UEFA Champions League quarter-final preview:Can Man United steal the show against Barcelona?


Manchester united will be desperate to draw first blood when they clash with Spanish Champions Barcelona at Old Trafford. United made it to the quarters after an incredible round of 16 encounter which saw them overturn a 2-0 home first leg deficit to win 3-1 against PSG which saw them through on away goals. It was a night to remember, but United haven’t been in good form since that game, dropping to 6th and crashing out of the FA Cup since that time. Barca on the other hand shook off a goalless first leg against Lyon to romp to a 5-1 victory at the Nou Camp. Lionel Messi ran the show in that game and will be looking to do the same here, but it should be noted that the Catalans haven’t gone past the quarter finals in the last three seasons. It will be their first meeting with United since 2011, where they ran out 3-1 winners in the Champions League final.

Ajax will be eyeing a semi final spot when they take on an experienced Juventus side at the Amsterdam Arena. The Dutch giants are competing at this stage of the competition for the first time in 16 years, while Juventus are in the quarters for the third year running. Ajax made it to this stage after an incredible win against Real Madrid. After losing the first leg 2-1, they proceeded to the Bernabeu where a 4-1 win sent them through and sent shockwaves across the Spanish Capital. With less than two months of the season to go, they are on course for an unlikely treble. Juventus were on the brink of elimination after losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid in their round of 16 first leg clash. But when you have Cristiano Ronaldo, anything is possible. The Portuguese superstar rose to the occasion, scoring a hat trick and sending the Bianconeri through to the next round with a 3-2 aggregate score. With a 20 point gap between them and second placed Napoli, Juve can now afford to focus solely on the title that has eluded them for so many seasons; the Champions League. Ronaldo has been injured for a while now but is expected to be fit to play. 

Wednesday matches

Ajax vs Juventus

Man Utd Vs Barcelona

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