Perhaps a small section of supporters within Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu are on to something. For the opening 75 minutes of Real’s second leg match against Bayern Munich, Cristiano Ronaldo, by his own standards and those of Real Madrid and all that jazz, cut a forlorn figure like only he can.
For all the talk regarding what it would take for Barcelona to, once again, turn around a seemingly insurmountable lead, the difference between this return leg and the one against PSG was made immediately evident upon kickoff. Juventus played higher up the pitch, they made Barcelona entirely uncomfortable, they were sophisticatedly physical and they were capable of stringing passes together.
Leave it to the young stars to light up the match. Ousmane Dembele worked some magic one-on-one in the penalty box and picked out his teammate Reus with ease.
Reus gets one back for Dortmund as Dembele picks up his 17th(!) assist in all comps this season. #ASMBVB https://t.co/UIwMq4XqzR
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 19, 2017
Leaving gaps within your defense will never be taken kindly in the Champions League. Radamel Falcao is no stranger to picking out these weaknesses.
Falcao gets in on the scoring with his 5th #UCL goal this season! #ASMBVB https://t.co/LpOEbL8ljN
Kylian Mbappé has just made Champions League History. The AS Monaco forward has scored a goal in each of his first four games in the knockout round.
Kylian Mbappe is the 1st player to score in his first four #UCL knockout stage games. He is 18 years old. #ASMBVB https://t.co/ytqY3O2Jt6
The war of words between Gerard Pique and Real Madrid reached ESPN FC comment section levels of villainy with Sergio Ramos taking the time to respond to Pique’s latest trolling effort.
Pique has previously insinuated that Real always get an easy draw in the Champions League, that Real’s expulsion from the Copa del Rey last season was hilarious and that Alvaro Arbeloa is a cone — this is pretty much a regular thing from him.
In the first extra time, Sergio Ramos crossed a ball in from the left side of the box, finding a wide open Cristiano Ronaldo. It appeared that he was offside, but that won't change the way Real Madrid fans feel about it.
Atletico Madrid are the first team of the quarter finals to punch their pass to the semi finals of the Champions League. Although Leicester played out of their skin, they could not find the shoe that fits to keep their Cinderella tale alive. Saul Niguez converted an early header to force Leicester to come up with three goals in order to advance. The uphill battle was too much of a task for Leicester, especially against an outstanding team such as Atletico.
A glimmer of hope has now been cast upon Leicester's Champions League dreams. After a failed clearance from Atletico Madrid, the ball fell right to Jamie Vardy's feet.
Jamie Vardy has given Leicester City hope! #UCL #LEIATM https://t.co/6DAFeOIFKy
Atletico Madrid has drawn first blood in the second leg vs Leicester City at King Power Stadium in England. Felipe Luis curled a beautiful cross into the penalty box, which was met by the head of Saul Niguez. The header was driven into the goal with pace and accuracy.