The second matchday of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal return
leg matches lacked the goals that were the order of the day before with only
one goal scored in two matches.
Forgotten Mexican Javier ‘Chicarito’ Hernandez emerged from
the abyss as he scored the only goal of the night, a vital one as it helped defending
champions Real Madrid progress to the last four.
With the match still barren after 178 minutes of football,
the on-loan Manchester United forward popped up with the goal tapping in a
Cristiano Ronaldo pass.
The timing of the goal and the fact that Atletico had been
reduced to 10-men with quarter an hour to go meant Diego Simeone’s men could
not prevent their first defeat in their previous 8 matches against the reigning
champions.
The Stade Louis Stadium in Monaco opened and closed without
any goal being sighted. Juventus, holding a 1-0 first leg advantage reminded
many of their old days when resolute defending was their and Italian football
mainstay.
Monaco had 12 shots but only one tested Gianluigi Buffon in
the Old Lady’s goal as they restricted the hosts to trying their luck from
outside the box.
In the end, Arturo Vidal’s converted penalty in the first
leg in Turin proved decisive as Juve won the tie 1-0 on aggregate to book their
first semi-final berth in 12 years.
Real Madrid and Juventus joined Bayern Munich, Bundesliga defending
and champions-elect, and FC Barcelona in the last four.
Pep Guardiola’s Bayern produced a breathtaking second leg
display by thumping FC Porto 6-1 at Allianz Arena to win 7-4 on aggregate
having shockingly lost 3-1 in the first leg.
Barcelona, 3-1 winners at Parc de Princess a week earlier,
completed the job fairly easily at Camp Nou as Neymar double saw them run out
2-0 winners and 5-1 on aggregate.
The four teams are arguably the best there is in Europe, be
it in the domestic front or at the continental level. No matter who draws who
in the semifinals, we should expect a football treat.
And That's thesteifmastertake!!
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