UEFA Champions League 2018/19: 7 players who will play against their former clubs in the Round of 16

#6. Samuel Umtiti (Lyon - Barcelona)

Umtiti first made his mark at Lyon

Samuel Umtiti, World Champion with France right now, is an integral part of the Barcelona setup. The centre-back who is still in the fledgeling years of his footballing career is already touted to be one of the next-big-things in the game.

Umtiti grew up through the academies in Lyon, from where he started his senior career as well, in 2012. His defensive prowess, coupled with the fine physical attributes, made him a frequent starter in the French side, and by 2016, he had racked up 131 appearances for his club, during when he also scored 3 goals from his centre back position, two of which came in the 2012-'13 season itself.

A fine performance for eventual runners-up France in the 2016 Euro Cup, attracted attention from Barca scouts, something that eventually resulted in the La Liga side signing the French starlet.

Umtiti debuted for them in the 3-0 win of the second leg against Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup, that also won them the title. Injuries sidelined Umtiti for a long while before he came back in the second half of the season, also assisting once in the "Remontada", the 6-1 comeback victory against PSG in the UCL quarter-finals, after losing 0-4 in the first leg.

In two seasons with Barcelona, Umtiti has won one La Liga, two Spanish Supercups and two Copa del Reys. He is still devoid of a Champions League medal, and Barcelona will be keen to end their trophy-less drought of three years this time. On the way, they will meet Lyon in the round-of-16, Samuel Umtiti's former club. Umtiti will be keen to put up a good show against his former side.