What we learnt from the Champions League 2nd Round Part 1
Four teams are already through to the last eight of the Champions league and there are still 4 more slots to be filled up. Some of the major talking points of the games played are as follows:
1) Ronaldo stunning goals
Ronaldo has been criticized this season for failing to show up when it matters most for Real Madrid, the talismanic forward has failed to shine against top opposition like Barcelona, Athletico Madrid and PSG.
However Madrid have Ronaldo to thank for making it through to the last 8 of the Champions league, Ronaldo scored a goal each in Madrid home and away fixtures to help them scale through over Roma, if Madrid are to make it through to the Semis, they would need him to be in top gear in the Quarter finals.
Ronaldo total of 13 goals in 8 matches is admirable and he is very well on course to break his own record of 17 goals in a single season in the Champions league.
As it stands he is already the top scorer in Champions league history and based on his scoring exploits he is definitely on course to break more records.
2) Hazard baffling shirt swap with Di Maria
With the score tied at 1-1 in a must win match for Chelsea, Eden Hazard was spotted swapping shirts with Di Maria at half time, this was a match that at that point was evenly matched as Chelsea pulled themselves back into the tie after Diego Costa had cancelled out Rabiot early strike for PSG.
However as the teams approached the tunnel Hazard was seen enthusiastically swapping shirts with Di Maria leaving one to wonder what was going on in the players mind.
To make matters worse he had a below average game and was eventually subbed out for Oscar.
With the controversy surrounding his future this was the last thing to do in a must win game for Chelsea and this action drew the ire of angry fans who booed him when he was substituted.
3) Chelsea are an average team
It is no secret that Chelsea season has been disastrous but many expected them to make it through to the last eight of the Champions league but this was not to be. Chelsea played terribly at Stamford bridge and were lucky to only lose by a 2-1 margin they lacked urgency, creativity and discipline as their defence was constantly harassed by Ibrahimovic, Di Maria and Lucas Moura.
The decision to start Kenedy at left back was one which back fired as his inexperience in the position showed, his flank was constantly exploited all night and the PSG forward line had much joy as they constantly kept delivering crosses through his flank.
If Chelsea defence was bad then the forward line definitely had more problems to deal with after Diego Costa injury, the team lacked any spark as the only game plan they had was to get the ball to Costa to score and after Costa’s injury they could not develop an alternative strategy.
A very disappointing ending for Chelsea and the FA cup is their only hope of silverware this season.
4) Benfica breaks Zenit hearts
Benfica made it to the last eight of the Champions league in thrilling fashion, going into the 2nd leg they held a slender 1-0 advantage thanks to the injury time goal they scored in the first leg.
Zenith created chances in the 2nd leg and thought they had done enough to force extra time after Hulk scored in the 69th minute to even the tie, however Gaitan 85th minute strike ensured that Zenit needed to score 2 more goals in order to progress and the match was officially over when Talsica scored in stoppage time to break Zenit hearts.
5) Wolfsburg ease through to the last eight
With a comfortable 3-2 victory in the first leg of the tie, there was little doubt that Wolfsburg will scale through the second round and they showed their pedigree by winning 1-0 at home.
Wolfsburg will be delighted with their win as this is only their second campaign in the Champions league and they are safely through to the quarter finals. If their quarter final draw is favourable they could very well make it to the Semi- finals but even if they are eliminated in the quarter finals they would be satisfied with their achievement in the Champions league.
So there you have it the four teams that have qualified for the quarter final stage are Real Madrid, Benfica, PSG and Wolfsburg with four more teams to join them.
