Atlético Madrid, who eliminated Inter Milan on penalties, and Borussia Dortmund, winner of PSV Eindhoven (2-0), are the last clubs qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League. With the elimination of Inter, Italy will have no representatives in the quarter-finals, while three Spanish clubs will be present.
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The Civitas Metropolitan stadium experienced a very beautiful evening and witnessed a great show this Wednesday March 13 during the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League between Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan (2-1; tab : 3-2). Like the meeting the day before between Arsenal and Porto, this match had to be decided on penalties after an electric and intense encounter. It was ultimately the Colchoneros who were the lucky ones thanks to two saves from their goalkeeper Jan Oblak and the final miss from Lautaro Martinez.
Victorious in the first leg (1-0), Inter Milan opened the scoring after surviving a big quarter of an hour from Madrid. It’s Federico Dimarco who gives the Italians the advantage by taking a cross from Barella (33rd). Atlético Madrid had the merit of almost equalizing straight away through Antoine Griezmann (35th) and believing in an equalization over two matches. While Simone Inzaghi’s men seemed to be heading towards qualification, the return of Dutchman Memphis Depay (79th) would change the course of the match. The former Lyon striker will be instrumental in the overthrow of Inter by giving his team the advantage (87th), two minutes after hitting the post. Inter is knocked down and will not recover.
Dortmund, the little thumb?
Borussia Dortmund, who managed to hold PSV Eindhoven in check in the first leg, finished the job at home by winning at home (1-0). The Germans opened the scoring very early with Jadon Sancho, who with a strike from 20 meters put his team into orbit (3rd). Long at the mercy of the Dutch, Borussia thought for a moment that they had made the break in the 77th minute, but Füllkrug’s goal was refused for offside by the German international. It is finally the veteran Marco Reus (34 years old), who came in place of Sancho in the 75th minute, who will free the BVB by crucifying the PSV in stoppage time (95th).
The two teams complete the European big eight made up of prestigious clubs which announce fiery quarter-finals with the draw this Friday March 15 from 11 a.m. UT. The reigning champion, Manchester City, is present and will be accompanied by the current leader of the Premier League, Arsenal. The eternal Real Madrid, record holder for victories in the Champions League (13) and logically present, as well as the eternal rival Barcelona who returns to the quarter-finals for the first time in four years.
In bad shape in the Bundesliga, ten points behind leader Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich will really have to pull out all the stops to hope to go further in this edition. What can we say about Borussia Dortmund who appears to be the little thumb of these quarters and who everyone will want to meet. In any case, it would be a good draw for PSG, still in search of their first Cup and who had shared the same group as the Germans at the start of the competition. The Parisians won the first leg (2-0) and drew the return leg (1-1). Kylian Mbappé and his friends would certainly sign for the same scenario.
The first legs of the quarter-finals will take place on April 9 and 10, the return on April 16 and 17.
Teams qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League: Paris-Saint-Germain (France), Manchester City, Arsenal (England), Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid (Spain), Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund (Germany).