Champions League comeback duels
Two quarter‑final ties head into second legs with steep deficits: Liverpool must overturn a 0–2 first‑leg loss to PSG in Tuesday’s home game, and Barcelona travel to Atlético needing to overturn a 0–2 deficit in their second leg on April 14. (dailysports.net) (marca.com).
Two Champions League quarter-final ties arrive at their second legs on Tuesday, April 14, with Liverpool and Barcelona each trying to erase a 2-0 deficit. (uefa.com) Liverpool host Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield at 21:00 Central European Time on April 14 after losing the first leg 2-0 in Paris on April 8. Désiré Doué scored the opener and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added the second at Parc des Princes. (uefa.com) Barcelona go to Atlético de Madrid the same night after a 2-0 home loss at Camp Nou on April 8. Julián Alvarez scored just before halftime, Alexander Sørloth made it 2-0 in the 70th minute, and Pau Cubarsí was sent off in the 44th. (uefa.com) The format is simple now: aggregate score over two matches decides who reaches the semi-finals. If the teams are level after 90 minutes in the second leg, the tie goes to extra time and then penalties if needed. (uefa.com) That leaves Liverpool needing a two-goal win just to force extra time, and Barcelona needing the same in Madrid. A three-goal margin would send either club through inside 90 minutes. (uefa.com) Liverpool have recent reason to believe a swing is possible, even if the matchup history favors Paris Saint-Germain. UEFA’s preview notes Paris have won both previous two-legged ties between the clubs, including last season’s knockout meeting, while Liverpool have won six of their last eight Champions League quarter-final ties. (uefa.com) Arne Slot said last season’s turnaround gives Liverpool “the best feeling” they can overturn this one, and Virgil van Dijk said Anfield’s crowd can play “a big part.” Luis Enrique said Paris know “it’s going to be incredibly difficult to play at Anfield.” (uefa.com) Barcelona are leaning on a different argument: that the first leg changed with the red card. Gerard Martín said Barcelona were “controlling the game” before Cubarsí’s dismissal, while Diego Simeone said Atlético were “brave” and “clinical” in taking their chances. (uefa.com) The stakes extend beyond one night. UEFA’s bracket sends the Liverpool-Paris Saint-Germain winner into a semi-final against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, while the Barcelona-Atlético winner faces Arsenal or Sporting Clube de Portugal. (uefa.com) By late Tuesday, one of these deficits may look routine and the other may become the latest comeback added to Champions League knockout history. (uefa.com)
