UEFA Champions League Recap

The thrilling Round of 16 in this year’s Champions League is over as the top 8 European soccer teams battle it out to find out who is the best. The 2018-19 Champions League Round of 16 was full of comebacks making this one of the most exciting tournaments this year. While some fan favorites went home, new champions rose to head on to the quarter-finals. Let's take a look at some of the matchups in the second leg of this breathtaking Round of 16:

Real Madrid: 1 Ajax: 4 (Aggregate: 3-5)

This game marked the first of many comebacks that awaited the audience this Champions League. Although Madrid took the lead by one point in the first half, demonstrating recovery from Ronaldo’s transfer, they fell to Ajax in the second half due to incompetent strikers and a bad defense. Dušan Tadić was at the center of Ajax’s play scoring a goal, and with a couple of assists, he shows that he is one of the players to look out for as Ajax heads into the quarter-finals.

Borussia Dortmund: 0 Tottenham: 1 (Aggregate:0-4)

The first leg of this game ended in an unexpected 3-point-lead for Tottenham as they defied the odds using their strong offense with Son-Heung-Min and Harry Kane. Yet again, the Spurs demonstrated their prowess on the field by winning the second leg. With their overwhelmingly high possession, Dortmund had countless opportunities to score and make a comeback, especially Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus. Nonetheless, they did not manage to seize any of them as Harry Kane finished a good pass scoring the only goal this game. With great attacking power, the Spurs head to the quarter-finals with a clean sheet against the second to best of Bundesliga.

Porto: 3 Roma: 1 (Aggregate:4-3)

This game was one of many other comebacks. Zaniolo, a teenager, made a name for himself and Roma in the first leg by scoring both of Roma’s goals as the game ended in a close call. Nevertheless, Porto enhanced their performance in the second leg, taking greater possession and making a comeback. To start the game off Soares one-touched an assist from Marega scoring Porto’s first goal and equalizing in aggregate. However, De Rossi scored for Porto taking the lead once again. Nonetheless, Marega scored in the second half to equalize the score once again. After a yellow card in extra time, Telles scored the penalty at the 117th minute of the game as Porto sealed off their victory to head to the quarter-finals.

PSG: 1 Manchester United: 3 (Aggregate:3-3 Manchester United wins due to away goals rule)

This game was arguably the most surprising game of this Champions League season. PSG seemed set to win with a 2 goal lead in the second leg. To start the game off, 2 goals from Lukaku tied the score in aggregate leveling the playing field. Nonetheless, Velasco scored a goal surpassing PSG in aggregate. Due to a yellow card, however, the Red Devils were granted a penalty during the game’s final minutes. Seizing the opportunity, Rashford scored, and by the away goals rule, Manchester United advanced to the semi-finals having scored more goals in their away leg of the game.

Manchester City: 7 Schalke 04:0 (Aggregate:10-2)

In the highest scoring game this Champions League season, Manchester City head to the quarter-finals. One would think this game would be a close one after their 1-point-lead in the first leg. However, in a string of goals from Agüero, Sané, Sterling, B. Silva, Foden, and Jesus(in order) Schalke 04 returned home from an embarrassing second leg defeat.

Juventus: 3 Atletico Madrid: 0 (Aggregate:3-2)

To start the game off, Ronaldo scores a wonderful header off of Bernardeschi’s cross. Right before that half ended, yet again, Ronaldo scored another header, which the goalkeeper seemed to block. However, the ball went over the goal line equalizing the score in aggregate after Juventus’s defeat in the first leg. After a foul against Bernardeschi, Juventus was granted a penalty. Ronaldo shot the ball in the left corner while the goalkeeper dived to the right giving Ronaldo a hat-trick and sending Juventus to the quarter-finals in one of the most exciting games this season.

Bayern Munchen: 1 Liverpool: 3 (Aggregate:1-3)

After their draw in the first leg, Liverpool and Bayern were at a stalemate. In the first half, Mane got in a goal using his ball-control and finishing and gained Liverpool the lead. However, with an own goal from Matip in the first half, Bayern was able to catch up. Nonetheless, van Dijk scored off of a corner gaining the lead. Although Bayern clearly had greater possession, due to poor marking, Sadio Mane was able to get a header in from a cross, sealing off Liverpool’s victory and ascension to the quarter-finals.

Barcelona: 5 Lyon: 1 (Aggregate: 5-1)

Similar to the previous game, both Lyon and Barcelona scored no goals in the first leg and were stuck at a tie. However, this did not last long for Messi scored a goal off of the penalty in the first half. The reassure their lead, Coutinho also scored a few minutes later. In order to retaliate, Tousart scored Lyon’s first and only goal. Nevertheless, their efforts were in vain as Gerard Pique and Dembele scored clearing Barcelona’s path to the quarter-finals.

With this eventful Round of 16 have come some impressive goals, strong players, good goalies, and inspiring coaches. Here are some of the best of these players:

Goal of the Round: Sadio Mane (Bayern vs. Liverpool, 2nd leg, 26’)

A truly spectacular goal and in fact, arguably the best this season. As Mane received a lob pass, he skillfully controlled it, spinning around the goalkeeper and shooting it above the defenders and into the goal.

Player of the Round: Cristiano Ronaldo

Although he only scored one goal in group stages and failed to score in the first leg, his performance in the second leg against Atletico Madrid says it all. With three goals, two magnificent headers and one penalty, it can be said that Ronaldo carried Juventus on his back to the quarter-finals.

Goalkeeper of the Round: Alisson Becker

Becker is the main reason why there were no goals scored in the first leg against Bayern, the best Bundesliga has to offer. His strong blocks and dynamic saves are the reason why Liverpool are advancing to the quarterfinals. In their game in the Round of 16, Bayern had countless opportunities to score. Nonetheless, it was because of Becker that almost none of them reached inside the goal line.

Coach of the Round: Massimiliano Allegri

In the past Juventus had won the Serie A countless times. However, they were never able to gain the title of best in Europe. With Ronaldo on their side this time, Juventus had a good chance of doing so. Nevertheless, with their defeat in the first leg, it seemed unlikely. Carrying this weight, Allegri was able to help Juventus win, inspiring a strong defense and pulling through.