The UEFA Champions League 2020-21 Round of 16 came to a close on Wednesday when, Holders Bayern Munchen and Chelsea safely progressed through last night along with Real Madrid and Manchester City on Tuesday. The draw for the Quarter and Semi Finals will be made on Friday 19th March in Nyon, Switzerland.
On Tuesday 13 Time Winners Real Madrid made it to the last 8 for the first time in 3 years after being eliminated at this stage in the previous two campaigns. After taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg, the Los Blancos knew there was still work to be done before the can say the job is over. Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 34th in the second leg making him the 5th player in UCL History to score 70 goals after Cristiano Ronaldo,Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowki and Raul had achieved this feat.
Sergio Ramos's absence in Real's two previous knockout was a major reason for their eliminations. The Skipper has been an integral core of Real's Defence and has also showed his attacking power in coming up with some dramatic goal(the 2014 final against Atletico). He scored from the penalty spot in the 60th minute to make it 2-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate to all but confirm their qualification. A late consolation goal from a Luis Muriel free kick in the 83rd minute was then cancelled out by Marco Asensio goal in the 85th minute to assert Real Madrid dominace. Final Score Real Madrid 4-1 Atalanta (agg).
The other fixture on Tuesday saw the runaway English leaders Manchester City face off against struggling Borussia Monchengladbach at the Puskas arena, Budapestin Hungary due to COVID-19 restrictions. City came into the match following an away 2-0 win against Gladbach.
City did what they have doing all season. They scored two quick goals in 5 first half Minutes to make it 2-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate. A thunder bolt from Kevin De Bruyne in the 13th minute was then followed by a neat finish from Ilkay Gundogan in the 18th minute to put the game beyond doubt. City could have had more but missed several chances. They would be hoping to avoid a 4thsuccessive Quarter Finals exit. Final Score Manchester City 4-0 Borussia Monchengladbach (agg).
Whereas on Wednesday the Holders Bayern Munchen had a comfortable night. Their 4-1 away win in Roma against Lazio in the first leg had almost guaranteed their qualification.
Lazio started off bravely creating a few chances but were unable to really test Alexander Nubel who started in place of Manuel Neuer as Bayern first choice keeper and Captain was given a rest. A penalty in the 33rd minute from Robert Lewandowki extended Bayern's lead to 5-1 on aggregate. That was the Pole 39th Goal of the season. In the 71st minute he was replaced by Eric Choupo Moting, who added a second in the 73rd minute,just 2 minutes after his introduction to make 6-1 on aggregate to Bayern. Lazio however made the scoreline a little bit respectable on the night when they pulled one back from a header from Marco Parolo. Final Score Bayern Munchen 6-2 Lazio (agg)
However the main fixture of the remaining ties was between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. The Spaniards had eliminated the Londoners from the Semi Finals in 2013-14 season after winning the second leg 3-1 in London after a 0-0 first leg draw. In this match though, they needed to make a comeback against Tuchel's side who were still Unbeaten since he took charge of the club.
Atletico's last trip to England was a successful one as they knocked out then holders Liverpool out of the competition winning 3-2 after extra time at Anfield. Simeone's men have slipped a little in the league, though they are still top.
Atletico were unable to break through the resolute Chelsea defence. The talking point of the game came in the 34th minute when Hakim Ziyech doubled Chelsea's advantage on aggregate when he converted a low cross from Timo Werner to give Chelsea the lead on the night. Atletico gave everything they had but the London Blues were not in any mood to give away anything.
An 82nd minute Red Card for Stefan Savic signalled the end of Atletico's charge as they were reduced to 10 men. In the 4th minute of injury time,Chelsea substitute Emerson finished off a great counter attacking goal to slot it pass Oblak to make it 2-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate. Chelsea are now through to their first Quarter Final in over seven years. Final Score Chelsea 3-0 Atletico Madrid (agg).
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