Paris Saint-Germain were knocked out of the playoffs by Real Madrid. (0:56) Notable moments in the first knockout round include Real Madrid coming back against Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United being stunned by Atletico Madrid, and Manchester City being scored on. We asked the three guys their opinions on some big questions. The Inter Milan team were impressive for an hour in the first leg at San Siro and unfortunate not to win by more, but they were able to avoid elimination with a 1-0 win at Liverpool in the second leg. Since 2010, no Italian team has won the European Championship, but there are some signs of a resurgence in the Italian league. If Inter can hold onto Inzaghi and replace some of the team's older players, they will get better. Inter made it to the round of 16 and the fact that they did it despite being routed by Villarreal suggests that Italian clubs can compete again. Laurens loved all the away wins we saw in the second legs. Even if Inter didn't go through, they inflicted a first home defeat of the season onLiverpool, which is an achievement in itself. The Diego Simeone performance was delivered thanks to how poor Manchester United were. The task was even harder for Benfica as they had been in great form at home. They defended superbly and took the only chance they had, against all the odds. It might be the most impressive away win of all time. Max Allegri is too old-school to run a team like this, but Unai Emery and his players did a great job. In the first half, they rode their luck and scored three goals in the last 12 minutes. Huge credit to them. In a decade of going to games at the Bernabeu, I have never heard the crowd as loud as it was during Real Madrid's second-half comeback against Paris Saint-Germain. Madrid has a reputation for European comebacks but this was the real deal and it was a privilege to be there. It was almost as remarkable as the win by Villarreal. The Yellow Submarine have a proud record in Europe, but this smart, clinical display to eliminate the would-be Super League founders ranked among their very best European nights, is what makes them the ultimate well-run small-town club. The draw for the quarterfinals and semifinals of the league will be held.
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Since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, the team has excelled in the cup. With everything happening to the club right now, their progress could galvanise this squad even more. The best player in the world right now is Benzema, and he can take Real Madrid all the way.
I can see Manchester City going one step further than last year and finally winning the European title, or Real Madrid winning their 14th title.
I would back the Reds every time, because they play with a belief and freedom in the competition that Man City are still searching for. Real Madrid in Spain is like no other club in Europe.
I have had to remind myself that it is no longer a factor. It will take a little longer to break the habit of away goals because they were so dominant for so long. We haven't seen a big impact yet. The position of Real Madrid when Mbappe scored at the Bernabeu was not good. The abolition of the rule has not led to more games going to extra time or to be decided on penalties.
The knockout ties have not had an issue with away goals. The rule posed a tactical challenge to teams and coaches in terms of whether they were bold enough to push for a goal on the road, at the risk of leaving gaps in defence.
At least one thing that happened during the course of the game was reflected by the way the games were decided. Is it better for it to be decided by a goal in open play or a penalty shootout? The teams have the chance to score an away goal, so those on the wrong side are to blame.
Laurens: Absolutely not. The rule was pointless and unfair. I can guarantee that both United and Juventus would have played for a draw at home in the second leg to get through. A team playing for a draw over two legs should not be able to qualify without going to a penalty shootout. We had some interesting second legs where everyone had to score. Football is about that. The away goals rule is ridiculous. Teams were made to be more calculating and cautious.
The substitution of Manchester United in their loss to Atlante Madrid confused the man.
Man City vs.Liverpool. If the teams reach the FA Cup semifinals, there will be four meetings in 12 days. They will play a potential title decider at the Etihad Stadium on April 10, which is sandwiched between the first and second legs of the playoffs.
The two teams that are the best in Europe are City and Liverpool. While the other side are chasing a triple, the other side can still achieve a quadruple. They get up close and personal with each other as often as possible to decide who is the best.
Laurens wants a full Anglo-Spanish battle in the quarterfinals. I want all three countries to face each other. The Manchester City vs Real Madrid game features Kevin De Bruyne vs. Karim the Dream. Two years after Marcos Llorente knocked them out of the playoffs, the Reds would get a chance at revenge. The game would be between Thomas Tuchel and Unai Emery.
Felipe VI vs. Elizabeth II was the Spain vs England match. This would be amazing. Spanish teams do well in England. It would be difficult this time. I think England will beat Spain.
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid. It has been five years since the Madrid teams last met in Europe, a four-year run that saw their European dreams cruelly dashed by their local rivals. Real Madrid would break their hearts again.
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