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segunda-feira, 14 de março de 2016

First-leg wins key to progression

First-leg wins key to progression
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The knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League are made up of home and away legs. The importance of victory in the first match of the tie was highlighted by the fact that all four teams who won their Round of 16 first-leg games ended up going through to the next phase. 

 The first four clubs have now booked their place in the quarter-finalists, each of them representing a different country: Real Madrid, VfL Wolfsburg, Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain. FIFA.com rounds up the events from the last 16 in Europe's premier club competition this week.

 Results
VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 – AA Gent (first leg 3-2)
Real Madrid 2–0 AS Roma (first leg 2-0)
Zenit St. Petersburg 1–2 Benfica (first leg 0-1)
Chelsea 1–2 Paris Saint-Germain (first leg 1-2)

 Memorable moments
No stopping 'Ibrakadabra'
It is widely known that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is currently one of the best striker's in the world, but defences still have trouble coping with the 34-year-old Swede. At Stamford Bridge, 'Ibrakadabra' played a key role in PSG's triumph, teeing up Adrien Rabiot for the opener in the 16th minute with an excellent ball across the face of goal, before firing in the winner himself in the 67th minute. 

 Frustration for Costa and Chelsea
Just like last year, Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG in the last 16. It was doubly disappointing for Blues striker Diego Costa, who had an outstanding game and scored to make it 1-1 on the night, as well as having a goal ruled out for offside and creating numerous other chances. However, the Spaniard was substituted off injured in the 60th minute and could only watch on from the bench moments later as PSG netted a decisive second. 

 Historic success
Wolfsburg have reached the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in club history after following up a 3-2 first-leg triumph with a 1-0 victory at home to Gent. Andre Schurrle scored the winner 15 minutes before the end to hand the Wolves a fourth consecutive win in the competition. 

 A 54-year dream lives on
Benfica have had rather more experience and success in the Champions League and progressed to the quarter-finals for a fourth time after doing so in 1995, 2006 and 2012. That means the Reds can continue to dream of winning a first international trophy since 1962. The Portuguese side have now won 15 of their last 16 matches in all competitions. 

 Player in focus
The standout player of the Champions League this week was without doubt a man who was only on the pitch for 15 minutes, who failed to score and also got knocked out of the competition: Roma's Francesco Totti. When he was brought on as a 74th minute substitute away to Real Madrid, spectators at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium gave him a standing ovation, paying tribute to a footballer who was in all likelihood making his last Champions League appearance. Madrid's Marcelo and Casemiro even personally welcomed Totti onto the pitch.

 It was a sign of respect in appreciation of the achievements of the 39-year-old, who has spent his entire career at Roma and is still active in the Serie A and the Champions League, where he has chalked up 17 goals and 12 assists in 56 matches. The fans' ovation was also in honour of a unique career they sensed is approaching its end. "He deserved the applause for his career," said coach Luciano Spalletti afterwards. "The Bernabeu is a stadium that has always known how to treat great players."

 Incidentally, Madrid captain Sergio Ramos swapped shirts with Totti after the game, and proudly presented the jersey on Twitter.
Decisive goal
Zenit St. Petersburg – Benfica 
Goal: 1-1; Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica, 85')
There were five minutes left to play in St. Petersburg and after Hulk's 69th minute header had opened the scoring, the match appeared to be destined for extra time. Yet suddenly Nicolas Gaitan gave the Portuguese visitors cause for celebration. Raul Jimenez unleashed a long-range shot on the turn from the left side of the penalty area which goalkeeper Yuri Ledygin could only tip onto the crossbar. The rebound fell to Benfica captain Gaitan, who headed it over the line for the all-important equaliser.

 The stat
57 – With 57 appearances in the Champions League knockout rounds, Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed the record of previous holder Xavi, a FIFA World Cup™ and European Championship winner with Spain. Ronaldo also netted his 90th goal in the competition, extending his own tally as the tournament's all-time top scorer.