Champions League quarter-final first leg don come and go, and two big matches don shake football world. For Spain, Barcelona get proper shock for their own backyard as Atletico Madrid carry two goals comot from Nou Camp. For France, Paris Saint-Germain show say dem still be champion material as dem beat Liverpool 2-0 for Parc des Princes.
Make we start with Barcelona matter. Wednesday night for Nou Camp no sweet at all for Barca fans. Atletico Madrid come with full tactical plan from Diego Simeone, and dem execute am perfectly. The match dey cagey for first half, but everything change for 44th minute when young defender Pau Cubarsi see red card. VAR check show say Cubarsi foul Giuliano Simeone as last man, deny clear goal chance. Straight red.
From that free kick wey follow, Julian Alvarez – that former Manchester City striker – bend one beautiful shot wey enter net. Joan Garcia, Barcelona goalkeeper, just look as ball pass him. First half end 1-0 for Atletico.
Second half, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick try change things. Robert Lewandowski wey just score winner against Atletico for LALIGA over weekend, and Pedri come out. Fermin and Gavi enter. But Atletico still dey control game. For 71st minute, Matteo Ruggeri cross meet Alexander Sorloth wey just enter as substitute. Sorloth volley am sweetly, double Atletico lead.
Barcelona get small chances. Marcus Rashford, that Manchester United loanee, hit crossbar with free kick. Lamine Yamal try him best but Atletico defence too tight. Final whistle blow: Barcelona 0, Atletico Madrid 2. Big mountain to climb for second leg.
Now make we cross to Paris where another drama dey happen. PSG versus Liverpool – champions versus former champions. Liverpool manager Arne Slot make one bold decision: e drop Mohamed Salah after FA Cup loss to Manchester City. Jeremie Frimpong start for right side with former PSG striker Hugo Ekitike.
PSG start sharp. For just 11th minute, Desire Doue shoot, ball take deflection, loop over Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili enter net. Early lead for Paris people.
First half, Mamardashvili busy wella. E make vital save against Doue for one-on-one situation. Ousmane Dembele miss golden chance to make am two. But PSG no worry. For 65th minute, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia collect pass from Joao Neves, round Mamardashvili, shoot into empty net. Two-zero.
Liverpool struggle whole match. Dem no get single shot on target for 90 minutes. Fourth straight away loss for dem for all competitions. PSG want penalty for 91st minute when Ibrahima Konate nudge Nuno Mendes, but referee say no. Dembele hit post before e come out for Lucas Hernandez.
Final score: PSG 2, Liverpool 0. Defending champions carry two-goal advantage go Anfield for second leg. Liverpool work cut out for dem.
Other quarter-finals wey play across two nights see Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid win first leg away from home against Real Madrid, Sporting and Barcelona respectively. But these two matches – Barcelona vs Atletico and PSG vs Liverpool – na the ones wey catch attention pass.
Barcelona now dey look at mountain wey dem must climb for second leg. Red card for Cubarsi change everything for dem. Atletico, with Simeone masterclass, get one foot for semi-final. For Paris, PSG show why dem still dey hold that Champions League trophy. Luis Enrique men dem ready for Anfield battle.
Liverpool fans dey wonder wetin go happen for second leg. No shot on target for 90 minutes na serious concern. Salah on bench, attack no dey click. PSG defence handle dem well. Now dem need miracle for Anfield.
Football no dey show face. Champions League quarter-finals just start, but already two big teams dey for serious trouble. Next week second leg go show who get heart and who go go house early.
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