Champions League Predictions: Quarterfinals, Leg 2
It's already time for some more Champions League! You know what that means. In less than 24 hours, we get to experience some more terrific, pulsating football, and more importantly, the greatest anthem in the world.
Last week was not short on action: Liverpool blitzed Porto out of the gates, then somehow withstood multiple good Portuguese chances to keep a clean sheet. Tottenham found themselves outplayed on their home pitch for most of their encounter, yet found enough in the tank to somehow pull out a victory over Manchester City. Barcelona got an early own goal gifted to them, and that was enough to eke out a crucial road victory against Manchester United, and Ajax and Juventus played to a scintillating, thrilling 1-1 draw. All in all, I went just 2 for 4 on my early predictions, correctly forecasting the Tottenham upset (which I'm quite proud of), but overestimating droll Manchester United and underestimating buoyant Ajax.
Now, to this week's slate of games:
Barcelona vs. Manchester United
Manchester United pulled some magic out of their caps in the Round of 16 by securing their berth in this round in a 3-1 road win at Paris Saint-Germain. The Red Devils will need that same sorcery to somehow progress out of this tie. It's not that Barcelona are unbeatable, and in fact, their leaky defence would say quite the opposite. But while I think United can score goals, I really think they would have had to at least secure a draw last round for them to have any hope of repeating that night in Paris. Barca wins the tie somewhat comfortably in the end.
The Pick: Barcelona, 2-1 [Barcelona win on aggregate, 3-1]
Juventus vs. Ajax
What Ajax have done in this tournament, given their youth and their status as a feeder team for big spenders, is already remarkable, and the fact that they head to the 2nd leg of the Quarterfinals in Turin even with Juventus is one of the better stories in football this year. But Juventus-- or more accurately, Cristiano Ronaldo -- in the last round overcame a 2-0 deficit against a usually tactically-sound Atlético Madrid to somehow make it to this point. I take it they will be too much of a menace for Ajax to secure a road win. But of course, the Dutch side haven't looked intimidated by just about anybody so far. Prove me wrong again, Ajax!
The Pick: Juventus, 3-1 [Juventus win on aggregate, 4-2]
Porto vs. Liverpool
Porto came in to this tie hoping to reverse the fortunes of last year's capitulation to Liverpool in the Champions League. While not quite the 5-0 embarrassment of 2018, their first leg did not go much better this time around. Liverpool were perhaps unlucky to only come away with a 2-0 win, but still, it's tough to see the Dragons knocking in more than one goal against Virgil Van Dijk and co. It won't be for a lack of tenacious effort, though, I feel confident about that.
The Pick: Draw, 1-1 [Liverpool win on aggregate, 3-1]
Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur
The good news? Tottenham Hotspur proved they can beat Man City, and come into the 2nd leg with a 1-0 advantage, needing to only score one goal to really put the pressure on the Citizens. The bad news? Well, if you're going to smash and grab a victory in a match you were 2nd-best in, it'd be preferable to build up an advantage of more than one goal. And now they'll try to maintain this lead without injured star Harry Kane, who hobbled off the pitch the last time these two met. I want to believe Tottenham pulls this out still, and I don't think it's impossible, but I just can't see City failing to progress past an undermanned, oft-unreliable team.
The Pick: Manchester City, 2-0 in Extra Time [Manchester City win on aggregate, 2-1]