5 things we learnt from Wednesday’s games

The first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals were rounded up on Wednesday, April 5 which saw Liverpool destroy Manchester City 3-0 and Barcelona put one leg in the semi-finals with a 4-1 win over Roma

But what did we learn from these fixtures?

1. Pep Guardiola critics on song

Despite a brilliant career so far, Pep Guardiola has had his own fair of criticism. Cheque book manager and a coach that has benefited only from Lionel Messi are what his critics think he is rather than the genius that is often portrayed by the media.

On Wednesday, the critics were on song and they have every right to.

2. Guardiola has a poor record away in the knockout stages of the Champions League

Manchester City’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool continues Guardiola’s poor record away from home in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Although he has only failed to reach the semifinals of the Champions League just once in his nine seasons as a coach, Guardiola has struggled to win away games in the knockout stages.

Guardiola has managed 24 Champions League knockout ties. Of those 24 away legs, his teams have only won five, 5, drawing 10 and losing enough.

Not good enough.

3. Klopp is not intimidated by Guardiola

For most of his career as a coach, Guardiola has come up against managers setting up their teams to defend but not Jurgen Klopp.

The German might be the only manager who is not intimidated by Guardiola.

In 13 meetings between the two,  Klopp has won six games, drawn two and lost five times. The German has the most win out of every manager Guardiola has come up against.

And he doesn’t do in any conservative way too. Just like they did on Wednesday, Klopp’s men go on full attack.

4. ‘Own goal’ helps out Barcelona again

Rivals will not be quivering in their boots over Barcelona following their sluggish 4-1 win over Roma on Wednesday.

Barcelona benefited from two own goals in their 4-1 win over Roma, to set a new Champions League record.

In the Champions League this season, Barcelona have scored through five own goals, more than anyone in history.

Only Messi who has netted six times in the Champions League this season has scored more for Barcelona.

5. Chamberlain shines in first quarter-final appearance

Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brilliant in his appearance in the quarter-final of the Champions League.

In his six seasons playing in the Champions League at former club Arsenal, Chamberlain never progressed to the last eight of the premium European club competition.

Now at Liverpool, he was on from the start in his first quarter-final game and was very impressive. He pressed İlkay Gundogan and Fernandino in midfield and capped his brilliant game with a goal, a fierce shot from outside the box to double Liverpool’s lead.