Everything you should know about the Champions League’s round of 16

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The Champions League and the Europa League defined the clashes. Infarction series are already insured

On Monday, December 17, the UEFA Champions League round of 16 draws and the UEFA Europa League round of 32 draws were held. What is the panorama to advance towards 'la orejona' and what will be the best of the Europa League?

Leer en español: Lo que debes saber de los imperdibles octavos de la Champions League

The Champions: benevolent with some, implacable with others

Schalke 04 vs. Manchester City

This is the most unequal duel of the round of 16, because the English team is far superior to the German comparing their templates and their coaching staff. Both teams have met on 3 occasions for official competitions, but they have never done so for the Champions League. The total balance is two triumphs for the City and a victory for the Germans.

Atlético de Madrid vs. Juventus

Attractive game that has as a favorite the Italian team, because its offensive power is lethal and its defensive security is implacable, although the style of play of the Spanish team is also very effective despite not being so colorful.

These teams have met in 7 official matches, with a balance of 2 wins for the Spanish, 4 wins for the Italians and a tie. Of those 7 matches only 2 were for Champions, season 2014-2015, which ended in a victory for Atlético de Madrid and a tie.

Manchester United vs. Paris Saint-Germain

The current style of both teams puts as favorite the Parisian team, although it does not have as much history and hierarchy as the English club. The triumvirate Cavani-Mbappé-Neymar of PSG promises to cause great damage to a Manchester United, whose poverty in its game has undermined its potential, although the recent dismissal of coach José Mourinho from the bench 'red devil' could change the course of the key.

Both teams will face each other for the first time in the history of the Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Borussia Dortmund

It is one of the most equal matches, both for their current football level and their history. Tottenham arrives after overcoming the 'group of death', while Borussia arrives after qualifying above the brave Atlético de Madrid.

As for their history, according to Livefutbol, there is maximum equality, since they have faced each other in 4 official matches, leaving two victories for each one. Of those 4 matches, 2 were for the Champions: season 2017-2018, ending both matches in English wins.

Olympique de Lyon vs. FC Barcelona

Confrontation clearly favorable for the Spanish team due to the quality of its squad and its history against the French team. The Culé team has played 6 times against Lyon, getting four wins and two ties. The last confrontation between both teams took place on March 11, 2009, with a final score of 5 goals to 2 in favor of Barcelona.

Rome vs. Porto

Italians and Portuguese will face for the fourth time in their history in an official way. According to Livefutbol, the balance favors Porto, as it has 2 wins and 2 ties, although of those 4 games only 2 were in a previous round of the Champions in the 2016-2017 season, ending in a victory for the blue dragons and in a tie.

This match is also very equal, because Porto will finish at home but Roma have good offensive potential.

Ajax vs. Real Madrid

It is a game with a lot of history, since between the two teams there are 17 Champions (13 Real Madrid and 4 Ajax). It will be an interesting match that will measure a versatile and strong Ajax home against a Real Madrid that has had several difficulties.

The record between both teams is favorable for Real Madrid: seven wins, one tie and four defeats. The last victory of the Dutch over the Spaniards was on November 22, 1995, while Real Madrid won the last 6 matches, played in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Liverpool vs Bayern Munich

It is perhaps the most attractive duel of the round of 16. Liverpool is achieving an impressive campaign in the Premier League, but in the Champions they achieved an anguishing classification. Bayern have gone through several ups and downs in the Bundesliga, but had a quiet qualification in the continental tournament.

Liverpool has faced Bayern Munich 7 times in official competitions, with a positive balance: 2 wins, 4 ties and one defeat. Of those 7 matches, only 2 were for Champions, corresponding to the semifinals of 1981, culminating both games in a draw but giving way to the final to the English club thanks to the tie break for the away goal.

Read also: The future of the Champions is on Facebook

UEFA Europa League: the highlights

The second most important tournament of the old continent was the draw of the round of 32, and also will provide excellent matches. Shakhtar Donetsk against Frankfurt, Celtic against Valencia, Lazio against Sevilla, Fenerbahce against Zenit, Sporting de Lisboa against Villarreal and Galatasaray against Benfica are the high level matches that the competition will have.

The Champions League matches are scheduled to be played in mid-February and March, while the Europa League matches will be played only in February, as the next round will be played the following month. Great emotions will be experienced with these exciting European duels, which make up the best football at the club level in the world.

LatinAmerican Post | Javier Aldana
Translated from "Lo que debes saber de los imperdibles octavos de la Champions League"