Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s hamstring injury opens the door for Chelsea to advance. Xavier Laine/Getty Images
Eight European clubs remain in the UEFA Champions League, with the second leg of the four quarter-final matches set to kick off next week. Last week, there were several surprising results in the opening legs. Here is a look at each return leg next week and who will advance to the semi-finals at the end of April.
Barcelona v. Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid came out strong in the first leg, netting first on a 56th minute goal by Brazilian midfielder Diego Ribas. Barcelona struggled to equalize at first, but were able to score 15 minutes later on a world-class maneuver by Andres Iniesta splitting the Atléti defense to find Brazilian striker Neymar in the open field for a one-touch to the top corner to level the score at one. The score would remain the rest of the way, despite Barca’s heavy attack on Atléti keeper Thibaut Courtois. With the match being played at Nou Camp, home of Barcelona, Atlético should be feeling good heading back to the Calderon where they are unbeaten in league play this season, having conceded just nine goals. They’ve lost at home just once in all competition, in the second leg of the Spanish Copa Del Rey, losing 0-2 to Real Madrid. Atlético and Barcelona have yet to finish a match this season against one another in any result but a draw. In four matches, they’ve only scored four combined goals. With aggregate scoring surely to play a role in the return leg, Atlético has a slight advantage having scored one away goal so far. A scoreless draw would see Atlético through to the semi-finals, but seeing La Liga’s top two clubs finish in such anti-climatic fashion seems very unlikely. A big hit to Atlético is the loss of their star forward, Diego Costa, who suffered a thigh strain in the first leg and will be forced out of the return leg. Without him, it will be difficult for Atlético to score with only David Villa representing a formidable backup scoring option. Because of this, Barcelona should come out heavy on the attack with Neymar, Iniesta and Lionel Messi all on the prowl.
Prediction: Barcelona wins 0-2 (1-3 aggregate)
Manchester United v. Bayern Munich
Playing at home, Manchester United had the Red Devil fans backing their every pass and hoping and praying their beloved squad could find success against the best club in the world — even while the club finds itself languishing in seventh place in the Premier League table. Yet somehow they were rewarded with the most exciting moment of their dismal season in the 58th minute when a corner-kick set Nemanja Vidic up for a beautiful header into the lower back corner of Manuel Neuer’s goal. The one-nil lead, which had Old Trafford vibrating at a decibel not since reached from the Sir Alex Ferguson days, lasted just eight minutes. Bayern were playing very differently from their usual all-out attack for the entire first half and the beginning ten minutes of the second half. Vidic’s goal, however, was likely their wakeup call. They turned up the pressure and forced their way onto the scoreboard with a 66th minute equalizer by Bastian Schweinsteiger. Pep Guardiola, Bayern boss, had made a remarkable sub just three minutes before the goal, replacing Thomas Müller with Mario Mandzukic. The Croatian striker was responsible for setting up Schweinsteiger’s equalizer after softly heading a deep cross right into the Germans boot for an easy finish. The club and stadium, both demoralized after conceding so quickly, were fortunate to escape the match with the score even at one. Bayern didn’t relent and United were playing careless football in the midfield. The second leg will be held in Germany and will be a much tougher challenge for United. While Bayern will be without Schweinsteiger, who was sent off in the 90th minute after picking up a second yellow for tripping Wayne Rooney who dramatically threw himself on the pitch, it likely won’t be enough to hold down the German giants.
Prediction: Bayern Munich wins 2-0 (3-1 aggregate)
Real Madrid v. Borussia Dortmund
Perhaps the most surprising result of the quarterfinals thus far came in the first leg of the Real Madrid-Borussia Dortmund matchup. Real Madrid, who perhaps were avenging their elimination from last years semi-finals by Borussia Dortmund, came out on fire at the Bernabeu scoring early, and often. First-year Madrid star Gareth Bale opened the scoring in the third minute; Francisco Alarcon Suarez netted in the 27th minute and Cristiano Ronaldo put the game out of reach at the 57th with his record-tying 14th Champions League goal this season. Borussia were playing without a half-dozen key players, including their star Robert Lewandowski. Lewandowski became the first player to score four goals in a UEFA Champions League semifinal match last season against Madrid during their 4-1 home victory in the opening leg. In the second leg this season against Madrid, that might be the only thing that will save their season. However, Dortmund beating Madrid by four goals in the return leg seems nearly impossible — even at home.
Prediction: 2-2 draw (Real Madrid advances 5-2 on aggregate)
Paris Saint-Germain v. Chelsea
Chelsea represented the English Premier League’s best candidate for advancing to the Champions League finals before they were stunned by Paris Saint-Germain at Parc Des Princes in France last week. Their 3-1 defeat, however, is even worse than it seems. A two-goal differential heading into the second leg to be played at Stamford Bridge isn’t the end of the world, but it could have easily been a 2-1 defeat. Unfortunately for Chelsea, a slight letup and an amazing run led to a stoppage-time goal by Javier Pastore of PSG in the closing seconds of the match, which puts Chelsea’s chances on life support despite their very important away goal. However, it’s not too unlikely for Jose Mourinho’s men to bounce back next week and pick up a 2-nil victory to see them through to the semi’s — that would put the aggregate at three a piece but Chelsea ahead on away goals. If Chelsea can erase their memories of last week, they have a real chance. Were it not for the 90-plus minute goal by Pastore, or an own-goal by David Luiz in the 61st to put PSG ahead, Chelsea would be feeling a lot more optimistic about their chances in the competition. The what-if game is pointless, but Mourinho is the man to lead this club into the return leg with nothing but optimism on their minds. Furthermore, PSG will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has netted 10 goals during this years competition. The world-class striker suffered a hamstring injury and has been ruled out of the return leg and for the following four weeks of competition. Chelsea has a good opportunity to make this interesting.
Prediction: Chelsea wins 1-0 (PSG advance 3-2 on aggregate)
VISUAL CONTEXT: THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL MATCHES
