'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Last week we saw the real essence of European football as both Champions League and Europa league presented some high quality entertainment. The magical comebacks by Man United, Ajax and Porto plus the upset by Rennes prove that no game can be taken over at this stage and no team can be underestimated. This week we have some of the best clashes lined up which promise to keep your eyes glued to the screen. Let's look at them one by one.
#1 Bayern Munich(H) vs Liverpool
Touted to be the most intriguing clash of this match day, Bayern Munich vs Liverpool would be a fight between two of the continent's powerhouses, both involved in breathless competition for topping their respective leagues.
Both teams had a fantastic result in their last league clashes, with Bayern hammering Wolfsburg 6-0 and Liverpool coming from behind to beat Burnley 4-2. Speaking of their league form, Bayern are on a run of 6 straight wins and have scored a massive 21 goals in the process. Liverpool have won two of their last 3 games and have scored 9 goals in the process.
Bayern was lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw at Anfield last month and thus would have the upper hand going into this round. But it is the Reds who have an advantage as far as injuries and absentees are concerned.
Bayern would be missing Tolisso due to injury and Muller and Kimmich due to suspensions while Robben, Coman and Alaba remain doubtful. Liverpool don't have much problem with injuries as both Joe Gomez and Lovren are back to full training, and the latter might even make a comeback at Allianz though Klopp might be skeptical about his lack of match practice.
This match promises to be a tight contest with Bayern enjoying the home advantage and Liverpool knowing that an away goal could swerve the tie in their favor.
#2 Barcelona(H) vs Lyon
Another tie up between one of the powerhouses of Europe and an up and coming side filled with lots of young and exciting talent and capable of showing mesmerizing football.
Form wise Barcelona are on a 5 match winning run in the league and are on a high after dismantling Real Madrid twice in one week. Lyon on the other hand, enter into the round after two thumping wins over Caen and Toulouse but are guilty of letting a 2-0 lead slip this weekend in the draw against Strasbourg.
But while Barca their starting lineup against Vallecano except for Rakitic and Dembele, Lyon rested several of their starters in Dubois, Ndombele, Fekir, Depay and Traore to keep them fresh for their away clash against the Blaugranas.
Injury wise, Barcelona are sweating over the Dembele's injury after Valverde said that he would be assessed after the final training session. Vermaelen is also a doubt for making to the match day squad. On the other hand, Marcelo and Rafael remain doubtful for Lyon as the former stretched off just after 15 minutes in the match in weekend.
In the Barca midfield Arthur and Vidal compete for place alongside Rakitic and Busquets while Coutinho might get another opportunity after Dembele's injury. Lyon were lucky to escape with a goal less draw at their home but should know that the Blaugranas are extremely difficult to beat at home. Barca on the other hand would do good not to underestimate their French rivals after seeing the last week encounters.
#3 Juventus(H) vs Athletico Madrid
Against any other team, Atletico would be confident of progressing to the quarter finals, but not against Juventus, who have dropped points in only 3 of their home games this season and in Ronaldo, Mandzukic and Dybala pose one of the most potent strike forces. But Atleti still possess one of the meanest defences of all Europe and would be on a high after earlier defeating the hosts 2-0.
For Juventus, Sami Khedira, Cuadrado and Douglas Costa all miss due to injuries and Alex Sandro is suspended having picked his third yellow of the competition. For Atletico problem arises at the left back position as both Lucas Hernandez and Felipe Luis are injured while Costa and Partey are suspended, though Morata could be picked against his former club.
Juventus have their task cut out against Atletico as they have kept a clean sheet against Juventus in their last 3 games in all competitions and are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 matches in UCL. Still underestimating a team who has the likes of Ronaldo and Dybala would be a huge mistake on part of Simeone and his team.
#4 Manchester City(H) vs Schalke
Manchester City put themselves in the driver's seat having secured a late 3-2 win in Germany last month but would be better off playing with caution and not letting their lead slip away.
Man City are in an excellent run of form having all six of their last league games and have won 5 the last 6 matches in Champions League. Schalke, on the other hand, are winless in their last 6 games and come into this tie as complete underdogs.
Schalke would be without the services of their star player Caliguiri and Schopf as both miss out due to injuries. Even Omar Mascarell is doubtful for the clash. Even Pep has some decisions to make as both Otamendi and Fernandinho missing through suspension and injury while Kompany, Stones, de Bruyne and Aguero are still doubtful to play. This clash could see both Jesus and Same making it to the starting lineup as both were rested last week.
On paper, this match looks done for City but Schalke are capable of surprising them and the Citizens would be wary of any threat to their quadruple dream.
