Paris – Real Madrid, Salzburg – Bayern & Inter – Liverpool: Now it’s getting serious | UEFA Champions League
With the UEFA Champions League round of 16 fixtures promising some treats, we bring you a look at the highlights of the first week, brought to you by Expedia.
Reunion of old friends in Paris
In the duel between Paris and Real Madrid, there will be numerous hugs before kick-off, after all, some players have known each other for many years. Sole PSG defender Sergio Ramos won the Champions League four times with Real and played 671 games for the Madrilenians. However, his use is very questionable due to injury.
Ángel Di María and goalkeeper Keylor Navas also meet their old employer and Real coach Carlo Ancelotti was on the Paris coaching bench from 2011 to 2013.
Lionel Messi, who fought many memorable duels with Real in the Barcelona jersey, is likely to have fewer friends in the opposing camp.
Debutants against perennial favorites
The differences between these teams could hardly be greater. On the one hand Salzburg, which is probably in the knockout phase and on the other hand Bayern, who are rushing from victory to victory in the premier class and have long been a fixture in the round of 16.
The German champions have been unbeaten away from home in the Champions League for a whopping 21 games. The Munich team conceded the last defeat abroad on the 2nd matchday of the 2017/18 season with 0: 3 in Paris.
Liverpool return to the San Siro
The Reds are playing their second away game in a row at Milan’s San Siro, because on matchday 6 of the group stage Jürgen Klopp’s team won 2-1 there against AC Milan, now local rivals Inter are waiting for the English.
The Nerazzurri are in the round of 16 for the first time since 2011/12 and can take heart from having won their last five home games against teams from England. Overall, Inter’s home record against British teams is extremely positive: W11 U3 N2.