After more than two months of winter break, this week the UEFA Champions League will resume with the first four games of the first leg of the round of 16, of course unmissable. As usual, Europe’s top tournament can be experienced on all ESPN platforms and Star+ (except Mexico).
The last matches of the competition were played at the beginning of December and, after a winter market with some strong movements but in general calm, the teams once again set their sights on the grand final to be played on May 28 at the Krestovski Stadium in Saint Petersburg.
As if it were necessary for a stellar duel to open the most attractive direct elimination phases in the world, The first match of the round of 16 will be PSG-Real Madrid, this Tuesday, February 15. Undoubtedly, the clash between Lionel Messi’s team and Karim Benzema’s team is presented as the most spectacular of this stage.
Although they have different realities, the hierarchy of both makes this confrontation impossible to predict. While the Spanish team is solidly leading the Spanish league and has proven to be reliable in the decisive moments of the season so far, the French team raises questions about its performance and has not yet had the best Messi or the best Neymar. The world expects them to appear in this instance.
If there is someone who can hurt the meringues, that is the Argentine star, top scorer in the history of the classic against Barcelona. It will be a clash between two of the great candidates to win the title and whoever overcomes it will emerge as the rival to beat for the rest in the Champions League. There could be no better start to the round of 16.
On the same day, another of the great entertainers of the contest will take to the field. Manchester City will visit Sporting in Lisbon. Those led by Pep Guardiola are in a very good moment of form and are wide favorites. They lead the Premier League with a good advantage and now they can put all their energy into the European tournament, which is already an obsession and even more so after losing the last final against Chelsea.
Wednesday February 16 It will be the turn of the best team in the group stage and another of the main candidates: Bayern Munich, which will face Salzburg from Austria. Comfortable leader of the Bundesliga, the Bavarian team not only maintained the level shown under the direction of Hansi Flick, but also improved it with Julian Nagelsmann. With Robert Lewandowski as the emblem as always, he is taking the first step towards the grand finale, which for many already has his name reserved.
Also on February 16 Another of the most anticipated clashes since the draw was held will be played. In Milan, Inter will host Liverpool. The Nerazzurri return to the round of 16 after a decade and will face a very tough challenge: Jürgen Klopp’s team, with extensive experience in direct elimination matches. Although the champion of the 2018/19 edition arrives as the favorite by category and present, he will be measured against a level stumbling block to gauge his chances.
Next week, on Tuesday 22nd February, it will be champions Chelsea’s turn to take the pitch. After finishing second in his group behind Juventus, chance matched him up against an opponent less demanding than he might have expected. Will face Lille, the French champion who has just lost by a landslide against PSG. With the base that defeated Man City plus Romelu Lukaku, the team led by Thomas Tuchel hopes to have no surprises to reach the quarterfinals. What’s more, He arrives motivated after being crowned champion of the Club World Cup last Saturday.
That same day it will be the turn of one of the most even duels of the round of 16: in Spain, Villarreal will host Juventus. Both are going through an irregular season and in the Champions League they have a great opportunity to make a big leap. The reigning champion of the Europa League will seek to strike against a giant of the continent, which needs a good victory to regain self-esteem. A shock that promises.
The first leg of the round of 16 will close with a spectacular duel: In Madrid, Atlético will host Manchester United on Wednesday the 23rd. There are several similarities between these two teams that at the beginning of the season could be pointed out as candidates but have suffered many problems these months. Both will face this tie with the hope that it will be a starting point for recovery. Far from fighting in their leagues, they have the Champions League as their great goal.
The last round of 16 clash will be low-key but very attractive. Ajax, one of the three clubs that won 100% of the points in the group stage, will visit Benfica, who eliminated Barcelona, on Wednesday the 23rd. It will be a confrontation with history between two candidates to give the big surprise.
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The best European football returns: the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League is coming