With the first half of the Champions League quarter-finals out of the way, it’s time for some reflection before the madness resumes next week.
After an international break, a bit of Gazprom football in the middle of the week takes it straight out of you, especially with a number of baby burners actually delivering on hype (for a change).
Nothing is over until the fat lady sings and the first legs so far have set up some seriously good other legs to look forward to between Europe’s heavyweights. We’ve definitely already learned a few things, so it’s time to debrief.
Here are the most important takeaways from the first stages of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Generation. | Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
Let’s be right: he’s okay with Kylian felling, right?
Two more goals for the Frenchman saw his side edge past Bayern Munich in the away team and take him to eight goals from eight games so far in the Champions League.
Different sauce.
Current mood: pic.twitter.com/VtX157NTD8
– Real Madrid CF ???? (@realmadriden) April 7, 2021
With everyone hitting the La Liga sides this season – and perhaps rightly so – for their underperformance on the big stage, Real Madrid put a blind eye to Liverpool to silence doubts.
Los Blancos has been under fire all season, but tore Liverpool apart completely at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. They did it without key players like Sergio Ramos as well.
Jurgen Klopp may think it was cheating to use the place in 6000 places, but the only cheat code at night was Toni Kroos who cut the reds with a clinic that passed.
Football heritage.
Navas always comes up in the clutch in the Champions League | Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
Keylor Navas loves the Champions League.
The Costa Rican won it three times at Real Madrid and was the key to PSG taking the final last season, and he looks to have a great campaign this year as well.
He made nine saves and saved a Lionel Messi penalty against Barcelona in the 16s, making ten saves against Bayern in the first leg of the last eight. Seriously underrated, but always a goalkeeper for the big occasion.
The goal denial overshadowed another fine Bellingham performance | Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Okay, maybe that’s a little exaggerated, but they definitely appreciated what they had in Jude Bellingham.
The 17-year-old is absolutely huge. Doubtful service saw him robbed of a well-deserved Champions League quarter-final goal against Manchester City that may still prove crucial to who goes on, but don’t let that take away from how comfortable he already looks at the top tier. He led it at the Etihad.
Mr. Southgate, put him on the plane / bus and into England XI.
Mendy thrives in European competition Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
So far, Chelsea have conceded just two goals in the Champions League this season. Two.
Mock them all you want to have released five against West Brom, but they dominate the procedures in Europe. Edouard Mendy has not yet conceded a goal from open play in the competition; With such defensive posts, you can get far in a knockout tournament.
The Blues are not to be underestimated.
Agent Foden at work. ? ️♂️ pic.twitter.com/uSvni0rmPF
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) April 7, 2021
Good piece of transplant from Erling Haaland on his visit to Manchester.
The forward avoided scoring to knock down his price tag ahead of a move to Manchester City in the summer, as well as drumming up speculation with a number of compliments about the ground and being caught talking to Phil Foden after a full-time whistle.
He’s seen the big ASDA outside the stadium and been convinced on the spot, and for that you can not blame him.
