The UEFA Champions League returns this week with the first set of round of 16 games set to take place exactly two months since the end of the group stages.
The first eight games of the 16 take place over the next two weeks, with the second leg’s of these games then happening from 5 until 13 March. This week see’s the initial four games occur over Tuesday and Wednesday evening and the following week will see the second round of four games.
With some of Europe’s biggest still remaining in the competition there is sure to be plenty of action and drama. Read on as we pick out our top five things to look out for over this UCL midweek matchday:
1 – Real Madrid to lay down a marker
Real Madrid are by far the most successful side in the history of the Champions League, claiming 14 total titles with the next highest being AC Milan on seven. A disappointing campaign last season saw Madrid make it to the semi-finals where they matched up against a familiar foe in Manchester City who they beat on their way to their 2022 victory, but this time it didn’t go to plan for Madrid.
A 0-0 draw in the first leg left it all to play for in Manchester, but City took no prisoners as they ran out 4-0 winners that night and went on to claim their first Champions League victory as they completed the treble.
With this being Madrid’s return to the knockout stages since that humbling defeat, they’ll be looking to lay down a marker that they are back with a vengeance for glory this season with a big win against Lazio.
2 – Manchester City and Copenhagen rematch
Manchester City and Copenhagen match up once again in this year’s Champions League having already been pitted against each other in last season’s group stage.
Copenhagen were able to hold City to a 0-0 draw during their meeting in Denmark, but the reverse fixture saw City produce a huge 5-0 win as they finished top of the group and Copenhagen finished bottom. However, Copenhagen will take confidence from this home result and alongside their impressive campaign so far where they have already beaten Manchester United, they’ll be hoping to cause an upset against the current holders.
3 – Inzaghi and Simeone come face to face
Former teammates during their playing days, Simone Inzaghi and Diego Simeone come face-to-face as managers during Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid’s round of 16 tie.
Both sides are performing well in their respective leagues with Atletico Madrid in fourth place, just three points behind Barcelona in third, while Inter are seven points clear at the top of Serie A with a game in hand on those below them.
With both sides boasting impressive offensive records thanks to their high scoring attackers, Atletico’s Morata with 13 goals in La Liga and Lautaro Martinez netting 19 in 21 Serie A games, this one is likely to be a fantastic encounter.
4 – PSG take on the best defence of the Group Stage
Real Sociedad amazingly finished top of Group D earlier this season in a group that many fancied them to finish at the bottom of the pile. However, a rock solid defence saw Sociedad concede just twice and go unbeaten with them eventually finishing top on goal difference over Inter Milan.
Despite finishing top Sociedad were still given an unfavourable draw as they now face up against PSG. With Sociedad’s brilliant defensive record and PSG’s wealth of attacking talent, including Kylian Mbappe who has an outstanding 20 goals in 19 Ligue 1 games this season, this should turn out to be a brilliant matchup.
5 – Napoli and Barcelona match up
Arguably the best tie of the entire round of 16 see’s Napoli take on Barcelona in a game between two of the legend Diego Maradona’s most iconic club sides.
Napoli have been extremely inconsistent in the weeks building up to this fixture but with star players such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen there is always the potential of danger for the opposition. With the first leg taking place at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Napoli will be hoping to take the early advantage before the second leg takes place at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys while the Camp Nou is refurbished.
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