The Champions Blog #1.7

 The Champions Blog

Please Note: Original Creation Date was 14th February 2024

The Champions League is back for the first time since December, and we have had some enthralling encounters in the first leg of the Round of 16 this season. The first games of the Champions League for 2024 were some enthralling matches. This is the Champions Blog.

The 2 weeks started off with champions, Manchester City taken a trip to Denmark to face Copenhagen. This was the Danish side's first Round of 16 match that they participated in since the 2010-11, where they were defeated by Chelsea 2-0 on aggregate. City's last appearance in the last 16 came when they demolished RB Leipzig 8-1 on aggregate last season en route to their first Champions League win. The game started off with Manchester City dominating possession early on in the match and came very close to scoring in the 6th minute. The deadlock would soon be broken shortly after, when Kevin de Bruyne capitalized after a sumptuous through ball by Phil Foden, as the Belgian managed to register his first goal of this Champions League season. However, it wouldn't take that long until the home side would find their equalizer. In the 34th minute, Ederson made a mistake and passed the ball to his defenders but it was intercepted by Mohamed Elyounoussi who after his blocked shot, Magnus Mattsson tucked it home to make it 1-1 for the home side. However, Copenhagen's joy would only last for roughly 11 minutes, when Bernardo Silva of Man City would score after chipping the ball over the Copenhagen goalkeeper. City would then go into the second half holding a slim 2-1 lead. After numerous chances by City in the second half, they would eventually find the goal to seal their win in Denmark in the 91st minute, coming from in form player, Phil Foden who managed to tuck in the ball to seal the deal for the reigning champions. City would then go on to win 3-1 and take a decisive win into the second leg to be played in Manchester on 7th March. As things stand, City have one foot into the quarter finals after that win. 

Picture Above: Manchester City players celebrating a goal in their 3-1 win over Copenhagen. 

The following day, the 6 time champions Bayern Munich took a trip to Italy to face Lazio. Bayern Munich's last Round of 16 encounter came last season when they defeated highly fancied Paris Saint Germain 3-0 on aggregate. Lazio's last Round of 16 match came back in the 2020-21 season when they lost to their current opponents Bayern Munich 6-2 on aggregate. The game in Rome got of to a positive start for Bayern who were continuously counter attacking against Lazio. After 45 minutes have passed in the first half, Bayern could still not find the goal to break the deadlock. In the second half, Lazio would start to counter attack even more and their golden chance came soon after. Dayot Upamecano made a silly challenge against Gustav Isaksen, causing the French defender to be sent off. The referee then appealed a penalty for the home side and it was calmly dispatched by Ciro Immobile, giving the side a deserved lead. Bayern tried hard but couldn't find an equalizer as the home side would travel to Munich with a 1-0 slender lead on aggregate. 

Picture Above: Lazio forward Gustav Isaksen taking a shot against Bayern Munich players, Manuel Neuer and Raphael Guerreiro. 

Elsewhere in Europe, the record champions Real Madrid took a trip to Germany to face RB Leipzig. The winners of that encounter would be Real Madrid, as they took a slim 1-0 lead to the Santiago Bernabeu, thanks to a sumptuous finish by forward, Brahim Diaz. In Paris, PSG faced Group D winners, Real Sociedad and as expected, the Parisian side were victorious thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola. 

Pictures Above: Real Madrid player Brahim Diaz, celebrating after scoring the eventual winner against RB Leipzig. PSG players Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola celebrating a goal against Real Sociedad.

The following week, the three time champions and last season's runners up, Inter Milan hosted the likes of Atletico Madrid in what would be a standout game between one of Italy and Spain's finest clubs. The last European encounter between these two sides came back in 2010, when they met in the UEFA Super Cup final, with Atletico Madrid prevailing with a 2-0 win. The first half started with both sides counter attacking with confidence. As the first half progressed, both sides attacked byt none could find the goal to put their team ahead. The second half started with Inter Milan coming close to scoring many times, mainly with striker, Marko Arnautovic. Atletico also had tgeir fair share of chances, but they still coudln't break the deadlock. The deadlock was finally broken in the 79th minute when Arnautovic finally managed to tuck away a shot into Jan Oblak's net, giving the Italians a slim 1-0 lead. Inter would hold on for another 15 minutes and would end the first leg taking a slim advantage to Madrid in three weeks time. 

Picture Above: Inter Milan striker Marko Arnautovic celebrating after giving the Italian side the lead. 

The following day in Naples, Serie A reigning champions, Napoli hosted reigning La Liga champions, Barcelona. Barca qualified for the last 16 as winners of Group H while Napoli qualified as runners-up of Group C. It would be another classic encounter between teams from Spain and Italy. The first half started with a strong Barcelona side dominating for large amounts of the first half. They came so close to scoring multiple times but they just couldn't find the goal to break the deadlock for the duration of the first half. Napoli on the other hand, failed to even register a single shot on goal, due to the full awarness of Barcelona's defence. In the second half, Barcelona started to dominante even more as they did in the first half, and even finally scoring to break the deadlock. The goal came from a clinical Barca attack finished off by Polish talisman, Robert Lewandowski. However, it wouldn't be long until Napoli would find a way back into the game, thanks to Victor Osihmen would finished off delicately, restoring hope into the Italian side. It would then end all square in the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona, as the two sides will fight for a place in the quarter finals in Catalonia. 

Picture Above: Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski battling for the ball against Napoli defender, Amir Rrahmani

Elsewhere in Europe, PSV hosted Borussia Dortmund in what would be a 1-1 draw between the German and Dutch teams. Dortmund player Donyell Malen became the first Dutch player to score a goal against a Dutch team in the history of the competition. The following day, Porto hosted highly-anticipated Arsenal, as the away side were high favourites to make the quarter finals for the first time in 14 years. However, their chances were slightly dampened when they were stunned by a sumptuous goal by Galeno which gave the home side a slim lead to take to North London. 

Pictures Above: Arsenal forward Kai Havertz stunned as Porto grab a late winner. PSV forward Luuk de Jong celebrating after scoring a penalty against Borussia Dortmund. 

The Champions League Round of 16 first leg certainly didn't dissapoint as we were treated to classic encounters and amazing matches. The Champions Blog will return in March as the second leg kicks off with the 16 sides fighting for a place in the quarter finals.