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| The Champions League returns with high-profile games, who are you rooting for? (Photo credit: GOAL) |
Manchester City is back on top of the Premier League log after Liverpool and Arsenal conspired to lose important home games on Sunday, but all that will be put aside as the Cityzens host Real Madrid.
The Champions League is the real deal for Wednesday, one game at a time. Pep Guardiola believes his team is tired and just getting by, but they must dig deep to bring out something special if they want to retain their title.
Real Madrid is the champion in waiting for La Liga; they’re just a couple of wins away from confirming the title; they will wrap that up, but they also want to win the Champions League, and, in their way, they are the reigning champions.
Both teams settled for an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu. With six different types of goals from Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Rodrigo, Valverde, and Josko Gvardiol, it was an extraordinary performance by the Juggernauts.
How will they line up in the second leg? Kyle Walker is back and available for selection; he featured in the 5-1 win over Luton Town. Phil Foden was rested due to illness; he has been their best player this season, and he will be ready for the Merengues.
Elsewhere in the Champions League, PSG coach Luis Henrique is talking tough; he insists the French champions will overturn the first-leg home defeat at the Nou Camp to dump Barcelona out of the Champions League, but that’s a tall order.
PSG lost 3-2 at the Parc des Princes; they will take the battle to their hosts, and we should expect more fireworks in the second leg. Xavi Hernandes and Henrique have both traded words in the past over this fixture; it’s one to look out for.
Arsenal’s season could be coming to a bitter end if they don’t beat Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. The Gunners labored to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates in the first leg; they also lost on the same pitch to Aston Villa, a result that has put their Premier League title hopes in City’s hands.
The final game is the other one on Tuesday, the clash between Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid. The first leg ended 2-1 in favor of Diego Simeone’s side; they’re the favorites to advance, but the Black and Yellow Army will have a say about that.