Bayern and AC Milan follow Chelsea and Benfica to Champions League quarter-finals
And we stop here in Munich and London. Four Champions League quarterfinalists are now known: Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Chelsea and Benfica.
Tomorrow we descend a step and take a look at the Europa League, with the main match for us, of course, being Shachtar Donetsk-Feyenoord. And there are also, after Tuesday’s Lazio-AZ, seven more games in the Conference League.
We will be there again with a liveblog. See you tomorrow!
TOT-MIL | Ready in London
The final whistle sounds and the North London crowd shouts a massive boo: Tottenham Hotspur is eliminated after a hopeless 0-0 against AC Milan.
Fun fact, or not: it is the fifth knockout game in the Champions League in a row that the Spurs fail to score. The last goal in a knockout game was in 2019…. the semifinal against Ajax.
TOT-MIL | 90+3′ Spectacle in injury time
We had to wait 93 minutes for it, but there’s the spectacle: from a free kick by Son, a superb header by Kane follows with a tricky bounce, but Maignan tucks the ball away just before the goal line. That was the chance for Spurs.
On the counterpunch, it is then almost 1-0 for Milan, but Leão’s effort lands on the post.
Tottenham Hotspur-AC Milan 0-0 (0-1)
TOT-MIL | 90′ Injury time in London
The final minutes are running in London, with six minutes of injury time, but it doesn’t look like the powerless Spurs are going to score another goal.
But: never say never in soccer of course. Only one goal does Tottenham need to keep a view of the quarter-finals.
Tottenham Hotspur-AC Milan 0-0 (0-1)
BAY-PSG | Ready in Munich
It’s done: Bayern Munich goes to the quarter-finals, c’est fini for PSG.
It is the fourth time in a row for Bayern to reach the quarter-finals. The German superpower. with Matthijs de Ligt as a major force, wins 2-0 at home against the star-studded Paris Saint-Germain ensemble. The outward match in Paris, Bayern had also won 1-0.
For Paris Saint-Germain, it is already the fifth time in the last seven seasons that it remains stuck in the eighth finals.
TOT-MIL | 77′ Tottenham red card
Things get even tougher for the Spurs. After a harsh intervention on Hernández, Romero receives his second yellow card, and two yellow is also red for French referee Turpin.
With ten men, Tottenham enters the closing stages, and surely it will have to score once. Milan’s defense, however, is having a very easy night so far.
Tottenham Hotspur-AC Milan 0-0 (0-1)
BAY-PSG | 85′ Final stage in Munich
The Munich duel is nearing the end. The French have now used up all their substitutions; at Bayern, after Sané, Mané has also come into the team.
PSG should score twice, does try to come to a final offensive, but it doesn’t really seem to be in.
TOT-MIL | 64′ Surely a chance for Spurs
It turned out to be a nice second half, in Munich that is. In London it is still an extremely mediocre spectacle and that is mainly due to the uninspiring play of the Spurs, who will have to score one way or another to at least play out an extension. Milan thinks it’s all fine, with 1-0 from the outward game in their pocket.
And you will always see that: having said that, there is quite a serious chance for Tottenham: Højbjerg shoots, but straight at Milan goalkeeper Maignan. And moments later, Spurs goalkeeper Forster has to save on a close-range effort by Giroud.
Tottenham Hotspur-AC Milan 0-0 (0-1)
BAY-PSG | 68′ Nearly Ramos
At Bayern, Sané has come into the team for Choupo-Moting and the German immediately shows himself in a quick breakaway, which, however, due to a French leg, does not lead to a serious chance.
Just before that, PSG did have a serious chance for the equalizer: a beautiful header by Ramos was grandly tapped out of the goal by Sommer.
TOT-MIL | Second half started
In London, the ball rolled for the second half, famously ten minutes later than in Munich due to the delayed kickoff.
It is 0-0 at Tottenham Hotspur-AC Milan and that is good news for the Rossoneri for now.
BAY-PSG | 53′ Spectacle after halftime
Plenty of spectacle after halftime at Bayern-PSG.
First Choupo-Moting falls between two PSG defenders in the penalty area: no penalty, clearly. Then Choupo-Moting is still recovering when a distance shot from Bayern hits him, in an offside position.
And a minute later Bayern scores, but the goal doesn’t count: Choupo-Moting grazes the ball with his head in the direction of the offside Müller.
BAY-PSG | Second half started
The second half has begun at Bayern-PSG.
Notable: Mukiele, who filled in for the injured Marquinhos before halftime, has now stayed behind in the locker room himself (injured). His replacement is El Chadaille.
It is also halftime in London, ten minutes later than in Munich. Not that anything fun happened in those ten minutes.
The Spurs haven’t really managed to create anything in the first half. Milan’s defense saw the occasional unsuccessful cross go by but otherwise did not have to exert excessive effort to keep the coveted 0 on the scoreboard.
So no goals at halftime, which is good news for the Italians after the 1-0 win two weeks ago.
BAY-PSG | Rest in Munich
Bayern and PSG seek the dressing rooms at a 0-0 score. It was a tactical rather than a spectacular match, culminating in De Ligt’s save after Sommer’s blunder.
With the 1-0 win from the first game in their pocket, the Germans are in the best position for now.
BAY-PSG | 39′ De Ligt saves Bayern
Bayern goalkeeper Sommer makes an incredible mistake, forfeits the ball and gives Vitinha the chance to score in an empty goal, but there is De Ligt: the Dutchman makes an amazing save on the line with a slide.
At PSG, meanwhile, captain Marquinhos has left the field injured. His replacement is Mukiele; the captain’s armband goes on Mbappé’s arm.
TOT-MIL | 26′ Yellow for returning Conte
Coach Conte is back along the line at the Spurs and immediately asserts himself. The flamboyant Italian receives the yellow card for comments to the lead. Shortly before, Sputs player Lenglet went on the ticket after elbow contact with his compatriot Giroud.
Tottenham Hotspur-AC Milan 0-0 (0-1)
BAY-PSG | 25′ Great chance Messi
The biggest chance of the match so far is for PSG, and Messi in particular. After advancing from Nuno Mendes, the Argentine gets the ball at his feet in the penalty area, but successively Davies, De Ligt and Sommer stop it.
At Tottenham-Milan, the sparks are not yet flying in the early stages. There have been no chances yet.
Having said that, we see the first opportunity for Milan: Messias shoots wide from a promising position and thus cannot bring redemption.
Tottenham Hotspur-AC Milan 0-0 (0-1)
TOT-MIL | Kickoff in London
Also in London, meanwhile, the ball was rolling at Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan, ten minutes late because both players’ buses were stuck in London traffic.
Tottenham Hotspur-AC Milan 0-0 (0-1)
BAY-PSG | 5′ First chance for Mbappé
The first chance of the match was for PSG after only two minutes. Mbappé flashed forward on his Mbappé’s, but his shot was caught by goalkeeper Sommer.
Bayern had the ball in the early stages, the French lurking for now on the quick breakout.
Striking banner from the Bayern fans
Bayern fans have put up a striking banner for the duel with PSG. “Our butcher slaughters the long arm of Qatar,” it is written, with a drawing of Bayern president and butcher’s son Uli Hoeness. Paris Saint-Germain is in Qatari hands.
The 150th (and who knows the 800th) of Messi
Lionel Messi will soon play his 150th Champions League match. He is the third player to reach this milestone, after Cristiano Ronaldo (178) and Iker Casillas (176).
If Messi also scores, it will be the 800th goal of his career. The Argentine scored 672 times for Barcelona, 98 for Argentina and 29 for Paris Saint-Germain.
Lock sees only female journalists Shachtar: ‘Men are fighting at the front’
Feyenoord will take on Ukrainian club Shachtar Donetsk in the Europa League eighth finals on Thursday. The match will be played in Warsaw, Poland, because of the war. Feyenoord coach Arne Slot calls playing against this opponent “extra special.”
The 44-year-old coach says he follows the war in the Netherlands, but that it is now “getting closer.” Thus Slot thinks of relatives of Shachtar’s players and staff, who are involved in the war or “died in the worst case.”
Slot sees only female journalists Shachtar: ‘Men are fighting at the front’
Ten Hag takes one last look back at Liverpool before duel with Betis: ‘It was a mess’
Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag took one more look back at the forgettable defeat against Liverpool (0-7) during the press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League game with Real Betis.
“We made a mess of it and we have to deal with that now,” said Ten Hag, who also touched on the role of reserve captain Bruno Fernandes during the game with Liverpool.
The Europa League eighth final between Manchester United and Real Betis is tomorrow at 9 p.m., as is Shachtar Donetsk-Feyenoord. The duels can be followed via a liveblog on NOS.nl and the NOS app.
Ten Hag takes one last look back at Liverpool before duel with Betis: ‘It was a mess’
National coach Koeman finds it hard to ignore De Ligt, ‘The Wall’ is at home with Baye
Matthijs de Ligt feels at home at Bayern Munich, defending a 1-0 lead against Paris Saint-Germain tonight (9 p.m.) in the Champions League eighth finals. The defender went to work on himself after his reserve role at the World Cup in Qatar, as watching another final tournament from the sidelines is not an option for the 40-time international.
That is paying off; the defender is reigning this season like in his heyday at Ajax. And so national coach Ronald Koeman seems hard to get around him. “Matthijs is a wall, a real machine,” Frenchman Dayot Upamecano said recently about his comrade in defense.
Conte back at Spurs after inflamed gall bladder: ‘Surgery underestimated, own body overestimated’
Tottenham Hotspur coach Antonio Conte returns to the bench in tonight’s Champions League match against AC Milan.
The Italian was missing from four of the English club’s games because of the after-effects of surgery on an inflamed gall bladder. The Spurs must make up for a 1-0 defeat from the away game at home.
Conte back after inflamed gallbladder: ‘Surgery underestimated, own body overestimated…’
AZ places nets in front of section of stand for home match with Lazio
AZ is taking precautions before the second match in the Conference League eighth finals against Lazio, to prevent problems with supporters. For example, nets will be placed in front of part of the so-called Van der Ben stand.
The Alkmaar players, who won the first game in Rome 2-1 handsomely yesterday, fear a severe punishment from UEFA if objects are thrown on the pitch again. During the European match against FC Vaduz this season, some boxes already had to remain empty due to sanctions imposed by UEFA.
The match against Lazio is next Thursday. AZ reported Wednesday afternoon that they have already sold 15,000 tickets for the game.
Watch the reactions of coach Pascal Jansen and Tijjani Reijnders after the win over Lazio.
Club Brugge sack coach Parker, Schreuder is named
Club Brugge have fired coach Scott Parker. The English former international took over from the sacked Carl Hoefkens on Dec. 31, but recorded only two wins in 12 matches.
Parker, who was previously coach of Fulham and Bournemouth, saw his team eliminated from the Champions League yesterday. After the 2-0 defeat in Bruges, Club were knocked off the mat 5-1 at Benfica.
Ajax sacked Alfred Schreuder is named as Parker’s successor. Schreuder had been the head coach at Brugge for five months last season.
British government accedes to soccer players’ wishes: 670 million for gym classes
Good news on International Women’s Day: the British government is providing 600 million pounds (673 million euros) over the next two years for extra gym classes in schools, mainly for girls. This fulfills a fervent wish of the England women’s team led by national coach Sarina Wiegman.
Last summer, shortly after winning the European title, the English soccer players wrote an open letter to the government. In it, the players called for equal opportunities for boys and girls and more gym classes and soccer training for girls.
“The Lionesses’ (nickname of the England team, ed.) European Championship win has changed the sport,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. “Young girls now know they can become part of a new generation that can celebrate successes with the Lionesses.”
Welcome to the Champions League!
It’s Champions League night again tonight, with two returns in the eighth finals on the schedule: Bayern Munich-PSG and Tottenham Hotspur-AC Milan.
Bayern won 1-0 in Paris two weeks ago so is in good shape. Milan is also defending a 1-0 lead from two weeks ago, but will do so tonight away in London.
Both matches start at 9 p.m. But of course we also follow other soccer news, such as Feyenoord’s press conference for tomorrow’s Europa League eighth-final game against Shachtar Donetsk, the Ukrainian club that prepared in the Netherlands last summer.
