Champions League Knockout – The Shakedown
In the spirit of journalistic integrity, Gary Striker tasked me, The Qooligan, with summarizing this week’s Champions League action. While the added perk of taking some jabs at Josep’s predictions is a delightful bonus, I must admit that this summary is primarily about the incredible drama and unexpected twists that unfolded over two enthralling days of football. Tuesday’s matches set the stage for some captivating narratives, while Wednesday’s games delivered both expected and surprising outcomes. Let’s dive into the highlights of each game.
Tuesday, Feb. 18: A Night of Drama and Upsets
Josep’s predictive prowess was on full display on Tuesday, as he correctly called most of the outcomes, much to my chagrin. The day started with AC Milan facing Feyenoord, and it didn’t disappoint. Former Feyenoord player Santiago Gimemez put Milan ahead early with a first-minute goal, but the Dutch side proved resilient. Feyenoord’s steely defense held strong, and when Theo Hernández was sent off with a second yellow early in the second half, the momentum shifted decisively in their favor. Julián Carranza capitalized on the situation, scoring a crucial goal in the 73rd minute that leveled the game and secured Feyenoord’s aggregate win. The next hurdle for Feyenoord will be either Arsenal or Inter Milan, both formidable opponents, but the team’s recent performance suggests they might just pull off an upset.
Next up was Atalanta against Club Brugge, a match where Josep’s prediction was notably off the mark. Atalanta, trailing 2-0 from the first leg, came out firing in the second half. They managed to strike the woodwork twice and nearly saw their efforts rewarded with a goal-line save from Brugge’s Simon Mignolet. However, it was Christos Tzolis who made the difference, lacing in a brilliant goal just before halftime. The game took a dramatic turn when Rafael Tolói received a red card for violent conduct in the 87th minute, effectively ending Atalanta’s hopes. Brugge now looks to continue their Cinderella story against either Aston Villa or Lille.
Bayern Munich vs. Celtic: A Classic Scottish Heartbreak
The clash between Bayern Munich and Celtic was another tale of the underdogs’ struggle. Celtic, in front of a passionate home crowd, nearly forced the German giants into extra time. However, a moment of fate intervened. A beautiful save from Kasper Schmeichel fell to Celtic defender Auston Trusty, whose clearance hit Alphonso Davies and deflected into the net. It was a classic Scottish heartbreak, adding to the rich legacy of emotional moments in European football. Despite Josep’s overoptimistic prediction of a 5-2 aggregate win for Bayern, he was right about the outcome. Munich now faces either Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen. Given the lethargy of domestic draws in this competition, a match against Leverkusen seems more likely to inject some life into the proceedings.
Benfica vs. AS Monaco: A Thrilling Draw and a Narrow Victory
In Lisbon, Benfica and AS Monaco delivered a thrilling 3-3 draw, but the Portuguese side emerged as the aggregate winners. Both teams showed incredible attacking intent, with Benfica taking a 2-0 lead early. Monaco responded with three goals of their own, but Benfica’s resilience saw them score a crucial third goal, which ultimately gave them the tie. Initially, Josep had predicted a more straightforward 2-0 win for Benfica, but the high-scoring affair was a treat for the neutral fan. The winner of the draw between Barcelona and Liverpool will face Benfica, likely setting up an intriguing clash.
Wednesday, Feb. 19: Expected and Unexpected Results
Wednesday’s matches were a mix of anticipated outcomes and surprising upsets. Borussia Dortmund’s clash with Sporting CP was a prime example. A capacity crowd of 80,000 filled Signal Iduna Park, and while the match itself was a bit of a snooze, the result was clear: Dortmund’s 3-0 aggregate lead was enough to secure their passage. Josep’s prediction of a 5-1 win was a bit off, but he got the winner right. The next challenge for Dortmund will be either Aston Villa or Lille, with punters eager to see how they fare.
PSG’s Dominance and Brest’s Deserved Better
Paris Saint-Germain’s 7-0 victory over Brest was another highlight of the day, marking the second-biggest aggregate win in Champions League history. Despite the lopsided score, Brest showed moments of promise, and their performance deserved better. Josep’s prediction of a 6-1 aggregate win was close but still missed the mark. The soccer fan in me can’t help but salivate at the prospect of PSG facing either Barcelona or Liverpool in the next round. Both fixtures promise to be electric, with the added spice of a potential Champions Clasíco rematch.
PSV Eindhoven vs. Juventus: An American Impact and a Stunning Turnaround
The match between PSV Eindhoven and Juventus was a nail-biter, with PSV ultimately advancing on a 4-3 aggregate score. Josep’s bold prediction that this fixture would go to penalties was off the mark, but his forecast that one of the four Americans on these teams would make an impact came true. Timothy Weah scored a magnificent goal for Juventus, giving them a glimmer of hope, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. PSV’s dominance was evident, and they now face either Arsenal or Inter Milan in the next round. Both are tough opponents, but PSV’s recent performance suggests they might be up for the challenge.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City: A Hat-Trick and a Dominant Display
The marquee match of the week pitted Real Madrid against Manchester City, and it lived up to the hype. Pep Guardiola’s tactical decisions were heavily scrutinized, particularly with the absence of Erling Haaland and the placement of John Stones and Ruben Días in central defense. The game was effectively over in the fourth minute when Kylian Mbappé lofted the ball over Emerson for a stunning early goal. Mbappé completed his hat-trick on a night where Real Madrid dominated the defending champions. Despite Josep’s prediction of a 5-4 aggregate win for Real, his choice was spot on. Real Madrid will now face either Atlético Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen. The prospect of a derby rematch with Atlético is tantalizing, but a draw against Leverkusen would also promise plenty of spice.
