UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid vs Liverpool Awaits

We are at the business end of the UEFA Champions League and only a couple of matches will decide our finalists this year. Considering the 1^st leg results, we are heading for a Real Madrid vs Liverpool showdown in Kyiv, Ukraine on 27^th May. Real are the eternal champions of the Champions League, winning it 12 times whereas Liverpool are known for their dominance in Europe in the 80’s. Can Bayern Munich and AS Roma cause upsets?

Here are the fixtures in Indian Standard Time (IST):

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich

1^st leg: Bayern 1-2 Real

J Kimmich scored midway of the 1^st half to give Bayern the lead but Real fought back with goals in either half by Marcelo and Asensio, thus ensuring a superb away victory and more importantly the 2 away goals. Bayern, despite being the dominant team in the whole game had to suffer a defeat which only showed Madrid’s ruthlessness in front of the goal. Zidane’s men have performed efficiently in the CL so far and have a foot in the final.

Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t score in that game (his first blank in a CL game this season) and he would be raring to make amends. The man has been on fire this season in this competition and Bayern should be wary of him. Bayern have a lot of work to do in this leg, and scoring first should be the priority. They have to win by a margin of 2 goals (or score more away goals than Real) to qualify for the final.

Bayern have the team to beat Real at the Santiago Bernabeu but Real have been a beast in the CL. Expecting a Real Madrid victory. Prediction: Real 2-1 Bayern

AS Roma vs Liverpool

1^st leg: Liverpool 5-2 Roma

For the opening 25 minutes of the game at Anfied, Roma were the better side but then Liverpool shifted gears and were relentless in their pursuit of goals. A double from Salah & Firmino and a goal by Mane saw Liverpool decimate Roma 5-0 by the 70^th minute. Salah’s substitution in the 75^th minute gave Roma a new life in the game and they scored 2 crucial away goals from Dzeko & Perotti in the end.

Roma need to replicate the 3-0 victory they had against Barcelona to progress to the final. Liverpool have been the best attacking team in the CL so far and scoring a goal at Roma should be easy for them. One away goal for Liverpool and they have the game in their bag. Stopping Liverpool’s trio of Mane, Salah & Firmino might prove too much for Roma this time. Expecting another great European away night for Liverpool. Sorry AS Roma, for this won’t be another miracle.

Prediction: Roma 2-3 Liverpool.

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Enjoy the last game week before the final game, these European nights hardly disappoint!