We are at that stage of the season when you just can’t afford to miss a match. The quarter-finals of the Champions League 2015 are famous for pulling out notorious upsets and as only four teams will advance to the next stage we can expect really intense matches.
Atletico Madrid 0 – 0 Real Madrid
Last year’s finalists Atletico and Real faced each other at the Vicente Calderon and none of the sides could find a breakthrough. Before this clash it was common knowledge that this Madrid derby will be decided over two legs rather than a ninety minute game. Although Diego Simeone’s side are far behind their city rivals on the league table, yet they have had a pretty impressive run whenever they faced the Champions League holders Real Madrid.
Mario Mandzukic was involved in a lot of scuffles with the Real Madrid players including Ramos and Dani Carvajal. Carvajal was also observed biting and punching the Croatian forward, but he escaped all the charges and there was no retrospective action after the match. The Brazilian defender Marcelo received a yellow card in the 89th minute, which would keep him out of the second leg of this fixture.
After the 0 – 0 draw at home, the Spanish champions would head into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu with both an advantage and a disadvantage. Atleti didn’t allow Carlo Ancelotti’s men to score an away goal, which could prove to be a big deciding factor in the second leg. A draw, except a goalless one, would see Atletico advance to the semi-final on the away goals rule. Although Real Madrid will have the backing of home fans at the home turf at the Bernabeu (no pun intended).
Juventus 1 – 0 Monaco
Juve have come out victorious from their first leg clash at the Juventus Stadium on Tuesday. Although a 1 – 0 lead isn’t a very reassuring one. Arturo Vidal’s 57th minute penalty separates these two sides and it won’t be a big surprise if Monaco turn it around over the next ninety minutes. The Ligue 1 outfit will invite the Italian champions to France for the second leg.
After the match, the Juventus boss Allegri claimed that he doesn’t care if the game was entertaining or not, his only concern was the result. When asked he was satisfied with a 1 – 0 win, the former Milan manager told La Gazzetta dello Sport, “Yes, the result is good, there’s no doubt about it.
“It was crucial not to concede in the home leg. Let’s not say that we’re already in the semi-finals though.
“It was a boring game? If you want to have fun, you should go to the circus. I’m only interested in reaching the semi-finals.
“We are pleased with the performance. Whoever thought that it would be an easy quarter-final is mistaken.
“In truth, Vidal has been playing well for some time. This time, he scored which is for the best. He and [Carlos] Tevez are the penalty takers.”