The queen of competitions continues, Tuesday March 15 and Wednesday March 16, with the last return matches of the round of 16. Four meetings are on the program and will determine who will join Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The people of Madrid travel to Old Trafford on Tuesday at 9 p.m., three weeks after conceding a draw (1-1) in the first leg. Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s players have achieved a clear round in the league with three victories, including one against Betis Sevilla (3-1), a direct competitor in La Liga. In the first leg, the Colchoneros led for 80 minutes before conceding the equalizer on a goal from young Anthony Elanga (19).
The on @Cristiano #MUFC pic.twitter.com/UuV5YF9EJA
— Anthony Elanga (@AnthonyElanga) March 12, 2022
The Mancuniens will therefore have the advantage of the field in this return match, four days after their victory at home against Tottenham, thanks to a hat-trick from five-time Ballon d’Or, Cristiano Ronaldo. Back with the Red Devils since the start of the season, the Portuguese has scored 18 goals in 32 games and could speak about his experience in European competition. The only black spot on the Manchester side, Bruno Fernandes, absent against Spurs due to a positive Covid test, remains uncertain for the meeting.
In the first leg, the two teams delivered an intense and committed performance, which ultimately ended in a draw (2-2). Semi-finalists of the 2018-2019 edition, the Amsterdammers dream of a new European epic. However, Benfica are a serious opponent, who dare to take risks and can surprise at any time.
This match, which will be held on Tuesday at 9 p.m., will also be an opportunity to observe a distance duel between Sébastien Haller for Ajax, second top scorer in the competition with eleven goals in six games, and the young Uruguayan Darwin Nunez (22) for Benfica, author of 25 goals in 32 games this season.
Winner of the last Europa League, Villarreal could turn a corner in the event of victory, Wednesday at 9 p.m., after obtaining the draw (1-1) in the first leg. Accustomed to European competitions, the Spaniards do not necessarily play in the foreground in the league, but do well in the Champions League.
#UCL | 1-1 ⏱ 90’+4′ | FULL-TIME at La Ceramica.
It’s all to play for in the second leg in Turin after @DaniParejo‘s second-half equalizer canceled out an early Juve goal.
¡#EndavantVillarreal! pic.twitter.com/gEMjyalCjK
— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) February 22, 2022
Juventus will have to do better than in the first leg to hope to qualify. Despite a great start, with a goal from the first minute, the Turinese generally delivered an average copy. We will have to keep an eye on the new center forward, Dusan Vlahovic, who arrived in January to succeed Cristiano Ronaldo, who left during the last summer transfer window.
The Lille are forced to the feat, Wednesday at 9 p.m., after conceding a defeat (2-0) at Stamford Bridge. Jocelyn Gourvennec will have to deal without his key player in midfield, Renato Sanches, injured last Friday during the match against AS Saint-Etienne.
Despite the unstable situation of the English club linked to the sanctions taken against its Russian owner, Roman Abramovich, the Londoners act as big favorites in this meeting. Winners of the last Cup with big ears, N’Golo Kanté and his teammates seem well on their way to defending their title to the end.