Summary

Media caption,

Liverpool narrowly beat PSG to put one foot in quarter-finals

  1. Villa's players 'believe' in Asensiopublished at 11:49 Greenwich Mean Time

    Club Brugge 1-3 Aston Villa

    Thomas Hitzlsperger
    Former Germany midfielder on MOTD: Uefa Champions League

    Marco Asensio celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    The Villa players gave the ball to him for the penalty, he didn’t demand it. The players threw it at him.

    'You take it, we believe in you.'

  2. Asensio's substitute recordpublished at 11:44 Greenwich Mean Time

    Club Brugge 1-3 Aston Villa

    Marco Asensio's penalty for Aston Villa against Club Brugge came as a substitute.

    It was the Spaniard's 10th goal in the Champions League when coming off the bench in a match.

    It puts him three clear of any other player in the competition's history, with Thomas Muller, Karim Benzema and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the next best with seven each.

  3. 'For Villa to have Asensio is astonishing'published at 11:36 Greenwich Mean Time

    Club Brugge 1-3 Aston Villa

    Rory Smith
    Chief Soccer Correspondent for The Athletic on MOTD: Uefa Champions League

    Marco AsensioImage source, Getty Images

    Of Villa’s January signings, Rashford captured the imagination in England the most because he’s Marcus Rashford and because of everything that happened at Manchester United with that kind of narrative of his rebirth.

    Marco Asensio has scored in a Champions League final, he’s played in 70 Champions League games, he was at Real for nine years. He is an elite footballer and because he’s been around for so long, as a substitute mainly for Real, you maybe overlook that a little bit. He is vastly experienced, he’s only 29, he’s not at the end of his career. For Villa to have an asset like that, who is still clearly getting up to speed, is astonishing.

    The fact he is taking the penalty, a pressure penalty, that kind of speaks volumes. Also, of how Villa players regard him.

  4. 'Tame' performance from Leverkusenpublished at 11:29 Greenwich Mean Time

    Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen

    Archie Rhind-Tutt
    Football journalist on Football Daily

    Xabi Alonso had been unbeaten against Bayern Munich with Bayer Leverkusen in six previous games and the fact that it was so tame from Leverkusen, who had one chance when it was 1-0 and Jeremie Frimpong was through on goal, and Frimpong has had real problems with one on ones and this was a similar inccident facing Manuel Neuer.

    The fact is Nordi Mukiele getting sent off in the second half made Xabi Alonso pull a face, and I have not seen so much concern from him during his time at Leverkusen because he knew, his side would of done well to get out of Munich with the score still being 2-0.

  5. Szczesny's redemption after Lisbon horror showpublished at 11:22 Greenwich Mean Time

    Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

    Jess Anderson
    BBC Sport

    Wojciech SzczesnyImage source, Getty Images

    It was a frantic, dramatic encounter back in January when the two sides last met in Lisbon and Raphinha's winner settled the outcome at 5-4.

    The opening period showed promise of a similar enthralling tie as Kerem Akturkoglu's drilled shot forced Wojciech Szczesny into an early save, before Dani Olmo went close at the other end.

    Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored a hat-trick in that 5-4 defeat and has scored 10 goals in his last seven appearances in all competitions, should have put Benfica ahead early in the second half.

    But he scooped over the bar from Alvaro Carreras' cutback, before Barca keeper Szczesny made a brilliant reaction save moments later to deny the Greek forward.

    The home side were dominant in the second half and recorded 15 shots with five on target, but it was forward Raphinha who struck the decisive blow to give Barcelona a slim advantage with their only second-half effort on target.

    A late flurry of corners for the hosts made for a tense finale and Szczesny produced another fine save from Renato Sanches, a stark difference from his horror show in January where he was at fault for two of Benfica's four goals.

    The Polish stopper was fortunate the late penalty award was overturned by the offside decision and it left Benfica with a tough task in the return.

    For La Liga leaders Barca, an assured and professional performance extended their unbeaten run to 16 in all competitions.

  6. Who will Benfica or Barcelona face in the quarter-finals?published at 11:16 Greenwich Mean Time

    Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

    Lamine Yamal with the ball at his feet against BenficaImage source, Getty Images

    Supporters of Borussia Dortmund and Lille will be paying close attention to Benfica's clash with Barcelona.

    The winner of each of those two meetings will face each other in the quarter-finals next month.

    As it stands, Barcelona have the better chance of advancing after their 1-0 first leg victory on Wednesday.

    Meanwhile, Dortmund and Lille played out a 1-1 draw in Germany on Tuesday night.

  7. Raphinha's clinical winnerpublished at 11:11 Greenwich Mean Time

    Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

    Raphinha looks onImage source, Getty Images

    Raphinha's goal was enough for Barcelona to pick up a 1-0 win over Benfica in Lisbon on Wednesday night.

    It was the Brazilian's 25th goal in 40 club appearances this season, including nine goals in nine Champions League games.

    While he had three shots in the match, his chances totalled an individual expected goals tally of 0.08, lower than teammates Robert Lewandowski (0.74), Lamine Yamal (0.58) and Dani Olmo (0.31).

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:05 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Best ever goalkeeping displays: Kasper Schmeichel, over the two legs against Sevilla in 2017. Saved two penalties. I think most Leicester fans wonder why we sold him before the 22-23 season. Ended up with Danny Ward in goal and we haven’t recovered since.

    Hamza, Plymouth

  9. 'There is huge pressure on Kompany'published at 10:59 Greenwich Mean Time

    Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen

    Archie Rhind-Tutt
    Football journalist on Football Daily

    There is huge pressure on Vincent Kompany to push the team towards the final [held in Munich]. He has consistently said trust the process, I trust my players, and tonight he has been repaid in that faith he has been showing.

    Michael Olise came up with a big performance, Harry Kane not just with a penalty but with a big header and off the ball was superb. I think it was the result that spoke volumes about readjusting the power balance that Bayern Munich love the most, which is them being firmly on top.

    Vincent KompanyImage source, Getty Images
  10. Postpublished at 10:58 Greenwich Mean Time

    Manuel Neuer's injury will come as a huge blow, not just for the Germany international but for his Bayern Munich team-mates, who will be desperate to reach this season's Champions League final, which is being played in Munich...

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:55 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Best ever goalkeeping display has to be David De Gea vs Arsenal in United’s 3-1 win in 2017. 14 saves in one game was just absolute theatre and class. No other answer for me.

    Anon

  12. Neuer out for 'foreseeable future' with calf injurypublished at 10:51 Greenwich Mean Time

    Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen

    Manuel Neuer shakes the hand of Bayern manager Vincent Kompany as he is substitutedImage source, Getty Images

    Sadly, it could be a case of 150 and out for Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after Bayern Munich announced he would be ruled out "for the foreseeable future" with a torn muscle in his right calf.

    The former Germany goalkeeper suffered the injury during Bayern's Champions League last-16 first leg victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

    He was replaced by debutant 21-year-old keeper Jonas Urbig in the 59th minute.

    Revealing the extent of the injury, the club said in a statement: "Manuel Neuer suffered a torn muscle fibre in his right calf.

    "The diagnosis was confirmed by the FC Bayern medical unit. [He] will therefore be out for the foreseeable future."

  13. 'Architects of their own downfall'published at 10:45 Greenwich Mean Time

    Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen

    Archie Rhind-Tutt
    Football journalist on Football Daily

    Matej Kovar and Xabi AlonsoImage source, Getty Images

    I'm sure there will be a few people in Leverkusen wondering why Matej Kovar was playing this game and the fact is Xabi Alonso likes to rotate his goalkeepers. He's done it in 10 of the last 30 games in all competitions so it's no surprise but there was a moment in the first half when Mario Hermoso is trying to tell him to speak up a bit and be a bit more commanding of his area.

    So it was coming in a way, and he has had uncertain moments in Leverkusen's only Bundesliga defeat over the course of the last two seasons, against Leipzig earlier in the campaign, where he didn't cut the most confident of figure.

    They were the architects of their own downfall and a return to the Leverkusen that we were used to before Xabi Alonso joined the club and it makes you realise just how good they were last season.

  14. Postpublished at 10:42 Greenwich Mean Time

    Right, we will move on, after quickly returning to that Bayern Munich win over Bayer Leverkusen, and a line on both managers - Bayern's Vincent Kompany and Bayer's Xabi Alonso...

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:38 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    My favourite goalkeeper performance was [Republic of Ireland striker] Niall Quinn for Manchester City v Derby County. After Tony Coton got sent off for bringing down Dean Saunders, Quinn stepped up and saved Saunders' penalty. He also scored a volley from outside the box for City in the same game.

    Dave, Manchester

    Of all the niche goalkeeping stats, surely Niall Quinn stands alone as the only person to save a penalty and score in the same game?

    (Waits for flood of answers suggesting otherwise...)

    Niall QuinnImage source, Getty Images
  16. get involved

    Get Involved - world's best goalkeeper?published at 10:33 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    We have also been taking your messages on a whole host of Champions League topics, including:

    • The best-ever goalkeeping displays
    • All-time greatest smash and grabs

    As ever, we would love to hear from you on any football-related issue, but especially on today's hot topic - goalkeepers.

    We want to know, who is the world's best: Alisson? Martinez? Donnarumma? Courtois? Ederson? Neuer? Or someone else?

    Just get in touch via:

    • X using #bbcfootball
    • WhatsApp on 03301231826
    • Or text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Thanks.

  17. Thursday's headlines so farpublished at 10:29 Greenwich Mean Time

    If you're just joining us, this is what you've missed so far:

    Stick around - lots more reaction and analysis to come from the Champions League, plus four British clubs - Man Utd, Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea - are involved in the Europa League and Conference League respectively later. We'll be looking at what's in store for each.

    • Neuer's 150th Champions League startpublished at 10:26 Greenwich Mean Time

      Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen

      Manuel NeuerImage source, Getty Images

      Alisson's goalkeeping masterclass in Paris somewhat overshadowed what was a landmark night for Bayern Munich stopper Manuel Neuer, who became only the fourth player in Champions League history to make 150 starts in the competition.

      During Bayern's 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, the German goalkeeper moved joint-third alongside Lionel Messi for all-time starts in the competition.

      Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo (178) sits top of the list, with Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas (176) in second place.

      The next highest active player on the list that still plays in Europe is Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski on 125.

      Neuer is also the first player to have made 150 Champions League appearances that have all come via starting matches.

      Most starts in Champions League

      • Cristiano Ronaldo - 178
      • Iker Casillas - 176
      • Lionel Messi - 150
      • Manuel Neuer - 150
      • Sergio Ramos - 142
    • get involved

      Get Involvedpublished at 10:20 Greenwich Mean Time

      #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

      This Liverpool combines the flair of a Klopp team with the sheer bloody-minded obduracy of a Benitez team. It's quite a combination.

      RH

      What cannot be denied is that once again, Liverpool have provided another CL night of pure theatre and excitement. Whether you like them or not, they always provide great entertainment and high drama. Roll on the second leg.

      Christian

    • Postpublished at 10:20 Greenwich Mean Time

      Talking of successful Anglo-German footballing partnerships...