As the UEFA Champions League Last 16 reaches its decisive second legs this week, the stakes could not be any higher. Teams across Europe are gearing up for do-or-die battles, knowing exactly what is required of them if they are to keep their dreams of achieving Champions League glory alive.
Some sides hold narrow leads that they will aim to defend heading into the second leg, while others face challenging uphill battles and must produce heroic performances to overturn deficits if they are to progress.
We take a closer look at the eight Last 16 fixtures, breaking down what each teams needs to secure their spot in the last eight of Europe’s elite competition:
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Barcelona vs Benfica
Barcelona were required to produce a far-from-vintage performance in the first leg, dropping deep and counter-attacking after they found themselves down to 10-men following Pau Cubarsi’s 22nd-minute red card.
Despite the early red card, Hansi Flick’s side were able to deny Benfica, largely thanks to Wojciech Szczesny’s heroics, while Raphinha’s long-ranged strike handed them a narrow 1-0 lead, meaning they simply need to avoid defeat to Benfica in the second leg at their home ground if they are to advance.
As for Benfica, the Eagles have a tough task ahead of them, needing to defeat Barcelona by a two-goal margin if they are to advance into the next round without the use of penalties.
However, a strong performance in the first leg will provide them with confidence, as they had a massive 26 shots against Barcelona in Portugal, showing that they are capable of harming the Barcelona backline.
Inter vs Feyenoord
Inter secured a commanding 2-0 victory to hand them a huge advantage heading into the second leg at their home ground, meaning they must simply avoid defeat by a two-goal margin if they are to advance without the need of penalties.
That leaves Feyenoord needing to overturn a two-goal deficit at the San Siro, and their away form in the UCL this season suggests they may struggle – having managed only one win, two draws and one defeat on the road this term.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen were shockingly defeated 3-0 by Bayern Munich in the first leg, leaving Xabi Alonso’s men with a mountain to climb heading into the second leg, though the home advantage may give them the added boost that they require to get back into the tie.
The hosts will certainly be aiming for a victory by a three-goal margin, with an eye on pushing the match to penalties, meaning they will look to replicate their 3-0 win against Bayern Munich from just over a year ago.
As for Bayern Munich, an early Harry Kane goal, followed by a Jamal Musiala strike and a Kane penalty, after Leverkusen were reduced to 10-men, has left the German powerhouses with a major advantage in this match.
However, Vincent Kompany will be wary that his side have been susceptible to conceding plenty of goals this term, including a particularly disappointing 3-0 defeat to Feyenoord in the league phase of this competition.
Liverpool vs PSG
Liverpool were able to miraculously record a 1-0 victory over PSG in the first leg, with huge credit going to Alisson Becker after the goalkeeper made a sensational nine saves and Harvey Elliott scoring a late winner.
The victory gives them the crucial upper hand as they return to Anfield for the second leg, and having only lost once at home this season, Liverpool will be hugely confident of avoiding defeat and progressing into the next round.
While PSG will be frustrated that they failed to breach Liverpool’s goal in the first leg, a dominant performance – with 70% possession and 27 shots to Liverpool’s two – will give them the belief that they can get back into the tie.
A victory by anything more than a one-goal margin will secure their direct progression, while a one-goal win would send the game to extra-time and potentially penalties.
Lille vs Borussia Dortmund
Lille battled from behind to record a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany, meaning they will hold a narrow advantage going into the second leg as they return to their home ground.
A victory would confirm their progression into the next round of the Champions League, but they are likely to face another challenging test after the first leg was an extremely tight affair throughout the 90 minutes.
Borussia Dortmund will be hoping they can replicate the performance from their away victory in the knockout playoff round against Sporting, a 3-0 win, and after progressing to last year’s final, they will have belief and experience of competing in knockout rounds.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid must bounce back from a difficult period if they are to advance, losing 2-1 to Real Madrid in the first leg before losing 2-1 to Getafe last time out – marking their first back-to-back defeats since October.
The hosts do have a strong record at home against their rivals, winning three of the last five meetings, and anything more than a one-goal victory would see them eliminate Los Blancos and move closer to the final.
Real Madrid, however, are a dominant force in the Champions League and will be aiming to retain their title after securing European glory last season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men displayed their attacking ability as they cut through Atletico Madrid on numerous occasions in the first leg, and they will be relying on their star forwards and stern defence as they look to defend their lead from the first match.
Aston Villa vs Club Brugge
Aston Villa left it late in the first leg as they scored twice in the final 10 minutes to secure a 3-1 victory in Belgium, leaving them in control of the tie as they return to Villa Park for the second leg.
The Villans can afford to lose, but only with a one-goal margin, but Unai Emery will be looking for his side to continue their recent strong form and record another victory as they brilliantly march onwards.
Club Brugge, on the other hand, will be disappointed to be behind following the first leg, as the Belgian side were certainly deserving of at least a draw as they held more possession and had more shots than their opponents.
The performance, however, will give them the belief needed that they can harm this Aston Villa side and get back into the tie, though they need to win by at least two-goals to have any chance of progression.
Arsenal vs PSV
Arsenal virtually confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League as they recorded a thumping 7-1 victory over PSV in the first leg in Holland, meaning Mikel Arteta’s men hold a massive six-goal lead going into their home leg.
PSV will accept that they are almost certainly out of the competition, requiring a miracle to overturn the six-goal deficit at the Emirates Stadium and move into the next round.
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