After the excitement of the first legs, Europe’s elite club competition returns for the decisive second leg encounters. Between Tuesday and Wednesday we’ll find out the names of the four clubs qualified to the semi finals. Although four clubs have taken an advantage from the first meetings, history tells us that it’s never over until the referee blows the final whistle. Here’s our full preview for the second leg fixtures of the Champions League quarter finals, including the probable lineups.
Note: All expected lineups mentioned below originate from Uefa.com
Chelsea – Porto
Despite putting on a decent performance, Porto’s European adventure could be set for an ending at the hands of Chelsea. The Blues won the first leg in a 2-0 result thanks to their England internationals Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell.
Thomas Tuchel will maintain his favorite 3-4-3 lineup, and Kai Havertz could be inserted in the false nine role, flanked by Mount and Christian Pulisic. Jorgino and Mateo Kovacic will play in central midfield, whilst Reece James and Marcos Alonso should take the wingback roles.
For his part, Sergio Conceicao should deploy Moussa Marega and Mehdi Taremi as the two strikers in this 4-4-2 lineup, with Jesus Corona and Otavio operating on the wings.
Even though the Portuguese tactician will have better options for the return fixture, his counterpart possesses a significant advantage on all levels – better squad, more experience on this stage and a first leg advantage – and the Premier League side is expected to finish the job in Sevilla.
Chelsea: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Rüdiger; James, Jorginho, Kovačić, Alonso; Mount, Havertz, Pulišić
Out: none
Doubtful: Christensen (hamstring), Thiago Silva (match fitness)
Misses next match if booked: Kovačić, Ziyech
Porto: Marchesín; Manafá, Pepe, Mbemba, Zaidu; Corona, Sérgio Oliveira, Uribe, Otávio; Marega, Taremi
Out: none
Misses next match if booked: Mbemba
FT: Porto 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea have only allowed two goals in the Champions League this season ? pic.twitter.com/9c7LtH9B3G
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 7, 2021
Paris Saint Germain – Bayern Munich
The Parc des princes in Paris will host what is arguably the most exciting fixture in the Champions League quarter finals.
PSG’s qualification hopes were boosted thanks to their thrilling 3-2 win away at the Allianz Arena, despite the fact that Bayern Munich took an astonishing 31 shots throughout the encounter.
Mauricio Pochettino will be expected to maintain his 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kylian Mbappé being supported by fellow stars Angel Di Maria, Julian Draxler and Neymar. Italian internationals Marco Verratti and Alessandro Florenzi should once again be unavailable after testing positive for Covid-19 following the international break.
In the red corner, Hansi Flick will also adopt the same tactical formation, spearheaded by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting instead of the injured Robert Lewandowski. The Cameroonian will be supported by Leroy Sané, Thomas Muller and Kinglesy Coman. David Alaba should replace Leon Goretzka in the double pivot alongside Joshua Kimmich.
Overturning the result away from home won’t be an easy task for the Germans, as they will have to score at least two goals to maintain their hopes in defending their European throne, whilst missing several key players.
But if the Bavarians can replicate the same type of pressure they applied on the French goal during the first match, then with a little bit of luck, they might find their way through the semis – unless Mbappé punishes them on the counter attacks.
Paris: Navas; Dagba, Danilo, Kimpembe, Diallo; Gueye, Paredes; Di María, Draxler, Neymar; Mbappé
Out: Bernat (knee), Icardi (thigh)
Doubtful: Marquinhos (adductor), Diallo (illness), Kurzawa (calf), Florenzi (unspecified), Verratti (unspecified)
Misses next match if booked: Gueye, Kurzawa, Neymar, Verratti
Bayern: Neuer; Pavard, Boateng, Hernández, Davies; Kimmich, Alaba; Sané, Müller, Coman; Choupo-Moting
Out: Lewandowski (knee), Costa (foot), Gnabry (illness), Süle (thigh), Tolisso (thigh)
Doubtful: Roca (unspecified)
Misses next match if booked: Boateng, Hernández, Kimmich
—Lewandowski (knee)
—Gnabry (COVID-19)
—Goretzka (thigh)
—Sule (thigh)
—Hernandez (abdominal muscle)
—Tolisso (thigh)
—Costa (metatarsal)Bayern’s injury list keeps growing. They play PSG in four days ? pic.twitter.com/lgp4y5Ks2z
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 9, 2021
Borussia Dortmund – Manchester City
Even though Dortmund were hit by a big blow with Phil Foden’s last minute goal in the first leg, losing 2-1 away from home against one of the competition’s main favorites is still considered to be a decent result.
Edin Terzic is expected to deploy a 4-3-3 lineup, with Marco Reus and Thorgan Hazard supporting Erling Haaland in attack. The midfield trio should be composed of Emre Can, Mahmoud Dahoud and 17-year-old sensation Jude Bellingham.
Pep Guardiola should unleash a similar tactical scheme, with a front three composed of Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus and Foden. The English midfield will feature Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri and star-man Kevin De Bruyne.
The Premier League’s soon-to-be crowned champions have lost their last match against Leeds United on Saturday, but they will be expected to recover their best form for the Westfalenstadion on Wednesday.
On the other hand, the Germans will be hoping to build on Reus’ away goal to upset the odds and secure the shocker of the Champions League quarter finals.
Dortmund: Hitz; Morey, Akanji, Hummels, Guerreiro; Emre Can, Dahoud, Bellingham; Reus, Haaland, Hazard
Out: Moukoko (foot), Sancho (thigh), Schmelzer (knee), Witsel (achilles), Zagadou (knee)
Misses next match if booked: Can, Haaland
Man. City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gündoğan; Mahrez, Jesus, Foden
Out: none
Doubtful: Agüero (unspecified), Laporte (hip)
Misses next match if booked: Fernandinho, João Cancelo
⭐️ @PhilFoden | MotM – @ManCity 2⃣-1⃣ Borussia Dortmund
? Shots – 5
⚽️ Goals – 1
? Key passes – 1
? Dribbles – 3
? Tackles – 3
? Interceptions – 2
? Rating – 8.19 pic.twitter.com/7yUDzQONZV— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 6, 2021
Liverpool – Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior’s led Real Madrid to a 3-1 win in the first leg, with Marco Asensio also putting his name on the scoresheet, whilst Mohamed Salah secured a lone away goal for Liverpool to keep his side’s hopes alive.
Jurgen Klopp is expected to unleash Salah, Sadio Mané and Diogo Jota in attack within his 4-3-3 formation. Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum should run the middle of the park.
On the other hand, Zinedine Zidane will have to do with a makeshift defense in the absence of Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal, but will be relying on the excellence of his midfield composed by Luka Modric, Casemiro and the brilliant Toni Kroos.
The last time the Reds conceded three goals in the first leg of the knockout stages, it was against Barcelona two years ago, and who can forget how they overturned their 3-0 defeat at the Camp Nou with an extraordinary 4-0 triumph at Anfield.
Therefore, it would be unwise to count out the former champions just yet, even if their season hasn’t been a positive one.
On the other hand, Los Blancos have just received another huge morale boost with their Classico victory on Saturday night.
Liverpool: Alisson Becker; Alexander-Arnold, Ozan Kabak, Phillips, Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Jota, Mané
Out: Henderson (groin), Van Dijk (knee), Gomez (knee), Matip (ankle)
Doubtful: Kelleher (abdominal tear), Origi (muscular)
Misses next match if booked: Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Mané, Milner, Wijnaldum
Real Madrid: Courtois; Odriozola, Nacho, Éder Militão, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modrić; Asensio, Benzema, Vinícius Júnior
Out: Ramos (calf), Lucas Vázquez (knee), Varane (illness)
Doubtful: Valverde (foot), Hazard (muscular), Carvajal (hamstring)
Misses next match if booked: Mendy, Valverde
Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 without Ramos, Varane, Hazard and Carvajal ? pic.twitter.com/UFP0UZmkcy
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 6, 2021