Continental Cup Football: The second-leg of the quarterfinals in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Borussia Dortmund vs. Atletico Madrid /champions league
It is Dortmund’s turn to try and make home advantage count.
Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund drawing each other in the Champions League draw is the most ideal scenario for both clubs. Both sides are optimistic about their chances of advancing to the semifinals, and it was Atletico Madrid that came out of the first leg with a 2-1 home win.
Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain /champions league
On paper, these two teams will love their opponent in the next round, but Paris St. Germain and Barcelona will have to get there by taking out the other. FC Barcelona got a great start in Paris with a 3-2 win. Now the tie goes to Barcelona.
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Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal /champions league
History favors Bayern Munich, but current form favors Arsenal.
The last three Champions League matches between Arsenal and Bayern Munich ended in a ‘5-1’ victory for Bayern Munich. Thus, a 2-2 draw represents improvement for Arsenal, considering their absence from the competition since the 2016/17 season. However, Arsenal’s status as a title contender in the Premier League contrasts with Bayern Munich’s less dominant position in the Bundesliga this season. Therefore, securing a draw in London also holds a positive spin for Bayern Munich.
This is Bayern Munich’s last shot at a title in the 2023/24 season. They’ve already lost the league title to Bayer Leverkusen, lost the German supercup final to RB Leipzig at the start of the season, and were knocked out of the DFB Pokal in the second round by Saarbrücken.
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid /champions league
The reigning champions will host the most successful club in the tournament, after the two clubs shared six goals evenly in the first leg.
For the third consecutive year, Manchester City and Real Madrid faced each other in the knockout stage of the Champions League, this time in the quarterfinals and not the semifinal.
In the 2021/22 Champions League season, Real Madrid defied expectations by eliminating Manchester City (6-5 on aggregate) in the semifinals and ultimately went on to win the title.
In the 2022/23 Champions League season, Manchester City comfortably defeated Real Madrid (5-1 on aggregate) in the semifinals and subsequently clinched the title.
And after the first leg of the quarter final of the 2023/34 Champions League season, they are tied on a ‘3-3’ scoreline.
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UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Atalanta vs. Liverpool \ europa league
Marseille vs. Benfica \ europa league
Roma vs. AC Milan \ europa league
West Ham United vs. Bayer Leverkusen \ europa league
Two of the four home teams kicked off their first leg with a home defeat; AC Milan and Liverpool kicked off their Europa League quarter final with a first leg home defeat; AC Milan lost 1-0 to Roma, with Gianluca Mancini’s goal deciding the game, while Liverpool made headlines for the wrong reason by getting crushed 3-0 in Anfield by Atalanta, with Gianluca Scamacca scoring a brace. The two European heavyweights are tasked to turn the tie around away from home.
After winning their first ever German Bundesliga title on Sunday, Bayer Leverkusen will take on to the field on Thursday in London to protect a ‘2-0’ first leg lead against West Ham United. We were into the final 10 minutes of regulation time before Leverkusen got the goals to extend their unbeaten season with a 2-0 win against West Ham United.
Benfica will take a one-goal lead to Marseille after beating Olympique Marseille 2-1 win in the first leg.
UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE
Fiorentina vs. Viktoria Plzeň \ conference league
Lille vs. Aston Villa \ conference league
Fenerbahçe vs. Olympiacos \ conference league
PAOK vs. Club Brugge \ conference league
Fiorentina was the only away side to come out unbeaten in the first leg as they played out a goalless draw against Viktoria Plzen. Now they will have home field to make their mark.
Fenerbahce came from a 3-0 down to leave with a 3-2 defeat in Greece to Olympiacos, they now have home field to help them turn the tie in their favor.
Lille got a goal to leave England with a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. They now have home field advantage to help make up the 1-goal deficit and turn the tie in their favor.
Club Brugge failed to extend their lead through a penalty kick in the 78th minute, but they got a slender 1-0 home win over PAOK. Now PAOL will be home to see what they can do.
