Champions League: What to expect in the round of 16?
The UEFA Champions League 2019-20 season returns with the knockout stages, starting February 19. 16 teams are set to battle it out in the first knockout stage ahead of the quarters. There are some heavyweight clashes on offer with plenty of excitement surrounding Europe's premier competition. Here we analyze what to expect in the round of 16.
The teams that made it to the round of 16
PSG topped Group A ahead of record UCL winners Real Madrid. In Group B, Bayern dominated the scoring charts to qualify alongside Tottenham. Manchester City and Atalanta qualified from Group C. Group D saw Juventus and Atletico Madrid progress. Holders Liverpool and Napoli made it from Group E. Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig, Lyon, Valencia and Chelsea were the other teams to make it through.
Can Pep Guardiola's City stop Zidane's Real?
Real Madrid are leading La Liga and recently won the Copa del Rey title. The in-form side faces English champions Man City. City manager Pep Guardiola needs to do well in the competition that has eluded him for a while now. One expects end-to-end stuff over two legs in this high-octane clash. Zinedine Zidane has the pedigree to dish out Champions League fireworks.
Champions League round of 16 draw
A look at the Champions League round of 16 draw: Atletico vs Liverpool, Dortmund vs PSG, Atalanta vs Valencia, Tottenham vs RB Leipzig, Chelsea vs Bayern, Napoli vs Barcelona, Lyon vs Juventus, Real Madrid vs Manchester City.
PSG-Dortmund clash promises goals aplenty
We have two free-scoring outfits out to get the better off each other. PSG and Dortmund can both score heavily with start-studded forward lines. Erling Braut Haaland has come in to lift Dortmund spirits. The presence of Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho makes Dortmund look threatening. Meanwhile, PSG are heavily stocked in attack and can tear up teams. One will fancy Neymar and Mbappe.
Liverpool out to overcome Simeone's Atletico
Liverpool will be aiming to make three Champions League finals in a row. They have an Atletico side, who is in a phase of transition after the exit of several high-profile players in the summer. Atletico aren't what they were a few years back and the defensive approach could be well caught out by the Reds, who are unbeaten in Premier League this season.
