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This season’s UEFA Champions League has been a showcase of everything we love about the game—flashes of brilliance, shocking defeats, and a few results that raise more questions than they answer.
From Last week’s Last 16 games in the Champions League, some ties already look done and dusted. Arsenal didn’t just beat PSV—they dismantled them. Bayern showed why they remain a Champions League powerhouse. But elsewhere, the door is still open. Can PSG find a way at Anfield? Can Atletico Madrid do what they couldn’t in the first leg and outfight their rivals Real Madrid? Will Lille or Dortmund seize control of the most balanced tie of the round?
With the second leg games set for Tuesday and Wednesday, let’s break down where each tie stands—who’s already in the quarter-finals, who’s clinging to hope, and who needs a miracle.
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Arsenal (7-1 Aggregate vs. PSV)
Let’s be honest—PSV’s European run is as good as over. Arsenal went to Eindhoven and tore them apart. A six-goal cushion? At the Emirates? Arteta could rest half his squad, and they’d still cruise into the quarter-finals.
Bayern Munich (3-0 Aggregate vs. Leverkusen)
Leverkusen has been one of the standout teams in Europe this season, but Bayern showed there’s a whole different level. They thrashed Xabi Alonso’s side in the first leg with ruthless precision. Can Leverkusen turn it around at the BayArena? Maybe.
Inter Milan (2-0 Aggregate vs. Feyenoord)
Inter put in a textbook away performance in Rotterdam. With a two-goal cushion heading back to the Guissepe Meazza, they’re well on their way to the next round. Feyenoord are a solid side, but turning this around in Italy? It’s a tall order. Inter have conceded just one goal all season in the UCL.
Club Brugge (1-3 Aggregate vs. Aston Villa)
Losing at home is bad enough, but going down by two goals to an in-form Aston Villa side that’s tough to beat on their turf? That’s a huge mountain to climb. Villa Park will be electric, and it’s hard to see them letting this slip. Brugge’s best shot? A chaotic first half that puts Villa on the back foot.
Benfica (0-1 Aggregate vs. Barcelona)
Benfica’s slim home loss still keeps them in the tie, but taking down Barcelona at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis in Spain is a whole new test. Hansi Flick’s side has been solid this season, with only a few blips. Benfica will need to be perfect, and even that might not be enough.
Real Madrid (2-1 Aggregate vs. Atletico Madrid)
Madrid got the job done at the Bernabéu, but it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, leaving the tie still very much open. Atleti will come against Madrid in full force in the second leg. But here’s the thing: this is the Champions League, and Real Madrid always seem to find a way. So, Atleti will need to be more than 100%.
Dortmund (1-1 Aggregate vs. Lille)
This is the closest tie of the round. Dortmund had their chances in the first leg but couldn’t finish it off. Lille, however, will be confident with the second leg at home. This one could go to extra time or even penalties. It’s impossible to predict.
Liverpool (1-0 Aggregate vs. PSG)
The first leg didn’t really reflect the game—PSG were in control but still lost to a Liverpool side that didn’t offer much. A one-goal lead might not seem like much at first, but with the second leg at Anfield? It’s a different story. Liverpool in a knockout game at home is a challenge for any team. PSG will have to step up big time and do something beyond special to turn this around.
Let’s be real—the odds are in favour of Arsenal, Bayern, Inter Milan, and Aston Villa making it to the quarter-finals, unless something pretty remarkable happens. Barcelona are in a good spot too, but they need to stay sharp. Real Madrid and Liverpool are favourites as well, but they’ll have to work for it. Dortmund vs. Lille? That’s anyone’s game.
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