UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs: What to Look Out For on Tuesday
The UEFA Champions League knockout phase is set to ignite the footballing world as four thrilling matchups unfold in the first legs of the Round of 16 playoffs.
Among the standout encounters, Manchester City will clash with Real Madrid, while Paris Saint-Germain faces fellow French club Brest. Here’s a preview of the action ahead.
Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain
In what marks Brest’s inaugural Champions League campaign, owner Denis Le Saint expressed his excitement, likening the experience to “climbing Mont Blanc.” After advancing from the league phase with four wins and an impressive draw against German champions Bayer Leverkusen, Brest aims to continue their historic journey. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot stated, “We want to keep going and make even more history.”
However, Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning Ligue 1 champions, are in formidable form. After a convincing 4-1 victory against Stuttgart and a recent 5-2 win over Brest, Ousmane Dembélé has been in sensational shape, scoring hat-tricks in both matches. Coach Luis Enrique praised Dembélé’s contributions, saying, “It’s wonderful when you have a player like Ousmane in this form.”
Did You Know?
This will only be the second all-French tie in the history of the Champions League, following the quarter-finals between Lyon and Bordeaux in the 2009/10 season.
Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven
Juventus and PSV Eindhoven are set for a rematch after facing off in the group stage, where Juventus claimed a 3-1 victory. Despite a rocky ending to their league phase with a 2-0 loss to Benfica, Juventus coach Thiago Motta remains hopeful, stating, “We need to improve on a lot of things.”
PSV, under coach Peter Bosz, have shown marked improvement since their earlier defeat. Highlighting their progress, Bosz noted that his team ended Liverpool’s perfect record with a 3-2 win in Eindhoven. “Juventus is a strong opponent, but we believe we are better than them,” he insisted.
Did You Know?
Juventus has won five of their last eight meetings with Dutch clubs in UEFA competitions (D2 L1).
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
In a matchup steeped in history, Manchester City will host Real Madrid for the fourth consecutive season in the Champions League knockout phase. Previous encounters have seen the victor go on to claim the title, with Real Madrid winning their 14th and 15th crowns in the last two years and City securing their maiden title in 2022/23.
Both teams come into the clash with mixed performances in the league phase, but the quality on display is undeniable. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remarked, “If you want to win the Champions League, you have to beat the best.”
Did You Know?
Real Madrid has eliminated English clubs from the knockout phase of the Champions League 13 times, more than any other team.
Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund
Sporting CP will be looking to build on their last-minute qualification for the knockout stage with a tense 1-1 draw against Bologna. Coach Rui Borges emphasized the club’s competitive spirit, stating, “Sporting will go into any game or competition to win.”
Dortmund, now under new coach Niko Kovač, will be eager to make a strong impression in this high-stakes encounter. Kovač expressed his determination, highlighting the “heart and willingness” needed to succeed in the Champions League.
Did You Know?
Sporting CP won the last Champions League meeting between these clubs in November 2021, although Dortmund had triumphed in their three previous encounters.
