Going Up?
Arsenal’s European Triumph
If their Premier League campaign has been a letdown, Arsenal can certainly take solace in a historic Champions League performance. A resounding 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the knockout stage not only marked Arsenal’s best European showing since the Thierry Henry era but also showcased the attacking prowess of Mikel Arteta’s side. Without key players like Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, the Gunners still managed to dominate, with the Dutch team, featuring USMNT’s Richard Ledezma, bearing the brunt of Arsenal’s frustration. The night was particularly bittersweet for former Arsenal favorite Robin van Persie, now coaching PSV, as his team suffered a humiliating defeat. This victory, Arsenal’s largest away win in the Champions League knockouts, highlighted the team’s potential and reignited hopes for a historic title run.
Inter’s Steely Resolve
Silencing De Kuip
Dutch football endured a tough week, with Inter Milan’s 2-0 victory over Feyenoord at De Kuip adding to the misery. Nicolò Barella’s quick thinking set up an acrobatic finish by Marcus Thuram for the opening goal, while Piotr Zieliński’s pinball sequence in the box culminated in Lautaro Martínez’s clinical finish. Martínez, now Inter’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League with 17 goals, continued his form in front of goal. Remarkably, Inter have conceded just once in the competition this season, a testament to their defensive solidity. The clean sheet, kept by substitute Josep Martínez, was a testament to the team’s resilience and the coaching acumen of Simone Inzaghi. "He showed his qualities, which no one had any doubts about," said Inzaghi, praising Martínez’s performance.
Bayern’s Redemption
Burying the Ghosts of 2012
Bayern Munich’s quest for Champions League glory received a significant boost with a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. This victory not only ended a six-game winless run against Xabi Alonso’s team but also saw Harry Kane shine with a brilliant header and a penalty. The Englishman’s transformation into a clinical finisher was evident, with his first goal set up by Michael Olise, who is increasingly proving his worth on Europe’s biggest stage. The absence of Manuel Neuer due to injury saw 21-year-old Jonas Urbig step up, delivering a performance that belied his age and inexperience. Bayern’s dominance over their rivals in the Bundesliga was on full display, setting the stage for a potential final showdown.
PSG’s Bitter Defeat
Parisian Promises Unfulfilled
Paris Saint-Germain’s hopes for a breakthrough season were dashed by Liverpool in a thrilling encounter. Despite playing beautifully and outperforming the Premier League leaders in many aspects, PSG fell to a controversial 1-0 defeat. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s goal was controversially disallowed, and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté narrowly escaped a red card. The young Parisians, lacking experience, allowed Liverpool’s resilience and Alisson Becker’s heroics to turn the tide. PSG’s coach, Luis Enrique, lamented the outcome, stating, "We were far superior to Liverpool." The second leg looms large, with PSG aiming to overturn the deficit and salvage their European ambitions.
Benfica’s Heartbreak
An Unfortunate Night in Lisbon
Benfica’s Champions League dreams suffered a significant setback with a 1-0 loss to Barcelona, despite the visitors being reduced to 10 men early in the match. Vangelis Pavlidis, who had scored a hat-trick in a previous meeting, drew a red card for Pau Cubarsi, but Barcelona’s Wojciech Szczęsny made crucial saves to keep Benfica at bay. Raphinha, who had been instrumental in the earlier 5-4 victory, found the net again, delivering the decisive blow. Benfica’s 15 second-half shots, many of which were thwarted by Szczęsny, highlighted their dominance and frustration. Coach Bruno Lage summed up the night: "We could be talking about a 5-1 and we are talking about a 0-1." The reverse fixture is crucial for Benfica to keep their hopes alive.
Leverkusen’s Woes
Alonso’s Struggles Continue
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen faced a setback that may signal the end of their recent dominance. A 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich saw the team struggle both defensively and offensively. Florian Wirtz, considered one of Germany’s best talents, had a poor performance against his potential future club. Alonso’s tactical choices, particularly the omission of strikers, backfired, and goalkeeping errors by Matěj Kovář and disciplinary issues with Nordi Mukiele compounded the problems. "We did not control the small details and so our pain was self-inflicted," Alonso admitted. The defeat not only dented his reputation but also raised questions about the team’s future direction.
