Eighth finals. UEFA champions league. First leg matches: February 16-24. Return matches: March 9-17.
* Barcelona vs PSG
This is undoubtedly the most attractive and at the same time the most enigmatic confrontation. Attractive because it faces a giant (although in trouble) like Barça, against the current runner-up in the Champions League. In addition, there is the Neymar affair. We all remember that just before leaving Barça to go to PSG, Neymar played one of the best games of his life against his team today. Many think that precisely his vibrant performance, which was not sufficiently praised by the press or the fans, precipitated his departure from Barcelona because he felt that he was condemned to be Messi’s permanent shadow, and not his heir.
Today, the challenge for PSG is to recover the level of last season. He has started with some bumps and does not show the solidity that led him to the Champions League final. Tuchel’s position, as PSG’s helmsman, is being threatened. Each game serves to put the magnifying glass on him and carefully observe his decisions. In addition, the memory of that 6-1 at the Nou Camp with which they were eliminated after triumphing in the first leg of that tie 4-0, still haunts the worst Parisian nightmares.
For its part, Barcelona does not live very far from a nightmarish world. His administrative, financial and sporting problems turn his enormous potential into a bag of deep fear and doubt. Can Koeman achieve the footballing physiognomy that the club needs? Can you do it in the next two months?
And in this same time, Tuchel will have to define once and for all the spine in the midfield of PSG. Perhaps he opts to lean on a more solid and somewhat less creative midfield. This, to guarantee a quick recovery of the ball and more vertical and faster counterattacks that can attack the poor defense in transition of Barça.
Koeman has a ton of work to do, both on offense and defense. Possession of the ball is never enough if there is no resolution and efficiency in the areas.
*Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City
The Champions League is the great challenge for Guardiola, who has failed to win it outside the borders of Barcelona. Neither with Bayern nor with City, Guardiola has managed to reissue his European triumphs. Now he has three more chances (remember that he extended his contract with City for two more seasons).
Of the rivals that could touch him, the “Glabda” is one of the most accessible. If we measure talent against talent, City should go to the quarterfinals without major problems. However, in recent experiences during the final stages of the Champions League, Guardiola’s teams appear to fall into somewhat rigid patterns that hinder a smooth performance and end in painful eliminations. It is enough to remember their European falls against Tottenham, Monaco or Lyon. Despite this, City are huge favorites.
*Lazio vs Bayern Munich
Nobody wanted Bayern in this draw. Not only because he is the current champion of the tournament, but also because of the enormous strength he displays in his matches. It is true that in recent weeks he has not shown the staggering consistency that led to the title. But it is also true that he has been playing without one of his greatest pillars: the very complete Joshua Kimmich. The midfielder is already in full recovery from his injury and will surely be in full swing to continue making the enormous display in defense and attack that characterizes him. Without hesitation, Bayern are prohibitive favorites.
*Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea
After spending a record sum of € 247 million this season, when all clubs closed their wallets thanks to the ominous presence of covid-19, Chelsea are looking to define or rather consolidate their identity. The total adaptation of some of its novelties is still necessary, such as Kai Havertz, the German midfielder who comes from Leverkusen.
This is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting and even matches in the round of 16. Of the teams that finished second in their groups, Atlético was the most feared. Well known is the ability of Simeone’s team to handle round-trip series. In fact, the rojiblancos start slightly favorites over the Londoners. His enormous defensive capacity, his intensity, his sharp counterattacks, make him a fearsome enemy.
Chelsea, for their part, has improved a lot in defense and especially in their goal, with the arrival of Edouard Mendy, who ousted the very irregular and very expensive Kepa Arrizabalaga.
*RB Leipzig vs Liverpool
While no one could deny Liverpool’s huge favoritism, we have a couple of important elements to consider when analyzing this match. First of all, the plague of injuries suffered by Klopp’s team, which will surely lead him to acquire some players in the January market. And on the other hand, the burgeoning talent of Leipzig who is furiously fighting for the first place in the Bundesliga and who qualified for the last 16 beating Manchester United.
Since the last Champions League, Leipzig showed their worth by reaching the semi-finals. Therefore, this duel could be much more interesting than what you project at first glance.
* Atalanta vs Real Madrid
Man by man, squad by squad, Real Madrid seems infinitely superior to the modest Italian club. However, there lies one of the greatest beauties of football: in the possibility of winning using fewer resources than a powerful rival. The surprising Atalanta develops a collective game, with very few stars and ostensible offensive efficiency. His qualities in attack radically separate him from the usual Italian football models and to these qualities he adds suffocating pressure.
On the opposite sidewalk is Madrid, with a much higher level of talents and experience. With Ramos back and Modric with Kross in a state of grace, Zidane’s men should prevail. But it is still an attractive duel.
Today, Atalanta lives a modest civil war between his coach Gasperini and his captain Papu Gómez. When February rolls around, the conflict will be resolved. Although it remains to be known whether or not Gómez will remain in the Bergamo team. His absence could be an insurmountable handicap.
*Porto vs Juventus
Ronaldo continues to pursue Champions League glory far from the borders of Real Madrid. This tie looks more than accessible for Juventus. The most serious obstacles will surely start from the fourth. Porto maintains a high quality defense. And in his last five European games he has not conceded any goals.
*Sevilla vs Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund exemplify a young offensive talent of incalculable potential. Haaland, Sancho, Reyna, lead an offensive as feared as it is feared. The recent dismissal of his coach Lucien Favre, should be rectified in the next two months without major setbacks. His replacement is team assistant coach Edin Terzic, who will hold the reins until the end of the season.
His rival, Sevilla, must reflect very well on this duel. If you decide to go on the attack and trade offensive deployments, you could be overwhelmed by a consistent, talented and fierce attack. Perhaps the most appropriate option would be a more leisurely and cautious driving that allows the Andalusians a little more control, avoiding the devastating speed of Dortmund.
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