UEFA Champions League: 5 talking points from the quarterfinals

AS Roma, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid!

So we are now down to the final four in the race towards the European glory.

As these teams prepare themselves to battle each other ahead of the draws, the footballing world witnessed what can be said as the toughest and most nerve-racking quarterfinals in the history of the tournament.

One shall fall short of adjectives to describe the drama that took place over the course of two weeks in the Quarter Finals of the Champions League.

While we saw Manchester City stumble at Etihad against Liverpool following the deficit of 3 first leg goals, we also saw the minnows, AS Roma, breezing past the Catalan giants despite having conceded 4 goals at Camp Nou.

Juventus got Real Madrid tensed until the end of 90 minutes but a dramatic end to the clash saw the current champions secure a berth in the semis.

On papers, Sevilla were not at all worthy to match the Bavarians but the Liga side left Bayern's fortress, Allianz Arena, with pride.

Wrapping up for the intro, let's discuss five key events that took place in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

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#1 Sevilla made Bayern break some sweat

Bayern: Won the game; Sevilla: Won the hearts

Bayern Munich is famous for their home wins when it comes to the Champions League. Barring Real Madrid, no team has defeated them at the Allianz Arena in recent times. However, though Sevilla couldn't beat them, they surely made the Germans break some sweat.

After having drawn against Sevilla, pundits and fans saw it as an easy fixture for the Bundesliga team as they are on a hot run this season. However, although Bayern Munich qualified to the semis, Sevilla walked off the pitch with pride after having put up a stellar display against their opponents on their home turf.

Credit for the Bavarians' progression goes to their two away goals that they secured in the first leg.

Before the first clash, it seemed like a cakewalk for a team as big as Bayern Munich against a comparatively weaker team, Sevilla. But the opinion regarding the same changed post Sevilla's home-leg display against Bayern.

In the reverse fixture, the Andalusians enjoyed a majority of ball possession and had Bayern right under their command. Not to forget Joaquin Correa's header that was saved by the crossbar which shook the home fans.

In the end, it was Bayern, of course, who had the last laugh but Allianz lauded the efforts of the underdogs who indeed fought their way until this stage of the competition.

#2 Manchester City's ill fate against the Red-coloured opponents continues

Liverpool vs Manchester City was more of a one-sided affair

What seemed to be a majestic season for Manchester City during the first half of the season is now fading. Pep and his men are having a tough time presently as they faced three defeats in a row across all competitions.

Somehow it occurs that the Cityzens are having problems dealing with teams donning the red jersey. As per the recent events, the Sky Blues lost 0-3 against Liverpool, 2-3 against Manchester United, and 1-2 against Liverpool in a row.

The contest between the Premier League sides in the quarterfinals of the Champions League was expected to be evenly poised but Liverpool evidently destroyed City over both the legs.

The Premier League leaders were no match for Liverpool who was spearheaded by none other than Mohamed Salah himself!

After a humiliating first-leg defeat, a heated reverse fixture saw Pep Guardiola being sent to the stands and Liverpool to the semifinals.

#3 Juventus hunt Real Madrid until the dying moments

Real Madrid emerged as the ultimate winners in an exciting clash

We were lucky to witness some great comebacks in the history of Champions League football. This game-week saw Roma cruise past Barcelona in sensational fashion and another Italian side, Juventus, almost replicate their domestic rivals' result.

Juventus arrived at the Bernabeu with a mammoth task ahead of them. Yes, they had a near impossible task to accomplish after having conceded 3 goals against Los Blancos in the previous week in Turin.

Massimiliano Allegri's side stunned 85,000 Real fans by hauling the game level. Courtesy: Mario Mandzukic brace and a strike from Blaise Matuidi. It looked like the Galacticos were losing their grip on the game but it's Real Madrid! And they rise up to the occasion because that's what they always do.

It was in the 93rd minute the game changed when Juve defender Medhi Benatia tackled Lucas Vazquez from behind as the Real's number 17 seemed certain to convert a brilliant Cristiano Ronaldo cross past Gigi Buffon.

Referee Michael Oliver gave no second thought before awarding the home team with a penalty much to the fury of Juventus players, as a result of which, their captain Buffon, saw a red card.

Los Blancos' talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, stepped up to convert from the spot and put the reigning champions another step closer to their third consecutive Champions League silverware. Thus ending Bianconeris' attempt to outshine Real Madrid following a shocking turnaround of events.

#4 The Cristiano Ronaldo show

Juventus fans lauded Cristiano Ronaldo with a standing ovation

Another week, another record! For Cristiano Ronaldo, it was just another day at the office. It's an established fact by now that when it comes to Champions League, the Portuguese is unstoppable.

The 33-year-old took place in headlines after his stunning overhead goal against Juventus last week. With 15 goals from 10 games, he now has scored in every match in the tournament so far this season.

Real Madrid's number 7 seems to be having no competition and he has reached such a stage where his goal comparisons are made to teams rather than players. Cristiano played a pivotal role for Real Madrid yet again by scoring 3 out of 4 goals against Juventus in the quarters over both legs.

It was he who broke the heart of the Old Lady by blasting a penalty past Juve's keeper Wojciech Szczesny in the 98th minute of a nail-biting contest.

Though many ill-knowledged call him Penaldo, it takes heart to fire past a goalkeeper from the spot at the dying moments of the game with immense pressure on the shoulders, the same which, his rival, Leo Messi, failed to achieve twice.

With his performances so far, he has even made his haters must applaud for him.

With 15 goals so far in this competition, Cristiano Ronaldo still remains undisputed and a nightmare for any team.

#5 A-Roma of victory

AS Roma's comeback against Barca is said to be one of the best comebacks in the history of the tournament

Without a doubt, the biggest talking point in the quarterfinals - the Roma vs Barcelona clash.

After their successful triumph at the Camp Nou, in no way, Barcelona had this coming. Termed as the David vs Goliath, much to the surprise of many, the giants had to bow down.

AS Roma were humiliated by the La Liga leaders at the Camp Nou where the Italians faced a 4-1 thumping loss. Two own goals from De Rossi and Manolas added to the bitterness of Roma's defeat. However, a scintillating display at the Stadio Olimpico in the return fixture saw the Catalans finding the exit door.

Barcelona must be finding it hard to digest this as they have been on the other side after having defeated PSG, but never this side of the story until now. AS Roma had Barcelona tired out completely and somehow, in the game, Spanish side seemed to have lacked the hunger to fight back.

Edin Dzeko gave the Italian side an early breakthrough before De Rossi converted from the penalty spot to lead the game 2-0. Kostas Manolas partnered with substitute Cengiz Under to wrap up the game for the Romans as the defender beautifully headed Cengiz's corner to the far post, past bewildered Ter Stegen.

It was a beautiful end to a beautiful game as Roma progressed to the semifinals while one of the strongest teams in Europe, tasted the bitterness of defeat.