The UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals first leg saw three clubs take commanding leads. Can the underdogs claw things back in the second tie?
Napoli vs AC Milan (AC Milan lead 1-0 after first leg)
Do AC Milan simply have the wood over Napoli? It’s a fair question, after Stefano Pioli’s side — who have been up-and-down for much of the 2022-23 season — defeating the Italian champions-in-waiting for a second time in 10 days in the first leg despite starting marginal outsiders. The 1-0 win, following the 4-0 drubbing on April 3, has left Napoli needing a big performance at home to get through to their first ever Champions League semi-final. But it’s not beyond reach. Unlike the prior result, AC Milan did not dominate the first leg; they simply took their chance in front of goal unlike the visitors. Back on home turf, Napoli should have enough to snap their recent red-and-black hoodoo.
Tip: Napoli to qualify @ $2.20
AC Milan beat Napoli for the second time this month 😱 pic.twitter.com/nxE5v1XSb7
— GOAL (@goal) April 12, 2023
Chelsea vs Real Madrid (Real Madrid lead 2-0 after first leg)
After a horror lead-in, Chelsea showed glimpses at the Bernabeu last week and should have scored on more than one occasion, which would have made things much more interesting heading into this second leg. As it stands, however, Frank Lampard’s men have a mountain to climb. Not only do they face a two-goal deficit, but it’s against the most successful side ever in Europe who have banged in 16 goals in their last five games.
It’s not just the frankly scary prospect of facing Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jnr that Chelsea come up against in this clash. It’s their own demons. The Blues are a shell of the side that graced the latter stages of the Champions League in recent years. In fact, they’ve eked out just two points in their last SIX games. The latest loss, to Brighton at home on the weekend, reiterated that Stamford Bridge should hold few fears for Los Blancos.
👀 JC: "Chelsea vs Real Madrid is not over, if we get the first goal!"
😂 J’OH: "It's over, Chelsea can't score!"
😔 JC: "You're right I've made a fool of myself, we can't score, it's over!"
Jason Cundy can't decide if Chelsea are out of the #UCL yet! 😂 pic.twitter.com/zbg7IC0Tyr
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) April 13, 2023
Inter Milan vs Benfica (Inter Milan lead 2-0 after first leg)
With a first-ever Champions League semi-final up for grabs, against an Inter side who are far from their best at present, Benfica really let an opportunity slide in the first leg, going down 2-0 despite starting $2.35 favourites. The Portuguese league leaders have hit a form slump at the worst possible time, losing three games on the trot to Porto, Inter, and perhaps most damningly, to Chaves over the weekend.
For Inter, the first leg was a monumental result, winning by multiple goals away from home in a Champions League quarter final. It really sets up what should be a safe passage through to the semis, and allows them to dictate early terms. They’ll know Benfica will come out hard, and opportunities are sure to present themselves on the break.
Tip: Inter H2H @ $2.10
Inter win 2-0 at Benfica and hand them their first loss in the Champions League this season 😲 pic.twitter.com/G9myr9dIZa
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 11, 2023
Bayern Munich vs Manchester City (Manchester City lead 3-0 after first leg)
Let’s call a spade a spade: Manchester City are the best club side in the world at present. And by some margin. Pep Guardiola’s side showed exactly why they’re the 2022-23 Champions League title favourites with a 3-0 dismantling of (then) second-favourites Bayern Munich at home last week. City were $5.50 pre-game with Palmerbet at -2.0. Despite having just 44 per cent of possession — their lowest figure at the Etihad under Guardiola — had all the chances and were clinical, as they have been the last two months. They now look a serious chance of claiming a historic treble this season. And while this is a tough trip to Bavaria, the Sky Blues show now sign of letting up a relentless streak that has seen them win their last 10 on the bounce, including an incredible 27 goals in their last six games.
Tip: Manchester City H2H @ $2.35
Pep's reaction to Man City's 3-0 win over Bayern 😅 pic.twitter.com/OQrK0x4qge
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) April 12, 2023
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