Top five matches to watch in UEFA Champions League Round of 16

The first knockout stage of the competition has some mouth-watering clashes in store.

It is a fact that every UEFA Champions League encounter is fascinating. This season, it’s even more so, as we saw Young Boys robbing Manchester United of a victory. We witnessed FC Sheriff Tiraspol, a new entrant into the league, defeating Real Madrid.

On an individual level, Sebastien Haller of Ajax has equalled the record of Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring in six consecutive group stage fixtures and is currently the highest goalscorer this season with 10 goals, above Robert Lewandowski (9) and Mohamed Salah (7).

Beginning this Tuesday, we will be witnessing the Round of 16 clashes in the UEFA Champions League. The 16 competitors comprise three teams from England and Spain, two from Portugal, France and Italy and one each from Germany, the Netherlands and Austria.

Here are the top five clashes to watch from the Round of 16 stage.

5. RB Salzburg Vs Bayern Munich

This high-voltage match witnesses two champions of the previous season facing each other in a UEFA Champions League tie. Both RB Salzburg and Bayern Munich have won their respective leagues, the Austrian Bundesliga and Bundesliga continually for quite a few years now.

At a stretch from 2013/14, RB Salzburg have kept hold of the silverware. Similarly, Bayern Munich too, since 2012/13 have been holders of their title. This is also the first time Salzburg have made their way to the knockout stages of the Champions League. Though Bayern Munich are expected to walk out of the tie as winners, Salzburg may just spring a surprise.

Being neighbours to each other, this battle between Austria and Germany will be a great treat to witness.

4. Sporting CP Vs Manchester City

On 16th February, 2022, Sporting CP and Manchester City will face-off against each other in the first leg of their tie. Both of the teams’ performances in their respective leagues has been scintillating, with Sporting finishing five points above Porto to grab the silverware and Manchester City winning the league comfortably, after creating a 12-point gap between them and second-placed Manchester United.

In this campaign, City are placed top with 63 points already to their name. Meanwhile, Sporting are sitting second to Porto. For the first time in the history of this competition, these two sides will be facing each other. Manchester City have the upper hand, but the Portuguese champions should not be taken lightly. They managed to put three past Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League group stage and knocked them out of the competition. Let’s wait to discover who makes it to the quarter-finals.

3. Inter Milan Vs Liverpool

Seven months after the Euro 2020 final, the English will again lock horns with the Italians. But, this time, it’s not the countries doing battle, but rather two immensely reputed football clubs with rich history. Both Inter Milan and Liverpool are displaying some excellent form in their respective leagues. The former are currently at the top of the table with 54 points in 24 matches. Meanwhile, Liverpool are 12 points behind Manchester City, albeit with two games in-hand .

Speaking about their head-to-head statistics, Inter Milan have faced Liverpool four times prior to this encounter. Three of those matches have ended in favour of the English club, with the Italians winning one. However, going by Inter Milan's form this season, they can easily outwit the English giants.

2. Atletico Madrid Vs Manchester United

Manchester United frontman Cristiano Ronaldo and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone have shared a bitter rivalry from the past. The Portuguese, a former Real Madrid and Juventus stalwart, has played a total of 35 matches against Atletico Madrid and has found the net 25 times.

On the other hand, Diego Simeone has been in-charge of Atletico Madrid since 2011. Under his tutelage, the club have tasted paramount success. Starting from winning La Liga in 2013/14 and again last season, to securing the runners-up spot in the UEFA Champions League twice in three years, Simeone’s contribution to the club has been immense. After a successful previous campaign, he’ll be looking to get his hands on this title for the first time.

The Spanish side are currently fourth in La Liga with 39 points. Meanwhile, Manchester United are in sixth position in the Premier League under German Ralf Rangnick.

1. Paris Saint-Germain Vs Real Madrid

More than PSG Vs Real Madrid, it is considered to be a reunion of rivalries between Lionel Messi and the Spanish giants. Watching Messi turn the ball into the Real Madrid net has been a sight witnessed by many fans around the world. This time however, the Argentine is not a part of Barcelona, but a whole new team.

Speaking from the clubs’ point of view, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have met six times prior to this encounter in the UEFA Champions League. The former have secured just a single victory, while the latter have three under their belt. The rest of the two matches ended as draws. A total of 15 goals have been scored in these six matches, with the Spanish side scoring eight times and the French side netting on seven occasions.

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