Newcastle worries Barcelona, ​​Liverpool on thin ice

Champions League Round of 16 second legs: Igor Tudor believes in Tottenham's miracle against Atletico, Bayern's struggles with goalkeeping ahead of clash with Atalanta

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Liverpul priziva i faktor “Enfild rouda”: Mohamed Salah, Foto: Phil Noble
Liverpul priziva i faktor “Enfild rouda”: Mohamed Salah, Foto: Phil Noble
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

The Champions League quarterfinal pairings will be completed tonight.

Real Madrid's only rival is Bayern, who are already cramming with goalkeepers ahead of the rematch with Atalanta in Munich, but not with the result after a 6-1 triumph in Bergamo in the first leg.

For the away striker Nikola Krstović It might be easier for him to hit the visitors' net if the Bavarians' fourth goalkeeper is in front of the goal, not the first, second or third.

Manuel Neuer is injured, Sven Ulreich also, Jonas Urbig is under serious question mark, and the 16-year-old youth team goalie is on standby Leonard Prescott.

Prescott was on the bench in the Bundesliga championship game over the weekend, when third-choice goalkeeper Ulreich suffered a hamstring injury.

However, this is a two-legged tie that has already been decided, and much more fire is expected at the three remaining stadiums, especially in Barcelona and Liverpool.

The Catalans were outplayed by Newcastle in the first match, and luckily managed a draw in extra time, while the "Reds" have to chase a one-goal deficit against Galatasaray.

Atletico Madrid is also close to the quarterfinals, "defending" a 5:2 away win against Tottenham.

- We need to go out on the pitch with conviction, find space and stay positive throughout the match - Barcelona coach Hansi Flick listed the prerequisites for progress.

The Catalan giant's goals are, of course, much bigger than reaching the quarterfinals.

- We will need to play an almost perfect game against a physically strong and dangerous opponent like Newcastle. We are only thinking about that now, and if you ask me about the future, I say yes - we are capable of winning the Champions League - added the German.

Atletico Madrid, and then Arsenal, could be the Catalans' rivals on the way to the final in Budapest, of course if they pluck out the "magpies" first.

- We have to play much better than in the first match, and I'm sure we will - stressed Flick, who surprised everyone by stating that the job at Barcelona could be the last in his career.

But only after he completes the new contract, for which the president Joan Laporta already announced that he would give it to him.

The task ahead of English giants Liverpool is more difficult, starting from a deficit, albeit a minimal one, against a team they have lost to twice away from home this season - Galatasaray.

The difference is that now it's being played in the Beatles' town - in front of rowdy fans.

- We know how difficult it will be because we played against them twice and lost both times - the coach reiterated Arne Slott statistics to journalists.

- The good thing for us is that this is the first game we play against them at home and we have the support of our fans, who will cheer us on as they always have and as they always will for this club.

Liverpool, the Premier League champions, have struggled this season and on Sunday, after drawing 1-1 with Tottenham, many fans left the stadium before the final whistle. Most of those who remained booed Slot and the players.

"It's never nice when they're frustrated. A win can change a lot and that's what we're trying to achieve - we're fully prepared for that," Slot added.

Paris Saint-Germain awaits the winner of the Liverpool - Galatasaray duel in the quarterfinals.

Tottenham's chances, on the other hand, don't seem too great after Madrid's "minus three" against Atletico, but the coach Tudor Igor believes.

When asked if that was really the case, or if he was just hoping that a victory would restore his shaken confidence, the Croat told reporters:

"Both! This is a game we need to play with the aim of going through. Of course, our first goal until the end of the season is to stay in the Premier League, but tonight is a big challenge - to show that we can do big things, to show that they are not better than us."

Round of 16 second legs - 18.45: Barcelona - Newcastle (first match 1:1). 21: Tottenham - Atletico Madrid (2: 5), Bayern - Atalanta (6: 1), Liverpool - Galatasaray (0: 1).

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