(Aggregate scoreline - Bayern Munich 4 v 2 Manchester United)
First Half: Valencia has a goal ruled out for offside.
Half Time: 0-0.
Second Half: Goal! 0-1, United take the lead through Evra who scores with an absolute rocket from the edge of the box into the far top corner. Goal! 1-1, Bayern equalise through Mandzukic who heads in Robben's cross at the far side. Goal! 2-1, Bayern come from behind to take the lead through Muller who scores with a low shot at the far side from a low Robben cross. Goal! 3-1, Robben skips past two defenders, cuts inside and scores with a low shot that takes a deflection before nestling in the near bottom corner.
Full Time: 3-1.
My Opinion:
My man of the match was Robben. Bayern storm into semi-finals. The game played out in similar fashion to the way it did in the first leg, with Bayern dominating possession for the majority of the match. However, they struggled to open the scoring in the first half which left them vulnerable to United scoring an away goal. Incredibly, they went behind to an absolute wonder goal from Evra but it only seemed to waken them up. All of a sudden Bayern looked much more of a threat going forward and they levelled the tie two minutes after going behind. It was all Bayern from then on and they compounded victory with a further two goals from Muller and Robben to book their place in the semi-finals.
United were defensively very strong and kept themselves in the game going into half time. Valencia had a goal ruled out for being offside which looked like a close call but it seemed to be going okay. Amazingly, they took the lead as Evra scored with an absolute rocket of a strike into the far top corner which sent United into bliss. However, their moment of glory was short-lived as they switched off in defence as Mandzukic equalised. At this point, the game was heading into extra time whilst a United goal would mean Bayern would have to score twice to go through. Sadly, it was Bayern who struck again to take the lead which forced United into scoring to stay in the competition. The game was over when Robben scored Bayern's third as United were never going to score a further two away goals. Really disappointed that the defence switched off so soon after taking the lead. A real shame but it was largely expected. Moyes and United will now be under increased pressure and it's all starting to look a little dim.
Atletico Madrid 1 v 0 Barcelona Koke (3)
(Aggregate scoreline - Atletico Madrid 2 v 1 Barcelona)
My Opinion:
Many pundits predicted that this was on the cards and Barcelona are now out. Atletico have played really well over the two legs and managed to contain Barcelona. They could easily have won this game by two or three goals as the woodwork was struck on more than one occasion. The early goal really settled them down and they took full control of the tie and never looked back. Great performance and they fully deserve to through.
Barcelona are in a bad place and this result only increases to the mounting pressure on a poor season by their standards. They are struggling domestically and needed a good run in the champions league. However, their run was cut short in the quarter-finals at the hands of Atletico Madrid. It was not a good display from them in Madrid and they looked second best. Disappointment for the Catalan faithful as this season continues to be one to forget.
Best Goal: Evra, Robben. Winner: Evra
Semi-Final Draw:
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Real Madrid v Bayern Munich
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