UEFA Champions League. Quarter-Finals, First leg. As it Happened.

Wednesday night brought back the long-awaited Champions League into play as the teams duked it out in the first leg to secure their spots in the next round of games. Here, I analyze the first leg of the  Round of 16 games.

 

 MANCHESTER CITY VS ATLETICO DE MADRID

The Etihad, Manchester, England.

An embarrassing Atletico side ended up on the losing side as Kevin De Bryune managed to find the gap between the Rojiblanco's defense and slot one home for the Sky Blues as they now travel to the Wanda Metropolitano with a 1-0 advantage. Diego Simeone, whose side managed to go all game without threatening Ederson's goal (with a hilariously brilliant 5-5-0 formation), will want to make some serious changes to his side's attack to ensure the survival of his side in the competition.

SL BENFICA VS LIVERPOOL 

Estadio da Luz, Lisboa, Portugal.

Liverpool traveled to Portugal and wreaked havoc on the home side as they hammered Benfica 3-1 and now hold a comfortable lead for the return fixture at Anfield. Sadio Mane, Ibrahima Konate, and Luis Diaz all found the target and coach Jurgen Klopp can focus on his quest to dethrone ManCity from the top of the Premier League. Meanwhile, Benfica has an uphill task to break down Liverpool's defenses and score three goals against the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Konate, and Alexander-Arnold. 

CHELSEA VS REAL MADRID

Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, England.

Two footballing giants squared off in an intense game at the Bridge but it was Los Blancos, led by Karim "the dream" Benzema who provided his second hattrick in a row for his team to give his side a 2 goal cushion against the lone Kai Havertz goal. The defending UCL Champions now see the title slipping from their hands as they next play in the colossal Santiago Bernabeu. Ask PSG and they can tell you how difficult it is to play there!

Villareal vs Bayern Munich

Estadio de la Ceramica, Villareal, Spain.

Despite boasting one of the world's most formidable teams in Bayern Munich, Julien Nagelsmann and his side failed to break the deadlock against the yellow submarine who (courtesy of an Arnaut Danjuma goal) have a slim 1-0 lead heading into the second leg.

Player Of The Week- Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

More like the best player of the year. Stepped up for his team again as Benze seems to be taking the world by storm this season. 36 goals in 36 official games for Real Madrid, consecutive UCL hattricks (Second to do so after former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo), the Frenchman is in sublime form and is now the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or.

 Monstrueux.

- ASHER COLLIN ALEX DIAS.