Tuesday’s high drama in the Champions League
By Kalin Naidoo
Champions League once again brought out its best
Tuesday night produced a sumptuous feast of attacking football that lit up the Round of 16 ties of the Champions League.
Two games of outstanding quality provided some early insight into potential finalists for this year’s edition of Europe’s premier club competition.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid
A 5-2 scoreline flattered Real Madrid initially as the Reds raced to a 2-0 early lead through a predatory strike by Darwin Nuñez and a Salah tap-in, courtesy of a howler by Thibaut Courtois.
However, one writes off Los Blancos at their peril as the kings of Europe once again displayed their fearsome attack through two goals by the – at times unplayable – Vinicius Jr. and a double by the ever-dependable Karim Benzema.
The lively tie provided ample evidence that the 14-time champions will certainly be in contention at the business end of the competition. Their exciting blend of youngsters such as Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo and the increasingly influential Eduardo Camavinga mesh well with experienced superstars, such as Benzema and Luka Modric, creating a potent mix of precision and power that poor Liverpool, unfortunately, can attest to.
For the Merseysiders, however, it is back to the drawing board because their promising attack masked the defensive frailties that have plagued the team all season. Against anyone else, Klopp’s men might have eked out a victory, but Madrid was in no mood for charity last night.
Klopp and his side face almost impossible odds in the return leg at the Bernabeu. Their season threatens to implode spectacularly, far too early for their liking.
Eintracht Frankfurt 0, Napoli 2
Tuesday’s encounter in Frankfurt was seen as a stern test for the rampant Italians.
Sitting comfortably in the top six in the Bundesliga and blessed with star players like Kolo Muani and Mario Gotze, the German side plays an attacking brand of football that could have troubled Napoli.
The Italians, the most in-form team in Europe, was imperious – one could be forgiven for thinking this was a home game, such was their total dominance. Victor Osimhen continued his impressive scoring streak taking his goal tally to 20 goals this season in Serie A and Champions League, respectively.
Their talisman, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a penalty expertly saved by the German shot-stopper Kevin Trapp. But it was to prove inconsequential as the Neapolitans silenced the Frankfurt crowd.
Like Liverpool, the Germans are on a wing and a prayer for the return leg in Naples.
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If Tuesday’s games served as a precursor for the rest of the tournament, then football fans the world over are going to be spoilt for choice. Let the games come thick and fast.