Eight teams will qualify for the round of 16 in the Champions League this week. It gets really tight in most playbacks of the playoffs.
The fact that Borussia Dortmund belongs to a very elite group is really surprising in the current situation of the club. In the Bundesliga there was the second defeat in the 0-2 at VfL Bochum in the second league game under the new coach Niko Kovac – but as with his predecessors, he was extremely successful in the Champions League. With 3-0, BVB won the playoff first leg at Sporting Lisbon and is already in the round of 16 with one leg.
Similarly, the starting point at Paris St. Germain, which won the same result at Ligakon competitor Stade Brest and should bring the three-goal lead relatively effortlessly. But apart from Dortmund and PSG, there is no team that can take a relaxed approach. Although one club has an advantage in the other six playoff duels, we only speak of one goal.
FC Bayern in good position, you are threatened with the end
This advantage at Bayern Munich could supposedly greater, who built the small cushion away from Celtic Glasgow with a 2-1 success. Like the German record champion, Benfica Lisbon (1-0 at AS Monaco) and Real Madrid (3-2 at Manchester City) have two other teams that have presented abroad. However, the clash of the two currently whiring giants Real and City promises high tension.
Manchester coach Pep Guardiola only puts the chance of progressing “One percent”but in view of the quality of his team, expectations are enormous for this game.
The fact is: one of the two biggest favorites on the title will depart. Although there is a special explosiveness in this duel, it becomes no less exciting in the other places.
Two open ItalianDutch Duels
Especially in Italy, you should look at the second legs of the playoffs. Three teams from Serie A are asked, but only Juventus Turin was able to win the first game – although PSV Eindhoven still has very good chances to progress after the 1-2 in Italy. They also claim Atalanta Bergamo (1: 2 at FC Bruges) and AC Milan after the 0: 1 in the first leg at Feyenoord Rotterdam.
At this point it should be remembered that the away gates no longer play a role if the second legs with the same goal difference for the other team end. The pure result, the Catenaccio classic to take the lead 1-0 at home and then manage it, would not bring any of the teams that hit and lost abroad.
Discount of the round of 16 on Friday
It is likely that there will be at least one. In most cases, the starting situation is too tight after the hits, too balanced the occupation of the games – apart from the game of the highly favorite FC Bayern against Celtic.
So there are only a few teams in advance, the ball of which you can already expect in the lottery drum at the draw on Friday (February 21, 2025), but still a lot of teams whose progress is waning.