The first leg, round of 16, of the Champions League 2019/2020 to look for a place to the quarterfinals is now at its most vibrant point. The world's most important club competition generates big passion among fans worldwide with many odds predictions already made to determine who will lift the trophy,
much like with odds on the Grand National there are a select few that are selected to win.
This season finds England and Spain, with four teams each, the most represented countries at this
level followed by Germany and Italy with three teams each and closing with France with two teams.
Whilst most of the represented clubs are well known for reaching this stage regularly, this year finds
Italian side Atalanta and
German Bundesliga contenders RB Leipzig.
The second leg of the round of 16 will be played on March 10-18 to determine the eight teams that
will qualify to the quarterfinals. UEFA will then cross the crossings on March 18 in Nyon, Switzerland
for the quarterfinals matches that will be played April 7/8 and April 14/15.
It is important to remember that there will be no condition for the quarter-final crosses, as there
were for the round of 16 draw where teams from the same country and teams that had faced each
other in the group stage could not be crossed. In the quarterfinals any crossing will be possible.
Play-offs
Valencia - Atalanta
Valencia which arrived seventh in La Liga and top of their group over Ajax and Chelsea, was crushed
4-1 in the first match but were missing several key players through injury and suspension. Dutch
Hans Hateboer scored twice for tournament debutants Atalanta which took a giant step closer to
reaching the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time.
Atletico Madrid - Liverpool
After a very early goal, Liverpool which are the current European champions and runaway Premier
League leaders, was defeated by Spaniard team Atletico de Madrid who defended admirably for the
rest of the match. Despite all the possession that they had, the Reds, could not beat goalkeeper Joan
Oblak and they will need to wait the rematch at Anfield stadium.
Tottenham - Leipzig
RB Leipzig took a deserved away lead over the Spurs, the last season's runners-up. Having failed to
capitalise on their first-half pressure, the German team won thanks a penalty at minute 58. If
Tottenham win the play-off, it will be the first time that Mourinho has overturned a first-leg deficit.
Dortmund - PSG
Norwegian 19-year-old giant Erling Haaland hits double for the Dortmund victory over PSG in the
first match,
with some commentators speculating that Manchester United failed in their efforts to
sign the striker. French team biggest star Neymar, who had played just one of the four knockout
matches since his 2017 arrival, discounted at minute 75th but PSG will receive Dortmund at home
with a much-needed win.
Other matches
Chelsea - Bayern
Chelsea will receive Bayern Munich home in the first match with the Blues suffering a transfer ban
that has compelled them to field many young players. The Germans on the other hand won all six of
their matches during the group stage and leading the Bundesliga. Bayern are favourites but this is
football.
Manchester City - Real Madrid
Former player Yaya Touré said he is "a little bit scared" for City encounter with Real Madrid of
former club's chances. Moreover, the Citizens are still shocked after been banned from UEFA club
competitions for the next two seasons after being found to have committed "serious breaches" of
financial regulations.
Barcelona - Napoli
The Italians will receive Barcelona in what will be Napoli's first ever competitive match against the
Blaugrana. Facing a difficult local campaign, Napoli has nothing to lose against the current Spanish
champions.
Juventus - Lyon
The Italian team will visit Lyon on their first match in their run to lift the trophy again since last time
in 1996. History favours the Juve which is expected to beat Lyon over the two legs of the hand its
biggest star Cristiano Ronaldo.