All six clubs competing in the Champions League have reached the knockout stage of the competition for the first time.
But, after the round of 16 matches, those theories about dominance were shattered, as only two teams – Arsenal and Liverpool – made it to the quarter-finals.
Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham were eliminated – the first time four teams from one nation have been relegated at the same stage – as they each suffered heavy defeats.
In total, the four teams conceded 28 goals, suggesting a humbling experience for Premier League clubs.
Although specific questions can be asked for each of the teams – one commonality emerges: what went wrong for English clubs in Europe?
Did the English clubs have a tough draw?
The format of the Champions League means that there is rarely such a thing as a favorable draw.
Five of the six English teams competing in the elite competition finished in the top eight in the league stage, securing an automatic place in the last eight.
Newcastle secured the place later, having gone through the play-offs.
Several of Europe’s strongest clubs also finished outside the top eight and therefore faced a play-off lottery.
But in the two play-off games, not in the league stage matches, the better-placed teams generally emerged victorious.
That has put Premier League teams in for a tough challenge, so is it really surprising to see so few left?
Manchester City drew with Real Madrid for the sixth time in seven Champions League seasons.
Real Madrid eliminated City – the total was 5:1.
Chelsea faced a tough task against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and suffered an 8-2 aggregate defeat.
Newcastle held their own against Barcelona and were in contention for 135 minutes of play, but conceded four goals in the second half of the second leg and ended up losing 8:3 on aggregate.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, relegation-threatened Tottenham failed to overcome European giants Atletico Madrid, eventually losing 7-5 over two legs.
Before the first games, the statistics site Opta predicted that four of the six English teams would go through.
After the first game, only Arsenal and Liverpool hinted that they could advance, and that prediction eventually came true.
It could be said that they faced easier opponents – Bayer Leverkusen and Galatasaray.
(Vijesti.ba)
