The Champions League Last 16 draw was made yesterday and this is what I think of the draw and who was a tough tie.
LAST 16 DRAW:
Atalanta v Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Barcelona v PSG
Borussia Monchengladbach v Man City
Lazio v Bayern Munich
Porto v Juventus
RB Leipzig v Liverpool
Sevilla v Borussia Dortmund
Out of the three English sides left, Chelsea have the toughest draw as they'll be up against Atletico Madrid with Diego Costa returning to Stamford Bridge for the first time since leaving in 2017. This game is a tough match for Chelsea because Diego Simeone's side are second in La Liga and are a very tough side to beat which Liverpool found out at this stage last season and they've been that since Simeone's been in charge. Joao Felix is looking more like the player Atletico expected when they bought him two summers ago plus they also have Luis Suarez who's been decent since arriving from Barcelona with 5 goals in eight games. Liverpool also have a tough tie as they'll be up against last seasons semi-finalists RB Leipzig. Despite losing Timo Werner in the summer, Leipzig are having another good season as they currently lie 3rd in the Bundesliga and got out of a tough group to qualify for the last 16. It's a tie that Liverpool are capable of winning, but it is still a tough tie because Leipzig knocked Spurs out at this stage last season and they beat Man United in the group stage to book their place in the last 16. Liverpool will be aware of the problems that Leipzig can cause and the way they played. Man City have the most winnable tie as they'll be up against Borussia Monchengladbach. Monchengladbach got out of a tough group involving Real Madrid and Inter Milan and took points off both of them to qualify for the last 16. Because of that they won't be an easy opponent for City, but City should still have enough to win the tie with the players they have.
The tie of the round is without a doubt Barcelona against PSG which sees Neymar return to the Nou Camp for the first time since his record breaking transfer to Paris back in 2017. It's also a rematch of the game at this stage in 2017 when Barcelona came from 4-0 down to win the second leg 6-1 winning the tie 6-5 on aggregate. In terms of the tie this year, I can't see Barca pulling off something similar to what they did because of the form they've been in this season. They currently lie 8th in La Liga and 9 points behind leaders Real Sociedad with manager Ronald Koeman under pressure. Their old rivals Real Madrid have a winnable but tough tie as they face Atalanta who reached the Quarter finals last season and beat Liverpool in the group stages of this season. Real like Barcelona are not having their best season in La Liga at the moment as they currently lie in 3rd place. But they usually get better in the second half of a season and they have a manager whose won it before which will give the team some hope.
Holders Bayern Munich have a winnable tie as they'll be facing Lazio which will be a battle between 2020's top strikers in Ciro Immobile and Robert Lewandowski. Immobile won the European Golden shoe last season with 36 whilst Lewandowski netted 55 in all competitions as Bayern won the treble. Bayern will without a doubt be favourites for this one because they more quality than Lazio and they're also the favourites for the competition. Borussia Dortmund have a fairly tricky tie as they face last seasons Europa League winners Sevilla. Dortmund recently sacked manager Lucien Favre with the club 5th in the Bundesliga and six points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen which is surprising considering the talent that they have. With the likes of Haaland and Sancho in their attack, Dortmund will see themselves as the favourites for this tie because of the talent they have up top.
Juventus have a winnable tie as they'll be up against 2004 winners Porto. Juve will be favourites for this one for sure because of the talent they have in their team. In Cristiano Ronaldo they have a man who can win them a game on his own despite being 35 plus they're reasonably solid in midfield. Juve haven't won this competition since 1996 and they'll be desperate to get their hands on it this season after a long absence of not winning it.
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