FC Bayern Munich will probably face Liverpool FC and coach Jürgen Klopp if they progress in the Champions League in the semi-finals. The Reds won 3-1 (2-0) in the first leg of the quarter-finals at Benfica Lisbon on Tuesday and are therefore in a good position for the second leg on April 13 at their home Anfield Road. Premier League rivals Manchester City also reported a win. Pep Guardiola’s team won 1-0 (0-0) against Atlético Madrid. FC Bayern are visiting Spanish club FC Villarreal in the first leg of the quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Ex-Leipziger Ibrahima Konaté (photo, 17th minute), Sadio Mané (34th) and Luis Díaz (87th) scored for Liverpool in Lisbon. Darwin Núñez (49th) scored the interim goal for Benfica.
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At the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Klopp initially experienced a relaxed evening. The hosts around national player Julian Weigl were deep and limited themselves to counterattacks. However, the Portuguese could not contain the offensive violence of Klopp’s team around the attackers Mohamed Salah, Díaz and Mané. After just over 15 minutes, defender Konaté headed into the goal to take the lead. Before the break, the guests followed up with a quick counterattack, which Mané completed from close range on Díaz’s pass.
Everything came down to a confident performance by the guests – until Konaté made a mistake. After a low cross from Rafa Silva, the Frenchman went wide and Darwin, who was lurking behind him, responded with a goal. Spurred on by the roaring crowd, Benfica pushed for an equaliser, but the Reds almost silenced the arena just before the end. After a fine pass from Naby Keita, Díaz rounded the Benfica keeper and made the final score.
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Ultimately, Manchester’s victory was also well deserved, but less clear-cut. It developed from the beginning an almost absurd game. City was almost constantly with the ball in the half of the guests, but they didn’t create a clear chance. Atlético limited itself to walling – and successfully for a long time. The Spaniards’ cover only broke for the first time in the middle of the second half. After a fine combination through the center, De Bruyne was free in front of Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak and pushed into the far corner.
The premier class quarter-finals will take place next week. Before that, however, the two top teams from Manchester and Liverpool will meet in the Premier League.
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