This week concludes the UEFA Champions League round of 16, with eight teams vying for a spot in the quarterfinals. The stakes are high, as some teams carry significant first-leg leads, while others face crucial second-leg battles. Notably, Arsenal’s dominant 7-1 victory over PSV and Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen have put them in a strong position. However, Real Madrid’s narrow 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid and Barcelona’s 1-0 victory over Benfica mean these teams, along with other European powerhouses, must perform at their peak to advance.
First Leg Results
- Benfica 0, Barcelona 1
- Feyenoord 0, Inter 2
- Paris Saint-Germain 0, Liverpool 1
- Bayern Munich 3, Bayer Leverkusen 0
- Borussia Dortmund 1, Lille 1
- Club Brugge 1, Aston Villa 3
- PSV 1, Arsenal 7
- Real Madrid 2, Atletico Madrid 1
Key Storylines for the Round of 16
1. Paris Saint-Germain Aims for Comeback Against Liverpool
Liverpool’s slight lead over Paris Saint-Germain after the first leg isn’t entirely unexpected. Liverpool performed strongly in the group stage, while PSG had a more challenging path to the knockout rounds. However, Liverpool might be vulnerable heading into the home leg. In the first match, a youthful PSG team controlled the game, dominating possession with 70.1% and firing 27 shots, 10 of which were on target. Liverpool, in contrast, only managed two shots. Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson, made an impressive nine saves, allowing his team to score from their only shot on target – Harvey Elliot’s 87th-minute goal.
It’s uncertain which Liverpool team will appear in the second leg. They may be showing signs of fatigue from a long season, but they still possess the exceptional Mohamed Salah, boosting their chances of advancing. PSG certainly has the quality and motivation to challenge at Anfield.
2. Is Real Madrid Ready to Dominate?
Real Madrid’s inconsistent season has meant they haven’t consistently shown their previous ability to win even when not playing perfectly. However, their 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid last week suggested a return to their vintage form.
The match was closely contested, with both teams enjoying periods of control and creating scoring opportunities. After Real Madrid’s early goal was neutralized, they regained the lead thanks to Brahim Diaz early in the second half. Real Madrid then effectively managed the game, stifling Atletico’s attack and securing a first-leg advantage. While Atletico is still in contention, Real Madrid’s performance suggests they might be peaking at the crucial moment.
3. Barcelona Seeks Improvement
Despite holding a first-leg lead against Benfica, Barcelona’s performance was not convincing. Benfica outshot Barcelona 26 to 10 in the first leg. Benfica’s attacking performance wasn’t highly effective, indicated by their expected goals of 1.75, only slightly better than Barcelona’s 1.21. Both teams have room to improve for the second leg, setting up an intriguing match in Barcelona.
Barcelona will miss Pau Cubarsi, who received a red card in the first leg after just 22 minutes. His absence complicates Barcelona’s defense, particularly against Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis, who has scored seven Champions League goals this season.
