The Champions League is back and clashes for the round of 16 start this Tuesday, starting at 5 pm (Brasília time). For the first leg, the favorites PSG e Bayern face each other in France, while Milan and Tottenham duel in Italy. Check out the summary of all matches from the round of 16 of the Champions League:
Champions League: What to expect from the round of 16?
PSG x Bayern (14/02 – 17h)
At the Parc des Princes, in Paris, PSG’s star team receives Bayern Munich in the most anticipated duel of the round. However, Neymar may not have the company of stars Messi and Mbappé in the starting lineup, because both had injuries and returned to training this week. Also, PSG is not going through a good phase. There are just three wins in the last seven rounds of the French Championship and an early elimination in the French Cup.
Bayern Munich are already starting to pack in the season under the command of new coach Julian Naggelsmann. After three straight draws, the Bavarian team won by playing well in the last two games in the Bundesliga. Despite not being able to count on the injured Sadio Mané, Bayern will be able to use the full-back João Cancelo, signed from Manchester City.
Milan x Tottenham (14/02 – 17h)
At the San Siro, in Milan, the Rossoneri want to shake off the bad phase in the Italian Championship and guarantee a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals, something they haven’t achieved since 2012. Coach Stefano Pioli should repeat the lineup of the last few games and go to the field with three quarterbacks.
On the other hand, Tottenham is also experiencing an irregular phase in the Premier League, despite having gone first in the Champions League group. Against Milan, the starting midfielder duo will be without, as Hojbjerg and Bentancur were injured and should give way to youngsters Skipp and Sarr.
Brugge x Benfica (15/02 – 17h)
At the Jan Breydelstadion, in Brugge, the surprise of the competition that qualified for the round of 16 for the first time since the 1977/78 season receives Benfica. This season’s historic campaign was not enough to keep coach Carl Hoefkens in charge, who was replaced by Englishman Scott Parker.
In a group with PSG and Juventus, Benfica finished the group stage in first place after holding draws with the French and beating the Italian giant twice. Coach Roger Schmidt lost midfielder Enzo Fernández to Chelsea, but signed Gonçalo Guedes, from Wolverhampton, and will have striker Gonçalo Ramos back from injury.
🔛 😍 Chaaampions week! 🎶#UCL pic.twitter.com/FoJgNGsklM
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) February 13, 2023
Dortmund x Chelsea (15/02 – 17d)
At Signal Iduna Park, in Dortmund, Borussia will face the reinforced Chelsea for the round of 16. The auri-black team is having a good time in the German Championship, after winning five straight matches. This sequence is due to the return of Marco Reus and striker Sebastian Haller, who overcame cancer and returned to the pitch this year.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have yet to take off in the English Premier League and occupy only 10th place. In the winter window, the club spent more than 300 million euros to strengthen the team and coach Graham Potter will be able to call up Mudrik, João Félix and Enzo Fernández against Borussia Dortmund.
Frankfurt x Napoli (21/02 – 17h)
At Deutsche Bank Park, in Frankfurt, Eintracht face the current Italian leader Napoli. Champions of the last Europa League, Frankfurt qualified in the most balanced group of the last phase and arrives for this Wednesday’s duel coming from a 3-0 defeat by Colonia, away from home, in the Bundesliga.
On the other hand, Napoli are flying in the Italian Championship and opened a historic lead in the lead of 15 points for second place. However, in the only knockout match of the season, Luciano Spaletti’s team was defeated on penalties by Cremonese and was eliminated from the Coppa Italia.
Napoli is FLYING, Daddy! ✈️
💙 #Go Napoli forever pic.twitter.com/IzXzRJwoAu
— SSC Napoli Official (@sscnapoli_br) February 13, 2023
Liverpool x Real Madrid (21/02 – 17h)
At Anfield in Liverpool, the Reds will be tasked with facing defending champions Real Madrid. In addition to experiencing an irregular phase in the Premier League, the recent history of the confrontation with the Spaniards does not favor Liverpool. In the last six meetings in the Champions League, five wins for Real, with two finals and one qualification for the semifinals.
By winning the Club World Cup, Real Madrid regains confidence after negative results in the Spanish Championship. Against Liverpool, the Meringue team will have the returns of Karim Benzema and Militão, but the presence of goalkeeper Courtois is still in doubt. Behind Barcelona in La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti must bet all the chips on the search for another Champions title.
Leipzig x Manchester City (22/02 – 17h)
At the Red Bull Arena, in Leipzig, the team commanded by Marco Rose will face the favorite Manchester City for the Round of 16. Leipzig surprised in the group stage by beating Real Madrid, but is going through an irregular moment in the season. Against the English, Christopher Nkunku, voted best player in the last Bundesliga, should return after injury.
Manchester City, on the other hand, is not in the best shape as in recent years, but is considered a favorite for the title due to its strong squad and good coach Pep Guardiola. Striker Haaland was signed this season and has already scored 31 goals in 29 games, but suffered an injury for the Premier League and may not come to the match in perfect physical condition.
Inter x Porto (22/02 – 17h)
At the San Siro, in Milan, Internazionale faces Porto wanting to return to the quarterfinals of the Champions League after 12 years. The Nerazzurri occupy the vice-leadership of the Italian Championship, but the title chances are remote. Lautaro Martínez returned to his best form and scored three goals in the last four games.
On the other hand, Porto is in a sequence of nine consecutive victories and, in the last match, beat rival Sporting with a goal in stoppage time by Brazilian Pepê. Despite the important victory, midfielders Uribe and Galeno were injured and should be absent in the Champions League.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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