The UEFA Champions League trophy. Photo: FABRICE OFFRINI / AFP.
UEFA Champions League: Players to watch this week
The UEFA Champions League is back with the round of 16 upon us. Here are some key players and talking points to watch out for.
The UEFA Champions League trophy. Photo: FABRICE OFFRINI / AFP.
The UEFA Champions League round of 16 is almost upon us. We’ve got a few key players to watch including PSG star Lionel Messi and Spurs talisman Harry Kane.
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UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All games kick off at 22:00 SA time.
TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY
- PSG vs Bayern Munich
- AC Milan vs Tottenham Hotspur
Lionel Messi is fit after shrugging off a minor issue and so is Kylian Mbappe, so PSG will be at full strength in attack for their mouthwatering meeting with Bayern Munich in Paris. It’s a rematch of the 2020 UCL final. PSG recently lost in the Coupe de France against Marseille and then to Monaco in Ligue 1, so Messi and co will be keen to make a point here.
Meanwhile, Harry Kane will be out to add to his all-time record tally of goals for Tottenham at the San Siro against Milan, who have lost three of their last four Serie A games. Kane now has 267 strikes for Spurs, overtaking Jimmy Greaves in the all-time stakes.
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WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY
- Club Brugge vs Benfica
- Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea
Chelsea have won just 1 of their last 8 matches across all competitions and the pressure is mounting on Graham Potter. He’ll be keen for a big impact from Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernández, who will be makin their Champions League debuts for Chelsea. In the night’s other game, dark horses Club Brugge and Benfica should produce an entertaining battle in Belgium. Benfica lead Porto by 5 points at the summit of the Primeira Liga, while Rafa Silva and João Mário have 4 goals apiece in this season’s Champions League.
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For more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game, hit up James Freemantle.
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