Champions League: Liverpool and Klopp can plan for the semifinals

Stand: 05.04.2022 | Reading time: 2 minutes

Jürgen Klopp is well on the way to the Champions League semi-finals with Liverpool. In the first leg of the quarter-finals, the Reds prevailed 3-1 (2-0) at Benfica Lisbon on Tuesday evening. Ex-Leipziger Ibrahima Konaté (17th minute), Sadio Mané (34th) and Luis Díaz (87th) scored for the English. Darwin Núñez (49th) scored the interim goal for Benfica.

Liverpool and coach Klopp took a big step towards a possible semi-final cracker against Bayern. In order to reach the round of the top four teams, Munich must lay the foundation in the quarter-final first leg at FC Villarreal this Wednesday (9 p.m. / DAZN).

At the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Klopp initially experienced a relaxed evening. The hosts around national player Julian Weigl were deep and limited 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 assist.

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 pressed 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.

Manchester City – Atlético Madrid 1:0

Manchester City and coach Pep Guardiola are not in quite as good a starting position as Liverpool. Before the top league game against the Reds on Sunday, the English champions prevailed against Atlético Madrid’s wall tactics and won 1-0 (0-0). Kevin De Bruyne (70th) ensured the deserved victory for the hosts.

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. Only in the middle of the second half did the Spaniards break open for the first time. After a fine combination through the center, De Bruyne was free in front of Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak and pushed into the far corner.