UEFA Champions League 2024/2025

[Trollheart]

Arsenal have certainly set their stall out. Historic victory. Kind of feel sorry for PSV.

[Trollheart]

Round of 16

(First Leg)


Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool
(France v England)
Parc de Princes, Paris

Consistently top of the table since about the second or third matchday, Liverpool look good for the title, while PSG, who stumbled a little at first, have made up for it in fine form and so two of the fancied teams met in Paris. Early chance for PSG went begging as the ball sailed over the net, but back they came, this time corner resulted, punched out but back in and into the net. PSG ahead on 20 minutes. Oh, but then the goal was ruled fractionally offside, so no goal. More bad luck for the French side as they could have had a penalty, and Liverpool could have had a man sent off for red, but neither happened.

Liverpool had not so far troubled the Paris net, so were they playing for a draw to take back to Anfield next week? Well, if so, then giving the ball away when you're on the attack surely is not the best of moves, PSG swarming back down the field, only 2 fine saves in rapid succession by Allison keeping it nil-nil. Really, you'd have to say the Liverpool keeper was the only thing standing between PSG opening the scoring, though of course Liverpool sometimes wait in the long grass and then strike when least expected.

A free for PSG was again just kept out by the man in the Liverpool net, the only man who seemed to be working for the English team. When Salah is substituted, you know something is not going right. But you know what? That Slot fella knows what he's doing. Only minutes after replacing the Liverpool talisman, Harvey Elliot broke through and scored, definitely against the run of play, and in the final three minutes! That's how champions play! What did I say about the long grass?

Result: Paris Saint-Germain 0 - 1 Liverpool


Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen
(Germany v Germany)
Allianz Arena, Munich

At least Bayern won't have far to travel for the second leg of this all-German tie, just down the autobahn, or whatever. A winner-takes-all tie which will leave just one German team in the quarter-finals took place at a fog-shrouded Allianz, Harry Kane opening the scoring for the home team on 9 minutes, a great start. A long punt up field then almost had Leverkusen in, but saved, Bayern just missing going two ahead minutes later. Just the one goal separating the teams then in the first half, but another nine minutes into the second Bayern had their second, and a clear advantage now.

That advantage was extended in the last half hour when Leverkusen had a man sent off for a second yellow, then after a penalty was awarded to the hosts Kane scored his second and Bayern's third of the night, and the outcome was no longer in any doubt, if it had ever been.

Result: Bayern Munich 3 - 0 Bayer Leverkusen



PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal
(Netherlands v England)
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven

Arsenal may have seen their title hopes evaporate in Liverpool's dust over the last two weeks, but they're well in contention for the Champions League, and no matter how they do here tonight, they have the second leg at the Emirates to make up for it. Two chances for the Dutch to score early, but one off the bar and one wide kept it scoreless for now. Until 18 minutes in, when Arsenal opened the scoring. Three minutes later it was two, as the Gunners pressed their advantage ruthlessly.

Then a bad tackle by Arsenal's Lewis-Skelly, already on a yellow could have seen him walk, but luckily for him, and to the fury of the PSV supporters he remained on the pitch. If that angered them, then Arsenal's third just after the half-hour must have sent them into paroxysms of rage! A penalty awarded to the home side may have calmed that anger somewhat, allowing PSV to pull one back just before the half-time whistle. Arsenal re-established their lead though immediately, taking their fourth in the first minute of the second half. Two minutes later it was five, and PSV were down and out.

Just a case of how many now, and with 17 minutes to go five became six, five minutes from time six became seven, PSV with it all to do away next week, but surely out? Arsenal with the biggest away win in Champions League history during the Round of 16, certainly laying down their marker and making an emphatic statement.


Result: PSV Eindhoven 1 - 7 Arsenal



Club Brugge v Aston Villa
(Belgium v England)
Jan Breydel Stadium, Brussels

Things are falling apart for us at home, so hopefully we'd be able to make a good showing away to the Belgians and take a goal or two back to Villa Park for the rematch. Hardly time to boil an egg before Bailey had them ahead with a rocket on three minutes, the best start possible, Rashford nearly in for their second but kept out by the keeper, then Brugge equalised nine minutes later, up to Villa now to retake the advantage. Asensio nearly gave them the lead again but the Brugge keeper equal to it, then the Belgians could have turned it around but cleared out by Mings.

With 8 minutes to go a forced own goal gave Villa the lead, perhaps payback for that match Brugge won which they should never have done, had it not been for that crazy penalty. Three minutes to go and Villa had a penalty, taken with cool aplomb by Asensio, a real advantage now for us at home next week.

Result: Club Brugge 1 - 3 Aston Villa

[Trollheart]

Benfica v Barcelona
(Portugal v Spain)
Estadio da Luz, Lisbon

At home or away, it's really tough to beat Barcelona, who surely are seen as another favourite to win the competition. They met Portugal's Benfica, who gave them perhaps their toughest match in the CL so far. Could they do it again? They almost did, seconds into the match, but just wide of the post, then Barcelona also came close, but no goals yet. This would surely not be a nil-nil at the end, the first goal for Barca only prevented with an amazing triple save by the Portuguese keeper.  Barcelona lost a man in the first half, sent off for a straight red, advantage surely Benfica now.

No goals in the first half though, could Benfica make their man advantage pay dividends in the second? Like Allison earlier, the Barca keeper could not be got past, then with a half-hour left in the match the ten men scored. A penalty shout for the home side was denied due to an offside decision, very tight, and Barcelona ran out 1-0 winners in the end.

Result: Benfica 0 - 1 Barcelona



Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid
(Spain v Spain)
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid

Not only two teams from the same country, but this time two from the same city, as giants Real Madrid took on local rivals Atletico in an attempt to gain an advantage for the second leg, and ensure that of the two teams left in the quarter-finals, one of these teams would join Barcelona (Come on, we all know they'll be there). Real were ahead on four minutes, slicing through the Atletico defence as if they weren't there, the visitors then coming close to levelling but unable to convert. Just after the half-hour they did, the match now tied, a lovely curling shot into the corner of the Real net.

Ten minutes into the second half Real took the lead again, but squandered the chance to take a third in extra time, Modric shooting straight at the keeper.  Real take a two goal advantage back to, um, Madrid next week.

Result: Real Madrid 2 - 1 Atlético Madrid



Feyenoord v AC Milan
(Netherlands v Italy)
De Kuip, Rotterdam

The other Dutch team left in the round of 17 met the only remaining Italian team, as Inter Milan scored just after the half-hour, the only goal of the half. They extended that lead five minutes into the second, Feyenoord almost pulling one back but shooting off the crossbar and over. Inter had a chance to make it three after they were given a penalty near the end but it was saved.

Result: Feyenoord 0 - 2 Inter Milan



Borussia Dortmund v Lille
(Germany v France)
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund

Halfway through the first period and Dortmund were ahead at home, Lille coming back just after the hour to tie up the game and give themselves a real chance when they play the second leg at home.

Result: Borussia Dortmund 1 - 1 Lille

[Trollheart]

Second Leg Advantage

Next week is make-or-break for the last sixteen teams, as a result in the second leg will determine who goes through to the quarter finals. So who has the advantage?

Liverpool take just the one goal back to Anfield, but you wouldn't expect them to slip up (sorry Steven!) at home, so the advantage has to be with them. PSG will find themselves in hostile territory, because we know that if there's one thing an Englishman hates more than an Irishman or a Scot, or a German, it's a frog. Bon chance, mes amis!

Arsenal have this all sewn up now, and could theoretically sail through without even playing the second leg. Can you see PSV scoring 6 goals away and the Gunners not converting at all? Hell, even Paddy Power wouldn't take that bet! Arsenal through unless the entire team is abducted by aliens.

Villa have a great advantage going into the home leg, with three goals on Brugge, who generally aren't known for playing well away from home, and although we've been stumbling more than a little in the Prem, we usually come good at Villa Park.

So it would look, on the face of it, as if all three English teams are going through. In terms of German, well, that's another matter.

Bayern also take a three goal advantage to Leverkusen next week, the home side then needing four goals to unseat Kane's boys, or three to force extra time and penalties. I don't see them doing it, and would think Bayern are assured of getting through to the QF.

Borussia Dortmund are less assured, each team taking one goal back to Lille, where the pressure will be on the Germans. Hard to say how that match will turn out, but as it stands, if neither team scores (unlikely but possible I guess) then we're for a penalty shootout.

Feyenoord head to the San Siro two goals down, and I just can't see the Italians failing to score at home, which means at the moment the Dutch team need 2 to push for extra time and three to win, assuming Inter don't score, but as I say, doubtful to say the least. I would think Milan will do this.

Even with just the one goal to take back to the second leg, we know the pressure-cooker the Olympic can be, and Barca fans will be willing their team on, demanding they go for the win, which they surely will. Benfica lost a chance to take something back to Spain, and are already a goal behind, so I'd be surprised to see Barcelona fall at this late stage.

As for the other two Spanish teams, well Real Madrid did what was needed at home, now they take a two-goal advantage back to Altetico's ground, but may have a tough match there. Real score one more goal and Atletico are going to find it hard to get past them, Atletico score and it's level and could go to penalties. Not as cut-and-dried as it might seem.

So expected in the quarter-finals then:
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Liverpool
Bayern Munich
Real Madrid
Barcelona
Inter Milan
Borussia Dortmund

[jimmy jazz]

We're already pretty much through and we will be playing Liverpool or PSG in the quarters.

Who do you want? Who gives a fuck. Both shit teams who will get schooled by the mighty Villa.

UP THE VILLA 🟣🔵

[Trollheart]

I still think Liverpool can win it, and they're my second-favourite team anyway. Might be a bit of a crisis for me if we end up playing them!

[jimmy jazz]

I still think Liverpool can win it, and they're my second-favourite team anyway. Might be a bit of a crisis for me if we end up playing them!

No it won't. You'll support Villa.

[jimmy jazz]

Brilliant well done Villa what a win what a team what a manager what a time to be alive.

I just want to hug my cat and dance in my living room.

Bring on PSG.

[Saulaac]

Haven't read the footy news toonday but looks like Villa is doing well. Happy for you JJ!

[Trollheart]

 Round of 16, Second Leg

The point where it becomes all or nothing. One team has to win, and they will go through to the quarter-finals. Some teams are already assured, or all but assured of a place, bringing an advantage home, but for some, it all hangs in the balance.



Aston Villa v Club Brugge
(England v Belgium)
Villa Park, Birmingham
Aggregate score from first leg: Aston Villa 3 - 1 Club Brugge

Villa took a 2-goal advantage back to Villa Park, and looked set to go through, but this literally was the traditional game of two halves. Brugge on the attack for much of the first half, Villa with hardly any opportunities and lucky not to go behind. Then Brugge had a man sent off and things changed. Well, not quite. For the remainder of the half it still looked like eleven against eleven, and there were no goals scored at the break, though Villa still 3-1 on aggregate.

Then Asensio came on at the start of the second half, and immediately things went up a gear. He scored himself within five minutes, had a chance of a second but back it came off the post, and then Maatsen scored Villa's second just before the hour. But was it offside? Yes, it seemed to be, but was not given as such, so the goal stood. Three minutes later Asensio was on the scoresheet for the second time, and the match was done.

Result: Aston Villa 3 - 0 Club Brugge
Aggregate score: Aston Villa 6 - Club Brugge 1
Through to quarter-finals: Aston Villa



Liverpool v Paris Saint-Germain
(England v France)
Anfield, Liverpool
Aggregate score from first leg: Liverpool 1 - 0 Paris Saint-Germain

Although they left it late at the Parc des Princes, Liverpool walked out onto the pitch at Anfield not only with the roar of their supporters in their ears, but also a one-goal advantage. Having won all but one of their matches so far, they surely had to be favourites to progress. Salah should have opened the scoring but blocked, then missed, those two early misses rued after twelve minutes as PSG struck to level the aggregate score. Plenty of time to restore things of course, but Liverpool would want to step up a gear.

Then Alexander-Arnold gave away the ball needlessly and the French team could have been two up, but Allison was able to save it. Still, PSG applying all the pressure in the first half. Three rapid chances, one after the other, for Liverpool after the restart, and they did score, but the goal ruled offside. A penalty shout was denied for the home team as Salah went sprawling, Liverpool now taking charge as they tried to turn the tie back in their favour. A free nearly accomplished that, but it came back off the post, and that pushed it to extra time to see who would go through.

A corner quickly earned could have had PSG in the quarter-finals but wide, and again the second time as we moved into the second half. Liverpool did not seem to have anything to give, but PSG couldn't get the crucial goal to win it either, so it was down to penalties. Nunez's shot was saved, making it 2-1 to PSG, then Jones saw his shot saved too, and it looked very likely that the French team had taken the advantage. When their next shot went in, it was all over. Liverpool out, PSG through after what was really not the greatest match of the Champions League, nor Liverpool's best moment either.

Result: Liverpool 1 - 1 Paris Saint-Germain (PSG win 3-1 on penalties)
Aggregate score: Liverpool 1 - 1 Paris Saint-Germain
Through to quarter-finals: Paris Saint-Germain



Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid
(Spain v Spain)
Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid
Aggregate score from first leg: Atletico Madrid 1 - Real Madrid 2

One Spanish giant was going out of the Champions League tonight, and one was going on into the quarter-finals. With Atletico at home, was that enough of an advantage against a Real side who held a 2-1 aggregate lead? The home side struck first, in only thirty seconds, and it was an Englishman who opened the scoring, Conor Gallagher netting almost immediately to put Atletico in a great position, the aggregate now level already. They almost went two up, but the keeper equal to it, and so into the second half, where each team knew another goal would win it on aggregate for them and send them through. As it stood, we were looking at extra time and maybe penalties, and who wants to face spot kicks when it's Real Madrid?

A penalty for Real allowed Real to... miss! Unbelievable! Not even saved, just scuffed over the top and wide. Awful penalty. Surely Atletico could go on to win it now? Well no: extra time was the result, still nothing to separate the two great Spanish footballing powers, and so once again it was time to step up to the spot and make yourself a hero or be vilified in the Spanish press. Who would save the day, and who would lose it? Two perfect opening penalties saw the sides level, then a rather odd technicality saw Atletico's second penalty, though scored, ruled out for a double touch? Advantage with Real now, until their fourth was saved, all square now. Then Atletico missed, leaving it open for Real to take the match and get through to the quarter-finals, and so they did.

Result: Atletico Madrid 1 - 0 Real Madrid (Real win 4-2 on penalties)
Aggregate score: Atletico Madrid 2 - 2 Real Madrid
Through to quarter-finals: Real Madrid



Arsenal  v PSV Eindhoven
(England v Netherlands)
The Emirates, London
Aggregate score from first leg: Arsenal 7 - 1 PSV Eindhoven

With the most commanding lead in the Round of 16, nobody expected Arsenal not to go through to the quarter-finals. 7-1 is a huge task, and that assumed that the Gunners didn't score more at home. They did, of course, adding another on the night through Zinchenko with six minutes gone, aggregate now 8-1. PSV pulled one back in the 18th minute to give themselves the slimmest of slim chances, 8-2 now. Not that they needed it, but Declan Rice made it even more certain with eight minutes of the half to go, 2-1 on the night, 9-2 on aggregate.

In the second half PSV came good again, scoring on the 70th minute to tie the game and make the aggregate 9-3, still a mountain that there was no way they were climbing, but at least the Dutch team weren't just folding, and were giving a good account of themselves. The tie had of course been lost last week in Eindhoven, and as hard as they tried they must have known it was impossible, and it was.

Result: Arsenal 2 - 2 PSV Eindhoven
Aggregate score: Arsenal 9 - 3 PSV Eindhoven
Through to quarter-finals: Arsenal

[Trollheart]

Lille v Borussia Dortmund
(France v Germany)
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
Aggregate score from first leg: Lille 1 - 1 Borussia Dortmund

Aggregate even as Dortmund met Lille away, the French side taking the lead after five minutes, bad mistake by the keeper. Dortmund tried to force it over the line but their equaliser was somehow kept out, aggregate now 2-1 to Lille. In the second half, Dortmund got a penalty, very soft, but it allowed them to level the tie, both on the night and on aggregate, and perhaps squeak the advantage? Just after the hour they did just that, the score now 2-1 and the aggregate 3-2, Dortmund through. Lille were robbed though: that was never a penalty, and there may be more about that in the coming days.

Result: Lille 1 - 2 Borussia Dortmund
Aggregate score: Lille 2 - 3 Borussia Dortmund
Through to quarter-finals: Borussia Dortmund



Barcelona v Benfica
(Spain v Portugal)
Estadio Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona
Aggregate score from first leg: Barcelona 1 - 0 Benfica

Round two of the crucial Iberian clash as Barcelona took a one-goal advantage home. Eleven minutes later that was two, one on the night, Barcelona in the driving seat now. A mere two minutes after conceding though, Benfica were pulling the car off the road as they scored, aggregate 2-1 now, then a superb goal from Barcelona just before the half-hour got the Spanish titans back on the road to the quarter-finals, 3-1 on aggregate now, and when they raced ahead and took their third of the night, that became 4-1 aggregate and Benfica were out.

Result: Barcelona 3 - 1 Benfica
Aggregate score: Barcelona 4 - 1 Benfica
Through to quarter-finals: Barcelona



Inter Milan v Feyenoord
(Italy v Netherlands)
San Siro, Milan
Aggregate score from first leg: Inter Milan 2 - 0 Feyenoord

Would there be any Dutch representation in the quarter-finals? PSV out (expectedly) at the hands of Arsenal, Feyenoord faced overturning a 2-0 deficit at the San Siro, a daunting prospect. That job became impossible after eight minutes as Inter scored to make it 1-0 on the night, 3-0 on aggregate. A penalty for Feyenoord just before the break gave them some slim hope, tied on the night, 3-1 on aggregate. But then a penalty the other way six minutes into the restart had Inter back in front, 2-1 on the night, 4-1 on aggregate, all Feyenoord's work undone.

Result: Inter Milan 2 - 1 Feyenoord
Aggregate score: Inter Milan 4 - 1 Feyenoord
Through to quarter-finals: Inter Milan




Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich
(Germany v German)
BayArena, Leverkusen
Aggregate score from first leg: Bayer Leverkusen 0 - 3 Bayern Munich

Only one German team could join Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals, and Bayern took a 3-0 lead back to Leverkusen, surely the favourites, even away from home? Both teams had their chances in the first half, but scoreless it remained, then seven minutes had passed in the second half before Kane stole in and took the lead for his team, aggregate now 4-0 to Bayern. A second on the night settled it, 5-0 on aggregate, Bayern Munich into the quarter-finals.
Result: Bayer Leverkusen 0 - 2 Bayern Munich
Aggregate score: Bayer Leverkusen 0 - 5 Bayern Munich
Through to quarter-finals: Bayern Munich

[Trollheart]

Quarter-final ties

So we're down to the final 8 teams, and they're made up of two English, two Spanish, two German, one French and one Italian team. And this is how they'll contest the quarter-finals over two legs.

Arsenal v Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa
Barcelona v Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich v Inter Milan

[Trollheart]

We're 28/1 to win, Arsenal 7/1. Worth a flutter? 

[jimmy jazz]

We're 28/1 to win, Arsenal 7/1. Worth a flutter? 

Arsenal won't win it.

We're more likely as we've got the manager to do it. He's won in Europe four times already.

It's a real (no pun intended) shame Real Madrid didn't get knocked out last night. Atleti lost two finals to them (2014 & 2016) and now that. The hate they must have for Real must be indescribable. Fucking Real always fluke it. It's in their DNA ☹️

[Trollheart]

New documentary: How to Flunk Winning the Champions League - Real Madrid.

Was that double-kick thing fair? Could they not have retaken the penalty like when the goalie is off his line or there's encroachment?