On April 12, Beijing time, the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Europa League ended with four battles, AC Milan lost 0-1 at home to Roma and lost the opportunity to advance; Liverpool upset 0-3 defeat to Atalanta, and there was little hope of promotion; Bayer Leverkusen swept West Ham United 2-0 to tie the legendary record of 42 unbeaten games in the opening of the five major leagues; Benfica defeated French powerhouse Marseille 2-1. Here's a look at some of the best reviews from each game.
AC Milan - Roma
Reinders opened the opening low shot from outside the box that was saved by Svillar with one hand. El Shaarawy counter-attacked quickly and curled into the box, but Maignan jumped high to make a successful save. Dybala's 17th-minute corner cross set up Roberto Mancini's header in front of the six-yard box to give him the lead. Giroud's header from a corner was cleared off the goal line by Lukaku. Roma were very dangerous on the counter-attack, with El Shaarawy delivering a series of high-quality crosses down the right that were cleared by Gabia and then Maignan. Reinders had both long-range shots from the top of the arc that Svillar fell to the ground to save. Roma and Milan went on to attack each other, and Cristante's powerful shot from the right side of the box went just wide of the far corner. The two teams were still attacking in the second half, with Manuel Pellegrini and Cristante shooting low and deflecting wide, Te'o heading wide and Reinders having a powerful shot saved. Giroud missed a good chance to equalise in the 87th minute with a powerful shot from the middle that hit the crossbar. In the end, Milan lost 0-1 at home to Roma.
Benfica - Marseille
Benfica frequently instigated attacks at home, Ten Stedt cut inside with the ball to assist Rafa Silva in front of the small penalty area to easily push the near corner to score, João Neves arc long shot was saved by the goalkeeper, Neres volleyed wide from the back of the penalty area. Benfica returned to the half-time without slowing down the pace of attack, Di Maria dribbled the ball into the front of the penalty area in the 52nd minute, and combined with Neres to hit the wall before scoring in front of the small penalty area to extend the score. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled a goal back in the 67th minute with a brilliant through ball from Onassi and a low shot into the far corner. At full-time, Benfica beat Marseille 2-1.
Liverpool-Atalanta
Kelleher opened the scoring with his face to block Pasalic's close-range effort in front of goal. Liverpool controlled the ball and continued to press forward, Nunez broke through the left side of the penalty area and fired wide. Atalanta's counter-attack was also in shape, with El Shaarawy receiving a shot from the middle of De Ketelaere's box that was blocked. Liverpool were on the offensive and Elliott shot off the woodwork to create the best chance of the half. Jones cut inside from the left and fired high. Just before half-time, Sapacosta sent a low cross from the right to assist Scamacca to follow up and score in the middle. Koopmeiners' brilliant one-on-one effort was saved by Kelleher. Liverpool brought on Mohamed Salah, Robertson and Szobosloy for the second half. Virgil van Dijk headed high and Mohamed Salah was saved with a volley from the middle. De Ketelaere instigated a counterattack from the right in the 72nd minute and sent a quick cross, and Scamacca broke through the defense in the middle and easily pushed the goal to extend the lead. Mohamed Salah scored in the 78th minute and was ruled offside. Pasalic counter-attacked in the 82nd minute and scored another goal to seal the win. At full-time, Liverpool lost 3-0 at home to Atalanta.
Bayer Leverkusen - West Ham United
The two sides exchanged threats from the opening point to shoot, and Schick's clever "scorpion tail" knock shot in the box was saved by the goalkeeper. Kudus counter-attacked, and his shot into the near corner was securely met by the goalkeeper from an open position on the weak side. Bayer Leverkusen attacked ferociously, Adlineche's shot was saved by the goalkeeper, Schick's header from Frimpong's cross in front of the small penalty area hit the top of the goal, Grimaldo's powerful shot from the top of the arc was saved, and Schick's powerful shot from a small angle on the left side of the box was saved, Fabianski became the busiest man in the middle of the half. Bayer Leverkusen laid siege up front and West Ham were completely defenseless. Tapsoba's volley from the middle of the box is blocked. Bayer Leverkusen maintained an attacking rhythm in the second half and pressed forward, with Wirtz, Schick and Zach having multiple shots saved. It wasn't until the 83rd minute that Hofmann finally broke the deadlock with a volley from inside the box. Boniface sealed the win with a header in the 91st minute as Bayer Leverkusen beat West Ham United 2-0 at home.