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In the context of the football world, there aren't a lot of months as exciting as March. It's that time of the year when games come in thick and fast in Europe's top five leagues and when the Champions League really kicks on.
As the season approaches its end phase, title races across the continent begin taking shape and the contenders for the Champions League knockout stages become clearer.
With that in mind, let's have a look at the five games that you must surely watch this month:
#1 Chelsea vs Liverpool (March 3- FA Cup fifth round)
The FA Cup magic is still alive as the old English club tournament provides us with one of the most mouthwatering ties of the month in the form of Chelsea's home fixture against Liverpool on March 3. Although the Blues are still in the Champions League, a 3-0 first-leg defeat against Bayern Munich has all but reduced their chances of any silverware this season. They will certainly be aiming for victory in the FA Cup to finish the season with at least one trophy.
On the other hand, the Merseysiders are running away with the Premier League title, and a bit of FA Cup glory could just be sweetmeat for them. With the chance of a treble still alive, the Reds could really pursue this with all that they have. The two English sides are all set to go blow for blow in the encounter and it surely is a must-watch game.
Also Read: Premier League 2019-20: 3 talking points from Match Week 28
#2 Manchester United vs Manchester City (March 8- Premier League)
Manchester City totally outclassed their crosstown rivals when the two teams met in the League Cup semi-final in January but since then, things have gone up for Manchester United as they secured Bruno Fernandes' services on the last day of the January transfer window.
The Portuguese sensation has so far impressed for his new club and if the Red Devils can attain consistency in the meantime, this fixture could prove to be an exciting watch. Although the Citizens do not have much to play for in the league, they would still want to get one up against their city rivals. Keep an eye on this one as it could be a pretty enthralling clash.
Also Read: Bruno Fernandes, Mohamed Salah and more: February Team of the Month | Premier League 2019-20
#3 Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid (March 11- Champions League)
Liverpool are set to welcome Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid to Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 fixture on March 11. The Premier League leaders trail 0-1 to Los Rojiblancos as the Spanish side registered a shock first-leg win over Jurgen Klopp's men at the Wanda Metropolitano courtesy of a Saul Niguez goal.
The Madrid giants will hope to progress through to the last eight after their fantastic performance in their home leg, but the last place a team would want to play the second leg is a roaring Anfield. This game has it all - a great defence against an extraordinary attack and two quality managers going against each other- all elements of a phenomenal game.
#4 PSG vs Dortmund (March 11- Champions League)
French frontrunners Paris Saint-Germain will host German top-dogs Borussia Dortmund at the Parc des Princes on March 11. Although the Ligue 1 giants are trailing 1-2 to their Bundesliga opponents, they have a more than capable attack force- in Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Mauro Icardi- to win it back on their home turf.
However, to do that, their defence has to successfully cope with the likes of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho at the other end of the pitch. To top that attack force, Dortmund's captain Marco Reus might just be fit in time to make it in for the fixture. Two brilliant attacking outfits against two mediocre defences, this match could be a goal-fest.
#1 Manchester City vs Real Madrid (March 17- Champions League)
The tie of the month comes in the form of the Manchester City and Real Madrid fixture as the reigning Premier League champions will welcome the Spanish giants to the Etihad with a 2-1 first-leg lead from the Bernabeu. The Citizens arguably enjoyed their greatest ever Champions League night when they defeated Los Blancos at their home ground.
However, the job is still only half done for Pep Guardiola's men as they look to seal their spot in the last eight of the competition. Meanwhile, their Madrid giants need at least two away goals to have any chance of going through and they will open themselves to their English opponents trying to get those. All in all, this clash promises to be a monumental one.
Also Read: 3 reasons why Real Madrid can pip Barcelona to the La Liga title this season
