The first leg matches in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 are upon us, and the teams involved know what they need to do to secure progression to the quarter-final stage of the competition.
This week will see four of the matches taking place, with the remaining four first leg clashes to be played next week.
Paris Saint-Germain’s home clash against English Premier League champions Chelsea sets up an interesting encounter on Tuesday night, with the French side welcoming the Londoners to Paris.
The Blues are not as stellar an outfit as they were last season, with the shine of an EPL title long gone after severe struggles within the English top flight. They have also lost Jose Mourinho as coach, and though this has been a positive for a turnaround in their season at home, the master tactician was always important in the knock-out stages of this competition.
A strong showing from PSG at home could set things up for them to defend their aggregate lead in London during the second leg. The French club will be looking to their marksman Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make the difference on Tuesday, and if he does, the English will struggle to come back from a deficit in the second leg.
Ivorian Serge Aurier is out of this week’s clash due to disciplinary issues with his PSG coach, while Lavezzi is also unavailable and Pastore is in doubt due to a hamstring issue. For Chelsea Zouma and Terry are injured, while Matic is suspended. Oscar’s calf injury has him in doubt.
Portuguese outfit Benfica will be at home when Zenit St Petersburg travel to Lisbon for the first leg of a last 16 clash that is expected to go the way of the team from Portugal. But one needs to remember how difficult it is to beat Russian teams in Russia, especially during the coldest part of the year.
That advantage needs to be carefully considered by Benfica, who will need to come out all guns blazing on Tuesday if they are to ensure their passage to the quarter-finals of the competition.
A substantial lead will give the side from Lisbon the necessary advantage to carry through to the second leg, but if they only manage to beat the Russians by a single goal or draw with them, Zenit will have the confidence to expect victory and progression in the next game.
For Benfica Luisão, Rebocho, Nuno Santos, Fejsa and Lisandro López are all out through injury, while Zenit will be without Fayzulin, Malafeev, Smolnikov and Ryazantsev.
Real Madrid and Roma will find common ground in the Italian capital on Wednesday night, as the two teams attempt to reach the quarter-final stage of the competition.
Roma may be at home, but Madrid are by far the favourites to dominate and win this encounter, and most certainly the tie as a whole. The Giallorossi will be itching to prove critics wrong, however, as their blend of football with defensive focus goes up against a highly efficient and fiercely attacking team. Ronaldo’s form in recent times has been sublime, and he will be a serious consideration for the Italians.
If Roma are not able to get something out of the encounter, the second leg could end up being a thrashing, which the Spaniards have become used to dishing out in recent times. The Romans are suffering with numerous doubtful appearances due to injury, making their lives difficult.
On the injury front Madrid will be missing Bale, Pepe and Abner with injuries, while Marcelo’s shoulder problem will need to be considered in the final hours to determine his availability. For Roma Capradossi is out with a knee problem, while De Rossi, Salah, Torosidis and Totti are doubtful with injuries, causing a serious problem for the home side.
The Germans will be travelling to Belgium on Wednesday for a last 16 encounter with Gent that the away side is expected to have in the bag. While it is not often that Belgian teams make it to this stage, when it does happen, Anderlecht are usually the side in question.
Gent has done well, and though they are the underdogs at this stage, they have nothing to lose, and that can be extremely dangerous in a competition of this nature.
Expect the home side to come out firing against their German opponents, but Wolfsburg will likely play smart and wait for opportunities before pouncing. A draw or better for the Germans will put the Belgians in no-man’s land for the second leg.
Gent are without Matton due to a foot injury, while Dejaegere, Lasse Nielsen and Milicevic are all doubts. For the Germans, Dost has a foot problem and will not play, while Naldo is suspended. Arnold, Guilavogui and Schürrle may require late fitness tests to see if they will feature on Wednesday.
