Real Madrid virtually played Apoel off the park in the first leg and can consider themselves a semi-finalist already. Things might not be so straight forward for Bayern though
In this section of the draw, Real Madrid is set to meet the winner of the tie between Bayern and Marseille. Real was held for 75 minutes in the first leg. They had numerous chances while their opponents could hardly get a hold of the ball. They eventually made the breakthrough through Karim Benzema and added two further goals to win the away leg 0-3 and hence the tie.
Apoel showed virtually no signs of being able to score in their own backyard. A trip to the Bernabeu is a dream which is about to be realized for the Apoel players and staff. However, they will be hoping not to be embarrassed by a Real Madrid side which leads their league ahead of Barcelona and has the best defence in the Champions League.
Bayern’s victory in the first-leg was not quite as straightforward as the score-line suggests. Marseille had their chances and failed to take them. There were at-least three clear occasions when Marseille could have scored but was denied by the excellent Manuel Neuer.
Bayern has plenty of fast players in the team; hence, they can launch devastatingly fast counter-attacks. Bayern’s first goal came via a counter-attack. Philipp Lahm began the move; the ball hit his hand and the Marseille players lost their concentration as they began protesting to the referee. Arjen Robben eventually set up Mario Gomez. Gomez’s shot was fumbled by second choice keeper Elinton Andrade and found the back of the net.
The second goal came midway through the second half. Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben did a superb one-two with each other before the latter put the ball beyond Andrade. Andrade managed to stop an effort from Gomez. Bayern had a chance to add a third late on in the game but Robben’s effort flew over the bar.
Marseille has had a week to rest as the French FA cancelled their league match to allow them to rest ahead of the second leg. Bayern had to play Nuremberg in the weekend and came away with a 0-1 victory thanks to Robben.
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Alou Diarra are suspended for this match after picking up their third yellow cards of the campaign in the previous match. Schweinsteiger was highly influential during the weekend and could turn out to be a big miss for the Bavarians.
Thomas Mueller, Jerome Boateng, Luiz Gustavo, Stephane Mbia and Toni Kroos are all one booking away from being suspended for their next match in UEFA club competition. Steve Mandanda, the first choice keeper and captain of Marseille returns for this match after serving out his one match suspension.
Last season, Bayern took a 0-1 lead into the second leg of their Round of 16 tie against Inter Milan. They became only the second side to be knocked out in the Champions League era after taking a 0-1 away lead in the first leg.
No team in the Champions League era has been knocked out after taking a 0-2 away lead from the first leg. Marseille will try to become the first team to do so in the city where they won their one and only Champions League.
Will Real Madrid break any records in the second leg against Apoel? Will Marseille be able to come back from the dead against Bayern? Let me hear your thoughts.
Apoel showed virtually no signs of being able to score in their own backyard. A trip to the Bernabeu is a dream which is about to be realized for the Apoel players and staff. However, they will be hoping not to be embarrassed by a Real Madrid side which leads their league ahead of Barcelona and has the best defence in the Champions League.
Bayern’s victory in the first-leg was not quite as straightforward as the score-line suggests. Marseille had their chances and failed to take them. There were at-least three clear occasions when Marseille could have scored but was denied by the excellent Manuel Neuer.
Bayern has plenty of fast players in the team; hence, they can launch devastatingly fast counter-attacks. Bayern’s first goal came via a counter-attack. Philipp Lahm began the move; the ball hit his hand and the Marseille players lost their concentration as they began protesting to the referee. Arjen Robben eventually set up Mario Gomez. Gomez’s shot was fumbled by second choice keeper Elinton Andrade and found the back of the net.
The second goal came midway through the second half. Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben did a superb one-two with each other before the latter put the ball beyond Andrade. Andrade managed to stop an effort from Gomez. Bayern had a chance to add a third late on in the game but Robben’s effort flew over the bar.
Marseille has had a week to rest as the French FA cancelled their league match to allow them to rest ahead of the second leg. Bayern had to play Nuremberg in the weekend and came away with a 0-1 victory thanks to Robben.
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Alou Diarra are suspended for this match after picking up their third yellow cards of the campaign in the previous match. Schweinsteiger was highly influential during the weekend and could turn out to be a big miss for the Bavarians.
Thomas Mueller, Jerome Boateng, Luiz Gustavo, Stephane Mbia and Toni Kroos are all one booking away from being suspended for their next match in UEFA club competition. Steve Mandanda, the first choice keeper and captain of Marseille returns for this match after serving out his one match suspension.
Last season, Bayern took a 0-1 lead into the second leg of their Round of 16 tie against Inter Milan. They became only the second side to be knocked out in the Champions League era after taking a 0-1 away lead in the first leg.
No team in the Champions League era has been knocked out after taking a 0-2 away lead from the first leg. Marseille will try to become the first team to do so in the city where they won their one and only Champions League.
Will Real Madrid break any records in the second leg against Apoel? Will Marseille be able to come back from the dead against Bayern? Let me hear your thoughts.
