The Champions of Europe

The 2020/21 UEFA Champions League has produced some memories and shocking results so far. This season semi-final fixtures pitted two English teams against one Spanish giant and Paris billionaire club.

Real Madrid vs Chelsea

(1st-leg, 27th May & 2nd-leg, May 5th)

Vinicius Jr. vs Christian Pulisic

This interesting tie might be decided by the individual brilliance of this young and brilliant forwards - Vinicius(Real Madrid) or Pulisic(Chelsea).

Vinicius' brace against Liverpool in the 1st-leg of the quarter-final got the Galacticos to this stage curently has 3 goals this season in this competition. For the American star, Pulisic, he is a game changer for the Blues but so far he has just a goal and an assist to show for all his brilliance. 

Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester City

(1st-leg April 28th May & 2nd-leg on May 4th)

Kylian Mbappe vs Raheem Sterling

The French champion have had it good in Europe this season because of the brilliance of Mbappe who has scored 8goals so far, only Dortmund's Haaland has more. So while City's Sterling has just a goal in champions league so far he has on many occasions in the past scored many important goals in big games for the Cityzens.

Both players must bring their A-game to the field to give their teams a chance of qualifying to the final, however you can say Mbappe has got the edge being a losing finalist last season, a position Man City nor Sterling has ever found themselves. 

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

The Champions Battles

The UEFA Champions League is the assembly of winners, where champions trade tackles and use tactics to outmatch each other over two legs of football contest.

This season edition have live up to expectations, with mouthwatering ties and goal galore experienced in almost all games so far.

And the underdog teams are working hard tactically to close the wide gap between them and the big boys, however the difference is just high profile signings cum big stars. 

The quarter-fnals stage kick start with enthusiastic fans ready to cheer their darling team from home due to Covid-19 protocols which has not allowed fans to return into the stadia across Europe. 

Real Madrid vs Liverpool

1st-leg (6th April) & 2nd-leg (14th April)

This is the rematch of 2017/18 final where the Galacticos beat the Reds 3-1 at the Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev. 

Both teams have not been convincing in recent games in their local league. It is an opportunity for Liverpool to revenge the loss three seasons ago, but Real Madrid still have the pedigree to qualify.

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund

1st-leg (6th April) & 2nd-leg (14th April)

This game will be interesting and it is expected to produce more goals because both teams for scoring many goals in games.

On paper, the Cityzens are the favourite but less fancied teams have knocked them out on big occasions in previous seasons which should give Dortmund the needed confidence going into this tie.

Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain 

1st-leg (7th April) & 2nd-leg (13th April)

The Bavarians are the defending champion, but they have a difficult opposition in last season losing finalist PSG.

This tie is a 50-50 game, with both sides boasting of superstars that can be the decider of the ties. Football itself is a game of how well you utilise your chances, so the team who best convert its chances will prevail.

Porto vs Chelsea

1st-leg (7th April) & 2nd-leg (13th April)

The Blues have lost just once in their last 15 games in all competitions under Thomas Tuchel. And the last time the Blues qualified for quarter-final was 2014.

The Portuguese champion are the surprised package among the quarter-finalist after beating Juventus on away goal rules in the last round, so they are giant killers and the Blues must be prepared to do the needful.

These are my semi-finalist predictions - Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man City & PSG to qualify for semifinals.

Due to the unpredictability that football is known for,  this predictions might change.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

The Pinnacle of Football

The UEFA Champions League is the mother of all football competitions in Europe where elite teams across the leagues showcase their football playing artistry in grand style to outmuscle themselves. 

The 2020/21 knock-out stage is set to resume after the boys have been separated from the men in the group phase games which came to conclusion in December 2020.

Round of 16 Matches

RB Leipzig vs Liverpool

(Feb 16 & March 10)

This tie will be interesting as the German side are not a pushover with their last match against Man United in the group phase a testament to how good they are, but the Reds are the favorite to prevail.

Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain

(Feb 16 & March 10)

This mouthwatering tie should be a revenged mission for the Billionaires club in Paris due to their loss against the Blaugrana at the quarter-final stage of 2016/17 season, but overall the Catalans have a better head to head records.

FC Porto vs Juventus 

(Feb 17 & March 9)

The bookies are tipping the Bianconeri to qualify easily because the 2004 champion Porto are not a match for the Old Lady of Turin, but football is like a biscuit it can crack anywhere.

Sevilla vs Borussia Dortmund 

(Feb 17 & March 9)

This tie is a game of 50-50 with both side having an equal chance of qualifying to the next round. But if Erling Haaland is in top form, Dortmund have a better chance. However in their last two previous meeting, Sevilla has a win and a draw.

Lazio vs Bayern Munich

(Feb 23 & March 17)

The defending champions are the favourite but Lazio will give them a run for their money.

The last time Lazio qualified for round of 16 was in the 1999/2000 season. The Bavarian having just completed a sextuplet with their Club World Cup trophy will leave nothing to chance over the two legs.

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea

(Feb 23 & March 17)

Diego Simeone's Atletico side are famed for their resolute defence and stubborn attitide in games but the Blues are progressing impressively under new manager Tuchel and therfore will make this encounter a thrilling one. During the group stage, the Blues went 355 minutes without conceding a goal.

Both side are tie in head-to-head record with two wins and three draws apiece so the pendulum can swings to either side.

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Manchester City

(Feb 24 & March 16).

Goals come easily for both side because they play without fear and their brand of football is captivating. The Cityzens are poise to go through if they can convert their chances and also the record is on their side.

Atalanta vs Real Madrid 

(Feb 24 & March 16)

The brash newcomer are the dark horse in this tie because they have scored the most goals in two consecutive season in Serie A. However the experience of Real Madrid's manager Zinedine Zidane and his boys should count in their favour and be able to get them through to the next round. 

Let's keep our fingers cross to see the teams that will get to the semis and final of this season champions league showpiece.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst