Juventus – Real Madrid 2:1
Allegri’s team executed an excellent strategy which saw them take advantage of Real Madrid’s instabilities to give them a 2-1 lead to take to the Bernabeu.
Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund 1:1 (0:2 Penalties)
Following what was very much a balanced match overall, Jurgen Klopp now has the opportunity to end his time in Dortmund with silverware, going through to the Pokal final after two slips cost Bayern in the shootout.
Barcelona – Valencia 2:0
Luis Enrique’s side took a step closer to the title after a confident 2-0 victory over Valencia. Messi was vital as ever in his ‘new role’ which sees him support to a much greater extent in the midfield, supporting the progression into the attack.
Valencia: A tactical profile
Valencia had a disappointing 2013/14 season, finishing eighth in the La Liga. Nuno Espirito Santo took over as manager in July 2014, and by anyone’s standards, let alone a manager with as little experience as him, he has done fantastic things with the club.
Paris Saint-Germain – Barcelona 1:3
Barcelona faced PSG in Paris for the first leg of the Quarter Finals. Barcelona dominated the game in what was another world-class showing for Lionel Messi. Messi’s reaction to PSG’s asymmetrical 4-4-2 along with Barcelona wing-combinations resulted in the 1-3 away win for Lucho’s men.
Borussia M’Gladbach – Borussia Dortmund 3:1
Borussia Dortmund’s disappointing campaign is about to continue. Mönchengladbach punished Klopp’s side on the break clinically. Hence the Foals wrapped the Clash of Borussias up what means third-placed Gladbach are now guaranteed to finish ahead of BVB in the standings for the first time since 1989.
Arsenal – Liverpool 4:1
This match was one of the most impressive performances put on by Arsenal in a very long time. The pressing movements of the Gunners were set up perfectly for Liverpool’s system in the first half.
England u21s – Germany u21s 3:2
England, despite tactical flaws, pulled off somewhat of an upset against a team regarded as one of the best youth teams in the world, possessing over 600 more club appearances than their home opposition.
Boca Juniors – Estudiantes de La Plata 3:0
Boca Juniors extended their unbeaten run to fifteen matches with this comprehensive win over an out-of-form Estudiantes team.
Both sides were without arguably their most established players with Boca’s Fernando Gago currently injured, and Alvaro Pereira unavailable for Estudiantes as he is on international duty with Uruguay.
Georgia – Germany 0:2
It was a Davidvili versus Goliath kind of matchup, with Germany dominating the game most of the time. The defending world champion won 2-0 at Georgia.