BARCA STROLL IN PARIS, ALL SQUARE IN THE MADRID DERBY AND PORTO SHOW THE WORLD HOW IT'S DONE.
It was a Champions League week and we were given a treat as expected. We witnessed Luis Suarez at his best, Cristiano Ronaldo rather quiet, horrendous defending from Bayer Munich and David Luiz being....well David Luiz.
I'll take a look at each game one by one, starting off with my game of the week, Porto vs Bayern.
PORTO 3 -1 BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern face a tough but rather achievable task given the way they have been blowing away sides at their home ground the Allianz Arena. For Porto, it was a job that deserves applauds from every football lover across the globe. Next step for them, putting in a defensive shift come next Tuesday.
Bayern were so error prone on the night and got heavily punished.
The first ten minutes of the game Bayern had conceded twice. First, Xabi Alonso was robbed by Martinez before being felled by Neuer, the resulting penalty calmly slotted home by the impressive Quaresma. The goal scorer then dispossessed Dante before producing a fine finish.
The first ten minutes of the game Bayern had conceded twice. First, Xabi Alonso was robbed by Martinez before being felled by Neuer, the resulting penalty calmly slotted home by the impressive Quaresma. The goal scorer then dispossessed Dante before producing a fine finish.
Ten minutes gone and the score read 2-0 to Porto. The underdogs cruising and the neutrals enjoying every moment of a European giant being slayed. Bayern fans may argue they were missing their three most influential players in Bastian Schweinsteiger, Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery. Newsflash Bayern fans, a great team doesn't depend on individual players but a squad of eleven.
Thiago Alcantara was able to get a goal back just before the half hour mark. His first goal in over a year. Porto went into the break 2-1 up with the fans in the Dragao singing at the top of their voices.
The errors didn't end their, it was Boateng's turn to make a mistake. He completely misjudged the flight of the ball allowing Martinez to control and round Neuer and slot into an empty net. 3-1 job done, Bayern didn't create too many clear cut chances. Their performance on the night was sluggish, this surely won't repeat itself in Germany.
This tie isn't over yet, we all know Bayern are more than capable of scoring twice without reply at their backyard.
PSG 1 - 3 BARCELONA
PSG may kiss the Champions League bye bye until next season. Their performance on the night was not bad by all means, but the defending was questionable especially after captain Thiago Silva was taken off early in the first half.
Neymar gave Barca the lead on eighteen minutes after Messi who had hit the post earlier with a fine curling effort picked him out with a perfect through ball, the Brazilian made no mistake with the finish.
PSG gained control of the match as the half drew to a close and Edison Cavani should have scored if it wasn't for a last ditch tackle from Javier Mascherano. PSG sustained their pressure in the second half with efforts from distance by Javier Pastore and Rabiot.
Luis Suarez who looks to be back at his best then put the game beyond PSG with a wonderful solo effort beating three defenders, a nutmeg on Luiz the first of two on the night, and wonderful strength to hold off Marquinhos and Maxwell before slotting home.
His second didn't come much later, as a good one two and a nutmeg on Luiz again set him free on goal where he curled to the top corner to put the game and maybe tie beyond PSG. PSG got a consolation goal but surely it's an uphill battle for them after this kind of defeat.
ATLETICO MADRID 0 - 0 REAL MADRID
This was like a game of two halves but no clear opportunities were created by either team apart from Gareth Bale's early one on one against the impressive Oblak who saved well.
Real dominated the first half and caused their cross town rivals a few problems, Gareth Bale was denied twice by Oblak, James Rodriguez had a shot with the outside of his boot well saved and Modric fired over when he should have done better.
Atletico were well organised defensively as we knew they would be against Real. Cristiano was kept quiet for most if not the whole game and Real just couldn't create a whole lot in the final third. Atletico looked much better after the break and caused problems when they moved forward.
Ancelotti's men failed to assert any kind of pressure in the second half as they did in the first, and were mostly defending in the last 45 minutes. Benzema had one opportunity to pull the trigger but opted to pass to Ronaldo who squandered the chance.
I'm expecting a more entertaining game at the Bernabeu next week, and especially Real to be on the attack. Atletico won't be too satisfied with this result as they know if Real score they'll have to score. Anyway, we can only wait and see what the next tie serves.
JUVENTUS 1 - 0 MONACO
I didn't get the chance to watch this game because of the Madrid derby of course, but I got the chance to see the highlights. Juventus will be disappointed to only go into the next tie away from home with a one goal lead and Moncao will definitely be scratching their heads wondering what if Carrasco had scored the chance he had early on.
This tie is far from over, Monaco will definitely be sniffing at an opportunity to reach the semi-finals stage since they last achieved that goal in 2004. If Juventus reminisce their performance against Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park then they just may be heading to the last 4.
This was like a game of two halves but no clear opportunities were created by either team apart from Gareth Bale's early one on one against the impressive Oblak who saved well.
Real dominated the first half and caused their cross town rivals a few problems, Gareth Bale was denied twice by Oblak, James Rodriguez had a shot with the outside of his boot well saved and Modric fired over when he should have done better.
Atletico were well organised defensively as we knew they would be against Real. Cristiano was kept quiet for most if not the whole game and Real just couldn't create a whole lot in the final third. Atletico looked much better after the break and caused problems when they moved forward.
Ancelotti's men failed to assert any kind of pressure in the second half as they did in the first, and were mostly defending in the last 45 minutes. Benzema had one opportunity to pull the trigger but opted to pass to Ronaldo who squandered the chance.
I'm expecting a more entertaining game at the Bernabeu next week, and especially Real to be on the attack. Atletico won't be too satisfied with this result as they know if Real score they'll have to score. Anyway, we can only wait and see what the next tie serves.
JUVENTUS 1 - 0 MONACO
I didn't get the chance to watch this game because of the Madrid derby of course, but I got the chance to see the highlights. Juventus will be disappointed to only go into the next tie away from home with a one goal lead and Moncao will definitely be scratching their heads wondering what if Carrasco had scored the chance he had early on.
This tie is far from over, Monaco will definitely be sniffing at an opportunity to reach the semi-finals stage since they last achieved that goal in 2004. If Juventus reminisce their performance against Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park then they just may be heading to the last 4.
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