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It is February and that means the UEFA Champions League is back with its knockout stages. Football in 2021, in just two months, has already seen some great matches, shock results (Liverpool's 3 home losses) and the sacking of Frank Lampard.
And fans can expect even more action, thrills, ups and downs as the UCL round of 16 begins in eight days' time.
With some great match-ups, old and new rivalries, tactical battles and individual brilliance in store for the fans, here are the top five things to watch out for in the UCL round-of-16.
1) The German Battle: Julian Nagelsmann vs Jurgen Klopp
Having lost their prolific striker Timo Werner in the summer, RB Leipzig were expected to struggle in both the German League and the Champions League.
However, after an early setback in the group stages when they were thrashed 5-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford, manager Julian Nagelsmann steered them safely into the round-of-16.
Leipzig will now face six-time Champions League winners Liverpool in the round-of-16, who are led by another German manager, Jurgen Klopp.
Apart from the fact that they're both charismatic German managers, there isn't much similarity between the two. They could not be more different in their managerial styles too.
While Klopp sticks to his heavy metal, high energy, high pressing style of football, his opposite number is tactically flexible as well as adaptable.
Julian Nagelsmann has consistently adapted to different situations such as a tough opponent or the loss of his main goal-scorer.
Therefore, the match-up between the two German managers is sure to be a great battle.
2) Master vs Apprentice: Neymar returns to Camp Nou
Neymar left Barcelona for PSG in 2017 to move out of Messi's shadow and prove to the world that he is a superstar in his own right.
While he has achieved domestic success on a yearly basis in Paris, European glory still evades him.
Meanwhile, his former teammate and good friend Lionel Messi hasn't fared any better. With Barcelona struggling both on and off the field, Messi has suffered heartbreak on multiple occasions, failing to reach the Champions League final even once since the Brazilian's departure.
When the two meet in the round-of-16, it will not only be a footballing spectacle but also an emotional reunion of two of the game's biggest names.
3) Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League beast mode
Cristiano Ronaldo is probably the greatest player in Champions League history and even at the age of 36, he is still going strong.
Having left Real Madrid two seasons ago, Ronaldo has maintained his Champions League form for Juventus as well but has been let down by his new team-mates.
Though he continues to defy the odds and assumptions that his age will slow him down, at the age of 36, this could realistically be his last chance of winning a sixth UCL.
So fans can expect to see a motivated CR7 put in a vintage Champions League performance.
4) Youngsters come to the fore
Over the years, the Champions League has seen quite a few young talents make a name for themselves. The latest and most prominent example of that was when an 18-year-old Kylian Mbappé led Monaco to the semi-final of the tournament.
Since then he has won the World Cup, moved to PSG, won numerous domestic honors and reached the finals of the Champions League.
There are plenty of talented youngsters on display in this year's knockout stages, hoping to prove themselves on the grandest stage of them all.
Erling Braut Haaland, having impressed in the UCL for RB Salzburg and Dortmund already, will be hoping to build on his reputation with the help of another talented youngster, Jadon Sancho.
Other big talents, such as João Félix, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz, who meet when Chelsea take on Atlético Madrid, will also hope to leave their impact on the Champions League.
5) Pep Guardiola to finally win the Champions League after 10 years?
Pep Guardiola is no doubt one of the greatest managers of all time, but his recent struggles in the Champions League have put a little dent in that reputation.
This season could be his best chance to rectify that trend, with aging superstars and struggling powerhouses like Real Madrid, Juventus, Barcelona and Liverpool as opponents.
His Manchester City team have been in exceptional form since the new year and are currently on a 10-match winning streak in the Premier League.
Guardiola will be hoping his team can carry that form into the Champions League and go all the way this season.
