Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid to re-enact Madrid derby
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at the Metropolitano on Wednesday night, with Los Blancos leading 2-1 after a nail-biting clash last week.
This fixture in the Champions League has always gone Real Madrid’s way, whether that be the 2014 and 2016 finals, or the 2017 semi-finals, but Atletico should have hope, considering they have lost just one of the last seven home games against their bitter rivals.
In cup competitions, Atleti are unbeaten in the last five meetings, winning four against Real, and they must win again here if they are to have a chance of progression following last week’s defeat.
Real Madrid will know they have to be on top form to get the better of their city rivals, especially at this venue, with a raucous crowd behind them.
After winning eight straight away games at the Calderon between 2008 and 2014, Real have since won just three in 17, enjoying very little success since Atletico moved to the Metropolitano.
Real are yet to win away at Atletico in Europe in three previous attempts, but their pedigree in this competition means they will still be the favourites.
Real Madrid have won every previous European tie against Atletico, also finding a way to get over the line in two Champions League finals against their local rivals, and they are the favourites to do so again.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Lille welcome Borussia Dortmund for the return leg
Still on course for a historic Champions League achievement, Lille welcome Borussia Dortmund for the return leg of their round of 16 tie on Wednesday.
The Mastiffs have the opportunity to reach the quarter-finals for the first time ever, following an impressive performance in the first leg last Tuesday.
Not the most obvious of advantages, but after battling to a 1-1 draw at Dortmund, Lille have every reason to believe they can make history, especially with Stade Pierre-Mauroy standing as an imposing fortress in European competition.
Lille boast a formidable record at the ground, winning 10 of their last 12 continental matches, including three of four outings in this season’s league phase, having edged Sturm Graz 3-2, stunned holders Real Madrid 1-0 and dismantled Feyenoord 6-1, only dropping points in a 1-1 stalemate against Juventus before that.
Their strength at Stade Pierre-Mauroy was evident once again in Ligue 1 at the weekend, as Bruno Genesio‘s side battled past bottom-placed Montpellier HSC 1-0.
Victory on Wednesday would see Lille claim their first-ever knockout tie triumph in the Champions League, though they will need to break a familiar pattern, with last week’s result marking the third consecutive draw in meetings between these sides.
Their previous encounters came in the UEFA Cup fourth round in 2001-02, when a goalless stalemate in Germany was followed by a 1-1 scoreline in France, allowing Dortmund to progress on away goals.
This is a tough one to call, given Lille’s strong home record in the Champions League and Dortmund’s pedigree in the competition.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
PSV need an extraordinary comeback to upset Arsenal
Barring one of the most extraordinary comebacks in football history, let alone the Champions League, Arsenal will be celebrating progression to the quarter-finals after Wednesday’s last-16 second leg at home to PSV Eindhoven.
Records were sent tumbling in the Gunners’ 7-1 annihilation of Peter Bosz‘s side in the first leg, but Mikel Arteta‘s returned to their toothless ways in the Premier League over the weekend.
To say that the 7-1 scoreline did not tell the full story of the first leg seems ludicrous, but Arsenal will be under no illusions that they were let off the hook a couple of times in Eindhoven.
Arsenal becomes the first side to ever score seven goals away from home in a Champions League knockout game.
Following what should be the most stress-free match of the season for the home crowd, a tantalising quarter-final with either Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid will be next on the menu, but not before Arsenal bid to equal another Champions League goalscoring record on Wednesday night.
PSV can therefore hold out for an uneventful draw, not that it will make much difference as Arsenal stroll into the last eight without breaking a sweat.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Aston Villa host Club Brugge with a two-goal advantage
Aiming to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals, Aston Villa welcome Club Brugge to Birmingham on Wednesday, starting the second leg of the sides’ last-16 tie with a two-goal advantage.
After Brugge’s late implosion in Belgium, Villa are certainly in the driving seat, and they must now try to finish the job at Villa Park.
As Unai Emery has lost only three of his last 19 home games in Europe’s top tournament – across spells with four different clubs, including four so far at Villa – their Basque boss certainly knows how to make home advantage pay.
Following a prolonged sticky spell, Emery’s men have recently won their last three games across all competitions, helping them put one foot in the Champions League’s last eight – where they would meet either Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain – and qualify for the FA Cup quarter-finals.
While Aston Villa are much tougher to beat on home turf, Club Brugge have already proven to be fearless, and they will expect to put pressure on their hosts’ suspect defence.
With a handy advantage following last week’s first leg, Villa should still get the job done – albeit facing a few scares.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
