The Champions League has returned in all its glory – so we just simply had to have it as a feature in the paper! City, Bayern Munich and Liverpool are all in action in somewhat simple ties (if there is ever such a thing) but our attention will be squarely set on the Parc des Princes!
UEFA Champions League: Round of 16
Tuesday 15 February
Parc des Princes
22:00
To Win
PSG 21/20 | Draw 26/10 | Real Madrid 24/10
Paris Saint-Germain
Ligue 1 – at least at the summit – has begun to return to something more recognizable. PSG sit at the top of the pile with a 13-point lead after 23 fixtures and have looked reasonably comfortable doing so.
This is important insofar as the Parisians’ European quest is concerned. Much like Manchester City, to be crowned King of Europe is of the utmost importance to this football club. Their history relegates almost every other cup to second fiddle and their financial prowess is comfortable to ‘demand’ one of the world’s toughest club competitions.
Losing to Nice on penalties is their only blemish from their last 14 fixtures in all competition, and whilst such a result will always raise a few eyebrows…I think PSG and Mauricio Pochettino have enjoyed a brilliant start to the 2022/23 football season.
Now at the risk of sounding disrespectful, even in the modern game, I don’t think the PSG job is as much about being tactically astute, as it is about managing enormous personalities. The questions that pop up about the capabilities of Pochettino are quite simply unfounded and often quite shallow in depth.
PSG looked desperate coming into this season’s Champions League, ‘if not now, then when’ seemed to almost be etched into the very fabric of the side and yet they are a side with legendary players supplying a core around which a team is built.
Real Madrid might prove just one of two tricky tests for the Parisian side in this year’s tournament. Having Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos on the blue side might suggest that their preparation will be incredibly collaborative. Ramos obviously came from Real, whilst Messi would have spent years analyzing (and tearing apart) their Spanish guests.
Should PSG win this tie, they will not face Chelsea, Manchester City or Bayern Munich until the final – so truly if not now…then when!?
Messi at PSG has been UNDERRATED. 🥶🐐 pic.twitter.com/tJCCj8WTUt
— mx (@MessiMX30ii) February 13, 2022
Real Madrid
Real Madrid looks to be unrelenting in their efforts to return their great club to historic glory! Yes, they have slipped up and opened the door to their local rivals – but their response in critical moments can be likened to that of a Champion.
Carlo Ancelotti is no stranger to achieving success at the highest level and combining the Italian’s pedigree with a club who itself is undisputed in its achievement in this tournament, makes for a testing encounter.
Real Madrid carries themselves with a particular aura in this competition and have every right to. Los Blancos have history as a source from which they will draw unmatched confidence.
After being knocked out of the Copa del Rey, Real responded well against Granada. They dominated the game in large areas of the field and always looked to be knocking on the door when they had possession of the football. That was a performance without Karim Benzema and Vinicius – two players who would make a massive difference to any club they would play for. These two athletes should be back into the squad for this titanic clash, and nobody would be surprised to see either of them have a part to play in the Shakespearean drama that should surely unfold on a night out in Paris!
BREAKING: An elimination against Real Madrid could lead to the DEPARTURE of Mauricio Pochettino before the end of the season
— sam_c345 (@C345Sam) February 13, 2022
Prediction: PSG Win (21/20)
This PSG side is riddled with talent and ability. I stand by what I suggested earlier in this piece – the quality on the field and in the coffers of this club often understates the importance of every other cup in Europe.
The players in this team know the importance of such a game and I can’t see past a win for the hosts here to be completely honest. These are never the sorts of games you want to be too bullish – but if there was ever a chance to get stuck into Les Parisiens, its right now!
Elsewhere, I think Manchester City and Bayern Munich will enjoy straightforward wins. Liverpool and Inter should be an absolute treat – both teams to score should be the way to go there.
Combine all these picks for a nibble at a rather simple looking 5/1 quad!
