It’s the prize that every club in Europe wants to win. It’s an indicator of the prominence of a football club across the continent. On February 14th, the Champions League returns for its knockout stages, and this year it is as wide open as ever as the competition begins to pick up the pace.
Due to the FIFA 2022 World Cup, the group stage ended in November, which was earlier than usual. But now, with international duties out of the way for the players, the road to the final in Istanbul on June 10th can continue and really heat up.
The knockout stages begin with the round of 16. UEFA has drawn eight intriguing ties that include some real heavyweights facing off at a relatively early time in the competition, but what teams are in with a chance of making the quarter-finals?
Some of the match-ups here will be real blockbuster games. In a repeat of last year’s final in Paris, the current holders, Real Madrid, will meet Liverpool. The two sides have played each other several times in the later stages of the competition over the previous five years, with Madrid getting the better of Jurgen Klopp’s side on all occasions. Both teams are playing poorly in their domestic leagues this season, so what impact will that have on this European Cup tie?
“I believe that Liverpool and Real Madrid are really like the ‘royalty teams’ of the Champions League.”
Jorge López-Torecilla
LaLiga Lowdown Podcast
“I don’t know how to analyze this match-up because we don’t really know what to expect from these teams. But, if you’re not performing in the league the way you should, I believe they should turn it up in the Champions League because that’s their way to save their season or year.”
