We look forward to seeing which Liverpool show up at the Bernabeu as Man City look to assert their dominance over RB Leipzig. In the Europa League, it is a tough test for Mikel Arteta…
A match worth watching: Real Madrid vs Liverpool
They don’t want to, right? A week ago, there were those who thought they could…
It was after Liverpool’s seven-time lead over Manchester United secured a victory by a margin unlikely to many, the prospect of overturning their worst home defeat in European competition. After a largely inconsistent season, there was hope, though not necessarily faith, on Merseyside that Jurgen Klopp’s men had discovered some toughness and grit after a run that took them back into the top four.
Then they went to Bournemouth and called her back.
However, it would not be surprising if Liverpool rocked Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. Perhaps not with the four goals they’ll need to secure the most likely place in the quarter-final, or even the three they need to level things, but the Reds certainly look like they can win him back whenever they want. .
This is what is frustrating for Liverpool fans who see their team oscillate between great and shit. There have been many times this season when it is reasonable to notice a lack of motivation among a group of players, many of whom have won everything under Klopp.
It was obvious at Bournemouth but it shouldn’t be a problem going up to the Bernabéu. We must see a Liverpool team feel the rage for what Real did to them at home three weeks ago, and beyond in recent seasons. But who really knows That’s a lot Not anymore?
Read more: Premier League winners and losers: Liverpool, Vieira, Moyes and Lingard get a powerful kick
Team to watch – Manchester City
City squandered their chances to beat RB Leipzig when their first-half dominance was not reflected in the result. Likewise, Leipzig will regret not having taken advantage of their chances in the second half to at least get ahead in the Union.
If Pep Guardiola or Marco Rose felt remorse, the RB Leipzig manager will surely lament how the first leg in Germany went wrong three weeks ago. City have won 21 and drawn two of their last 23 Champions League home games. Is this opportunity lost for Leipzig?
probably. City haven’t been knocked out of the Champions League before the quarter-finals in six years, and with Christopher Nkunku’s team without Leipzig, it’s hard to defend the Germans.
But the Champions League does strange things to City. Usually in the later stages, we guarantee you, Guardiola and his team have often found a way to lose in recent years and the more they chase the European Cup, the greater the stigma.
To calm the tensions that may exist, Guardiola will look for the maximum comfort: control. The City manager spoke after the second leg about how important it is to control and lead the Leipzig team, especially after a basketball-type game against the same rival – under the direction of another manager – last season, which ended 6- 3. “Maybe in the second leg I’ll decide to go crazy and play nine forwards and do a make-up and a touchdown,” he joked. “But in this game, I felt, because I’ve been in this country and I analyze as much as I can with my people, I need that kind of control because otherwise the spins, when they’re open, in that kind of situation they’re better, the German teams are better than us.” «.
City are likely to crush Leipzig and create more chances than their dominance produces. But Leipzig, even without Nkunku, still has the quality and flair that makes for a more up-and-down game than City would like.
Next manager – Mikel Arteta
There is no doubt that Arteta would prefer Arsenal to show more control than they did in Lisbon last Thursday.
In the first leg of the Europa League round of 16, Arsenal were choppy and indecisive, which was to be expected given the changes made by Arteta. The rotation created a lot more uncertainty and chaos than the director would have liked.
It’s a difficult balance for Arteta in Europe. The Europa League is still coveted in the Emirates, but the yearning for the Premier League title remains much stronger while Arsenal find themselves in such a secure position. The Gunners got to the top and stayed there mainly by relying on the same players. Arteta felt hesitant, or unwilling, to take turns without risking too much of the chemistry that had gotten them to where they are.
After ordering some of their busiest players to rest last week, they were back in action at Fulham on Sunday as Arsenal returned to their best. In the midst of a busy month, how committed will Arteta be to once again juggling a difficult second leg before visiting Palace on Sunday before many of his players disappear from sight on international duty?
Player in the spotlight – Casemiro
Erik ten Hag may have planned to rest Casemiro for the trip to Real Betis on Thursday night with Manchester United 4-1 in the first leg. Then the Brazilian was sent off against Southampton, making him unavailable for the next four domestic games, until mid-April.
Therefore, Casemiro is the only player we know for sure will start at Betis, as United look to complete the job with a minimum of fuss. The midfielder owes the Red Devils one last dominating performance before disappearing from the radar for about a month, until the Europa League quarter-finals on April 13, assuming nothing catastrophic happens to Manchester United in Spain.
With a three-goal cushion, Ten Hag may also be pondering how to start replacing his most important player in a pivotal run with United eyeing their fourth-place rivals.
Fred, Marcel Sabitzer and Scott McTominay will surely take on additional responsibility once again, although Ten Hag has yet to make it clear which midfielder he trusts most during Casemiro’s latest absence. Sabitzer may be looking to prove that he deserves a permanent move in the summer, but McTominay is certainly playing for his future with United.
Reports indicated that he was the engine room employee most likely to be fired this summer and that some of his performance did not help his case. Against West Ham in the FA Cup, Ten Hag tried to rest Casemiro but had to bench him late in the first half with McTominay absent in midfield.
The Scotland international did a commendable job when he was sent in to fill Casemiro’s void against the Saints and McTominay needs more of similar performances during this unlikely chance to prove he’s worth keeping.
Partidos imperdibles de la Premier League inglesa – Middlesbrough – Stoke City, Sunderland – Sheffield United
The Championship race seemed anything but as Burnley and Sheffield United headed towards the finish line. Burnley remain out of sight, 17 points behind third place and 13 behind United. But the Blades are in serious danger of returning to the pack, especially as Middlesbrough continue to capitalize on them.
Boro will see this midweek as an opportunity to get closer to Paul Heckingbottom’s men. The Tessiders, rejuvenated under the management of Michael Carrick, host 14th-placed Stoke on Tuesday night with the chance to move within a point of the Blades before they head north-east on Wednesday.
Sunderland is their destination, just as the Black Cats appear to have had disturbing form that has seen them drop out of the top six. The Wearsiders lost three times before winning at Norwich on Sunday and will feel fresher about the odds of inflicting a fifth defeat in seven games on the Blades.
Due to his FA Cup exploits and international break, this would be Sheffield United’s last league run for two and a half weeks. When they return to action, they may very well be looking at Boro from third place, a far cry from this time last month when they sat on a 10-point cushion after going undefeated 10.
