THE PSG SAGA

 

Image Credit- Forbes

Yesterday the draws of the Champions League Quarterfinals and Semifinals were out. Best wishes to all the teams who have reached the final 8 of the tournament. But this post is not about the one who have made it but is about a heavyweight who failed to reach the final 8 once again. 

Yes you got it right. We are talking about Paris Saint Germain. In the last 11 years PSG have won 8 league titles and is currently on course to win their 9th. However, on the European stage they always fall short. They came close in the 2020 edition wherein they reached the finals of the tournament but were eventually beaten by Bayern Munich. 

This year again the hopes were high from the French side. Afterall, they blew every opponent not only in the French League, but also in the group stage of the Champions League. Furthermore, their star players Messi and Mbappe were in best of their forms. Thus, everyone expected that they can get past the German side, However the same did not happen. 

The German giants emerged victorious in both the legs and won the round of 16 clash with a net aggregate of 3-0. The Bavarians will now face Manchester City in the quarterfinals and the French side have only Ligue 1 to focus upon.

Despite having the strongest squad, the Parisians have failed to lift the European Trophy again and again. Hence it can be said that one can easily assemble great players but managing them in a single team is something which the managers of PSG are yet to learn. Till the time they don't learn this trick, European trophy will forever remain a dream for the PSG. 

FEW GOOD MOMENTS

 

Image Credit- Eurosport

This season has not been the best of season for Chelsea F.C. To be honest this has been a season which no Chelsea fan would like to remember. Afterall we are placed 10th in the league and have also been knocked out of the FA Cup. The only competition in which Chelsea FC is alive is the UEFA Champions League. 

However, a defeat in the first leg of the Round of 16 made it look that Chelsea's days are numbered in UEFA Champions League as well. No one gave them a chance in the second leg despite it was to be played in their home. Afterall on one hand the Dortmund side were in their best of forms, whereas the Blues were struggling to even win a game against the weakest of opponents. As a result, when the two sides met again in Stamford Bridge, everyone expected an easy win for the visitors.

However, this football. This is full of uncertainty. And this is what happened again. Chelsea FC came from nowhere and beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to march forward in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. Raheem Sterling scored the opening goal of the game in the 43rd minute and levelled the tie. 8 minutes into the second half German Havertz successfully converted a penalty [He missed it on first occasion] and the Blues were 2-0 up in the game and 2-1 up aggregate. The German side failed to score in the Bridge and at the end of 90 minutes the Blues won the game 2-0. 

Chelsea F.C is now in the last 8 of the Champions League. I don't know will they reach the semis or not. I don't know whether they will even qualify for next year's UCL or not. But, for the time being this feels good. 

THE HAMMERING

 

Image Credit- Liverpool FC

5th March, 2023 marked one more episode of the great rivalry between Liverpool FC and Manchester United. Whenever these two power houses clash, fireworks are always expected. As a result every football fan was excited for this mouth-watering encounter. However what happened that day will never be forgotten by both Liverpool and Manchester United fans. The Red Devils were crushed and hammered in the Anfield. The Reds kept on scoring against their arch rivals and by the time final whistle was blown, the scorecard read Liverpool 7- 0 Manchester United. 

If we look closely into the game we will find that the first half was equally levelled between both the sides even though Cody Gakpo scored the opening goal in the 43rd minute. At half time the hosts were 1-0 up, but the visitors were not far off. 

However in the second half we witnessed absolute carnage. Darwin Nunez scored a brace, Mohammad Salah scored a brace, Gakpo and Firminho also managed to score a goal each in the second half. The Manchester United defense was just torn apart by the Liverpool frontline. It was just absolute calamity for Manchester United. 

With this win the Reds have reached 5th spot in the league. On the other hand the Red Devils are still placed 3rd. Before this game no one gave any chance to Liverpool F.C. Furthermore looking into the current form of Manchester United it appeared that they will easily steam roll the hosts. But, this is football. It is uncertain and that's why we love it. The Red Devils have been stopped and Liverpool FC are back where they belong to. 

To watch the highlights of the game, click here.