PSG meet Bayern in the round of 16 of the Champions League
Two of the three recent Champions League finals will reappear in the round of 16 this season, when Liverpool and PSG have the opportunity to collect debts from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, respectively. If Bayern beat PSG 1-0 thanks to Kingsley Coman's goal in the 2020 final, Real beat Liverpool with a similar score thanks to Vinicius Junior in the final two years later.
When a visit from former Bayern Munich midfielder Hamit Altintop brought his old team to PSG, CEO Oliver Kahn did not reveal his emotions. In fact, this matchup was decided before the two teams were finally drawn. Bayern is one of the most frustrating teams for PSG, but Kahn also doesn't want to see the only team in Europe's top five leagues who are unbeaten in all competitions this season. Confrontation history shows that the German champions are even weaker than PSG, with five wins and six defeats across 11 matches.
The reigning champion Real Madrid probably does not want to meet Liverpool so soon. The two teams have met nine matches in the European Cup, including three Champions League finals, formerly the C1 Cup. Liverpool won the final in early 1981, but lost two finals in 2018 and 2022. In the remaining six confrontations, Real was also marginally better with three wins, one draw and two losses.
The remaining matches are also hard to ignore. Inter and Porto will create a "derby Mourinho" match, when the Portuguese coach won the Champions League with both of these teams, respectively in 2010 and 2004. Inter is better in confrontation with two wins, a draw and a draw. a loss against Porto.
Milan and Tottenham are also another equal match, although the North London club are unbeaten in four previous matches against this opponent. Coach Antonio Conte used to lead Juventus and Inter, so he will understand Milan well. But Stefano Pioli's army is gradually reviving and aiming to go deep in the tournament.
Another big player at the tournament is that Chelsea will meet Dortmund for the first time in the European Cup, but it will not be easy for Graham Potter's teachers and students to continue without improving their current performance. Napoli is also rated higher than Frankfurt with its current form, but it is unclear whether the leading team of Serie A can keep the sublime circuit until the 1/8 round kicks off in February 2023.
The remaining two matches are said to be different, when Man City meets Leipzig, and Brugge plays Benfica. Pep Guardiola's army once again met a pleasant opponent in the 1/8 round. Excluding Real in the 2019-2020 season, Man City's opponents in the round of 16 of the Champions League under Guardiola are Monaco, Basel, Schalke, Gladbach, Sporting and now Leipzig, respectively.
The first leg of the 1/8 round will take place on February 14, February 15, February 21 and February 22, with the return leg three weeks later. The away goals rule no longer applies, and the seeded team will still play the second leg at home.
