The Urban Pitch European Week In Review: Quarterfinals Edition | OneFootball

With the football season racing to a spectacular finish, we now know the final four contenders for European glory. This round was pure mayhem, and we combed through the bedlam so you don’t have to.

Welcome back to the Urban Pitch European Week in Review: the best roundup of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League quarterfinals — featuring top highlights, standout players, and sharpest styles, all handpicked and curated exclusively for you.

Star Men of the Round

Declan Rice

When the round of 16 matchups were first announced, fans immediately picked out the clash between the Gunners and Los Blancos. In the days leading up to the first leg, the narrative was a layup.

The kings of Europe who own this tournament against the team that has never tasted glory.

Everything was set up for Real Madrid to shake off their domestic rust and get back to their inevitable stride in the Champions League. That was until Declan Rice stepped up for a free kick just before the hour mark in the first leg. The entire Emirates stood with bated breath before Deccers pulled out an absolutely unreal strike, whipping it around the wall and back inside the post a lá Roberto Carlos (who was watching in the stands). Six-foot-seven Thibaut Courtois had no chance, and Arsenal had their lead in a match where the reigning champs looked like a ghost of themselves.

Rice wasn’t done, though, and he was hell bent on proving that his first free kick wasn’t a fluke. When he strolled up to take a second, from a different angle, it was an even better result.

Courtois adjusted his position and stood feet away from the far post, which made Rice’s strike all the more audacious. He blasted the ball with a baffling combination of veracity, accuracy, and curve, and if the Emirates had a roof, it would’ve blown off.

Arsenal would go on to grab a third through Mikel Merino, and Rice had his man of the match award locked up; yet, he still wasn’t done.

The second leg provided a different task for Arsenal and Rice. With a 3-0 lead, they knew they’d have to handle an onslaught of Madrid pressure. Rice played masterfully, nipping every fire in the bud, providing cover, and going toe-to-toe with England teammate Jude Bellingham.

It was a faultless performance, and like his first leg free kicks, the MOTM awards were so nice, he had to do it twice.

Lautaro Martinez

I came across a video on social media this week that hailed Lautaro Martinez as “the greatest footballer in the world, when nobody is watching.” While I can certainly understand the humor behind it and see the reasoning, this round of UCL action has shown his mettle and quality once again.

Inter strolled into the Allianz Arena for the first leg and were faced with immense pressure from the get-go. It was nothing Simone Inzaghi’s men weren’t used to, though, and their response came from the typical source.

A low cross into the feet of Marcus Thuram was met with a delicious flick and devious finish from Martinez. When the ball rolled towards him, he adjusted his body shape and threw the outside of his boot at it, sending the shot soaring into the roof of the net for one of the goals of the round.

Entering a decisive return leg with an advantage, the San Siro was a massive boost for the Nerazzurri, but there was still a massive task ahead, and much like the first, it started with Bayern’s monopoly on possession and chances. This time, though, the German side made the most of the pressure to open the scoring and level the tie.

When things get dicey, Martinez steps up.

Not even five minutes after Harry Kane’s opener, his counterpart in blue and black responded. Martínez’s predatory finish off a corner kick was the jolt in the arm that Inter needed, and propelled them to progression.

He became the first Inter player to score in five straight UCL games, and he currently sits fifth on the goalscoring charts with eight goals this campaign. His goals win Inter games, and they would not be in another Champions League semifinal without El Toro.

Most Hype Moment: “Amorim Time” at Old Trafford

There was really only one choice.

It may come across as hyperbole, or recency bias of the highest degree, but Manchester United vs. Lyon might’ve been the greatest football match we’ve seen this century. For a club and a stadium that has the art of the comeback carved into their identities, this was unbelievable even for the most die-hard United fan.

The context of United’s season made the incredible comeback all the more profound. United fans (and the club itself) have been sleepwalking through this season. One year removed from their worst-ever EPL finish (eighth place), the Red Devils currently sit in 14th, an unprecedentedly bad campaign.

The Europa League has provided the slightest glimmer of hope throughout the year, and this game was rightfully billed as the biggest of their season. When Diogo Dalot made it 2-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate, United looked set to cruise to victory with much-needed conviction and comfort.

Lyon had other ideas, and a horrific 1v1 miss from Alejandro Garnacho left the door open. The Frenchmen did not let the opportunity pass. In the 70th minute, Corentin Tolisso gave Lyon a lifeline, and just five minutes later, Nicolás Tagliafico left Old Trafford stunned. United’s lead evaporated in the blink of an eye, and the spirit of the team and fans looked shattered. For a team bereft of confidence, it was the last thing they needed.

Yet somehow, they would happen upon another lifeline. Tolisso was given his marching orders on 90 minutes for a second yellow card offense which meant surely, in extra time against 10 men, United would find a way over the line, right?

Wrong — at least at first.

Lyon poached not one, but two shorthanded goals in extra time, and fans began to file for the exits after Alexandre Lacazette scored in the 109th minute. Heads on the pitch hung low, and you could hear a collective sigh even through the television.

However, there was one head in particular that refused to drop. Casemiro dragged his team forward and moments after Lacazette converted his penalty, the Brazilian won United their own.

With supreme certainty, Bruno Fernandes dispatched the spot kick and breathed new life into his team. The moments following will undeniably live in the memories of fans for decades to come.

Casemiro was at the heart of it all once again, with his genius first time ball finding Kobbie Mainoo in a pocket of space, and Manchester United’s boy wonder was their savior once again as he curled the ball into the comer and wheeled away in jubilation.

An equalizer from such a perilous position would’ve been enough to be the most hype moment, but United went one step further.

Not even two minutes later, Casemiro was the architect again and his inch perfect cross found the head of Harry Maguire at the back post. Manchester United found a way. Two goals down with mere moments remaining, they became the first team in history to score twice in the 120th minute of a major European match.

Best Kit Matchup: Bodo/Glimt vs. Lazio, 1st Leg

In an era of kits where many teams have been given a broad, generic designs, the two on display when Bodo/Glimt took on Lazio in Norway were very refreshing.

Bodo’s bright yellow home kit seems nothing but generic from afar, but the massive Lynx that adorns the front is an interesting choice that works quite well. Similarly, Lazio’s third kit may seem plain when watching on TV, but the devil is really in the details. The design from Mizuno is commendably unique, with the rhythmic sky blue lines around the logo almost mimicking a pulse. The final key to a great matchup is contrast, and yellow and black vs. black and sky blue provides near-perfect aesthetic disparity.

Best Pregame Fits

Barcelona x Herno

Admittedly, there weren’t many unique pregame fits from this round, with many teams opting for the team tracksuit route. That would not do for Barça.

Straight business, in such a well put-together fit, the Herno brand sweatshirt and grey pants combo with the white collars on top; no notes.

Inter x Canali

It’s so simple, but Canali’s shirts are gorgeous. Inter opted for the monotone look with the navy base; the subtlety of the design and details from Canali are perfect, and the Inter badge on the side is all that’s needed to get them into the feature.

Best Stadium Atmosphere: Inter vs. Bayern, Second Leg

San Siro is one of the most iconic venues in sports, and when either Inter or Milan have a massive game at home, their advantage is preordained.

The energy in Milan was unreal for this clash, and with fans knowing the task ahead of their team, they made the stadium feel like a cauldron for 90-plus minutes. Even after Kane gave Bayern the opener, the Nerazzurri support grew louder.

Their players rode the wave and the ball was virtually sucked into the net by the fans. Two goals in five minutes sent the stadium wild, but their job wasn’t done. As the Bayern assault truly kicked off with a quarter of the game to play, the wall of blue and black was immense, and it wasn’t just 11 men Bayern had to face; it was over 75,000 strong standing between them and progression.

It was a task too much for Bayern in the end, and as Inter head into battle with the Blaugrana for the semifinal, they have another second leg at the San Siro to look forward to.