Liverpool, 3-1 winner at Benfica in the first leg, starts as a huge favorite on Wednesday (3:00 p.m. Bolivian time) to reach the semifinals of the Champions League, a goal that he shares with Manchester City, in danger at Atlético Madrid, arriving in the Spanish capital with a single goal lead (1-0 at the Etihad Stadium).
The “Reds”, who won the Champions League in 2019, they did the hardest thing in the first leg at the Estadio de la Luz, and it would be surprising to see Liverpool sink at Anfield on Wednesday.
Jürgen Klopp’s players barely know defeat: They have only conceded once this season on the European scene, and without consequences, in the round of 16 second leg against Inter Milan (1-0).
Although Liverpool should not be overconfident as that only setback came at their stadium against an Inter team that came close to coming back after England’s 2-0 first-leg win at the San Siro.
Besides, the spearhead of Liverpool, the Egyptian Mohamed Salah, no seems to be in his best form since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), where the Pharaohs lost in the final against Senegal on February 6.
– Simeone against Guardiola –
The other second leg of Wednesday’s quarterfinals looks much more indecisive in Madrid between Atlético and Manchester City.
The “Citizens” defeated the “Colchoneros” 1-0 in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, at the end of a duel of styles between the offensive philosophy of Pep Guardiola’s team and the more defensive philosophy of Diego Simeone’s formation.
Despite the immense reputation of his coach Pep Guardiola, twice winner of the Champions League with Barcelona (2009, 2011), City are yet to clinch the big European title, although they came close last year when they were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in the final.
To continue believing in reaching that coveted continental title, will need Kevin De Bruyne and his teammates eliminate Atlético Madrid in the difficult Metropolitano stadium.
A small advantage for the English club: the noisy Madrid public will be less numerous than usual to cheer on their team, following UEFA’s decision to close part of the stands for this match, due to the “discriminatory behaviour” of some fans, who gave a Nazi salute at the first leg on April 5.
— Match schedule second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals that take place on Wednesday (7:00 p.m. GMT):
Atlético Madrid (ESP) – Manchester City (ENG), first leg: 0-1
Liverpool (ENG) – Benfica Lisbon (POR), first leg: 3-1
