It’s that time of the year when Champions League makes its traditional return with the round of 16 fixtures. This is where the tough get going and the real competition begins. PSG vs Real Madrid, Inter vs Liverpool are the standout fixtures this week, but there are others as well. Here’s the preview to this week’s games
PSG vs Real Madrid
This is arguably the most mouth-watering tie of this round. Aside from the fact that two giants are involved, there are so many sub-plots surrounding this one. Biggest of those is Kylian Mbappé, who if rumours are to be believed, is set to wear white next season. The French international’s contract expires this summer and Real Madrid have already had contract talks with the PSG man. For now though, he still represents the French club and will plot against his potential suitors tonight.
After spending 16 years at Los Blancos, Sergio Ramos moved to the French capital last summer. However, he will watch from the stands due to a calf injury. Lionel Messi often crossed paths with Real Madrid in his Barcelona days and faces a reunion in his new colours.
These two clashed at the same stage in 2018, when Real Madrid won home and away on their way to a third successive European cup. But it was PSG who got the better over the two meetings in their latest encounter, including a 3-0 win at home back in the group stage in 2019.
Sporting CP vs Man City
Last season’s finalists begin their road to glory away at Sporting CP. The Champions League is the only piece of silverware Pep Guardiola has yet to pick up in his trophy-laden Man City career. City made it to their first ever Champions League final last season, where they fell to Kai Havertz’s first half strike. But with a 9-point lead in the Premier League and FA Cup still on the calendar, this season has once again brought the possibility of landing a treble at Manchester.
Sporting CP have made to this round for the first time since 2009. They will have their work cut-out against a City side that hasn’t lost since losing to RB Leipzig in an academic match. Kyle Walker did pick up a red card in that match, implying he will be suspended for this one.
Inter vs Liverpool
Having made a mockery out of the “Group of Death”, Liverpool are handed another tough test against Inter. Despite losing Antonio Conte and Romelu Lukaku, the Nerazzurri are up there challenging for the Scudetto once again. Liverpool on the other hand, have been unable to keep pace with the relentless Man City, but are on a four-game winning streak. They have a Carabao Cup final also looming later this month.
Mo Salah and Sadio Mané should be fully recovered after their AFCON exertions. Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz are also available, despite the latter representing Porto in the group stages. The Reds should be firm favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.
RB Salzburg vs Bayern Munich
Despite suffering a shock 4-2 defeat in Bochum, Bayern Munich remain a formidable opposition. Robert Lewandowski has continued his irrepressible form that saw him crowned FIFA’s best player of the year. The Bavarians have a perfect record in Europe this season and are the competitions top-scorers. They also boast the joint-best defensive record in the competition.
Those numbers, coupled with Lewandowski’s form, make this a daunting task for the Austrian outfit. Last season, the German outfit bowed out to PSG in the quarter-finals. They will be determined to wrestle back their European crown and look in ominous form.