Monaco – Arsenal 0:2
“Monaco is Atletico-Lite”
This is how many of us here at Spielverlagerung describe Monaco. This match against Arsenal showed exactly why they are behind a team like Atletico Madrid in some regards.
Atletico Madrid – Bayer Leverkusen 1:0 (3:2 pens)
Atletico Madrid scraped past Bayer Leverkusen at the Vincente Calderon to make it into the Champions League quarter-finals. Just like the first leg, it was a tight affair played between two teams that revolve their play around intense pressing and quick transitions.
Chelsea – Paris Saint-Germain 2:2 (aet)
It was unlikely that this year’s edition of Chelsea-PSG in the Champions league would top last year’s in terms of drama, but it certainly did and was an interesting match tactically too.
Bayer Leverkusen – Atlético Madrid 1:0
In the first leg of what was the most exciting prospects from the selection of CL matches a great game was expected, yet not primarily in the players on show but the tactical ability of the two managers who are, especially in the case of El Cholo, regarded amongst the best in the world.
Manchester City – Barcelona 1:2
Barcelona ended any speculation that their form would drop off following their loss to Malaga at the weekend with an impressive performance, particularly in the first half. Despite being outclassed in the first half, City could take some positives due to their second half display, coming close to scorer an equaliser.
Basel – Porto 1:1
After finishing runners up in their group to Madrid – knocking out Liverpool along the way – Basel face Porto in the first round of the Champions League knockout stages. Porto reach this stage after winning their group, which included Shakhtar Donetsk and Athletic Bilbao.
Paris Saint-Germain – Chelsea 1:1
“A game which wasn’t easy on the eye.”
This is how most people would describe the first leg between PSG and Chelsea. This is due to the tactical approach of both teams and how they interacted with each other.
Juventus – Olympiakos 3:2
Allegri tries out a new diamond system with Juventus with huge emphasis on diagonal movements. Olympiakos nearly steal points from the game with goals against the flow of play, but Allegri’s men managed to use their new and interesting system to come from behind and secure 3 points in the Champions League.
Champions League final: Real Madrid – Atletico Madrid 4:1
Real Madrid have won the Champions League in 2014. In a final full of pressing, switching play, and cramps, they had the upper hand over an Atlético Madrid side that was fully devoted to fighting for the win.
In-depth analysis: Bayern Munich – Real Madrid 0:4
Real Madrid allowed only four shots on goal in the 2nd leg of the Champions League semi-finals against Guardiola’s FC Bayern München. Is Guardiola’s Tika-Taka finished or has Carlo Ancelotti simply developed an enormously effective counter tactic?