Champions League semifinals first leg: 5 talking points

#5 Clinical finishing proved to be decisive in both games

Luis Suarez showed his elite poachers' instinct to slot it past a helpless Alisson

Clinical finishing is what separates the good sides from the great as both Barcelona and Ajax were hit with a barrage of attacks from Liverpool and Tottenham in their respective matches but withstood the tide due to the latter's lack of ability to finish chances.

Liverpool, despite creating good opportunities could not finish their chances as players like Mane and Salah who possess deadly accuracy failed to find the net. Barcelona, on the other hand, were clinical with their finishing as Messi and Suarez yet again proved why they are a cut above the rest as they took their opportunities when they got them.

Tottenham also struggled with this aspect and were made to pay the price as Van de Beek showed maturity and composure to calmly slot the ball past Spurs' World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Fernando Llorente, who was bought to provide backup to star striker Harry Kane failed to live up to the billing yet again as he missed a handful number of chances to put his club ahead.

The beauty of the game of Football is such that the side which takes risks and finishes the opportunities that they create clinically is the side which goes through irrespective of the number of chances they create or the players that they possess.