Five Things To Look Out For In The Champions League Last 16
With the last 16 ties of the Champions League announced, it's time to look at what will be key features of this crucial stage.
By David Cartlidge (@davidjaca)
With the last 16 ties of the Champions League announced, it's time to look at what will be key features of this crucial stage.
Familiar opponents take the headlines, but also keep an eye our for new contests involving Monaco and Manchester City, plus an intriguing Leicester City clash with Sevilla.
Monaco out to shock Manchester City?
At first glance, this looks like a plum tie for Manchester City. But dig deeper and there is plenty of intrigue to this one. First of all Pep Guardiola’s still working overtime to instil his methods at Manchester City. Some high profile defeats have raised a question mark over his reign at this early stage, with Claudio Bravo and John Stones two figures coming under particularly heavy fire. It’s evident that for Guardiola to get his methods across, and for them to be executed correctly, he needs new players. January provides a possible outlet for the coach, and City must dig deep.
Monaco meanwhile have been something of a sensation. Helmed by Leonardo Jardim, they’re guided by one of the most impressive coaches in Europe right now. The Portuguese has dealt admirably with the loss of key players and managed to bring together an excellent squad. Falcao is firing again, while he’s backed by an exciting group of young players including Thomas Lemar and Bernardo Silva. Not only are they sound in defence under Jardim, but they’ve shown a penchant for some clinical attacking play.
Familiar faces in two ties
It’s a case of ‘oh, you again…’ in two ties. Arsenal come together with Bayern Munich once more. The two face each other for the fourth time in the Champions League last 16, all this over the last five years. No other match-up has occurred more. Arsenal’s luck when it comes to the Champions League draws has hardly been kind neither, as Arsene Wenger strives to progress his team to that elite level. Barcelona meanwhile meet up with PSG once more. For them it’s three meetings in the last five years. On the last two occasions they’ve met, it’s been Barça who have triumphed.
So what has changed? For one, PSG’s news boss - not that it is for better. Unai Emery’s jinx against Barça has been something of legend in Spain, particularly when the coach heads to Camp Nou where he’s lost 11 times - from 11 games. Emery’s got his work cut out at PSG as things stands with the club not riding high at the top of Ligue 1, and rumours of discontent continue to swirl. This is the moment Emery was hired for. It could also be the moment he ends up getting fired for.
Leicester City to take Premier League heroics into Champions League?
A staggering drop off in form has seen Leicester City, winners of the Premier League last season, teeter on the brink of the relegation zone this time around. A failure to replace N’Golo Kante, dealing with the pressure of being champions, and other teams figuring them out, has seen Claudio Ranieri’s men struggle to repeat the heroics of last season. However, they have taken their endeavour to a new stage - the Champions League.
The Foxes sailed through the group stage and will look to take their enterprising play into the KO stages. Sevilla then, must be prepared. Leicester are the sort of team that can exploit Jorge Sampaoli’s system and attack the space they often leave. Sampaoli has shown intelligence and cunning in Europe so far, and adding this into the mix makes it a mightily intriguing tie.
Easy or not so easy for ‘lucky’ Real Madrid?
Real Madrid only get easy Champions League draws, right? Well this time around there is an argument they’ve been handed a tough one. As in, a really tough one. Naples is a daunting stadium for any team to go to, with Maurizio Sarri’s men losing just twice at the creaking old Stadio San Paolo. They are also looking to peak at the right time, with the team slowly building up a head of steam leading into the new year.
They are encompassing all the best traits of Sarri’s style, and showing a particularly ruthless touch in front of goal. While there is no Gonzalo Higuain, there remains Marek Hamsik. The Slovakian midfielder is playing the best football of his career and will be a huge presence in this tie. Sarri will also be hoping to call on sidelined Arkadiusz Milik in the new year.
The duel of the goalkeeping greats
They are two of the most legendary figures when it comes to goalkeeping. And this might well be their last hurrah on this type of stage. Time potentially, for one more mouthwatering performance. Ikea Casillas vs. Gianluigi Buffon. Spain vs. Italy. Legend vs. Legend.
35 and 38 respectively, the pair will be out to steer their teams through to the next round and hope their experience proves vital at this crucial stage of the tournament. “A luxury to face you again, my friend” said Casillas on his Twitter account. But who will have the luxury of being the victor?