Liverpool Vulnerable Down The Flanks
When the Liverpool vs PSG tie was announced, I thought this would be a real test for both teams. I expected PSG to target the Liverpool fullbacks with any selection of their wide attacking talents.
Robertson isn't quite the defender he used to be under Klopp and Trent's best attribute isn't defence, a fact made worse by the fact that when Trent is out of position, Konate struggles to cover for him as effectively as Van Dijk covers for Robertson. PSG exploited the space between Konate and Trent quite effectively with Kvaratshkelia in the first leg but ultimately couldn't score.
It had to be Barcola running down Robertson on the opposite flank who found the space to pass for Dembele's goal. Either way, the flanks offered PSG their best route to goal, and they eventually capitalised on that.
Liverpool for their part did not exert nearly as much control over proceedings as I expected them to, especially under Slot. PSG offer incredible transition threat on the break and I would have expected Liverpool to take a more controlled approach to the game like Arsenal did when they played PSG in the group stage. But they chose to have an end-to-end game and ultimately it cost them. Certainly Slot will take lessons away from this for the future.
PSG Have Arrived On The Grand Stage
And yes, I know they've had a run to the finals before.
Liverpool is arguably the most in-form team in the world at the moment. A team full of players with vast European experience, and arguably the best player in the world at the moment in Mohammed Salah. Despite the billions they've spent in squad building over the years, it is often the case that PSG has looked out of place at this stage. When the lights are bright, and the pressure is on, they've struggled to act like they belong here.
But not this time.
They were unlucky to lose the first leg, and they came into the second leg fully backing themselves to get the job done, and they did, in some fashion too. Liverpool looked toothless and out of ideas for most of the game. Salah was completely locked down by Nuno Mendes. Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, and MacAllister looked second best to Vitinha, Ruiz, and Neves all night. It was a complete victory for PSG which will do a lot to boost their confidence in the next stages.
They finally look like they belong here.
Nuno Mendes’ first half stats v Liverpool:
100% dribble success
91% pass accuracy
70% duels won (7/10)
33 touches
12 defensive actions
4 ball recoveries
3 clearances
3 interceptions
3/4 tackles won
2 blocks
Continuing his silencing of Salah!
100% dribble success
91% pass accuracy
70% duels won (7/10)
33 touches
12 defensive actions
4 ball recoveries
3 clearances
3 interceptions
3/4 tackles won
2 blocks
Continuing his silencing of Salah!
1
Real Madrid Wiggles Their Way Through
There is always a sense of inevitability around Madrid in the Champions League, and for good reason. It doesn't matter the odds, the injuries, or the challenges, Real Madrid almost always finds a way through on European nights. And they did against Atleti once again. In a game where their front three weren't particularly great, where Vinicius missed a penalty, and Mbappe was mostly anonymous.
A game where Atleti put in a shift defensively and could have scored a couple themselves had Courtois not been at his very best. It took a Rudiger penalty sneaking past Oblak to send Real through. The juju allegations are beginning to seem legitimate to me
As for Atletico, getting dumped out of the Champions League by Madrid yet again stings terribly. When will it end?
Villa March On
It turned out to be an easier tie for Aston Villa than the first leg would have suggested. They calmly dispatched Club Brugge 3-0 on the night to secure a place in the QuarterFinals where they will face PSG.
With most of their players back from injury and their new signings Rashford and Asensio firing on all cylinders, they should have enough to make things difficult for PSG. But, perhaps more importantly, this win also increases the bonus money Aston Villa gets for Champions League participation.
As Plants and I spoke about extensively in our last podcast episode, winning Champions League games is an essential part of Aston Villa's financial strategy if they are to remain competitive next year. Up The Villans!
Elsewhere, Arsenal drew 2-2 with PSV to qualify for the QuarterFinals having demolished PSV 7-1 in the first leg, they will face Real Madrid in what should be a titanic clash in April.
Inter Milan beat Feyenoord 4-1 on aggregate to make it through. They will face Bayern as competition favourites in the next leg. They still hold the lowest amount of goals conceded so far in this campaign, their defence having been breached just twice. Life will certainly not be easy for Bayern.
And speaking of Bayern, they saw off the challenge of Leverkusen in some style by beating them 5-0 over both legs and never looking particularly troubled. Kompany has been criticised heavily since Bayern hired him, but it seems like he is now returning Bayern to the unstoppable juggernauts they once were both domestically and in Europe. Is there any better way to do that than to dismantle their main local rivals in a Champions League knockout phase?
Barcelona put Benfica away comfortably, and Dortmund edged past Lille to set up a rematch of one of the group stage games. Barcelona look unstoppable at the moment, both in the league and in Europe. But as we all learnt last season, it's never a good idea to count Dortmund out. This should be a scintillating tie as well.
