It’s back!
February means the return of Europe’s elite competition, with the Champions League returning in full force.
The opening knockout games feature a mouth-watering clash between PSG and Real Madrid on Tuesday night, as well as last year’s runners up Manchester City travelling to Sporting.
There is another clash of two European giants on Wednesday as six-time winners Liverpool travel to two-time winners Inter Milan, while German giants Bayern Munich also travel to RB Salzburg, the Austrians reaching the knockout round for the first time in their history.
PSG vs Real Madrid (Tuesday 8pm):
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How many subplots could a game have?
If Mbappe lining up against the club that desperately wants his signature wasn’t enough, there are also the small matters of Sergio Ramos welcoming his former club of 16-years and Messi once again playing the team he has terrorised numerous times down the years.
Arguably the tie of the round, both legs are difficult to call. Despite a good win against Manchester City, PSG failed to impress during the group stage, dropping points at both Club Bruges and RB Leipzig.
Besides their shock home defeat to minnows Sheriff Tiraspol, Madrid fared a little better, comfortably beating Inter Milan to the top of Group D.
With both clubs sitting top of their respective leagues and possessing superstars all over the pitch, expect two games of the highest order.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1
Sporting vs Manchester City (Tuesday 8pm):
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Sporting did well to get out of a group containing Borussia Dortmund and Ajax, sealing their progression with a brilliant 3-1 win over the Germans at the end of November.
Manchester City present a different animal, however. Pep Guardiola’s side have won 11 of their last 12 games in all competitions, with their last defeat coming back in Matchday 6 away to Leipzig.
Fresh off a 4-0 hammering of Norwich at the weekend, in which the Spaniard rested several key players, City will be looking to begin the business end of the competition with a statement win as they try to claim that elusive European crown.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-3
RB Salzburg vs Bayern Munich (Wednesday 8pm):
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Bayern come into this one off the back of a 4-2 defeat by VfL Bochum, conceding all 4 goals in the first half.
The German giants are also missing a couple of important players, with Manuel Neuer nursing a knee injury and Alphonso Davies still recovering after discovering heart muscle inflammation.
Yet they have been imperious in the Champions League this campaign, finishing top of Group E after winning all six of their games, including home and away 3-0 victories against Barcelona.
Salzburg will therefore have their work cut out, although the Austrians can take great satisfaction from reaching the knockout stages of Europe’s elite competition for the first time.
SCORE PREDICTION: 0-3
Inter Milan vs Liverpool (Wednesday 8pm)
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Another standout tie, Inter Milan have enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance in the past few seasons.
Last year’s Serie A winners, the Nerazzurri have repeated their exploits this season, currently topping Serie A despite their financial problems forcing them to sell key striker Romelu Lukaku and lose influential manager Antonio Conte in the summer.
Their excellent league form has finally carried over into the Champions League, too, Inter progressing beyond the group stage for the first time in 10 years.
Yet Liverpool travel to the San Siro full of confidence.
Jurgen Klopp’s side navigated a difficult January without superstars Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah with ease, winning both Premier League games, reaching the League Cup final, and comfortably progressing in the FA Cup.
Moreover, having already travelled to the San Siro with a weakened side to beat Inter’s rivals AC Milan, the reds will not be intimidated by their surroundings.
In both legs, they should therefore have too much for their Italian counterparts.
