BARCA IN, BAYERN OUT!

CATALANS SEE OFF THE BAVARIANS EN ROUTE TO BERLIN.

 Bayern have been here before obviously, undoubtedly they've been here before this season: Porto drove 3-1 from their quarter-final first leg, just to be met with a Bavarian lightning war in the return leg at the Allianz arena.

Something comparative was required at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday evening, sadly for the Bavarians, it will be the Spanish class pioneers going to the European Cup final, instead of the German champions.

A Neymar twofold helped Barcelona progress to their first Champions League final following 2011 in spite of a 3-2 second-leg semi-final defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

A Lionel Messi brace and Neymar's strike at Camp Nou last Wednesday had given the Liga pioneers a 3-0 lead after the first leg and, in spite of a vivacious presentation, Bayern were not able to finish a wonderful fightback in the return leg.

Mehdi Benatia's initial header gave Bayern hope, however Pep Guardiola depicted his previous club Barca as the best counter-attacking group on the planet on the ball and they satisfied that charging at the Allianz Arena.

Luis Suarez laid on two goals for Neymar - who now has 37 for the season and has scored in his previous seven matches - in the first half and, despite the fact that Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller gave the Bundesliga champions triumph on the night, the jpb had been finished by Barca in the first leg.

It was the guests' first loss since February and they had not yielded for more than 10 hours before Tuesday's encounter, yet they stay on course for a celebrated treble in Luis Enrique's first season in control, while Bayern have smashed out in the semi-finals two years running under Guardiola.

Whether it be Juventus or an el Clasico standoff with Real Madrid in the final, Barca will go in top picks and rightly so.
 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL 1ST LEG: HOW IT HAPPENED.

MESSI DESTROYS BAYERN, THE OLD LADY TAKE A LEAD TO THE BERNABEU.

Four teams left standing to the road to Berlin, Barcelona will take a healthy lead to Bayern after a 15minute cameo that Messi absolutely dazzled the Bavarians defense. Underdogs Juventus, have a slight advantage heading into the second leg at the Bernabeu, but the tie is far from over.


BARCELONA 3 - 0 BAYERN MUNICH

Two moments of enchantment from Lionel Messi and a late goal from Neymar gave Barcelona a 3-0 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

The conflict at Camp Nou denoted the first time since his departure from Barca in 2012 that Pep Guardiola had met the group he prompted 14 noteworthy trophies in four years.

Guardiola had marked Messi "relentless" in the build up to the match and his words demonstrated prophetic as Messi destroyed Bayern with two sublime late goals.

Having seen Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer disappoint Barca for a significant part of the match, the two sides looked set to go to the Allianz Arena one week from now with the tie finely balanced at 0-0.

However, Messi, playing in his 100th European game, delivered another shining showcase to place Barca in summon, breaking the deadlock with a grating 77th-minute opener.

What's more, the Argentina forward multiplied his count after three minutes with a radiant solo goal before a stoppage time third from Neymar viably finished the tie as Barca went somehow to picking up a measure of vengeance for the 7-0 aggregate misfortune to Bayern at the same stage two years back.


JUVENTUS 2 - 1 REAL MADRID

Carlos Tevez's penalty gave Juventus an essential lead as they beat Real Madrid 2-1 in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg.

Juve, delegated Serie A champions for a fourth year consecutively on Saturday, were compensated for a splendid begin when previous Real striker Alvaro Morata opened the scoring from short proximity in Turin.

Massimiliano Allegri's side were soon pegged back, however, as Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored three times against Juve in last season's group stages, headed home a short proximity equalizer from James Rodriguez's great cross.

Holders Real squandered an extraordinary opportunity presently before the break when Rodriguez by one means or another headed against the crossbar from three yards with the goal unguarded.

That miss at last proved costly as Juve were granted a penalty just before the hour when Dani Carvajal felled Tevez, and the Argentina forward determinedly dispatched his spot-kick.

Juve consequently hold a slight advantage going into the second leg next week in Madrid, despite the fact that Ronaldo's away goal, his 76th in the Champions League, equal with his extraordinary opponent Lionel Messi, could demonstrate significant. 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 8 2ND LEG: AS IT HAPPENED.

NEYMAR DOUBLE SEES OFF PSG, BAYERN THRASH PORTO, JUVE HOLD ON AND CHICHARITO SETTLES MADRID DERBY.

So we have our line up for the last four of the Champions League, La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid who just saw off their city rivals alongside the Bavarian's Bayern Munich and Serie A runaway leaders Juventus occupy the semi-final slots.

At this point you can't pick a favorite really, Barcelona look a far better outfit than the side that were walloped by Bayern a couple of seasons ago. They are playing remarkably well and with a strike force of Neymar, Suarez and Messi, they won't fear anyone at this stage.

Real Madrid haven't really got going, but they probably have the strongest eleven when compared with the teams that are left, but Bayern fans would definitely disagree with me on that. Ancelotti will be hoping to have Bale, Benzema and Modric for the semi-final clash.

Bayern were absolutely ruthless against a Porto side that in all honesty set up very poorly against the Bavarians. Pep set his boys' well and by halftime the tie was already over. With Robben and Ribery in their ranks, Munich will be looking to steam roll their way into the final.

The Old Lady held on to their first leg advantage to progress. They'll now be facing one of Europe's top three teams. We are all aware Italians are the masters of defending and Juve will really need to be defensively stout if they are to progress to the final.

BARCELONA 2 - 0 PSG (5 - 1)

 Barca needed just 14 minutes to break the deadlock thanks to a piece of brilliance from Iniesta.

The Spain star jinked his way beyond three players and played an expertly placed pass into the path of Neymar, who coolly rounded Salvatore Sirigu and tapped the ball into the empty net.

PSG responded well to going behind but only the reflexes of Sirigu prevented Barca from extending their lead soon after. The goalkeeper palmed a long-range strike from Dani Alves away and then kept out Neymar's header on the rebound.

But Sirigu could do nothing to stop Neymar from doubling his tally in the 34th minute as he was given the simple task of nodding home Dani Alves' excellent in-swinging right-wing cross.

Iniesta was withdrawn and replaced by Xavi at half-time and Barca did lose some of their attacking impetus in a low-key second half.

Yet they were rarely threatened by a PSG team, who never looked like they believed they could reverse last week's demoralising defeat at home.

Verratti lashed wide from the edge of the area and Ibrahimovic stung the palms of Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but that was all the visitors could muster as Barca - who nearly added a third through Lionel Messi in injury time - marched on in ominous fashion.

BAYERN MUNICH 6 - 1 PORTO (7 - 4)

Two goals from Robert Lewandowski helped rouse Bayern Munich to an astounding 6-1 whipping of Porto and seal their spot in the Champions League semi-finals.

Trailing 3-1 from the quarter-final first leg, Pep Guardiola's side delivered an overwhelming first-half show, scoring five times in the opening 40 minutes to leave the guests shell-stunned.

Cautious mistakes had cost Bayern dear in the opening clash, yet it was their incomparable assaulting quality that went to the fore at the Allianz Arena.

Club specialist Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt surrendered in the wake of a week ago's converse, asserting his therapeutic group had been rebuked for the thrashing, yet even without the truant trio of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, Guardiola's group essentially had excessively for the 2004 champs.

Thiago Alcantara - who netted Bayern's away goal at the Estadio do Dragao - opened the scoring inside quarter of an hour and it was 3-0 preceding the 30th minute because of further goals from Jerome Boateng and Robert Lewandowski.

Thomas Muller's diverted effort made it four, preceding Lewandowski multiplied his count with a clinical finish as Porto neglected to live with Bayern's movement and sharpness.

With the task accomplished for the Bundesliga champions, the second half demonstrated a relaxed issue, Jackson Martinez's goal 17 minutes from time demonstrating just relief, particularly as there was still time for Xabi Alonso to twist home a late free kick after a tackle that saw Ivan Marcano sent off for his second booking.

REAL MADRID 1 - 0 ATLETICO MADRID (1 - 0)

 

  Real Madrid kept their Champions League defence alive as Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez scored in the 88th minute to seal a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Chicharito was just playing because of the injury emergency at Madrid at the same time, in the wake of missing a few chances, the striker ended up being the European champions' match-victor as he settled a feisty experience at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Mexico international was available to apply a straightforward finish in the wake of being set up by Cristiano Ronaldo to guarantee Real beat Diego Simeone's side for the first time since winning the Champions League final last May.

Spanish champions Atletico had not lost to their neighbors in seven matches this season, however were made to pay for demonstrating an absence of desire more than two legs and their errand was not helped when Arda Turan recieved a second yellow card 14 minutes from time.

The tie was bound for extra time until Chicharito took focal point of the audience, at long last appearing with the singular objective more than two legs as Real stayed in the chase for a Champions League and Liga twofold.

MONACO 0 - 0 JUVENTUS (0 - 1)

 Juventus are through to the Champions League semi-finals after their 0-0 draw with Monaco on Wednesday secured a 1-0 win.

Arturo Vidal's first-leg spot kick demonstrated vital in the tie as Massimiliano Allegri's men booked a slippery semi-final compartment, having missed the mark at the quarters three times subsequent to their run to the final 12 years prior.

Allegri's men were made to buckle down for their movement by a Monaco side that had stunned Arsenal in the past round and surrendered only twice at home in this season's competition.

Geoffrey Kondogbia went close twice before the break while Leonardo Jardim's side saw penalty claims turned down when the midfielder went down in the box.

That pressure proceeded after the break with Juventus shockingly drowsy on the counterattack in their offer to slaughter off the tie.

Monaco at last used up steam towards the end of a serene second leg as Juve showed high quality defensive work as expected from Italians to remain on course for a domestic and continental treble.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 8: 2ND LEG PREVIEW

BARCA, PORTO HAVE ONE FOOT IN THE SEMIS, BAYERN, PSG IN TROUBLE, THE MADRID DERBY STILL OPEN AND JUVE TRYING TO AVOID UPSET.

The 2nd legs are back faster than we all expected, just the other day we were all put to the Suarez show and Porto showed the rest of Europe that Bayern ain't a big deal, Tonight, both Bayern and mostly PSG face uphill tasks, the French outfit need to score at least thrice at the Camp Nou to progress while Bayern need a 2-0 victory at the Allianz Arena to see them through.

In tomorrows games, the Madrid derby will be the center of attention once again. The tie is very much opened and we'll all be hoping for a more open and entertaining game at the Santiago Bernabeu. Juventus on the other hand will have to be focused as they take a 1-0 lead to the Stade Louis II in Monaco.


BARCELONA (3) - (1) PSG

 PSG need to score no less than three times to keep Barca from progressing to the semi-finals however Barca mentor Luis Enrique was in mindful mind-set amid Monday's news gathering.

PSG manager Laurent Blanc surrendered that his side's shots of pulling off an acclaimed win are thin however accepts that the French champions will create chances.

Barca stay in the chase for the treble and head into the game on the back of a 2-0 win over Valencia on Saturday, which kept them two points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Lionel Messi scored his 400th goal for the Catalan monsters and Suarez netted for the fifth time in his last four matches.

While Barca have lost only one of their last 31 Champions League matches at Camp Nou, Blanc will be helped by the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti from suspensions.

Thiago Silva and Thiago Motta (both thigh) are doubtful however Marquinhos accepts Saturday's 3-1 win over Nice stands PSG in great stead.

Andres Iniesta could come back from a back injury when Luis Enrique's side endeavor to finish off the tie and achieve a last four place.

Prediction; Barcelona 2 - 2 PSG (5 - 3)

Barcelona put themselves in a very strong position to qualify for the semi-finals. PSG on the other hand have it all to play for. I feel like Barca will play this match on 2nd gear but it should still be enough to see them through.



BAYERN MUNICH (1) - (3) PORTO

 

Guardiola's side were paralyzed 3-1 in the first leg and, with a large group of star names still missing from injury, face another intense examination on Tuesday

Bayern Munich face an enormous daunting task in their Champions League quarter-last as they pursue Porto's two-goal lead, with Manuel Neuer calling the second leg the "biggest game" of their season.

Guardiola's damage hit Bayern battled tremendously in Portugal, falling 2-0 down inside the initial 10 minutes because of a Ricardo Quaresma twofold, and inevitably lost 3-1.

The Bundesliga pacesetters are currently confronting the likelihood of passing up a great opportunity for a fourth progressive Champions League semi-final appearance and history won't give much motivation.

The Bavarian goliaths have pursued a two-objective first-leg shortfall four times in competition and lost each and every tie.

Regardless of an extensive injury list including Franck Ribery, David Alaba and Arjen Robben – Bayern warmed up for Tuesday's game with a 2-0 triumph at Hoffenheim on Sunday, edging closer to a 25th Bundesliga title.

Bayern can take comfort from their home shape in the current year's competition, rising triumphant in each of the four of their trips at the Allianz Arena and scoring 13 goals simultaneously.

Bastian Schweinsteiger may have the capacity to highlight, yet Bayern's rundown of absentees still looks set to bring about destruction with Guardiola's group selection.

Bayern will keep on being without Robben (stomach muscles), Ribery (lower leg), Tom Starke (lower leg), Mehdi Benatia (thigh) and Javi Martinez (knee), while Jerome Boateng, Juan Bernat, Philipp Lahm and Neuer are simply a booking far from a suspension.

Porto are under no illusions as to the weight they are prone to go under in Munich, in any case, with Yacine Brahimi anticipating that Bayern should solicit genuine inquiries from Julen Lopetegui's defence regardless of their depleted numbers.

Porto's possibilities of progressing to a first Champions League semi-final since their triumphant 2003-04 battle  won't be helped by suspensions for full-backs Danilo and Alex Sandro, while Cristian Tello missed Saturday's 1-0 thrashing of Academica with a thigh injury.

Prediction; Bayern 2 - 1 Porto (3 - 4)

For some reason or another I just want to see Bayern crush out of the competition, and I have a strong feeling Porto will just do enough to dump the Bavarians out. Bayern are very strong at home and I've taken a huge gamble on the prediction. If they start quick and get an early goal then Porto won't be able to stop them adding to that tally. But tonight I feel Porto have what it takes to stop them.

REAL MADRID (0) - (0) ATLETICO MADRID

The home side will be without Luka Modric and Gareth Bale in Wednesday's Madrid derby, however the Italian mentor still fancies their possibilities

Carlo Ancelotti is idealistic over Real Madrid's chances against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in spite of injury concerns over Luka Modric and Gareth Bale.

The city opponents go into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-last level after a goalless first leg at the Vicente Calderon a week ago.

Modric (knee) and Bale (calf) are set to be sidelined for the Santiago Bernabeu battle as Real endeavor to record a first win over Diego Simeone's side since a year ago's Champions League final.

The European champions are trying to turn into the first side to retain the trophy in its current structure and, regardless of question marks over the wellness of two key players and in addition the suspension of full-back Marcelo, Ancelotti is certain his side can advance.

Simeone's men may have missed the mark concerning the form they indicated in winning La Liga last term yet stay imposing resistance in Europe particularly for individual Spanish sides.

The annihilation to Real in Lisbon is Atletico's only thrashing in their last 10 European matches against Spanish rivals and, in Antoine Griezmann, they have one of Europe's most in-form strikers.

The France international has six goals in his last five outings and will be crucial in their endeavors of progressing to the last four at their rivals' cost.

Prediction;  Real Madrid 2 - 1 Atletico Madrid (2 - 1)

I'm just leaning towards Real tomorrow night despite injuries to Bale and Modric. They should have players good enough in Isco and Jesse to cover for the injured duo. It won't be an easy one though, hope to see CR7 at his very best.

MONACO (0) - (1) JUVENTUS

The guests carry a 1-0 lead into the second leg and the left-back says they must be prepared to take the game to Leonardo Jardim's men

Patrice Evra has encouraged Juventus not to sit back on their first-leg lead yet to take control of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-last tie against Monaco.

The Italian champions go to the Stade Louis II with a 1-0 lead from a week ago's first leg in Turin - Arturo Vidal's spot kick settling a hard-battled match.

With the a slender advantage, Massimiliano Allegri's side are top picks to advance to the semi-finals.

However Evra, who put in four years at Monaco somewhere around 2002 and 2006, expressed that there is a lot of work to do and indicated Monaco's lively execution in the first leg as evidence Juve can't lay on their trees.

Monaco upset the odds to achieve the last eight by beating Arsenal on away goals and Evra believes they can represent a test for any side.

Juve, who vanquished Monaco 6-4 on total to achieve the 1997-1998 Champions League final, make the trek supported by a 2-0 triumph over Lazio in Saturday's top-of-the-table conflict in Serie A.

That outcome that left them 15 points clear at the summit in their walk towards a fourth sequential title.

By differentiation, Leonardo Jardim's side have faltered lately and a 1-1 draw against Rennes on Saturday made it three matches without a win on home turf.

Third-placed Monaco are four points clear of Marseille and Saint-Etienne, while Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain are six points better off than the Principality club - with the champions having a game in hand.

Head mentor Jardim has focused on the significance of eliminating the mistakes against Juve. Vidal will be evaluated ahead of the game in the wake of missing training on Monday because of tonsillitis. Paul Pogba [hamstring] is unlikely to to be available, while Juve colleagues Kwadwo Asamoah [knee], Martin Caceres [ankle], Luca Marrone [thigh] and Romulo [groin] are additionally absentees.

Monaco are without Lacina Traore [leg], while Tiemoue Bakayoko [thigh] is an uncertainty.

Prediction; Monaco 1 - 1 Juventus (1 - 2

Juventus should just have enough to see away the French club but it won't be a walk in the park for sure.

 

 

 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: AS IT HAPPENED.

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.

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.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 8; PSG VS BARCELONA

ROUND 3 BETWEEN PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN AND BARCELONA AT THE PARC DES PRINCES

Paris Saint-Germain will be prodded on by the memory of their horrifying Champions League exits in the last two seasons when they host Barcelona in the first leg of their quarter-final on Wednesday.

The clubs meet at the Parc des Princes with the French champions edgy to make it to the last four in the wake of being dumped out of the competition on away goal to Barcelona and Chelsea in the quarter-finals in each of the last two seasons.

It will be the third time that the two sides have met in the competition this season after each recording a win over the other in Group F.

Anyhow their 3-2 win against the Catalans in Paris in the group stage, and the character they indicated to beat Chelsea on away goals in the last 16, in light of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's first-half red card, proposes they have what it takes to make the jump forward this time.

Barcelona have won 30 of their last 34 matches in all competitions, however a nine-game winning streak was dented in a 2-2 draw at Sevilla on Saturday.

The outcome at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium delineated both the great and the awful of Barca, as they raged into an early lead before surrendering two goals late on.

Having lost in Paris in September, Barcelona asserted revenge, and top spot in Group F, by winning 3-1 at the Camp Nou in December.

Messi, Neymar and Suarez all scored after Ibrahimovic had put the guests ahead, and now the Parisians must work out how to abstain from surrendering a conceivably significant away goal against the intense Barcelona front three.

PSG will be without a few key players for the first leg of their Champions League semi-last against Barcelona.

Without the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Laurent Blanc has an injury concern over midfield general Thiago Motta (thigh), while midfield lynchpin Marco Verratti misses the conflict through suspension. David Luiz has been named in the squad regardless of concerns over a hamstring problem.

Barcelona have no big injury worries for the game at Paris, with long term absentee Thomas Vermaelen, Jodri Masip, Douglas and Rafinha all set to be absent.

Probable Line ups;

PSG (4-4-2)
Sirigu; Van der Wiel, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Maxwell; Lucas, Matuidi, Rabiot, Pastore; Cavani, Lavezzi.

Barcelona (4-3-3)
Stegen; Dani Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Suarez, Messi, Neymar.


Prediction; PSG 2 -2 Barcelona

Barcelona are on hot form at the moment and PSG's injury and suspension problems does them a lot of good. I see them taking something back with them to the Camp Nou.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 8 PREVIEW

THE EL DERBI MADRILENO TAKES CENTER STAGE TONIGHT IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.

The Champions League is finally back. No more early Tuesday and Wednesday nights for us football lovers. Unfortunately, no English team is left in the competition. Chelsea and Arsenal knocked out on away goals, City beat by Barcelona and Liverpool didn't even make it to the round of 16. English teams aside for now, the draw brought out some mouthwatering ties. The Madrid derby being the most high profile of the lot alongside PSG vs Barcelona. 

Tonight, Atletico do battle with cross town neighbors Real and Juventus welcome Monaco who just scrapped through to the Juventus stadium.

ATLETICO MADRID VS REAL MADRID

Diego Simeone has made a fool of Real Madrid this season, doing the double on them in La Liga. Leave alone that, Real have failed to record a victory against Atletico in the last six attempts since coming out on top in last seasons Champions League final 4-1 after extra time.

Atletico may be out of the running for the Liga title but one thing they know how to do is beat Real. Real's last visit to the Vicente Calderon was a disappointing one as they were outplayed and hammered 4-0. 

Ancelotti's men have not been at their best for the best part of 3 months. They lost to Barca in the El Classico and a near collapse almost so Schalke humiliate them. They definitely have to pick up quickly if they are to avoid another massacre at the home of their city rivals.

Atletico themselves will be disappointed to be off the pace in La Liga and battling for a third place finish with a Valencia side that look to have got themselves where they belong, and that is competing for a place in next seasons Champions League.

Diego Simeone has a full squad to select from while his counterpart Ancelotti may be without Sami Khedira, Pepe and Fabio Coentrao, other than that he still has a strong squad to pick.

Probable Line ups:

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2)

Oblak; Siqueira, Godin, Miranda, Juanfran; Koke, Tiago, Gabi, Turan; Griezmann, Mandzukic.

Real Madrid (4-3-3)

Casillas; Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal; James Rodriguez, Kroos, Modric; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale.

Key Players

Atletico Madrid;

Antoine Griezmann - The French international is on the form of his life. He bagged two goals in the weekend game against Malaga to make it 18 league goals. Wherever he plays, if it's out wide or up front alongside, he'll be the man to watch.

Arda Turan - Turan has been one of Atletico's best player in past seasons. He has what it takes to change a game with one moment of brilliance. Marcelo will have to be at his best to deny him any kind of space.

Koke - He'll definitely be pushing inside where he is most dangerous from out wide. Spain's future and definitely one player Real will have to keep a close eye on tonight.

Real Madrid;

Cristiano Ronaldo - There's really nothing to say about CR7 the world's best player. He only needs a sniff at goal and he is scoring. Atletico have done well in keeping him quiet in recent games and have to deploy such tactics again tonight or they'll suffer.

Gareth Bale -  Keeping CR7 quiet won't solve the problem because Bale is more than capable of stepping up if Ronaldo is marked out of the game. 

James Rodriguez - Another player capable of hurting you just like CR7 and Bale. Alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, James will be dictating the tempo from midfield.

Prediction; Atletico Madrid 2 - 1 Real Madrid

Diego Simeone has found the right dose in shutting out Real's deadly attacking threat and he'll definitely employ similar tactics in tonight's clash. Don't fix what's not broken. He has done it twice this season, so why can't he do it again. Carlo Ancelotti will have to find a formula to deal with his 'Atletico' problem. He hasn't managed a victory against them since last seasons CL final.

I'll just go with Atletico in this one.

Other Matches;

JUVENTUS VS MONACO

Prediction; Juventus 3 - 0 Monaco

The Old lady were very impressive against Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park, Monaco should cause less of a problem than BVB did. I see this tie being settled in this leg. Comfortable 3-0 victory for Juve and surely a ticket to the semi-finals, though Juve should be very cautious of the threat and pace Monaco have on the counter attack.