The Premier League is the richest, bestest (not a word), fanciest, blingiest (also not a word), most-watched, most hyped domestic football competition in the world. It’s the Big League football league, it has all the best players and knows all the best words.
So why do its teams suck so hard when it comes to Europe? Why are three of its four participants already out of the Champions League before we’ve reached the quarterfinals?
The second leg of Monaco vs. Manchester City promised lunacy. After a 5-3 Manchester City won in the first leg, two exciting offenses backed by trash defenses faced off in Monaco, with the hosts moving on to the Champions League quarterfinals after a 3-1 win.
Monaco's defense proved to be the less trash defense and also Manchester City were lackadaisical in the first half and they couldn't finish to save their lives in the second.
Given that Radamel Falcao was missing and Manchester City still gave up three goals, I'd say they pretty much got what they deserved.
Atletico Madrid have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the fourth consecutive season, and for the fourth consecutive season, they look like legitimate contenders for Europe’s greatest club prize.
They have no reason to fear their potential opponents. They’re, of course, well-versed in the battles between themselves, Real Madrid and Barcelona. They finished above Bayern Munich in this season’s group stage (and beat them in the semifinals last year), and the same can be said with regards to Juventus two years ago.
Manchester City's aggregate lead over Monaco lasted less than 35 minutes. Fabinho's finish has the Citizens on the ropes.
Monaco have wiped out City's two-goal cushion in the first 30 minutes. Buckle up everyone. #UCL https://t.co/oUTS2Xb3Aj
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 15, 2017
Monaco's Kylian Mbappe is a very good soccer teen. The 18-year-old scored his 17th goal of the season to put Monaco up 1-0 against Manchester City, and within a goal of advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals.
Kylian Mbappé now has 11 goals in his last 11 games (all comps). Not bad for an 18-year-old... #UCL https://t.co/FkgHIcCsjh
Bayer Leverkusen's 17-year-old prodigy Kai Havertz has already appeared in the Champions League and appeared 13 times in the Bundesliga. He has the potential to be special.
But, as a 17-year-old, he still has to go to school, which is why he is missing the second leg of Leverkusen's round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid.
Personnel situation:
Injured:
Toprak
Tah
Kießling
BenderYellow-card ban:
Henrichs
We should just post our recap from the first leg between Juventus and Porto, really, because they were basically the same game.
Both teams looked dangerous, with Juventus controlling a bit more of the possession, until Porto did something stupid, Juventus scored and that was that.
This time, it was a Maxi Pereira red card for blocking the ball with an outstretched arm after a shot from Gonzalo Higuain. Paulo Dybala converted the penalty and the tie was over, with Porto's poor finishing helping to put a lid on things.
Leicester City have defeated Sevilla 3-2 on aggregate (2-0 on the night) to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals behind goals from Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton. Sevilla had Samir Nasri sent off in the 74th, a penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel in the 80th and were ultimately left to rue their wastefulness in the first leg. This was Leicester's night.
Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare sent out the same XI that had defeated Liverpool and Hull City in his first two games in charge, Shinji Okazaki being the main beneficiary of the managerial change.