In this very particular season, interrupted in November and December by the World Cup in Qatar, the dispute over the ‘Orejona’ returns after a break of more than three months. Long enough for the stars to have lost some of their reference points, and for it to have affected the hierarchies.
He Paris Saint-Germainafter having finished second in their group behind Benfica, will meet Bayern Munich on Tuesday (5:00 p.m.) at the Parc des Princes with the intention of leaving behind their current doubts and taking the first step towards a new round .
The World Cup won by Messi’s Argentina left traces in the organizations, the injuries have accumulated and the start of the year for the Parisians has not been the best (four defeats since January 1), enough to put the team under pressure. club from the Qatari capital, which has been dreaming of a Champions League title for more than a decade.
“If I wasn’t worried it would be serious“, acknowledged the coach Christopher Galtier. “But, in these difficult times, a union is necessary.”
Stars in top form are also needed, which does not seem to be the case for the ‘MNM’ attacking trio: Messi (hamstring) rested in Saturday’s game, neymar He has had ankle problems since the World Cup and kylian mbappe (thigh), initially low but who entered the call, is just coming out of an injury.
Bayern, for extending dominance
He bayern has also suffered several serious injuries, from Sadio Mane to Manuel Neuer going by Lucas Hernandezbut it was well reinforced in the winter market, unlike PSG, and it arrives launched for this new rematch of the 2020 Champions League final, won by the Germans (1-0).
But it’s hard to know if the Bavarian giant is the same irresistible team that He walked in the group of death with Inter Milan and Barcelona (6 games, 6 wins, 18 goals scored).
It is also difficult to measure the balance of forces in the game on Tuesday (5:00 p.m.) between the AC Milanwhich is not accompanied by the results, and Tottenhamusually solid, but beaten 4-1 by Leicester this weekend in the Premier League.
In the other matches, which are staggered until February 22 (return duels from March 7 to 15), the clash Real Madrid-Liverpool Next week will also attract attention, when the Spanish team continues to support a dissident project of a private Super League.
Real Madrid in “rising phase”
Less than a year after their triumph at the Stade de France (1-0) with a goal by Vinícius against Liverpool, Real Madrid, 14-time European champion and last owner of the trophy, which won the World Cup on Saturday of Clubs, he once again faces the Reds, six times champion of the Champions League, although currently in great difficulties in the Premier (10th).
“I think the players are in an upward phase after a difficult January month,” warned the Italian coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, who recovered his center forward and Ballon d’Or winner, Karim Benzema.
On the way to the final, on June 10 in Istanbul, the other round of 16 propose two duels between former monarchs: the Borussia Dortmund (1997) is measured the day after tomorrow at Chelsea (2012, 2021) and Inter de Milan (1964, 1965, 2010) faces on Wednesday the 22nd FC Porto (1987, 2004).
Manchester Cityin search of a first crown, faces the RB Leipzig next week, but the English giant has other concerns in the face of the threat of sanctions from the Premier League, which accuses it of several violations of the financial rules of the championship.
napoliimpressive in the group stage and dominator of Serie A, will try for his part against the eintracht frankfurt (Tuesday 21) reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time in its history.
Lastly, the Club Brugesa surprise guest among the European aristocracy, hopes to continue his good run on Wednesday against Benfica.
