The knockout phase can begin! Right at the start there is a duel between the heavyweights, and last year’s finalist has to overcome a tricky hurdle in Portugal.
Hotels.com presents the most interesting talking points ahead of the first games on February 15th. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sporting CP have the opportunity to build on impressive streaks.
Tuesday February 15th Sporting CP – Manchester City Paris – Real Madrid
Wednesday February 16th Salzburg – Bavaria Inter – Liverpool
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Tuesday February 22nd Chelsea – LOSC Lille Villarreal-Juventus
Wednesday February 23rd Benfica – Ajax Atlético – Manchester United
Kick-off is always at 9 p.m. CET
City are favourites, but the record speaks for Sporting
Most neutral observers will see Sporting CP as underdogs against Manchester City, but the Lisbon side have had good experiences against English opponents in the knockout stages. In the group stage, Portugal have never won their seven matches against Premier League sides, but they have an impeccable record in eight two-legged games.
Amazingly, they eliminated an opponent from the north of England seven times: Manchester United, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Bolton, Everton and Manchester City have already failed at Sporting (UEFA Europa League round of 16 2011/12)
Adeyemi targets FC Bayern
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A lot has happened since Karim Adeyemi joined FC Bayern’s youth team at the age of eight. When he came on as a substitute in the 3-1 defeat in Munich (group stage) last season, Adeyemi only had one goal for Salzburg. Now he’s scoring goals like on an assembly line and is one of the most sought-after attackers in European football.
He’s not the only one who will have to be in top form in the Salzburg ranks to be able to survive against FC Bayern. However, despite the clear results in the end, the two games last season showed that the Austrians can annoy FCB.
Messi’s reunion with Real Madrid
Lionel Messi, the all-time UEFA Champions League round of 16 goalscorer, takes on his old rivals at Real Madrid. In the Barcelona shirt he made 45 appearances in a Clásico, sharing the record with his current Parisian team-mate and former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.
Messi has already scored 26 goals against Real and was also able to celebrate in the premier class against the Madrilenians. he scored both goals for Barcelona in the 2011 semifinals in a 2-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeú.
Atlético: End of Ronaldo flight?
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—Video: All seven of Ronaldo’s goals against Atlético–
Cristiano Ronaldo is also set to return to the Spanish capital and this is not good news for Atlético de Madrid. Diego Simeone’s side have met the Portuguese in five knockout rounds and have never prevailed. Ronaldo played a key role for Real Madrid in the 2014 and 2016 finals and has already netted 25 goals against Atlético in competitive games.
Term
K.-o.-Phase 15.16.22.23 February & 8/9/15/16 March: Round of 16 18 March: Fourth and semi-final draws 5th/6th & 12./13. April: Quarterfinals 26./27. April & 3rd/4th May: semi-finals May 28: Final (Gazprom Arena, St Petersburg, Russia)
