With the champions league quarter final stage over, millions of football fans were given a timely reminded of just why we love this beautiful game. My prediction of Semi finalists after the Quarter final draw was Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City. I definitely wasn't alone in making this bold suggestion. And we couldn't be more wrong.
A week to forget for runaway English Premier League leaders, Manchester City; a night which was abysmal by all standards associated with football club Barcelona and Lionel Messi; a brilliant night at the Bernabeu smeared by late controversy and a narrow 2-1 aggregate win for Bayern Munich over Sevilla is how the quarter final stage played out in the end.
English Premier League champions elect, Manchester City went into their fixture against Liverpool last week on the back of a resounding 3-1 away victory over Liverpool's Merseyside rivals, Everton. Losing 3-0 in the first leg to a brilliant Liverpool, Manchester City had the chance to at least celebrate the wrapping up of the league campaign against City rivals Manchester United. Man City had a 2 goal lead midway through the first half and some fans had already started partying at halftime.
Manchester United led by Paul Pogba, who Man City manager Pep had in the build up to the game stated was offered to Man City during the January transfer window, had other plans. A second half rally giving Manchester United a 3-2 win to delay Manchester City's title celebration.
The second leg fixture against Liverpool would provide further hurt for Manchester City and their fans, eventhough qualification seemed farfetched. Man City started brilliantly though and were in the lead within 2 minutes of the game. Liverpool were completely dominated in the first half, recording their first shot in the late stages of the first half. Two second half mistakes from Manchester City would prove to be their own undoing as Liverpool capitalised on both errors to win 2-1, 5-1 on aggregate.
Barcelona were in a pretty comfortable position after winning the first leg 4-1 at the camp nou, assisted by 2 AS Roma own goals. In the return fixture in Rome, Barça coach fielding a very strong starting 11 was clearly taking no chances. This didn't really matter to Roma who fought valiantly against a team they knew were shaky away from home in the Champions league this season (Barcelona only won one away game in the 17/18 champions league season).
Roma getting their third unanswered goal in the 83rd, leaving it late to knock out Barça on the away goal rule.
Messi, Suarez and the Barça team all couldn't get a response to Roma's resurgence.
Madrid's qualification seemed the most in the bag after a brilliant 3-0 win away to Juventus. Ronaldo leading the team to victory a week ago. Juventus, probably inspired by their Italian counterparts put in an amazing performance at the Santiago Bernabeu pulling all 3 goals back; twice through Mario Mandzukic and once through Matuidi.
The match was set for extra time when Real Madrid were given a penalty in rather controversial circumstances in added time of the second half. Ronaldo converting to give Real Madrid a 4-3 aggregate victory over Juventus.
Bayern Munich after winning 2-1 away to Sevilla last week also had a foot, though not firmly placed in the semi finals. The second leg ending 0-0 at the Allianz Arena to see Bayern sail through with their 2-1 cushion intact.
The semi finals promises to be intriguing.
Liverpool, AS Roma, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich facing off. The draw which will be held tomorrow - Friday, 13th April at 12 PM GMT.
Liverpool have proven themselves to be worthy opponents and with their front 3 should be considered to be as dangerous as favourites, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
AS would seem the safer bet for most teams but shouldn't be taken lightly after their terrific comeback against unbeaten la liga leaders Barcelona