The UEFA Champions League second leg fixtures kicked off on Tuesday and Wednesday and saw four more teams advance to the Quarterfinals. So far Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, FC Porto, AS Monaco, and Bayern Munich have advanced. La Liga leaders and the second place team from the Premier League went head to head.
Manchester City faced FC Barcelona UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Last year, these two teams met in the Round of 16 and Manchester City was kicked out by Barcelona with a 4-1 score and this year history repeated itself. Manchester City was the last Premier League football team that could prove to those that English teams are worthy of playing in the tournament but failed to do so. Barcelona were the stronger opponent on Wednesday night, claiming most of the possession, created great plays and had many opportunities, up to 10 or so, to get the ball behind goalkeeper Joe Hart. Lionel Messi destroyed some players on the field while Neymar and Luis Suarez were not at their best, but still had a couple of opportunities to get on goal.
As mentioned, the majority of the game was all Barcelona and they had many opportunities to outscore Manchester City. There were a lot of great passes, and times when a certain player made some of the Manchester City players look poor on the field. Lionel Messi nutmegged James Milner, and then Fernandinho twice. The one that got people’s reaction, including ex-Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola, was when Messi nutmegged Milner in the 37th minute.
Another great play that took place in the 31st minute of the game was when Ivan Rakitic was able to find the back of the net to give Barcelona the 1-0 lead. Messi was again part of the play as he took on James Milner and juked him to the left. Messi then was able to cross it inside to Rakitic and Rakitic brought it down with his chest. Ivan had to be quick on the next play and as the ball cam down he chipped it over Hart and went in as it slightly hit the top post. The players celebrated with disbelief on the play and again Pep Guardiola reacted with surprise.
Barcelona had a couple more chances but the team was having trouble finishing plays after Rakitic’s goal. It also had to due with how great of a performance Joe Hart put on as a goalkeeper. If it was not for him, Manchester City could have lost big time in the second leg. Manchester City also had a chance to revive themselves in the game and at least try to tie the game and go to extra time. Manchester City was awarded a penalty when Sergio Aguero was brought down by Gerard Pique inside the box. Player’s protested but it was too late as the ref made his decision.
Kun Aguero stepped up to take the penalty and as the ref whistled for the green light, Aguero went for the left side of the net and as the ball was going for net, goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen went the right way and denied Aguero’s penalty to keep the game at 1-0. Teammates came to congratulate Marc as he made a superb save and kept Barca in the game.
The game ended with a couple more chances for Barcelona to get on the scoreboard but Hart kept doing what he did best and was congratulated by Suarez for a great performance. At the end, Barcelona won 3-1 in an aggregate score and advanced to the next round. The man of the match has to go out to Lionel Messi who assisted Rakitic with the goal, and helped his team with some great skills. Barcelona awaits for their next opponent in the Quarterfinals but will face a strong Real Madrid team on Sunday for El Clasico.