Champions League Round of 16
Matchup Highlights
The first matches of the Champions League Round of 16 kick-off starting this Tuesday, February 15. Each matchup in this round plays two games, one at each team’s home stadium. The team with the most goals at the end of the two matches moves on to the quarterfinals. In the event of a tied aggregate score, the game goes into overtime and then penalty kicks.
Tuesday:
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Madrid:
Another title favorite, PSG, takes on Real Madrid. PSG is looking to secure its first Champions League trophy, led by the dangerous front three of Neymar, Messi, and Mbappe. Maybe this will be the year they break the curse. But Real Madrid is in their way, led by a new young talent such as Vinícius Júnior and veteran leadership of Karim Benzema who also look to make a name
for themselves in this Round of 16 matchup.
Sporting CP vs. Manchester City:
Sporting CP has a tough mountain to climb but with a collective eighteen champions league appearances under their belts, Islam Slimani and Paulinho look to stun matchup favorites Manchester City. City looks to put behind them the loss against Chelsea in last year’s final. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling look to secure the club’s first Champions League title in its history.
Wednesday:
RB Salzburg vs. Bayern Munich:
RB Salzburg, the giants of Austria, clash against the Germans from Bayern Munich. RB Salzburg looks to impress in their first ever appearance in the round of 16 and cement themselves as a Champions League contender. Luka Sučić and Brenden Aronson focus on the task at hand as they try and stop Bayern Munich, led by Robert Lewandowski. Bayern is currently dominating the Bundesliga and long for a second Champions League title in three years.
Inter Milan vs. Liverpool:
A championship favorite, Liverpool, is led by superstars Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk. As the most recent winner of the Champions League in the round of 16, winning it all in 2019, they have a tough match up ahead of them going up against 3-time Champions League winners Inter Milan. Inter Milan is spearheaded by Lautaro Martinez and Nicolo Barella who look to bring the title back to Italy for the first time since 2010.
