After the first leg of the 2016 Champions League Quarter Finals threw a few surprises at us, it’s the mainstays that will be looking to get the job done tonight and tomorrow. Yes, the second leg is upon us, and Barcelona take a handy lead to Madrid to face Atlético, Real Madrid are looking to fight back, and Manchester City have a chance to take another historic step for the club. All the matches are previewed below.
MANCHESTER CITY v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (2-2)
Tuesday 7.45pm
Sorry City fans, Vincent Kompany is a no show. The captain of the club, the senior in defence, will miss the second leg against PSG with the same calf issue that has dogged his career. In the games that City have played with Kompany this year, they have lost just three. And one of those he didn’t play the full 90. Their record without him is a lot less glamorous, so they’ll be concerned about the impact Ibrahimovic could have at the Etihad. That said, they just need a draw. A helpful two away goals in Paris will have the squad in good spirits, along with the returns of de Bruyne and Nasri from recent injuries. If City get the job done in Manchester tonight, let’s hope they don’t draw Bayern in the semis, because what a final that would make – Pep vs. his new club.
REAL MADRID v WOLFSBURG (0-2)
Tuesday 7.45pm
Real had a night to forget in Germany in the first leg, dropping to a 0-2 deficit and Marcelo being marred in controversy over a ridiculous dive. Nevertheless, they bounced back domestically with a dominant, if expected, 4-0 trouncing of La Liga outfit Eibar on the weekend. That has the Bernabeu in good spirits, with the gap to their rivals at the top of the ladder closing fast. However, in their way in this competition stands a team that made them look second best just a week ago. Wolfsburg had been poor in the Bundesliga of late, but against a Real team who have kept just five clean sheets in 16 matches with Zidane in charge, they might feel confident of nicking an away goal that could see them through.
ATLÉTICO MADRID v BARCELONA (1-2)
Wednesday 7.45pm
What a match we got gifted at the Nou Camp in the first leg. Surprises, controversy, red cards, comebacks. Whilst there are many, many people feeling that Barcelona get walked into the latter stages of this competition each year – such as Atlético players who claimed officials are scared of Barca falling out of the tournament – you can’t say that Barcelona don’t have the players to back up their success. Despite heading into the away leg having conceded a goal at home, it would be a surprise were Barcelona not to outscore Madrid again and go through to the Champions League semi-finals once more.
BENFICA v BAYERN MUNICH (0-1)
Wednesday 7.45pm
And last but not least we have Benfica verse Bayern Munich. Whilst the neutrals amongst us would normally be cheering on Benfica here, I for one just can’t get over the idea of a Pep vs. City final. Still, Benfica did well to stem the tide at 1-0 at the ever-daunting Allianz Arena at the first stage, and will go into this game with the glimmer of hope they have earnt. They have won 21 of their past 24 games in all competitions, including a run of eight straight before the first leg, so they’re in good form. Still, odds are that Munich will blow them away with the same starting eleven as at home in the first leg. The main concern for the manager will be that Arturo Vidal and Robert Lewandoski are both one booking away from missing a match.
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