Defending Champions Chelsea FC advance to Quarter Finals.

Defending crowns of Europe are through the quarter-finals after beating LOSC Lille with an aggregate of 4-1 beating them in both the legs 2-0 and 2-1.

Blues favourite Kai Havertz gave an early lead by scoring in the 8th minute in the first leg  and C. Pulisic scored apiece in both the legs. C. Azpilicueta also etched himself at the back of the net in the 2nd leg. Enclosing round 16 match, Blues are nothing short of stupendous performance, rather they have successfully articulated a message throughout Europe that they still breathe and hails that quality and power and stands at the top whistling they are a team to beat. 

Former Chelsea's player Joe Cole commented, " Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are the teams I think can win realistically. I'd probably put Chelsea third or fourth. I think Man City and Liverpool are outstanding at the moment, and Cup competition are about the moment, the form they're in. All of those teams would want Villarreal, Benfica, Atlético, even Real Madrid I don't think can win it".

Cole further reckoned Benfica would be the best draw for his former side.

The skittish statement on Chelsea chance in UCL was over shadowed by a sky-high confident comment made by the German Chelsea's coach Thomas Tuchel who said, "I want us to be the team nobody wants to play. This is the role we see ourselves in this round of eight. It's a big step to do it again, again, and again. We fight for the top four places in the toughest league maybe in the world right now and we fight in the last eight again.So this brings out the best in us and we want to be the team nobody wants to play against. So let's see what happens." concluded.

Uncertainties and crisis circling around the club off the ground has been capitalised to some degree of stability with a majestic and belligerent yet classy performance in the pre quarter-finals rioting France Ligue 1 club Lille out of competition. 

Stamford Bridge's Champions League Trophy.

Chelsea has won champions league twice:2012 and 2021.

Clubs qualified for UCL Quarter-finals 2021-2022

1. Bayern Munich

The Bayern Munich defeated RB Salzburg in the round of 16 to advance in the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 8-2.

GOAL CONTRIBUTORS

K. Coman 

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R. Lewandowski 

⚽⚽⚽

S. Gnabry 

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T. Muller 

⚽⚽

L. Sane 

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2. Liverpool FC

Liverpool defeated Inter Milan in the round of 16 to advance in the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 2-1. 

GOAL CONTRIBUTORS 

R. Firmino ⚽

M. Salah ⚽

3. Manchester City 

Manchester City defeated Sporting FC in the round of 16 to advance in the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 5-0. 

GOAL CONTRIBUTORS 

R. MAHREZ ⚽

B. SILVA⚽⚽

P. FODEN⚽

R. STERLING ⚽

4. Real Madrid 

Real Madrid defeated Paris-Saint German in the round of 16 to advance in the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 3-2. 

GOAL CONTRIBUTORS 

K. BENZEMA ⚽⚽⚽

5. Atletico Madrid 

Atlético Madrid defeated Manchester United in the round of 16 to advance in the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 2-1. 

GOAL CONTRIBUTORS 

JOAO FELIX ⚽

R. LODI ⚽

6. BENFICA FC 

BENFICA FC defeated Ajax in the round of 16 to advance in the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 3-2. 

GOAL CONTRIBUTORS

S. HALLER⚽ (OG) 

R. YAREMCHUK ⚽

D. NUNEZ ⚽⚽⚽

7. Juventus vs Villarreal (TBD)

8. LOSC VS CHELSEA (TBD) 

Atlético Madrid shines at Theatre of Dreams

 Mr. Champions League is out of competition. 

Cristiano Ronaldo and his team mates entered the 2nd leg against Madrid in high spirit and expectations only to get surprise knockout at home. 11 Attempts on goals with 5 on targets succeeding 573 passes, engaging 61% ball possession with a pass-accuracy of 83%, which is by miles a whole lot better than what the opposite sides could manage yet still failed to capitalise with an equaliser. 

The Red Devils displayed a flash of excellence between the 90 minutes but it was far too inconsistent to inspire the fans with a dramatic comeback. 

Young Magician Joao Felix reaps victory at Old Trafford 

Felix performed absolutely incredible for a young talent at the gigantic stage, pushing his limits by creating himself a space, playing as a playmaker at frequent intervals and also showed a sign of venomous attack when given an opportunity. 

Antoine Griezmann, a benevolent contributor towards victory also showed a spontaneous attitude and intent throughout the match by playing defensive football with adventurous tackles leaving no space for the opponents to break into their side. Griezmann's match stats involves 57 touches, 10 crucial passes, 8 significant possessions, 7 duels won and 4 tackles made, 2 chances created, a gorgeous cross and a lone assist. 

Atlético Madrid advance to the quarter-finals beating Manchester United at Old Trafford courtesy of Renan Lodi's goal in the 41st minute. 

Diego Simeone finally beats Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for UCL trophy after his side showed resistant till the last minute.

A disappointing night for the home fans witnessing the Spanish club knocking their team out of champions league.

BENFICA QUALIFIES FOR QUARTER-FINALS AFTER BEATING AJAX.

Red Devils' Legend CR7 meets Atlético Madrid's wonder kid Joao Felix

Manchester United host Atlético Madrid at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo VS Joao Felix: The Legend meets the Future. 

In-form Atlético Madrid's wonder kid Joao Felix is looking dangerous and lethal since last seven games scoring 5 goals with 2 assists, keeping up with the form, he could potentially help navigate his club into the last eight in the UCL champions league. The young Portuguese frontman gave his team a lead in the first leg against Red Devils though it was later equalised by the fervid reds ending the 1st leg at 1-1.

Under Diego Simeone, Joao Felix is yet to bloom with a major trophy, an array of crucial chances and match winning performance in the 2nd leg could solidified his place in the realm of the best in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo popularly reckoned as the Dark Knight of Madrid City in the context of football arena thanks to his stupendous performance against Madrid especially in Champions League. 

The United frontman has a history of disappointing Diego Simeone's club Atlético Madrid in Champions league by knocking them out of competition scoring a hat-trick twice and the United fans would be expecting him to replicate the same in the 2nd leg.

CR7 UNPOPULAR STATS AGAINST ATLÉTICO MADRID

=>35 games

=>25 goals

=>9 assists

=>83 minutes per goal contribution

=>4 HAT-TRICKS, Which includes two hat-tricks in the UCL

2017 UCL : For Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid

2019 UCL : For Juventus vs. Atletico Madrid

Enclosing CR7 performance in the Champions league this season, he has been awarded man of the match award twice and his 59th career hat-trick in the English Premier League a couple of days back against Spurs could help write another record in the history book of Champions League.