Champions League draws, Psg threatens for Juve, Inter fears City, Liverpool, Bayern and United

Juve, seeded, risks Messi. For the Nerazzurri, the spectrum of a creepy eighth

Two “is better than uan”, said an old advertisement. Let us be satisfied. But three Italians in the second round seemed within reach. The Champions Atalanta, the one who had fought until the last second with PSG, held up against Real Madrid, overturned Ajax and Shakhtar, put United on the ropes, could do it with Villarreal. It was the wrong night. Seeded Juve and Inter in the second tier remain in the running. Round of 16 with a high risk coefficient, we will see in the draw on Monday. After Milan (also out of the reserve cup), Atalanta leaves the Champions League and signs up for the Europa League playoffs: they will not be happy to see the Gasp gang arrive.

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W England

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Two Italians in the second round, three teams for Spain. Atalanta-Villarreal was also the challenge to decide the England pursuer who qualifies a dream 4X4: Liverpool, City and United in the first pot, Chelsea in the second making harakiri with Zenit. La Liga squares Real Madrid, Atletico and Villarreal, but it seems less domineering than it used to be: he had five, he lost the wrecked post-messianic Barcelona (he hadn’t missed an eighth since 2000-01) and Sevilla. Two clubs also for France (Psg and Lille) and Portugal (Benfica and Sporting). Then Bayern (Germany), Holland (Ajax) and Salzburg (Austria). The Porto ko makes noise. Some balance is changing. Last year 14 out of 16 came from the top 4 championships, now they are “only” 10.

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Juve, I dream of Salzburg

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The one put better, apparently at least, is Juve. You can be eliminated with Lyon (Sarri) and Porto (Pirlo), but to give up against Sporting, Benfica, Villarreal or Salzburg (perhaps the best rival) would be proof of relegation among the former greats. The risk comes from France and has the face of Messi, Mbappé and Neymar: PSG is a hidden seed. Simeone’s Atletico are also a customer to be avoided, but Milan have explained that they can be played on an equal footing. With play and a winning mentality. Small advantage for the bianconeri: the return to Turin. From this year a historic novelty: away goals are no longer worth double. With the same goals, the extra.

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Inter among the big names

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Inter in the second bracket also for value, a bit like all the Italians who have always given the impression of inferiority against Liverpool, Real Madrid, Chelsea itself. And from “unseeded” there is very little to choose from. Lilac looks the best. The Nerazzurri are playing against Ajax and Ronaldo’s United (like Juve with Atletico). But City, Liverpool and Bayern are from another planet. Any analysis should be reread in mid-February: injuries, physical condition and new coaches (Rangnick at United) can change the scenario.

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Galliani Prophecy

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In the new century we have won a World Cup and a European Championship with the national team, but with the clubs it is another story. Three successes in the first decade (Milan 2003 and 2007, Inter 2010). After that, only two finals lost (Juve 2015 and 2017). In 2009 Galliani, then CEO of Milan, had been prophetic: “Italian football risks the abyss: without the management of the stadiums we will no longer be able to compete with the English and the Spanish.” Unfortunately, this has been the case since 2011.

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