The UEFA Champions League last 16 continued on Wednesday and it was a successful evening for Julian Draxler and Toni Kroos. The former scored twice as Wolfsburg won 3-2 in Gent, with Kroos completing the game as Real Madrid beat Roma 2-0.
Draxler netted twice either side of half time (44’ & 54’) to put his side in a commanding position in Belgium, with Max Kruse extending their lead on the hour mark, however, the margin of victory ended up narrower than it needed to be thanks to late goals from Sven Kums (80’) and Kalifa Coulibaly (89’).
”You need to remain calm until the final whistle on nights like this. We were too nervous,” explained VfL sporting director Klaus Allofs at full time. He was full of praise for Draxler during his interview with Sky: “Julian is one of Germany’s hottest talents.”
Draxler nets two screamers
The opening stages were full of excitement and effort but precious little quality. The underdogs’ high level of spirit more than made up for their technical shortcomings but their play was frenetic early on. The 20,000 spectators crammed into the Ghelamco Arena were in fine voice throughout, but even they wouldn’t have been impressed by how easily the hosts lost possession at this point.
It looked like the game would be goalless going into the break but Draxler had other ideas. The former Schalke man sped past Thomas Foket before playing a one-two with Vierinha. He then calmly slotted the ball home to open the scoring. Nine minutes into the second half his stylish chip doubled the lead, with Max Kruse firing home moments later.
Early VfL chances go begging
The Wolves could have gone in front earlier on but Draxler was lacking composure when he was presented with a good opportunity after five minutes. Gent defender Stefan Mitrovic was lucky not to put through his own net – he headed Maximilian Arnold’s cross narrowly past the post shortly before the 30-minute mark.
VfL boss Dieter Hecking was without Bas Dost, Josuha Guilavogui, Daniel Caligiuri and Naldo for the match but the absences were barely felt early on. Robin Knoche made his Champions League debut in the middle of the defence alongside Dante, but they were rarely tested, which meant that Koen Casteels maiden appearance in the competition was a relatively calm affair before the break.
Wolfsburg were confident for the majority of their maiden Champions League knockout match and remain favourites to progress, however, their defensive lapses towards the end of the game will undoubtedly have worried Dieter Hecking.
Kroos and Real on course to progress
World Cup winner Toni Kroos helped Real Madrid to a 2-0 first-leg victory over Antion Rüdiger’s AS Roma side in their Champions League last 16 tie. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring shortly before the hour mark with a fine solo effort (57’9 and Jesé wrapped up the victory in the final minute of regulation time.
Zidane manages in the Champions League for the first time
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane who has already won the tournament as a player (2002) and assistant coach (2014) was taking charge of his first fixture in the competition and his side went about their business professionally and they are now favourites to reach the quarter-finals.
Their first chance fell to Marcelo in the 32nd minute but his effort lacked conviction. The hosts were threatening throughout the game, with Mohamed Salah proving particularly dangerous thanks to his pace, power and directness.
Roma grew into the game after the break and came close to taking the lead through Stephan El Shaarawy (55’) and they went on to rue this miss as Ronaldo gave the visitors the lead less than 120 seconds later.
The Italian side reacted well to falling behind but Edin Dzeko and William Vainqueur were thwarted by Real before Jesé wrapped up the victory in the closing stages of the match.
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The UEFA Champions League last 16 continued on Wednesday and it was a successful evening for Julian Draxler and Toni Kroos. The former scored twice as Wolfsburg won 3-2 in Gent, with Kroos completing the game as Real Madrid beat Roma 2-0.
Draxler netted twice either side of half time (44’ & 54’) to put his side in a commanding position in Belgium, with Max Kruse extending their lead on the hour mark, however, the margin of victory ended up narrower than it needed to be thanks to late goals from Sven Kums (80’) and Kalifa Coulibaly (89’).
”You need to remain calm until the final whistle on nights like this. We were too nervous,” explained VfL sporting director Klaus Allofs at full time. He was full of praise for Draxler during his interview with Sky: “Julian is one of Germany’s hottest talents.”
Draxler nets two screamers
The opening stages were full of excitement and effort but precious little quality. The underdogs’ high level of spirit more than made up for their technical shortcomings but their play was frenetic early on. The 20,000 spectators crammed into the Ghelamco Arena were in fine voice throughout, but even they wouldn’t have been impressed by how easily the hosts lost possession at this point.
It looked like the game would be goalless going into the break but Draxler had other ideas. The former Schalke man sped past Thomas Foket before playing a one-two with Vierinha. He then calmly slotted the ball home to open the scoring. Nine minutes into the second half his stylish chip doubled the lead, with Max Kruse firing home moments later.
Early VfL chances go begging
The Wolves could have gone in front earlier on but Draxler was lacking composure when he was presented with a good opportunity after five minutes. Gent defender Stefan Mitrovic was lucky not to put through his own net – he headed Maximilian Arnold’s cross narrowly past the post shortly before the 30-minute mark.
VfL boss Dieter Hecking was without Bas Dost, Josuha Guilavogui, Daniel Caligiuri and Naldo for the match but the absences were barely felt early on. Robin Knoche made his Champions League debut in the middle of the defence alongside Dante, but they were rarely tested, which meant that Koen Casteels maiden appearance in the competition was a relatively calm affair before the break.
Wolfsburg were confident for the majority of their maiden Champions League knockout match and remain favourites to progress, however, their defensive lapses towards the end of the game will undoubtedly have worried Dieter Hecking.
Kroos and Real on course to progress
World Cup winner Toni Kroos helped Real Madrid to a 2-0 first-leg victory over Antion Rüdiger’s AS Roma side in their Champions League last 16 tie. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring shortly before the hour mark with a fine solo effort (57’9 and Jesé wrapped up the victory in the final minute of regulation time.
Zidane manages in the Champions League for the first time
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane who has already won the tournament as a player (2002) and assistant coach (2014) was taking charge of his first fixture in the competition and his side went about their business professionally and they are now favourites to reach the quarter-finals.
Their first chance fell to Marcelo in the 32nd minute but his effort lacked conviction. The hosts were threatening throughout the game, with Mohamed Salah proving particularly dangerous thanks to his pace, power and directness.
Roma grew into the game after the break and came close to taking the lead through Stephan El Shaarawy (55’) and they went on to rue this miss as Ronaldo gave the visitors the lead less than 120 seconds later.
The Italian side reacted well to falling behind but Edin Dzeko and William Vainqueur were thwarted by Real before Jesé wrapped up the victory in the closing stages of the match.
