Champions League is back, and for the next two days we have some cracking games to look forward to. Barcelona are looking unbeatable at the moment and the Catalan giants could become the first team since AC Milan in 1990 to retain Europe’s biggest prize.
Atletico Madrid vs PSV Eindhoven (agg 0-0)
The Dutch side did well to hold Atletico to a stalemate at the Philips Stadium, but hard to see them getting a shock result at the Calderon on Tuesday night.
Atletico have hit the form just at the right time. Probably understanding that the La Liga title is almost out of reach, Diego Simeone’s side are expressing themselves with lot freedom on the pitch. The fluidity that escaped their game for a while is back and they are scoring for fun as a result.
Since their trip to Holland, they have won the Madrid derby, accumulated 12 points from their last four league games, and scored three goals in each of their last three matches. Champions League remains a realistic target for the Rojiblancos this season.
Prediction: Atleti 2-0 PSV
Manchester City vs Dynamo Kiev (agg 3-1)
This tie is as good as over with City winning 3-1 at Kiev in the first leg. With only one win in their last five Premier League games, City’s chances of winning the league title is getting slim with every passing week.
It seems Manuel Pellegrini’s men have prioritised the Champions League this season, but they need to pick up some form quickly. This game provides a good opportunity to get things back on track.
Prediction: City 2-1 Kiev
Barcelona vs Arsenal (agg 2-0)
It would need an act of God to prevent Barcelona from not reaching to the quarter final stage from here on. Even the God would fail to do so. And Wenger is just a mere mortal.
With the kind of form Barcelona are in, and most importantly the kind of form Arsenal are in , I fear the Gunners could face a massive humiliation on Wednesday night. A season that promised so much hope for the Gunners is gradually turning out be a disaster in the end.
Barcelona had rested the likes of Mascherano, Suarez and Busquets in their last match, and still won 6-0 against Getafe. Can Arsenal stop their juggernaut? Unlikely.
Prediction: Barca 3-1 Arsenal
Bayern Munich vs Juventus (agg 2-2)
Oh! What a game we have on our hand! Bayern are strong at home and favourites to go through but Juventus just need a victory to progress to the last eight. A typical cup final on our hand.
If Juve can produce the kind of performance they showed during the last 15 mins against Bayern in the first leg, there’s no reason to believe why the Old Lady can’t win in Germany.
Mainz have beaten Bayern at Bavaria earlier this month. Bayern’s defence can be vulnerable at times and it can be exploited.
Pep Guardiola’s time at Bayern will be judged on whether he can deliver the Champions League, so expect Bayern to make life difficult for the visitors.
Prediction: Bayern 2-1 Juventus
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