Champions League

MAN CITY reached the last-16 of the quarter-finals of the Champions League with an emphatic 5-0 aggregate win over Sporting Lisbon.Pep’s men did all the hard work out in Lisbon two weeks ago, before drawing 0-0 with them at the Etihad tonight.

RESULT: Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0 on aggregate)
Man City XI: Ederson, Egan-Riley, Stones, Laporte, Zinchenko, Fernandinho (C), Gundogan, Bernardo, Sterling, Foden, Jesus
Sporting XI: Adan, Porro, Coates, Inacio, Neto, Reis, Ugarte, Sarabia, Tabata, Paulinho, Slimani

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That’s all from the Etihad Stadium
We didn’t see any goals tonight, but Man City are comfortably through to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich join the Sky Blues in the next round.
The final four quarter-finalists will be determined with next week’s fixtures and the draw for the next round of the competition will take place on Friday March 18 2022.
Thank you for reading, and goodnight!
Credit: Getty
Super Scott
Scott Carson’s only previous Champions League appearance came almost 17 years ago for Liverpool against Juventus.
He was 19-years-old at the time.
That game occured in the same month that Sporting’s Rodrigo Ribeiro was born – April 2005.
16 – Scott Carson’s only previous Champions League appearance came 16 years and 338 days ago for Liverpool vs Juventus when he was 19 years old; this is the largest gap between appearances for any player in the competition’s history. Icon. pic.twitter.com/tpCJPANjpC— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 9, 2022

Pep Guardiola reacts
“I am very pleased because in both games we deserved to be in the Champions League quarter-finals.
“CJ Egan-Riley played really good and didn’t miss one ball. He is a seven.
“He is nothing exceptional in anything but that is a good sign as a defender as he doesn’t make mistakes.
“Scott Carson could play and we gave 45 minutes to the other guys.”
“It’s a good sign. The people didn’t care what we were and now step-by-step the club grew and now for many years we are there in these competitions.
“Now we are again in the quarter-finals as the best eight teams in Europe. I learn to enjoy the moments.
“I celebrate it because I know how difficult it is. When you go through every opponent it’s difficult.
“Now it’s time to congratulate everyone, focus on the Premier League then next week we will see the draw.”
Credit: PA
Fernandinho reacts
When speaking to BT Sport, Fernandinho said:
“It’s important to keep playing good especially after we played against Manchester United.
“Everyone wants to keep going in that direction. We played the same way we always play.
“The second half we scored but it was offside and they had more chances. But that’s football, sometimes you don’t get lucky.”
[On Man City’s academy graduates] “It just shows the great work Manchester City have been doing with the academy.
“They have been training with us and know the way to play. They felt really comfortable playing with us.
“I’m really happy for them tonight. I hope they can play more often for Manchester City.”
“I am happy to play tonight and I hope I can get more minutes.”
Credit: Getty
Full Time – Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Ruben Amorim will take a lot of positives from this evening’s game.
His side were defensively solid and continued to keep Man City’s world-class attack at bay for the entire 90 minutes.
Whilst they failed to create any meaningful chances in the first half, they completely turned things around in the latter stages and began to dominate in the final 20 minutes.
Marcus Edwards was a fantastic addition in the second half, and added a new level of intensity to the side which opened up more goalscoring opportunities.
Credit: EPA
Full Time – Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Man City were dominant throughout the first half, but they were not as ruthless in front of goal as they were the in last game they played against Sporting.
Having said that, the Lions were much more organised this time out and deserved to keep the clean sheet.
Full Time – Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Sterling came close to scoring in the final seconds of the game, but his strike hit the side netting.
We didn’t see any goals tonight, but Man City are comfortably through to the Champions League quarter-finals after defeating Sporting Lisbon 5-0 on aggregate.
Credit: AFP
90+2. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Man City have a corner.
Sterling crosses the ball into the box, Stones meets it and heads towards goal, but his effort flies over the bar.
89. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Sporting make two more changes.
Slimani is replaced by Ribiero.
Neto is replaced by Feddal.
Three minutes will be added on.
88. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
The Sky Blues have a free kick in a dangerous position.
Mahrez takes it, but his effort is sent straight into the hands of Adan.
84. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Man City make another change.
Champions League debutant Luke Mbete replaces Laporte.
82. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
This game is really opening up now.
Sporting come close to scoring as Slimani’s dangerous cross is cleared by Laporte.
Man City break on the counter attack and within a matter of seconds Mahrez gets a shot away, but his effort is blocked.
78. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Sporting make two more changes.
Porro is replaced by Esgaio.
Paulinho is replaced by Santos.
76. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
What a save from Carson!
The ball is sent through to Paulinho who is one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the 36-year-old does a fantastic job to make the stop!
He looks to have picked up a slight knock following a collision with the striker, but is able to play on.
Credit: PA
74. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Man City make another change… and it’s an unexpected one!
Carson has come on to replace Ederson!
Credit: Reuters
72. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Man City have a free kick on the edge of the box.
Gundogan steps up to take, but nothing comes of it and Sporting break on the counter attack.
The ball eventually falls to Reis, but his effort flies over the bar.
70. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Sporting have had a positive spell over the last 10 minutes.
They are posing more of a threat to the Man City defence.
Edwards has certainly added some more creativity since coming on.
65. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Edwards has injected the Sporting attack with a new level of intensity since coming on.
His eagerness to take on the Man City defence has created more options for the Lions.
60. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Edwards makes an instant impact as he carries the ball into the penalty area.
He skips past Zinchenko before getting a shot away, but Ederson can comfortably save.
59. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Sporting Lisbon make their first change of the game.
Edwards comes on to replace Sarabia.
57. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Sporting Lisbon are not offering anything on the attack.
They just had their first shot of the game, but Tabata’s effort was easily saved by Ederson.
54. Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
Man City are on the hunt for another goal.
Jesus makes a driving run into the box before passing the ball short to McAtee.
The 19-year-old flicks it back into the Brazilian’s path as he continues his run, but Neto dives in to make an excellent tackle.
48. GOAL DISALLOWED
It took a while, but after a VAR review the goal is disallowed.
Zinchenko switches the ball over to Mahrez on the right, who brings it down with a beautiful touch.
He drives into the box and breaks past multiple defenders before setting it to Jesus, who is in an offside position.
Credit: Reuters
47. GOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL MAN CITY!!!!!
Jesus breaks the deadlock!
Kick Off – Man City 0-0 Sporting Lisbon (5-0)
We’re back underway!
Man City have made a few changes.
McAtee has replaced Foden.
Mahrez has replaced Silva.
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ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI scored a record-breaking 10-MINUTE hat-trick as Bayern Munich destroyed Salzburg 7-1 in their Last 16 second leg tie.The Poland superstar’s treble was the fastest in Champions League history.
The tie was delicately poised at 1-1 from the first leg, but it was nothing short of one-way traffic in the second leg.

Result: Bayern Munich 7-1 Salzburg (8-2 on agg)
TV channel/ live stream: BT Sport 3
Bayern XI: Neuer, Pavard, Sule, Hernandez, Gnabry, Kimmich, Musiala, Coman, Muller, Sane, Lewandowski
Salzburg XI: Kohn, Kristensen, Solet, Wober, Ulmer, Camara, Capaldo, Aaronson, Seiwald, Adamu, Adeyemi

Bayern look to quarters
Bayern Munich will be able to sit back and relax as they wait to see who they will face in the quarter finals.
With some of the final places still to be decided Nagelsmann can turn his attentions back to the Bundesliga.
The next stage of the UEFA Champions League may pose more of a challenge for his side.
Plenty to work on
Julian Nagelsmann will realise there is much he can take from this win.
They dominated possession with 72% over the course of the game and will feel they turned that into goals with the scoreline.
To concede when in such a dominant position will worry him and be something he looks to address immediately.
Contract killer
The man, the myth, the legend.
Robert Lewandowski take a bow.
The Bayern striker was on fire tonight, linking up play and finding pockets of space to operate in.
When he is on this kind of form it is difficult for anyone to stop him.

The magnificent seven
Bayern although expected to progress here tonight have absolutely smashed Julian Nagelsmann’s Salzburg.
Mistakes by the visitors gifted the hosts their lead and things only got worse from that point for the Austrians.
An easy day at the office for Bayern.
FT: Bayern 7-1 Salzburg
The referee puts Salzburg out of their misery.
He blows for full time without playing out the additional time.
Robert Lewandowski has another match ball to add to the collection.
Bayern 7-1 Salzburg
89. The scoreline will take some of the shine of their performance to get to this stage of the competition.
Salzburg knew there was a huge gulf in class but sadly it showed.
Bayern have been relentless.
Bayern 7-1 Salzburg – Sesko chance!
87. Salzburg decide the best way to defend against this Bayern onslaught is to attack.
The ball is played to Sesko on the edge of the box.
He manages to find himself a yard of space and shoots towards goal.
Always on the rise as it passes the corner of the goal.
Bayern 7-1 Salzburg
85. The ball is played into Lewandowski in the box.
His awareness of the people around him is sublime as he backheels the ball into space.
Sane runs onto it and slams the ball passed the keeper and into the net.
Goal – Leroy Sane (Bayern)
Bayern 6-1 Salzburg
83. The ball comes to Sane with a chance to drop his shoulder and get a shot away.
Instead he clips a ball across the box which Muller runs on to.
He hits it with his left-foot into the bottom corner.

Goal – Thomas Muller (Bayern)
Bayern 5-1 Salzburg
81. Salzburg are looking to retain possession as much as they can.
The problem is when they then look to attack Bayern.
As they cannot pass their way through them they go long and if the ball isn’t accurate, Bayern deal with the threat with ease.
Bayern 5-1 Salzburg
79. The state of the game is summed up by the silence in the ground now as the teams pass the ball around.
If anyone knows the German for ‘is this a library’ feel free to begin.
Salzburg come forward but are unable to break the Bayern lines.
Bayern 5-1 Salzburg
77. Aside from the defeat tonight, since Salzburg have brought some of their younger players on, they have impressed.
The club which nurtured Haaland seem to have some gems on the production line.
This can be something they learn from tonight.
Bayern 5-1 Salzburg
75. Beating Salzburg won’t striker fear into the big teams in this competition but the way Lewandowski got his hat-trick will raise a few ears.
There will be tougher tests than this but the win here at the Allianz Arena will be good for squad morale.
Bayern press for another goal.
Bayern 5-1 Salzburg
73. The goal has given the visitors a bit of fuel in the tank.
They seem keen to try and score more before the final whistle.
Bayern will have to stay alert until the end.

Bayern 5-1 Salzburg
70. A mere consolation for Salzburg no doubt but what a strike.
The young attacker cuts across the ball as he shoots, leaving Neuer with no chance of getting to it.
Great moment for the young player.
Goal – Maurits Kjaergaard (Salzburg)
Bayern 5-0 Salzburg
69. It seems like damage limitation may be the tactic for Salzburg now.
They conceded six goals the last time they were in Munich.
Bayern 5-0 Salzburg
67. Bayern make the changes and rest a few players.
Nianzou, Roca and Choupo-Moting all come on.
Possession football right now.
Bayern 5-0 Salzburg
64. Lewandowski unselfishly looks for Muller instead of going for goal.
The ball is blocked for a Bayern corner.
Sadly Thomas Muller is good in the air or it would be fantastic to see him as the regular set-piece specialist.
Time for a Muller corner.
Bayern 5-0 Salzburg
62. The Austrians have a rare break into German territory.
They get the ball into the box and calls for a penalty as the Bayern defender bundles into the back of the Salzburg player.
Referee is not interested.
Bayern 5-0 Salzburg
60. Sane dummies the effort to leave it to Lewandowski.
That effort will not be in his highlights reel from this game.
Salzburg are looking to bring some fresh legs on.

Bayern 5-0 Salzburg
59. Camara fouls Coman as he weaves in and out of Salzburg players on his way towards the box.
Some lazy tackles went in on the Bayern winger.
Lewandowski fancies this one.
Bayern 5-0 Salzburg
57. It will be hard for Salzburg to not crumble in the final 30 minutes.
The danger is the match turns into a training game.
Bayern press again and win another corner.
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LIVERPOOL have advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals despite a 1-0 second leg loss to Inter Milan at Anfield.The Reds progress having won the first leg 2-0 and go through 2-1 on aggregate.
A Lautaro Martinez stunner secured the win for Inter in the second leg, who had Alexis Sanchez sent off for a shocking red card shortly following the goal.

Result: Liverpool 0-1 Inter (2-1 agg)
TV channel/ live stream: BT Sport 2
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Thiago, Jones, Salah, Jota, Mane
Inter XI: Handanovic, Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni, Dumfries, Vidal, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic, Alexis, Lautaro

That’s all from Anfield
Despite losing this evening’s game, Liverpool progress to the Champions League Quarter-Finals.
Inter Milan played well over the two legs, but in the end they were no match for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Thank you for reading, and goodnight!
Jurgen Klopp reacts
When speaking to BT Sport, Klopp said:
“The difficulties we had were pretty close to what I expected to be honest. First we have to be complimentary for a really good side, made for these kind of games, set up for these kind of games.
“Without playing brilliant we had a lot of clear cut chances and didn’t use them. They didn’t have many but they scored a goal and I think over the two legs it’s completely fair that we won one and they won one and we are through. I think that’s a fair assumption.
“I think we could’ve done better against an opponent that makes things really uncomfortable. It was a really interesting game, it was open. A lot of things could have happened but didn’t happen.
“We lost the game which wasn’t cool. We didn’t come here tonight to lose a home game, but again, respect to the opponent, really strong, they caused us a lot of problems. But if we had used our chances from set pieces and stuff like that which are really big, then we win this game even when Inter are strong.
“We are through and that is the main thing.”
Credit: EPA
Reds run riot
Liverpool have progressed to the Champions League quarter-final for the fourth time in five years.
The Reds continue to shine on Europe’s biggest stage.
4 – Liverpool have reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-final stage for the fourth time in the last five seasons, failing only in 2019-20 in this time (eliminated in Round of 16). Pursuit. pic.twitter.com/oltciCXpUP— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 8, 2022

Elsewhere in the Champions League
Robert Lewandowski made history as Bayern Munich defeated Salzburg 7-1 (8-2) to progress to the quarter finals.
The striker completed a hat-trick within 23 minutes – the earliest treble ever scored by a player in UEFA Champions League history from the start of a match.
23 – Robert Lewandowski has completed a hat-trick within 23 minutes against FC RB Salzburg tonight; the earliest treble ever scored by a player in UEFA Champions League history from the start of a match, overtaking Marco Simone for Milan v Rosenborg in 1996 (24 mins). Snappy. pic.twitter.com/aVNNmGdgVV— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 8, 2022

Mohamed Salah reacts
When speaking to BT Sport, Salah said:
“I think it was a tough team, even in the away game they were very good.”
“The most important thing was that we qualified so hopefully in the next game we are going to be better.”
“I hit the post twice but it’s okay, maybe in the next game I can score three! I don’t mind as long as the team qualify, for sure that’s the most important thing.”
“Maybe we need to start from the beginning, winning games. So, we lost a game, maybe that gives us a bit of a push more that in the back of our minds that, okay, maybe we’re overconfident at the moment. But, I think it’s a good game to take it and to learn from it and carry on.”
“It’s always important to win a game, but sometimes, like tonight, we hit the post twice. But, that can happen in football, the good thing is that that’s not in the league and also we’ve qualified.”
Credit: Getty
Full Time – Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Inter Milan had great spells throughout the game and could have turned things around after Martinez’s goal.
But, Sanchez’s red card quickly stopped the Black and Blues in their tracks and prevented them from pushing for a second.
But, Simone Inzaghi will take some positives from the result.
Inter have been one of the few teams that have been able to beat Liverpool at Anfield.
Vidal had a stand-out performance in midfield, and was arguably the best player on the pitch this evening.
Credit: Alamy
Full Time – Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Liverpool dominated possession throughout the game and came close to scoring on multiple occasions.
Matip hit the bar during the first half with a headed effort, and Salah hit the post twice later in the game.
But, Inter Milan did not make it easy for them – they attempted to press high, but the Reds’ defence did well to absorb the pressure.
Credit: PA
Full Time – Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Liverpool lost on the night, but they are through to the Champions League Quarter-Finals after defeating Inter Milan 2-1 on aggregate.
It wasn’t the best performance from Jurgen Klopp’s side, but they did well to maintain the advantage over a strong Inter Milan squad.
Credit: AP
90+4. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Gagliardini has been shown a yellow card for a high foot on Alexander-Arnold.
Meanwhile, the home fans are furious that Skriniar has not been booked for an off-the-ball challenge on Salah.
90+3. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Salah squares the ball to Diaz who is positioned directly in front of goal.
The midfielder looks certain to score but Vidal does an outstanding job to track back and make the last-ditch block.
90. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Five minutes have been added on.
The Black and Blues are pushing for another goal.
89. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
A fantastic pass is lofted over to Robertson on the right.
He is in acres of space but sends the ball straight into the path of Skriniar.
87. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Liverpool have made another change.
Jota has been replaced by Diaz.
Credit: AP
85. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Inter Milan have made another change.
Calhanoglu has been replaced by Vecino.
80. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Inter Milan have every man behind the ball.
They cannot afford to concede in these late stages.
Liverpool are playing with patience, they are in the driving seat at the moment.
76. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Salah hits the post AGAIN!
It’s certainly not his night!
Credit: PA
75. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Inter Milan make two changes.
Brozovic has been forced off with an injury, he is replaced by Gagliardini.
Dumfries is replaced by Darmian.
70. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Antonio Mateu is handing out cards like it’s Christmas tonight!
Mane has been booked for a push on Brozovic.
Both sides are preparing to make some substitutions.
68. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Liverpool have made two changes in response.
Jones is replaced by Keita.
Thiago is replaced by Henderson.
64. RED CARD – ALEXIS SANCHEZ
Sanchez is shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Fabinho.
Simone Inzaghi’s assistant Massimiliano Farris has also been shown a red card by the referee for his complaints.
What a turn of events for Inter!
Credit: Reuters
63. Liverpool 0-1 Inter Milan (2-1)
Matip loses the ball and Inter Milan quickly take advantage and break forward.
Sanchez flicks the ball over to Martinez on the edge of the box and the striker rifles it into the top right corner!
Credit: PA
62. GOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL INTER MILAN!!!!!
WHAT A GOAL FROM MARTINEZ!!!
59. Liverpool 0-0 Inter Milan (2-0)
Vidal sends a fantastic pass over to Perisic on the left.
The midfielder attempts to cross the ball into the box, but van Dijk is there to clear.
57. Liverpool 0-0 Inter Milan (2-0)
The Reds are pressing high, it’s clear that they are looking to extend their overall lead.
Inter Milan are struggling to create anything, and are being pinned into their own half.
52. Liverpool 0-0 Inter Milan (2-0)
What a chance for Liverpool!
Handanovic parries the ball straight into the path of Salah.
The goalkeeper is completely out of position, but the Liverpool man hits the post!
Credit: Reuters
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