By Staff Writer Morganne Guhl
Champions League stunned in its second week back, and Europa brings the thrills finishing off the playoff spots for the round of 16.
A spectacular failure occurred on Tuesday, the 21st of February, in the Champions League match between Liverpool F.C. and Real Madrid CF. Liverpool fans found themselves in dreamland after their team was two up after only 15 minutes of play. A thrill after losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid last year, along with several other defeats in recent years to the Spanish side. However, as they often do, this dream quickly fell apart as Real Madrid started making pinpoint, accurate passes, and the game was level before the halftime whistle. The second half promptly ran away from the Reds as Real Madrid tallied another three goals with no response from Liverpool. While still in the completion, Liverpool would need a Herculean effort to defeat Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in March. The rest of the league games were quieter, with Manchester City F.C. drawing with RB Leipzig. Inter Milan squeaked by FC Porta with a one-nil score line. Finally, Eintracht Frankfurt predictable fell two-nil to S.S.C. Napoli, one of the tournament’s favorites.
Europa League, mostly considered the little sister competition to the Champions League, was not without its exciting games this week. Manchester United saw off F.C. Barcelona in a thrilling two-one at the English team’s home grounds this Thursday. A feisty affair that almost resulted in a fight between the two groups after Bruno Fernandes of United kicked the ball into the stomach of Frenkie de Jong, a Barcelona player on the ground after a foul. The rest of the Europa League matches were more civilized but not without excitement. A mix of teams from England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Ukraine made it through the playoffs round of 16 for the Europa League.