UCL last 16 preview – Three games to watch this week
The biggest competition in world football is back. Champions League knockout football can be the most entertaining matches in the European season and this year will be more of the same. Here are three matches that will catch the eye of all football fans across the globe:
Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich (Tuesday, 8 pm)
Without a doubt, one of the biggest glamour ties in this round is between the Ligue 1 and Bundesliga frontrunners as they come head-to-head in the French capital for their first-leg matchup. The Parisians will hope that 2023 is the year they can finally get their hands on their first Champions League trophy while the Bavarians are looking to be crowned champions of Europe for a stunning seventh time.
The visitors have a 100% record in the competition this year winning all six of their matches in a tough group that included Barcelona and Inter Milan. PSG, however, had a very poor group stage as they finished second to Benfica, with most fans expecting the side to top the group with ease given the talent at their disposal. After losing two league games in a row, they are not in the best shape to face one of the best sides in Europe this year. The German champions have progressed from the last 16 in nine of their previous ten attempts and Julian Nagelsmann’s side will be fully confident of doing it again.
AC Milan vs Tottenham Hotspur (Tuesday, 8 pm)
Two teams from the biggest leagues in the world, but two teams out of form. Milan currently sits fifth in Serie A after a very poor run of form, winning only one of their last six matches. Tottenham also currently sit fifth in the league after a demoralising loss at the weekend to Leicester. Antonio Conte returned to the dugout after receiving an operation but the performance by Spurs would not have helped his recovery.
The former Inter Milan manager will face his former rivals in the San Siro as he experiences his first European knockout match as Tottenham manager. Tottenham topped their group by only winning three matches, the lowest by any team in the tournament. Milan came second in their group and won three games; their only loss came from a solid Chelsea side.
This is Milan’s first time in the knockout stages since 2013/14 and the Italians will have to perform very well to progress. Conte has a stunning record versus the seven-time champions, winning eight of his last nine matches against them.
Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea (Wednesday, 8 pm)
The Blues’ Premier League struggles are well-documented, with no sign of a title fight and being ten points adrift of the top four. Their only way of playing Champions League football next year could be to win the competition.
Graham Potter has won all European games he has managed at Chelsea and will need to continue that run versus Dortmund. Chelsea’s league form is atrocious, having only picked up just six points from their last six games and that could not be any different from their opponents. Dortmund has won their last six games, scoring 17 goals and they will have confidence going into the game.
The German side was lucky to make it to this stage, winning just two of their group matches. Chelsea played well and topped their group but have since let their form slip massively. Both teams will be relying on their big game players to get them across the line in what will be a very tight game.