Champions League review: more trauma for the Premier League as Europe’s big beasts stir | Champions League
The big winners
Another traumatic week for the self-esteem of the Premier League, during which the big European beasts regained their rhythm. The reigning champions, Paris Saint-Germainput on a devastating display at Chelsea. Bradley Barcola’s goal, their second, was the highlight of a 3-0 victory. Barcelona won 7-2 against Newcastle, having been level at half-time at 2-2, 3-3 on aggregate. Real Madrid continue to be Pep Guardiola’s great tormentors, with Vinícius Júnior scoring both goals at Manchester City. His whiny celebration was aimed at City fans who jeered him after Rodri pipped the Brazilian to the Ballon d’Or in 2024. Bayern Munich continues to look irresistible. Harry Kane scored twice and Lennart Karl’s goal continued its trajectory as German football’s next big thing in a 4-1 win over Atalanta, a mighty 10-2 on aggregate.
Two quarter-finalists out of six round of 16 matches is a bad return for the Premier League. The recriminations will continue if either Liverpool or Arsenal fail to lift the trophy in Budapest. Arsenal had the easiest progression, with Eberechi Eze’s spin and whiplash to take control against Bayer Leverkusen showing just how dangerous he can be. Beyond the fatigue cited by many, differences in refereeing standards and the greater ability of continental teams to maintain possession are also contributing factors. The most encouraging display of English releases came from Tottenhamfor whom Igor Tudor could finally have a positive effect. It briefly looked like Spurs could stage a comeback against Atlético Madrid before Julián Alvarez’s brilliant finish kept the tie in Atlético’s hands. Xavi Simons’ late penalty, following an earlier exemplary goal, secured a first victory for Tudor, the first for Spurs since January. They still lost 7-5 on aggregate.
Better news for Liverpool. Anfield, after a quiet start against Galatasaray, caught fire; Mohamed Salah finally joined the party. His 50th goal in the competition and an assist for Hugo Ekitike made up for a comically missed penalty from the Egyptian. Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring, continuing his brilliant season. Returned to his rightful place in midfield, he set the tone. “We beat Real Madrid, we beat Atlético Madrid, we beat Inter. We are playing a fantastic Champions League season,” said Arne Slot, a coach keen to defend his own record.
The Bodø/Glimt dream sequence finally had to stop. This is what he did in Lisbon, where Sporty assumed the role of surprise package of the tournament. The Norwegians led 3-0 after the first leg but Luis Suárez’s penalty leveled the score on aggregate, with Rui Borges’ men learning from their mistakes against a team who have beaten Manchester City, Atlético Madrid and Inter in the competition this season. As soon as Maxi Araújo scored in the second minute of extra time, Sporting were heading. “People thought it was impossible,” the Uruguayan said after a glorious 5-0 second-leg victory. Kjetil Knutsen, Bodø/Glimt coach, admitted his team didn’t meet the moment: “We didn’t play the game, we played the chance, and it became way too important for us.”
Player of the week
Barcelona beat Newcastle and Raphinha was the fulcrum, scoring his first and seventh goals and providing two assists, including a sumptuous pass for Fermín López. The Brazilian continued his form which saw him score a hat-trick at the weekend against Sevilla and received glowing praise from Bruno Fernandes, his former Sporting teammate, on Instagram.
The expert’s chair
“Six goals behind, with five minutes to play and he’s sending notes… the match is dead… the only way that paper note is going to be useful is if he says on it: ‘Everyone, meet me at the Kings Road pub, an hour after the match, and we’ll have a beer.’ Everything else is a waste of time. – Former Chelsea player Craig Burley on ESPN takes a dim view of Liam Rosenior passing messages to Alejandro Garnacho in the final moments of their 8-2 aggregate loss to PSG.
They said it
“We’ve been to other finals, a lot of semi-finals and unfortunately in the last two editions of the Champions League we were eliminated. But this club, we managed to set the bar a little high in terms of the Champions League, and we didn’t achieve it. It’s still not a good thing, but it’s good, it’s good. I would like the club to have the feeling that Madrid has; if you don’t win the Champions League, it’s a failure. It’s pressure. [at] Man City. – Guardiola questions whether his team should have won more than one European Cup during his career. 10 years at the helm.
Looking to the future
Arsenal must be wary of their quarter-final opponents: Sporting have won all five of their home games in the competition this season. The Gunners won 5-1 there in November 2024 the day after the departure of Ruben Amorim but Mikel Arteta may remember being knocked out of the Europa League by the same opponents in 2023.
Real Madrid versus Bayern is the blockbuster matchup, and Vincent Kompany’s side are fighting against the tide of recent history. In four meetings since 2013-14, Madrid have been victorious each time. In 2023-24, Joselu’s two late goals in the semi-final second leg sealed Real’s progression. The last time Bayern beat Madrid over two legs was in 2011-12, against José Mourinho’s side.
Slot often returned to last season’s meeting between Liverpool and PSG in the round of 16. “My football is Paris Saint-Germain against Liverpool, Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain,” he said earlier this season, speaking of his team’s privilege to participate in a match that went to penalties. With Liverpool dropping out of the Premier League, the reunion takes on huge importance for a manager who has nothing like unanimous support from his club’s fans.
The draw between Barcelona and Atlético is a repeat of this season’s epic Copa del Rey semi-final, beaten 4-3 by Atlético over two home and away legs.
