The first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 comes to a close this week and there are mouth-watering ties lined-up including the 2012 final rematch between Chelsea and Bayern and Pep Guardiola’s meeting with old foes Real Madrid. Here are Things to look out for in Champions League Round of 16: Week 2. Bet on the Champions League here.
2012 final rematch: Chelsea v Bayern
Chelsea and Bayern Munich will lock horns in a highly-anticipated UEFA Champions League Round of 16 contest tonight. This will be their first meeting since that famous 2012 final which the Blues won. Frank Lampard’s side secured a massive win over the weekend against their bitter rivals Tottenham. However, Bayern presents a different test for the Blues. The German giants became only the seventh team to win all six games in the group stage this season. Their hosts Chelsea finished second in their group which resulted in them being drawn with one of the favourites to go all the way. Bayern are unbeaten in their last 12 European away games while the hosts haven’t lost at home to a German team. Therefore, this should be an exciting game.
Pep Guardiola meets Real Madrid
Manchester City play their first Champions League match since they were struck with a two-year continental competition ban by UEFA. City travel to face giants Real Madrid on Wednesday looking to leave a mark before their two-year ban begins. This match is expected to be entertaining and bring fond memories of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona squaring up with Real Madrid. With City’s defence of the Premier League title looking unlikely, the Champions League is a priority for Guardiola. Meanwhile, Madrid saw Barcelona overtake them at the top of La Liga following a draw and defeat in their last two games. These two sides have met four times and produced compelling matches. However, with the talent on show between both sides, we should be in for an entertaining affair.
Barcelona’s excellent last 16 record
Barcelona road to the quarter-finals begins with a difficult trip to Napoli tonight. Hosts Napoli have lost both previous ties at this stage, while the Blaugrana have won their last 12 round of 16 ties. This will be Quique Setien’s Champions League debut and is hoping to continue Barcelona’s impressive run of two defeats in their last 29 in this competition. The visitors have been in the round of 16 every year from 2004/05 onwards, winning 13 of those 15 ties. They lost two of the first three ties, most recently against Liverpool in 2006/07, but have won their last 12.
Ronaldo to rise to the occasion against Lyon?
Juventus travel to France to face Olympique Lyon in the Round of 16 as they continue their quest for a first Champions League title since 1996. The French side have endured a less stellar season in Ligue 1, sitting seventh in the table, well behind traditional rivals Marseille and league leaders Paris Saint Germain. Cristiano Ronaldo will also be looking to add to his tally in the last 16. The Portuguese forward has scored 23 goals in 30 last 16 appearances. The 35-year-old has also scored in 11 consecutive Serie A games, the joint-best record for a single season. Ronaldo has also faced Lyon ten times scoring four goals. Will he add to that tally?