Sports

Full List: Eight Quarter-finalists, Why They Can Win Champions League

Published

3 years ago

March 17, 2022

The eight UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists are now known after Chelsea and Villarreal joined Atlético, Bayern, Benfica, Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid in progressing through their round of 16 ties.

Ahead of the quarter-final draw, UEFA assesses the sides hoping to reach the showpiece on 28 May, from stats and form to key players.

Champions League quarter-final draw

The draw for the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals will hold on Friday 18 March.

Atlético

Why they can win it:
You just need to take one look at the dogged determination Atleti showed as they fought their way past Manchester United in the last 16 to see why they can go all the way and upset anyone in this competition. They are so resilient and masters of backs-against-the-wall football, nobody will want to be paired against them in the draw.

Bayern

Why they can win it:
Quite simply, because it’s Bayern; as long as they’re in it, they can win it. Tougher tests await in the next round, but with Robert Lewandowski fit and firing there’s no reason the Bavarians can’t go all the way and claim their seventh European crown.

Benfica

Why they can win it:
Unfancied Benfica are on an upward curve under caretaker boss Nélson Veríssimo. Drawing on homegrown players, the Eagles have had their wings clipped in the league but, in Europe, they are capable of making the most of the extra space they get in the attacking third, particularly Darwin Nuñez. Of course, there are big hurdles to negotiate but the dream is alive.

Benfica have lost five finals since last winning the competition in 1962, when Eusébio struck twice in a 5-3 triumph against Real Madrid.

Chelsea

Why they can win it:
The reigning champions have the necessary experience to navigate their way through the Champions League knockout rounds and they seem to be basing this campaign on the same principles as last: a defence that is not used to conceding goals and enough quality in attack to hurt any opposition. And the man at the helm, Thomas Tuchel, has shown that he’s one of the best around when it comes to motivating a team and keeping them goal-orientated from game to game.

The Blues have conceded just seven goals in 15 Champions League games since Tuchel’s arrival, three of them in their 3-3 draw with Zenit on Matchday 6.

Liverpool

Why they can win it:

The similarity to the 2019 Champions League-winning campaign is that domestically Liverpool are chasing a rampant Manchester City and it seems that having such an objective always brings the best out of Jürgen Klopp’s team. When they hit top form, and everything works in devastating harmony, it’s hard to see anyone coping with them. If you add in the Anfield factor, anything is possible.

Liverpool have been European champions six times – more than any other English team. That is as many titles as Bayern, with Milan and Real Madrid the only sides to have won more.

Manchester City

Why they can win it:
There are only one or two teams left in the competition – if that – who are capable of dealing with City’s metronomic passing and relentless pressing. Their strength in depth is unrivalled across Europe, while their hunger for a maiden Champions League triumph remains as ferocious as ever. After all, they couldn’t have gone much closer in Porto last May.

Guardiola reached his eighth Champions League semi-final last season – the joint-most in the competition’s history alongside José Mourinho.

Real Madrid

Why they can win it:

If they can turn that tie against Paris around, against all the odds, then nothing is beyond them. Two younger, energetic, less-used players produced star turns in eliminating the French side: Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga. Their impacts need to continue in the ascendancy. But it’s the 70 goals and assists total which the Karim Benzema-Vinicíus Júnior partnership has produced this season that whispers potential winners.

Madrid had scored in 23 successive matches in the Champions League round of 16 before drawing a blank at Paris in the first leg this season.

Villarreal

Why they can win it:

The Yellow Submarine might not be fancied by many, yet they showed exactly what they’re made of when they won the UEFA Europa League last season. When you throw in the fact they’ve already knocked out Juventus and are welcoming back Gerard Moreno from injury, they’ll be confident they can go one better than their 2006 semi-final stage exit.

Just under half of Villarreal’s 52,000 inhabitants can fit inside their 23,500-seater stadium.

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‘She Has Placed Edo On Global E-Sports Map’ – Enabulele Celebrates Bezi On New GWR Feat

Published

3 days ago

July 28, 2025

Editor

Edo State Sports Commission has applauded Bolade Bezi for her remarkable achievement in setting a new Guinness World Record in E-Sports.

Bezi completed an extraordinary marathon of 57 hours, 10 minutes, and 5 seconds playing the popular video game “God of War”.

The feat was officially recognized during a ceremony held at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, expressed admiration for Bezi’s resilience and groundbreaking accomplishment.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele congratulated Bezi and praised her determination, focus, and passion for E-Sports.

“I must celebrate Bolade Bezi for her commitment and dedication to setting this new world record.

“Since the event commenced on Friday, she has demonstrated unwavering resilience and passion for E-Sports,” Enabulele said.

He noted that the officially recorded gameplay time was 49 hours, 0 minutes, and 14 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Peer Bresser and Jimmie Smets in Cologne, Germany, on November 8–9, 2017, which stood at 24 hours, 15 minutes.

“Bolade Bezi’s accomplishment in achieving the longest video game marathon in the hack-and-slash genre is truly commendable. She has not only shattered the previous record but also placed Edo State on the global E-Sports map,” he added.

Enabulele emphasized that the milestone is a source of immense pride for Edo State and Nigeria.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting youth engagement in constructive ventures like E-Sports, which he described as powerful tools for personal growth and social development.

“This achievement aligns perfectly with our vision to inspire and empower our youth, steering them away from social vices and toward meaningful pursuits. It reflects the aspirations of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for sports development in Edo State,” he stated.

In her remarks, Bezi, a clinical physiologist, said her motivation for undertaking the intense marathon was to raise awareness about mental health, particularly depression and anxiety—two of the most widespread mental health issues today.

“This challenge was physically and mentally demanding. Sleep deprivation was the biggest obstacle, but I am grateful to God for making it possible. We are also using this platform to show that E-Sports is a viable and growing sport in Edo State,” she said.

Bezi expressed deep appreciation to Enabulele and the leadership of the Edo E-Sports Association, led by Ovebedaro Dean Bezi, for their unwavering support throughout her journey.

Sports

Inter Milan Give Deadline For Ademola Lookman Deal, With Transfer On Verge Of Collapse

Published

3 days ago

July 28, 2025

Editor

Inter Milan president, Giuseppe Marotta, has said this week will be “crucial” if they want to sign Ademola Lookman from Atalanta.

The Nerazurri are very keen on signing Lookman to bolster their attack this summer.

However, negotiations between the two Serie A clubs have not been progressing smoothly.

Marotta has now said in two or three days, they will try to get a deal done or move on to other transfer targets.

“This week will be crucial for Lookman deal,” Marotta said.

“We are in talks for Ademola Lookman, we want him but we also respect Atalanta.

“In 2-3 days we hope to proceed and be able to get the deal done otherwise we will move on and focus on other players.”

Sports

Guardiola Speaks On Returning To Barcelona

Published

3 days ago

July 28, 2025

Editor

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has ruled out any possibility of returning to Barcelona.

According to him, he has no plans to return to the Nou Camp in a professional capacity.

Guardiola came out of Barca’s famed youth system and went to make 382 appearances for the Blaugrana as a player, winning six league titles and a European Cup triumph.

He was promoted to first-team manager in 2008 and worked with the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, as the LaLiga giants claimed three league crowns and a couple of Champions League triumphs.

Guardiola left in 2012 after 247 matches at the helm.

And he now emphatically ruled out a return, telling GQ: “It’s over. It’s over forever. It was very beautiful, but it’s over now.”

He added when pressed on a potential presidential post at Camp Nou: “Noooo! I’m no good at this.”