It seemed like it took a lifetime, but last week Champions League football returned after a roughly two month absence. Last week, we were treated to some good games. Sevilla were outscored by Borussia Dortmund who won 3-2 on the night and Barcelona were humbled by PSG 4-1.
In the other set of matches Portuguese champions Porto comfortably beat Juventus 2-1. Although the scoreline may seem flattering to the Italians, make no mistake about Juve were well beaten. In the last game of the round of 16 fixtures saw six-time winners Liverpool comfortably beat Manchester United conquerors 2-0 in Hungary, the adopted home of the German side due to Covid19 travel restrictions.
As for this week’s round of matches, tonight’s matches see defending champions Bayern Munich travel to last year’s Serie A surprise package Lazio. This tie on the face of it, seems to have a safe Bayern progression written all over it, but The Bavarians have been far from convincing this term and even more since they returned from the Club World Cup.
Having said that however, I expect the German giants to progress in this one 4-2 on aggregate. Ciro Immobile, will be a handful for the Rome side, but it’s the Lewandowski factor that will be the key for Bayern Munich.
In the other game this evening, high flying Atletico who lead LaLiga by three points with a game in hand, host Chelsea.
Los Colchaneros who were in the same group as Bayern, have transformed into a brilliant attacking side.
Players like Louis Suarez, Joao Felix and Marcos Llorente of all people have been crucial for the the Spanish side.
Chelsea who recently appointed new manager Thomas Tuchel, have marginally improved since the German took over.
With talent such as Havertz and Ziyech at their disposal, The Blues will be no pushovers, but I can’t see past Atletico Madrid. My prediction for an aggregate score line or Atletico 3-1 Chelsea.
In tomorrow’s matches sees Manchester City come up against Borussia Monchengladbach. The Blues who have badly under achieved in this tournament, have been defensively brilliant this year with Stones and Diaz being key.
This tie seems City’s to lose, my prediction Man City 3-0 Borussia M. I am sure Marcus Thurman and co will be looking to do better than that over two legs.
The final game of the Champions League week sees Real Madrid and Atalanta go head to head.
Real as we know are the most successful team in the history of the tournament with 13 Champions League titles.
Atalanta on the other hand are relative new comers of the tournament and were dumped out last year in agonising fashion in the quarter-finals against PSG.
This year, the Italian side have been a shadow of that side who became everyone’s second team.
Papu Gomez, the captain of that side has left for Sevilla. Atalanta do still have Louis Demirel, Illicic and the bustling figure of Zupata too. They won’t be pushovers for sure.
Having said that, I still do fancy Real in this one. It won’t be an easy game, but this won’t be the nightmare game that Ajax was for Los Blancos. My prediction on aggregate Atalanta 1-4 Real Madrid.
So they were my predictions, but what do you think? Let me know in the comments.
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