By Ben Trussel
In a more low scoring round than the last, the first leg of this year's quarterfinals provided a bit less wild results from last round as well. The biggest surprise came from London's newest stadium, where Tottenham bested Manchester City 1-0. There's all to play for in the second leg, so let's get into some recaps of the first leg and predictions for the second leg.
Tottenham 1 - 0 Manchester City
Heung Min Son is a man on fire. The South Korean struck once again for the Spurs in a hardworking effort to scrape out a goal from a small opportunity. Just as big of a headline is Sergio Agüero having his penalty saved by Hugo Lloris. Both teams had a few good opportunities, but none were bigger than the one Agüero passed up. To put it simply, Son took the opportunity he was given, and City didn't.
The problem for Tottenham now is the second leg. Man City is incredibly strong at home, and with Harry Kane's injury and Dele Alli's hand injury (but likely to play through), Tottenham will have to use every once of tactical prowess that their manager Mauricio Pochettino possesses to pull this one off. While Tottenham has the advantage, but City is just too good to write off yet.
Prediction: Manchester City (but just barely)
Liverpool FC 2 - 0 Porto
This game was perhaps the most expected outcome of the matches this week. Liverpool was always expected to win this game, and they delivered. Porto was given very few chances in the game, and really didn't have a good grip on the pace of the game. Liverpool's only real fault in this game was that they didn't create a bigger score gap with the opportunities they had.
The biggest highlight of this game for Liverpool was Guinean center midfielder and summer signing Naby Keïta finally starting to impress for the English side. This comes at a good time for the club, who needs depth now more than ever as they challenge for the Premier League and Champions League at the same time. If Keïta can continue to perform well, it could be big for the remainder of Liverpool's season.
Prediction: Liverpool
Ajax 1 - 1 Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo struck once again for Juve. His soaring diving header put the Italian side ahead in a glorious fashion in the 45th minute, but the lead didn't last long. Ajax's fiery and energetic young team was quick to fire back. 22-year-old Brazilian talent David Neres struck back 30 seconds in the second half with a lovely turn of pace and skill past Juve's defense before firing one into the right corner.
Juventus used their own Brazilian weapon in Douglas Costa. He looked incredibly dangerous, striking the post after a lovely move between defenders, but was unable to score despite his control and skill.
It must be said that Ajax looked the more dangerous team for much of the game. Frenkie de Jong shined once again in the midfield for Ajax. Even Juve's manager, Massimiliano Allegri, admitted that de Jong was too much for Pjanić and co. in midfield. Ajax is looking well-oiled and sharp, so an upset is not yet out of the question, but with Cristiano in form, it is hard to say that Juventus will lose at home in the second leg, especially with their away goal advantage. As Atletico Madrid saw last round, Juventus should never be underestimated at home.
Prediction: Juventus
Manchester United 0 - 1 FC Barcelona
This Manchester team performed no better on Wednesday than the other Manchester team performed on Tuesday. Both lost 1 - 0 to a side that outperfomed them. United, however, faces a much larger test. Going to Barcelona and winning is the only way United can get a victory now, but few have been able to stand that test in the last few years.
Lionel Messi looked good, as always, but United did well to keep him just looking good, rather than his usual otherworldly level of performance. United used a strategy that many teams have also been unsuccessful in using: physicality. United attempted to use their size and power to beat up on Barecelona's players and put them off their game, especially targeting Messi (as seen by the absolute hammer Chris Smalling put in on him). This strategy, however, rarely works against Barca's adaptable play style and ability to pass out of any situation. It also played against them with starting left-back Luke Shaw now out for the next leg with accumulated yellow card suspension.
We can't see United pulling a comeback in Spain while Barcelona holds an away goal advantage at 1-0. It would take a near-miracle for them to comeback now, and United already pulled off one miracle last round to scrape by Paris Saint-Germain. Advantage: Barca.
Prediction: FC Barcelona