Two stunning fixtures saw British sides on opposite sides of fortune as Chelsea were thrashed at home by Bayern Munich but Manchester City won at the Bernebeu on two nights of drama in the Champions League Round of 16.
Chelsea 0-3 Bayern Munich
A humbling experience at Stamford Bridge saw The Blues well beaten on the night by Bayern Munich as Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski ran riot in Chelsea’s own backyard.
The first half was more of a tense affair that the second half would be, with both sides spurning chances to take the lead, Olivier Giroud and Thomas Muller coming close but failing to break the deadlock. After the break, however, the Germans run amok. Serge Gnabry’s opener after 51 minutes saw Chelsea cut through at the back, and his second, just three minutes later, was the death knell on the night. When Robert Lewandowski tapped in at the far post for a third, the tie had gone the same way, Chelsea now playing for pride in the second leg in Munich next time these sides meet.
Napoli 1-1 Barcelona
The Catalan former kings of Europe and current La Liga leaders went behind in Italy as Napoli opened the scoring after half an hour through Dries Mertens. It took until the hour mark for Barcelona to level, too, via the mercurial talent at the heartbeat of everything good about their game. Not Lionel Messi, but Antoine Griezmann.
Thereafter, Griezmann’s threat and Barcelona’s away goal nullified the hosts for long enough for the tie to finish all square and it will be decided at Camp Nou. While Barcelona will be favourites, Napoli are not to be written off, with dangerous players all over the park.
Lyon 1-0 Juventus
The French side put Juventus – and perhaps more importantly, Maurizio Sarri – in sharp focus for their failure to win the first leg of a tie that looked a formality at kick-off and now looks anything but. Lyon deservedly took the lead in the first half through Lucas Tousart, who lashed into the top corner after half an hour.
While Cristiano Ronaldo huffed and Paulo Dybala puffed, the ‘Old Lady’ of Italian football could not hit the high notes in France and will need to improve dramatically to win the second leg, let alone do so by two goals if Lyon score. On this form, they will do so, meaning a miracle might be needed in Turin.
Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City
The outstanding score of the round, a comeback victory for Manchester city to glory in for a long time took place at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid on Wednesday night.
It was a goalless first half in the Spanish capital as Zinedine Zidane’s side were roared on by a passionate crowd in their efforts to regain their European crown. That looked likelier than at kick off when, after an hour, Isco opened the scoring. But soon afterwards, Real Madrid’s night would fall apart.
Manchester City equalized with a vital goal when Gabriel Jesus levelled after 78 minutes, and it got even better for the visitors when Raheem Sterling was brought down in the box five minutes later, the resultant penalty converted by Kevin De Bruyne. It could have been even more when, three minutes later, Jesus was clean through on goal, but Sergio Ramos took down the Brazilian. Sent off for a professional foul, Ramos had played his predictable part and managed to keep the tie retrievable.
It will still take a huge effort at The Etihad for Zidane’s men to progress, Madrid likely needing to win by two clear goals away from home. It has been done before… but not often. One thing is for sure – the second legs of all four ties that took place this midweek will be great entertainment for a variety of reasons.
Champions League round of 16 results:
Chelsea 0-3 Bayern Munich
Napoli 1-1 Barcelona
Lyon 1-0 Juventus
Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City
