Liverpool fulfilled its mission by dominating Inter Milan (2-0) on Wednesday in Italy, taking a big advantage before the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, which will be less comfortable for Bayern Munich, hung in Salzburg (1-1). Thanks to Kylian Mbappé’s injury-time goal against Real Madrid, the Parisians take an option on qualifying for the Champions League quarterfinals.
After the break, Inter raised the tone and took the lead in this game. Led by Perisic, who was a constant presence on the left side of the pitch, the Nerazzurri created several interesting situations by pushing the Reds around. Van Dijk had to be imperial to keep the numerous hot balls out of his area. It was too much for Jürgen Klopp who brought in Keita, Henderson and Diaz instead of Fabinho, Elliot and Mané at the hour mark. Liverpool was rarely moved and finally relied on a set-piece to make the difference thanks to one of its entrants: Firmino cut out a Robertson corner at the near post to put his side ahead with 15 minutes to go (0-1, 75th)! The Nerazzurri were stunned and even conceded a second goal when Salah struck from the penalty spot (0-2, 83rd). It is terrible for Inter who will not have an easy task to reverse the situation in three weeks at Anfield.
Manchester City, it’s scary
Without forcing, Manchester City literally trampled Sporting Portugal (0-5), Tuesday, in the 8th round of the Champions League. Manchester City has already folded the case in its 8th final first leg by crushing Sporting Portugal (0-5), Tuesday, at the Estádio José Alvalade. A monumental defeat for the Lisbon club, which never had any hope in this match, in which they did not have a single shot on target. The intense and all-round pressure imposed by the Skyblues, who recited their score perfectly, shattered the few offensive attempts of the team led by Ruben Amorim.
Guardiola… not happy Despite the manita, the British coach was not completely satisfied at the end of the game, saying that his players could have done better. “There is a rule in soccer: when you have the ball, try not to lose it. Especially the easy balls. We lost it too many times. When that happens against the best European teams, you give them a chance to counterattack. We have to improve,” Guardiola said in front of the media. A perfectionism almost frightening after such a successful performance. Probably the key to reach the Grail in a little more than three months.
Kylian Mbappé, is once again praised by the press
The Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé, who beat Real Madrid (1-0) on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League, is once again praised by the press. In Spain, the media insists more on his performance than on the defeat of the Merengue!
A performance that the leader of the Ligue 1 owes above all to its resident savior, Kylian Mbappé, who again made the difference in the last seconds on an individual feat. “The Parisian striker turned the evening into a sublime one with an exceptional action in the extra time.
Beaten only once in their last 21 games (19 wins and one draw), by RB Leipzig (2-1), in a game without stake, the English champion is more than ever ready to go and get this trophy that has eluded them for a decade and its installation among the teams that count in Europe. The solution found in attack? If Paris Saint-Germain, 1-0 winners at the Parc des Princes, will still have to fight hard to get rid of Real Madrid,
The results
First leg: Feb. 15 – Second leg: Mar. 9
Paris-SG 1 – 0 Real Madrid
First leg: Feb. 15 – Second leg: Mar. 9
Sporting Portugal 0 – 5 Manchester City
First leg: 16 Feb – return: 8 Mar
Inter Milan 0 – 2 Liverpool
First leg: 16 Feb – return: 8 Mar
RB Salzburg 1 – 1 Bayern Munich
