With places in the semi-finals on the line, Michael Owen assesses the second-leg ties and predicts who will advance in the Champions League.
Tuesday, 14 April
Atletico v Barcelona
In the Atletico Madrid v Barcelona clash, I must admit that I was surprised to see Barcelona lose at home, but I now feel that with Atletico’s marked improvement in recent times, they may just have done enough to progress to the semi-finals. I’m expecting a close game in Madrid and maybe even a 2-1 away win to Barcelona, but having lost the first leg by a 2-0 scoreline, I think it could well be their last victory in the tournament this season.
Liverpool v PSG
Liverpool face Paris Saint-Germain and as much as I wanted to predict a handsome victory for Liverpool, I decided I need to be realistic and just hope to be proved wrong. They’re not playing anywhere near their best, and PSG are oozing confidence right now. I fancy Liverpool to get a 1-1 draw, but of course that won’t be enough, so I’m going for Luis Enrique and his men to march on in their quest to retain their title as Champions of Europe.
Wednesday 15 April
Arsenal v Sporting
Arsenal, despite their tribulations on the domestic front, continue to get the job done in Europe and their 2-0 away win in Portugal should mean that Sporting have too much to do at the Emirates. I’m going for a 1-0 home win for the Gunners which will mean comfortable progression for them into the semi-finals.
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
The last quarter final is perhaps the mostly finely poised. Bayern Munich v Real Madrid. Bayern were looking home and hosed at 2-0 up away at the Bernabeu but a 74th minute goal from Kylian Mbappe makes the tie slightly less daunting for Los Blancos. That said, Bayern are in great form and I really can’t see them losing at the Allianz stadium in the second leg. Real Madrid have tended to huff and puff for large parts of this season and I can see them losing by the same scoreline as in Madrid. 2-1 to the Germans for me in this one.
Michael Owen’s picks
Atletico Madrid v Barcelona (2-0) 1-2
Liverpool v Paris Saint Germain (0-2) 1-1
Arsenal v Sporting (1-0) 1-0
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (2-1) 2-1
