T
"Barcelona" against "Arsenal" In the first leg match in London, "Arsenal" kept a level score until the 71st minute, but then "Barcelona" scored two goals and there were almost no doubts about the winner of this pair. According to Vasiliauskas, "Barca" is known for successful finishes to halves, and Luis Enrique made the right tactical choice in the first leg match.
"Barcelona" always play very threateningly at the end of both the first and second halves. I believe this was determined by the correct tactical choice of "Barcelona" head coach Luis Enrique. They know how to endure, they know how to wait, and no one doubted that they had control of the match. They only feared counterattacks, which the "Arsenal" team prepared quite dangerously. However, sooner or later even the best teams break down, knowing how dangerous attacks "Barcelona" creates. Only when the team gets tired, gaps in defense immediately appear, huge spaces form between the defenders and the defensive line, and attacking players of "Barca" take full advantage by distributing the ball precisely through them. Their skill in handling such situations allows them to achieve such good results. I think this match was no exception, and that is why the Catalans scored two goals at the end of the match, which, as everyone saw, could have scored even more."
Speaking after the first leg match, Arsene Wenger did not give up, and he believes that "Arsenal" still has a 5% chance of advancing to the next stage. The Viasat Sport Baltic commentator said he understood Wenger, but he does not believe in the London team's chances of winning by the required margin in Spain.
"Those percentages could have been higher for the 'Arsenal' team, however, personally I do not believe that the London team can defeat 'Barcelona' in Spain by more than one goal. Yes, anything can happen and 'Arsenal' can take a victory from the away arena, but in order to advance to the next stage, even a minimal advantage for the 'Gunners' would be too small. They could be given up to ten percent to achieve victory, but what good would it do? The main reason is that the 'Arsenal' players themselves do not believe that they can beat today's 'Barca'. Spectators may think one thing, but the players' mentality is another story."
"Bayern" against "Juventus" The first leg match held in Turin was made up of two different halves. The first half saw "Bayern" dominance, which they converted into two goals, but in the second half, "Juventus" not only equalized the game but also the score. According to the former footballer's opinion, after scoring two goals, the German champions could relax a bit, and the hosts punished them with two precise strikes.
"I think similarly to another German team in the first quarterfinal match - 'Wolfsburg', 'Bayern' relaxed a bit. Knowing that they feel quite comfortable in their domestic championship, it could be that they simply turned down their advantage and mentally switched to the next competition. 'Juventus' is also a team of very high skill level, so such relaxation cost them two missed goals."
Prior to the clash between these two teams, Nerijus Kesminas clearly favored the "Bayern" club in this duel, but his colleague has a somewhat different opinion on this pair.
"I certainly do not want to discredit my colleague, who has his own opinion, but I do not know if before this match I would have been able to say so categorically. I believe that the experience of 'Juventus' must also be taken into account - after all, this team has been traveling far in the Champions League for many years and has reached the semifinals or finals multiple times. It must be admitted that the skill level of the players of these teams differs, but it does not always determine the result - usually the result is determined by team play. I could not say that 'Bayern' is invincible and they also have weaknesses that the Italians just need to find and try to take advantage of."
Nevertheless, Vasiliauskas admitted that he, like many others, gives bigger chances to the "Bayern" club to win in this pair.
"The result of the first leg match before the return leg is interesting, but if you asked me what I believe more, here I will not be some unpredictable by saying that 'Bayern' has all the chances to advance to the next stage. Although 'Juventus' certainly has the opportunity to oppose them.
Tautvydas Sakalauskas
