So one to zero for the Premier League is then. With two matches between England and Spain in the Champions League quarter-finals, it’s a great opportunity to fight for bragging rights as to which country has the best league in Europe.
Oh, who am I kidding? The best league in the world! And it was the islanders who stormed.
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Manchester City will take a 1-0 lead in the second leg against Atletico Madrid next week
Granted, Manchester City were at home, a clear advantage. Again, Atletico Madrid, a notoriously difficult side to beat on the road, were the visitors.
Not only that, but they were, what’s the word? Ah yes… negative!
Or to put it another way, if manager Diego Simeone bought a dozen eggs to make an omelet, he would end up leaving eleven in the box.
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Diego Simeone was widely criticized for his negative tactics against Manchester City
Despite Atletico’s lack of ambition in possession on Tuesday night, their defenders were certainly no slouches when it came to trying to eject new Gucci model Jack Grealish from the game.
Nevertheless, it is City who lead the second leg next week. So far so good for the Premier League.
Now on to this evening and the other half of the equation where things get a little more intriguing.
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Karim Benzema’s heroism sent Real Madrid past PSG in the quarter-finals
City and Atletico are swans gliding across a mirror-like pond compared to Chelsea and Real Madrid, both of whom have recently generated whitewater like chewing jaws off the back of Barcelona’s fishing boat. Quint.
Both clubs possess a maelstrom of disgruntled stars, colorful ownership issues and spotty recent form, with Los Blancos shipping 4 against Barcelona, and the Blues doing the same against Brentford.
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Christian Eriksen scored in Chelsea’s 4-1 loss to Brentford last weekend
Nevertheless, these are two teams still bristling with talent and which, let’s not forget, are once again at the end of the tournament.
However, the fact that once again it is the Premier League side who go home first seems more significant than it did with Tuesday’s game at the Etihad.
Stamford Bridge is the stage on which I suspect the ultimate winner of this tie will mark his authority.
Whatever happens, next week we’re off to sunny Spain, where we might find out which league rules the continent.