The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals are underway, and eight teams are still vying for the title. The first two quarterfinals took place on Tuesday, with Manchester City beating Bayern Munich 2-1 and Inter Milan losing to Benfica 1-0. On Wednesday, we’ll see Real Madrid vs. Chelsea and a battle of the Italians as Napoli takes on AC Milan.
Italy Leads the Way
Italy has shown its skill in this competition, with three out of the eight quarterfinal teams hailing from the country. England also has two teams remaining, while Germany, Portugal, and Spain have one each. It’s a great time to be an Italian football fan, with Napoli and AC Milan facing off in a mouthwatering allItalian tie. Both teams are well-matched and will provide an exciting spectacle for viewers.
CBS Sports Exclusive Broadcast Coverage
If you’re not lucky enough to see the matches live, CBS Sports has exclusive broadcast coverage of all the quarterfinal matches. They also have postmatch shows where experts give their opinions on the games. This is a great way to experience the excitement of the games and get in-depth analysis of what went right and wrong.
Predictions and Match Picks
Experts have given their predictions for some of the upcoming matches. In particular, they’ve highlighted the key matchups and players likely to score. In addition, they’ve tipped potential man of the match candidates for AC Milan vs. Napoli and Real Madrid vs. Chelsea.
Italian Teams Resurgence
One interesting point experts have raised is how Italian teams have made a resurgence in this competition. The last time an Italian team won was in 2010 when Internazionale took home the trophy. Since then, no Italian team has made it past the quarterfinals except for Juventus in 2015 and 2017. With three teams in the mix, including last year’s Europa League winners AC Milan, Italian football is on the rise again.
Chelsea’s Failure to Retain Rudiger
In other football news, Chelsea has faced criticism for allowing Antonio Rudiger to leave for Real Madrid as a free agent. The new owners blame the club’s reported £121.3m loss in their latest financial accounts on this decision. Rudiger was a respected character in the Chelsea dressing room, and his absence has been keenly felt by both players and fans.
Long Negotiations and Disrespect
Rudiger’s negotiations with Chelsea were long and complex, and the defender ultimately felt disrespected by the club. Real Madrid promised him a larger signing-on fee than Chelsea could offer, and the club was unable to offer a new deal during the time it was operating under sanctions. Despite spending £189m on four defenders in the transfer market, none have matched Rudiger’s performances as a left-sided centre-back.
Tuchel Connection
Rudiger’s best football at Chelsea was played under Thomas Tuchel’s management, and the two had a tight bond. However, Rudiger struggled at times during his tenure at Chelsea, and his behavior was occasionally deemed to cross the line. At Real Madrid, he has become more prominent, and some of the traits that made him a key figure at Chelsea are finally coming to the fore.
Chelsea vs. Real Madrid
Finally, we have Wednesday’s exciting match between Chelsea and Real Madrid. While Chelsea has a history of rising to the occasion in Champions League matches, they appear weaker than their previous championship-winning teams. Real Madrid is the overwhelming favorite to win but will need to address some weaknesses from their recent defeat to Villarreal.
Kante Returns
One advantage that Chelsea could have is the return of N’Golo Kante to their midfield. Kante is a vital player for Chelsea and could give them an edge in the match. The article predicts a potential draw between the two teams, but anything can happen in football.
In conclusion, we have some exciting matches ahead in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Italian teams are making a resurgence, and Chelsea faces an uphill battle against favorites Real Madrid. As always, this competition promises to deliver some unforgettable football moments.
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