Champions League Cheat Sheet - Part 1
Everything you need to know ahead of the midweek UCL fixtures.
The second leg of the Champions League Last 16 are upon us, with four massive matchups this week.
Here is everything you need to know.
Bayern Munich v Red Bull Salzburg, Allianz Arena.
Last time out:
RB Salzburg caused headaches for Bayern in the first leg, despite conceding 72% of possession in an exciting tie which ended 1-1.
Junior Adamu came off the bench early for Salzburg and broke the deadlock with a brilliant, sweeping finish on twenty minutes.
Salzburg looked their most dangerous when hitting on the counter, and had opportunities to extend their lead when Bayern committed men forward, especially in the second half.
Kingsley Coman struck very late for Bayern to take the tie to 1-1, as he cleverly snuck in behind Lewandowski to cleanly meet a flicked on pass from Thomas Muller.
Bayern won all six of their group stage matches to qualify for the last 16, however they have not shown the scintillating form and clinical finishing that have made them such a difficult opponent over the last decade.
Form and team news:
Bayern have scored 9 goals in their last 5 games.
In the 5 matches before that, they scored 16.
Even with a plethora of attacking talent available, the German side have not been able to put teams away in the fashion we are familiar with.
Bayern drew 1-1 at home to Leverkusen at the weekend and have won just 2 of their last 5 fixtures in all competitions, but still sit first in the Bundesliga.
Bayernwill have some big names out for this clash, none bigger than Alphonso Davies.
Captain Manuel Neuer, Corentin Tolisso and Leon Goretzka will also miss this tie through injury.
RB Salzburg are yet to win away from home so far in the Champions League campaign, losing two matches and drawing one.
They sit atop of the Austrian Bundesliga.
Salzburg have injury issues of their own, with Noah Okafor, Albert Vallci, Ousmane Diakate and Bryan Okoh the big names unavailable.
Liverpool vs Inter Milan, Anfield.
Last time out:
Liverpool took a 2-0 win away from San Siro and are strong favorites to progress to the last 8 of the Champions League.
This was an exciting first leg which was open and free-flowing in the first half.
Inter Milan looked to push Liverpool back as much as possible with direct, vertical passing.
Ivan Perisic was excellent down the wing, and set up a brilliant chance by beating two men and exposing some of that space behind Trent Alexander-Arnold.
He was then able to cross in to Hakan Çalhanoğlu who hit the bar, and could have easily put Inter ahead.
The second half of this match was a different story.
Jurgen Klopp was able to make important changes that changed the mood of the tie.
Roberto Firmino and Luiz Diaz were brought on and you could instantly notice the difference in the two teams physically.
It looked like Inter were running out of gas, but Liverpool took it up another notch.
Roberto Firmino provided the moment of the match, meeting Andy Robertson’s cross with a brilliant header to fire Liverpool in the league and tilt the tie in the Red’s favour.
Form and team news:
Nicolo Barella is still suspended for this clash, which is a huge loss for Inter Milan.
The Italian has filled the void left by Romelu Lukaku and his link up with Lautaro Martinez has been crucial for Inter’s attacking form.
Inter Milan were 4 games without a goal, until this weekend where they won 5-0 at Salernitana. Lautaro Martinez with a hattrick, and Edin Dzeko adding a brace.
Joel Matip should be fit to return for Liverpool.
Manchester City vs Sporting Lisbon, Etihad Stadium.
Last time out:
A dominant Manchester City take a 5-0 win in to the second leg as they host a struggling Sporting side at the Etihad.
It was a complete shutout from City in the first leg, limiting Sporting to 34% possession and 0 shots on target.
Bernardo Silva was the star man, scoring two wonderful goals and setting up Raheem Sterling for City’s fifth.
While they weren’t allowed many opportunities to attack, Pedro Porro advanced forward as much as possible and created 4 crosses.
Form and team news:
With such a comfortable lead, expect Manchester City to make multiple changes from their 4-1 victory against Manchester United on the weekend.
Kyle Walker is suspended, and Ruben Dias will be unavailable with a hamstring injury.
Sporting have won just two of their last five in all competitions, and sit 2nd in the Primeira Liga table, six points behind Porto.
Former Leicester striker Islam Slimani bagged a brace as Sporting won 2-0 over Arouca this weekend.
Manuel Ugarte and Matheus Nunes are suspended for the tie, while Joao Palhina and Pedro Goncalves are also injury doubts.
Real Madrid vs PSG, Santiago Bernabeu.
Last time out:
A cagey first leg ended 1-0 to PSG, thanks to an amazing Kylian Mbapppe goal in the 94th minute.
PSG dominated possession against a Real Madrid side who were clearly instructed by Carlo Ancelotti to sit back and defend, and not allow PSG space to counter-attack with speed.
Thibaut Courtois had more touches than Marco Asensio and Vini Jr in the first half, and the match ended with 21 shots to 3 in PSG's favor.
Karim Benezma was coming back from injury and looked off the pace for a majority of the match, however he is now back up and firing again, scoring this weekend as top of La Liga Real Madrid defeated Sociedad 4-1.
Form and team news:
Alarmingly for PSG, star man Kylian Mbappe went down injured at training early this week and is in doubt for this fixture.
This would be a massive blow for that Parisians, as Mbappe was by far the games best player in the first leg, and his wonderful run and finish was the moment of magic PSG required to break down a stubborn Real Madrid defense.
Sergio Ramos also remains unavailable.
Real Madrid have headaches of their own, as Casemiro and Ferland Mendy both picked up bookings in the first leg, which will see them suspended for the clash.
Toni Kroos is also unlikely to be available.
Listen to the full Champions League preview here, with Nick Stoll: