaikan misi tersebut. Karenanya mereka gugur di babak perempat final.
Susunan pemain Juventus: Szczesny; De Sciglio (Joao Cancelo 64′), Rugani, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Emre Can, Matuidi, Pjanic; Bernardeschi (Bentancur 80′), Ronaldo, Dybala (Kean 46′).
Ajax: Onana; Veltman, De Ligt, Blind, Mazraoui (Sinkgraven 11’/ Magallan 82′); De Jong, Schone; David Neres, Van de Beek, Ziyech (Huntelaar 88′); Tadic.
Lionel Messi jadi momok menakutkan buat Manchester United. Meski sudah diwaspadai, pemain kebangsaan Argentina itu tetap bisa menjebol gawang kawalan David De Gea.
Tampil di Estadio Camp Nou pada leg kedua babak perempat final Liga Champions, Rabu (17/4) dini hari WIB, Messi sukses menyarangkan gol di menit 16 dan 20. Gol pertama dilesatkannya lewat sepakan kaki kiri. Bola mengarah tepat ke pojok kanan gawang.
Tak berselang lama, situasi nyaris serupa dilakukan oleh La Pulga. Kali ini bola yang ditendangnya meluncur ke sisi kiri gawang. De Gea kurang sigap dalam melakukan penyelamatan.
Barcelona menang 3-0 atas Manchester United. (Dok. UEFA)
MU seolah mati kutu di pertandingan ini. Pergerakan Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, dan Marcus Rashford di lini depan seolah tak memberi kesulitan apapun untuk pemain bertahan Barcelona.
Memasuki paruh kedua, jalannya laga tak banyak mengalami perubahan. Barcelona tetap menguasai bola. Sementara MU masih berusaha mencari celah untuk mengejar ketertinggalan.
Namun situasi Setan Merah makin tidak menguntungkan saat Philippe Coutinho ikut mencetak gol di menit 61. Dari luar kotak penalti, Coutinho melepaskan tembakan terukur ke pojok kiri atas gawang. MU ketinggalan tiga gol.
Skor tersebut bertahan hingga laga usai. Barcelona melaju ke semifinal dengan keunggulan agregat 4-0.
Susunan pemain Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto (Nelson Semedo 70′), Pique, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Arthur (Vidal 75′); Coutinho (Dembele 81′), Messi, Luis Suarez.
Juventus memang lebih diunggulkan untuk meraih hasil maksimal saat menjamu Ajax pada leg kedua perempat final Liga Champions, Rabu (17/4) dini hari nanti. Bermain di kandang sendiri, Juventus Stadium, skuad asuhan Massimiliano Allegri juga mengantongi modal tambahan dari hasil seri di Amsterdam.
Terlebih lagi, Juventus kini tengah senang dengan penampilan penyerang mudah Moise Kean. Performanya kian hari kian menanjak. Terakhir, Kean mencatatkan namanya sebagai pemain di bawah usia 20 tahun yang selalu mencetak gol di empat giornata secara beruntun saat Juve kalah 1-2 di kandang SPAL (13/4).
Allenatore Juventus Massimiliano Allegri bahkan mencatat secara khusus tingginya produktivitas Kean. Meski tak besar, Kean punya kans tampil sebagai starter pada leg kedua perempat final Liga Champions dini hari nanti.
“Memang dia (Kean, red) dalam angka produktivitas yang bagus. Namun dia terlihat sedikit lelah dan jika sudah demikian saya memilih untuk menariknya keluar lapangan,” kata Allegri dalam prematch press conference kemarin (15/4).
Alllegri menambahkan memang ada desakan mengganti Mario Mandzukic yang sejauh ini baru menciptakan satu gol. Akan tetapi eks allenatore AC Milan itu berdalih Kean punya tipe permainan yang beda dengan Kean.
“Saya akan mengevaluasi apa yang harus saya lakukan dan siapa yang saya pasang beberapa waktu sebelum leg kedua dimulai. Dan saya bersyukur punya pemain seperti dia yang siap melakukan apapun,” imbuh Allegri.
Juventus harus mewaspadai gairah besar Ajax meski tampil di kandang sendiri pada leg kedua perempat final Liga Champions. (uefa.com)
Nah, Paulo Dybala yang bertandem dengan Kean ketika lawan SPAL 2013 menurut Allegri juga akan dievaluasi. Dybala harus tampil lebih bagus, menjaga kebugaran tubuhnya, dan siap bermain di laga apapun.
Trio lini depan andalan Allegri sejauh ini adalag Federico Bernardeschi-Mandzukic-Ronaldo. Namun dengan melihat performa Kean, bisa saja trio itu bergeser. Posisi Mandzo, sapaan Mandzukic, diganti oleh Kean.
Kondisi ini tak lepas dari pengamatan pelatih Ajax, Erik ten Hag. Namun dia yakin skuad asuhannya tak pernah gentar dengan nama besar Juventus. “Tim ini (Juventus) lebih baik dibanding Real Madrid. Mereka sangat dewasa dalam bermain. Kami telah tampil apik pekan lalu, dan kami kami akan mengulanginya lagi,” tegas Ten Hag.
Dia menambahkan,”Pada awal musim ini, tak seorang pun yang berharap kami ada di 8 besar Liga Champions. Tapi tim ini telah berkembang dan membuktikan kami mampu bersaing dengan para raksasa. Kami percaya dan yakin akan meraih hasil bagus.”
Dari segi kebintangan para pemainnya, Ajax memang seperti liliput di antara pemain hebat milik Juventus. Namun, Ajax sudah membuktikan mereka mampu mengimbangi Juve di laga pertama di Amsterdam. Kini, Ajax pun tetap berpeluang memberi ancaman meski tampil di kandang lawan.
An amazing statistic has emerged online this evening, showcasing the lack of progression made by Manchester United on the personnel front over the last 8 years.
Viewers of the clash between Manchester United and Barcelona have taken to social media in their droves this evening, to take aim at David De Gea.
