Europe on fire as UEFA Champions League returns (Part 2)

The second part of the round of 16 of this season’s UEFA Champions League will hold on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Liverpool vs. Bayern Munich

Barcelona: A sinking ship

August 15, 2020

The risk in relying on past glory

July 17, 2020

This encounter is one of, if not the most challenging round of 16 pairings. Liverpool sets to welcome German champions Bayern Munich to the Anfield by Tuesday.

The last time both sides met was the 2001 Super Cup, and the Reds from England emerged victorious.

Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp was once in Germany, where he was in charge of Borussia Dortmund. Out of 29 matches his team played against Bayern Munich, he won 9, drew 4 and lost 16.

Undoubtedly, Liverpool has an intimidating frontline of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Xandan Shaqiri, and Sadio Mane. However, Bayern Munich will be coming with their hitman Robert Lewandowski, who is currently the top scorer in the competition with eight goals.

Jurgen Klopp has the opportunity to take his pound of flesh from Bayern Munich, who defeated his then Dortmund side in the 2013 UEFA Champions League final.

Lyon vs. Barcelona

Olympic Lyon of France will welcome Spanish champions, Barcelona in a clash that will see players like Samuel Umtiti of Barcelona take on the club where he began his professional career.

Argentine maestro, Lionel Messi will be the tormentor in chief for the visitors. Messi has scored three goals in four games against Lyon. When both teams met at this stage in 2009, Barcelona defeated Lyon 6-3 on aggregate.

Schalke vs. Manchester City

English champions, Manchester City will travel to Germany for a clash against German FC Schalke 04.

When both sides met in the 2008/09 UEFA Cup, Manchester City defeated the Germans by 2-0. Similarly, in the 1970 European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-finals, city emerged victorious.

Manchester City forward Roy Sane will be returning to Schalke, where he started his career while Schalke’s Nastasic will be taking on his former club. He was at Manchester City from 2012 -2015.

Atletico Madrid vs. Juventus

Estadio Metropolitano will provide the battlefield where home side Atletico Madrid will confront Cristiano Ronaldo led Juventus.

Though Atletico Madrid has never lost to an Italian side in nine previous outings, they have won seven and drawn two; they will be mindful of Ronaldo, who scored 22 goals in 31 games against them while he was playing for Real Madrid.

When both sides met in the group stages of the 2014/15 season, Atletico won one, and the other match ended in a draw.

The visitors will undoubtedly unleash Manzukic, who left Atletico Madrid for Juventus in 2015.

Latest Results

Meanwhile, Paris Saint Germane turned United’s Theatre of Dreams to Theatre of Nightmare with a 2-0 victory.

FC Porto suffered their first defeat in this season’s UEFA Champions League as AS Roma, defeated them 2-1.

Defending champions, Real Madrid of Spain defeated Ajax 2-1 while Tottenham Hotspurs whitewashed Borussia Dortmund 3-0.

By Delight Caesar

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