The UEFA Champions League returned with a loud bang this midweek, as the best competition in the wide world of soccer delivered an unforgettable start to their final eight.
This week, it is all about the Champions League quarterfinals, including that Ronaldo goal that set the world ablaze, Real Madrid’s conquest of Turin, and Liverpool’s latest spoiler job on Manchester City, plus much more.
April is already here, and so is the latest edition of 90 Minutes’ Top Five.
1. Spanish conquest
20 minutes in the first half, 20 minutes in the second half.
It only took that much time for Real Madrid to turn Allianz Stadium into Santiago Bernabeu West with a commanding 3-0 victory against Juventus on Tuesday.
But aside from the obviously talking point -some goal from some dude named Cristiano-, the big winner of the day has to be Zinedine Zidane.
The French coach relied on the starting XI that beat Juventus in the last season’s final, in spite of the impressive showings by Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez in the PSG tie, and at the cost of leaving a long-faced Gareth Bale on the bench.
It was an investment on experience, and it paid off big time, once again, for Zidane. Cristiano Ronaldo did his usual Champions League magic show, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric commanded the midfield, despite stretches of defensive weakness, and the back line absorbed Juve’s attempts with serenity and poise.
In just 40 minutes of brilliance, the Merengues all but punched their ticket to the semifinal doing what they do best: showing up on the big stage.
2. Kryptonite Klopp
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Man, does Jurgen Klopp have Pep Guardiola’s number or what?
Liverpool proved to be Manchester City’s perfect nemesis once again, delivering another dose of kryptonite to the soon-to-be Premier League champions in another magical Champions League night at Anfield on Wednesday.
It is the second time this season that the Reds have deciphered the City code. However, this time around, there was no dramatic comeback, no frustrating defensive errors, no last-minute heroics.
Wednesday night was a complete annihilation of the almighty City unlike anything seen this season. For the first time in 2017-2018, it can be said that Pep Guardiola and his players found themselves overwhelmed, outplayed, outmuscled and overmatched.
To hold Manchester City to zero shots on goal is a feat worthy of the loudest of applause, despite the negative add-on that was the attack on City’s bus before the match.
Now Guardiola and City are in a near-impossible predicament after a season of relative comfort. Next week, the world will find out what this dominant side is truly made of.
3. With a little help from my…opponents?
It was not in the prettiest of ways, but Barcelona and Bayern Munich took care of business in their own Champions League quarterfinals, mostly by pulling their on weight rather than displaying the kind of game they are capable of producing.
Barcelona did get a heck of a helping hand from Roma at the Camp Nou in the form of two own goals to set up their 4-1 rout of the Italians.
Even without a brilliant Lionel Messi, who had a very pedestrian performance, to be frank, Ernesto Valverde’s side relied on their effectiveness in front of Alisson’s goal, in a performance more resembling a random La Liga match than a big-time Champions League clash.
The same goes to Bayern Munich, who eked out a narrow 2-1 victory from Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Tuesday, thanks in great part to the Spaniard’s own shortcomings.
Sevilla wasted chance after clear chance to really put Bayern in a compromising situation, but failed to capitalize. It took two scrappy, ugly-looking goals for Jupp Heynckes’ men to leave Spain with the advantage.
As was the case with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern did not necessarily dominate, nor did they have to. They knew how to win, and that is how this Champions League will be conquered. The spoils will go to the team that knows how to win, as opposed to the team that plays the best.
4. The other half of the glory
Over on the Europa League side of things, Arsenal seem to have found an alternate universe where they are favorites expected to win, and actually do.
The Gunner put a first-half thumping on CSKA Moscow at the Emirates, scoring all four of their goals before the halftime break to upend the Russian, 4-1.
The only other strong candidate of the tournament took care of business in their own home first leg. Atletico Madrid followed suit with a 2-0 victory over Sporting CP, highlighted Koke’s goal within the first minute of play.
The thriller of the day took place at the Olimpico in Rome. Simone Inzaghi’s impressive Lazio side overcame a pesky Salzburg team that took them to 2-2 with 20 minutes left, before Felipe Anderson and Ciro Immobile added on two more goals for the definitive 4-2.
Finally, RB Leipzig and Marseille left their tie very much wide open, as the Germans took a slim 1-0 win on Timo Werner’s goal right before halftime.
5. Goal of the week
Was there any doubt?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s bicycle kick goal is one for the ages. It has been replayed over and over again, but the goal is so good, why no watch it one more time?
For you viewing pleasure, here it is once again.
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