The 2020-2021 Champions League round of 16 first leg gave us many surprises, from amazing goals to some very unpredictable results.  This years draw has placed some huge teams up against each other which means there will be an early exit for one of the competitions giants.  Every year the Champions League always comes up with lots of entertainment, and this year is no different.

Sixteen of the worlds best teams are left looking to make it to the next round of the worlds most prestigious club competition.  However, some teams have a mountain to climb after their performances in the first leg.

Results

Leipzig vs. Liverpool

Starting off in the Puskas Arena, as RB Leipzig took on 6 time Champions League winners Liverpool. The away side Liverpool ended up taking the win after goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The first goal coming off a bad pass from Leipzig midfielder Sabitzer that left Salah one on one with the goalkeeper. The game ended 0-2 for the “Reds” as they go into the away leg with a two goal margin.

Barcelona vs. PSG

Barcelona hosted Paris Saint Germain in the Camp Nou as they were ripped apart by PSG. A PSG side led by superstar Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hatrick against Lionel Messi’s Barcelona. Mbappe becomes only the third ever player to score a hatrick against Barcelona in the Camp Nou. The fourth goal for PSG came in Italian youngster Moise Kean. As for Barcelona the only goal came from their number 10 Lionel Messi via Penalty. Barcelona look to comeback from a 3 goal lead as they need to put 4 past PSG without any reply.

Sevilla vs. Borussia Dortmund

In the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Borussia Dortmund visited the Spanish side, Sevilla. The game ended 2-3 in favor of the Germans. The goals coming from Spaniard winger Suso, and Dutch striker Luuk De Jong. As for BVB, Mahmoud Dahoud scored the first for Dortmund, while superstar youngster Erling Haaland scores a brace to seal the game for Borussia Dortmund.

FC Porto vs. Juventus

A surprise in the city of dragons as Portuguese side FC Porto take down Italian giants, Juventus. The first goal came in the first minute after a bad pass from Rodrigo Bentancur who put goalkeeper Szczęsny under pressure and left Mehdi Taremi with a simple tap in. The second goal came from striker Moussa Marega. Federico Chiesa got a goal back for Andrea Pirlo’s side, however, there was not enough time to level the game.

Atletico de Madrid vs. Chelsea FC

A day in which many fans believed it was going to be a very exciting game, left fans very disappointed. It was not until the 68th minute of the second half where French striker Olivier Giroud scored an amazing overhead kick that put the away side 0-1 up. Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea looks to repeat what he achieved with PSG last season in the Champions League.

Lazio vs. Bayern Munich

Defending champions Bayern Munich visited an exciting Lazio side led by Simone Inzaghi. However this Lazio side was not able to upset the German record champions. The game ended 1-4 for Bayern Munich. The only goal for Lazio came in Argentinian playmaker Joaquin Correa. As for Bayer Munich, the goals came in Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane, Robert Lewandowski, and an own goal from center back Francesco Acerbi. Bayern look to retain their title after coming off a year where they one every single championship they played a part in. This achievement had only ever been achieved once and that was by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side in 2009.

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid

The 13 time record Champions Real Madrid visited Gasperini’s Atalanta side. It was at the 17th minute of the first half where Atalanta midfielder Roman Freuler got sent off after a tackle on Ferland Mendy right outside the 18 yard box. With a man extra, Real Madrid took advantage as left back Ferland Mendy scores the goal to give the Merengues the victory. Real Madrid look to qualify for the quarter finals of the Champions League for the first time in 3 years.

Manchester City vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach

The final game of the round of 16 first leg came in Germany. High flying Manchester City took on Marco Rose’s Borussia Mönchengladbach side. The game ended 0-2 for the Citizens, the goals coming from Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus.

Looking ahead for the second leg, many teams will want to improve on their performances moving forward, while others look to defend a lead they earned in the first leg.