German Champions Bayern Munich are through to the quarter finals of the Champions League having thrashed Sporting Lisbon 12-1 on aggregate. Troubled Bayern striker Lukas Podolski, who is set to leave in summer, scored twice in the 7-1 rout at the Bayern Arena. Bayern are managed by Jurgen Klinsmann who was a winner at World Cup in 1990.
Liverpool, who finished third in the Premier League last season, hammered a poor Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield. Fernando Torres started the scoring after some suicidal defending from Pepe before Gabriel Heinze gave away a penalty for handball. Steven Gerrard tucked away the spot kick, the tie was over before half time. Gerrard added another just after half time before Dossena completed the scoring in 88th minute.
Chelsea were involved in an eventful game, which saw Juventus take an early lead and Didier Drogba score a goal that never was. Drogba took a superb freekick which was saved, behind the line, by Italian number one Buffon. It didn’t matter though as just before half time Michael Essien, starting his first Champions League match since the final last season, scored after Frank Lampards shot had come back off the bar. Juventus again went ahead in the second half before Chelsea equalizer again seven minutes from the end.
Villarreal also beat Panathinaikos 3-2 on aggregate after goals from Ibagaza and Llorente in the second half. The first leg was a tight affair with a 1-1 finish. Villarreal will be pleased with the win in an intimidating atmosphere especially considering the Greeks equalized through Mantzios.
