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Juventus (0) vs Atlético Madrid (2) – Tuesday, 10pm
This year’s final hosts, Atlético Madrid, travel to Turin, Italy, on Tuesday to take on the Old Lady of Juventus with a two-goal advantage.
Ahead of their clash against Real Sociedad in La Liga last week, Diego Simeone’s side looked calm and at ease with Antoine Griezmann and Diego Godín sharing a few laughs. Atlético won two-zip and, prior to yesterday’s game against neighbours Leganés, were on a four-game winning streak.
Juventus have continued their dominance and are still undefeated in Serie A. However, two loses in cup competitions in the past six weeks have seen them knocked out of the Coppa Italia and losing ground to Atlético in Madrid. The Italian giants’ last two campaigns were ended by Spanish opposition, while Atlético have not lost in Italy in more than seven years.
Atlético will be without Diego Costa and Thomas Partey, while Juventus lose Alex Sandro, all due to suspension. On the injury front, Los Colchoneros will be feeling the pain of their 40th injury this season after Filipe Luís limped off last weekend. The Biconarri will be hoping Cristiano Ronaldo, Douglas Costa’s niggles and muscle strains, as well as Sami Khedira’s heart problem, will be resolved in time.
Manchester City (3) vs Schalke (2) – Tuesday, 10pm
Also on Tuesday, Manchester City take on Schalke at Eitihad Stadium, where the Citizens have a 3-2 advantage. The past five games of both teams have been polar opposites, with City having won four and drawn one, and Schalke losing four and drawing one. However, City’s draw was a cup final, which they won on penalties.
Though City will be without Nicolás Otamendi, Fernandinho (both through suspension) and possibly Kevin De Bruyne (through injury), their squad depth has many in Europe eyeing them with envy. With the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and captain Vincent Kompany back from injury, the Baby Blues will be aiming for an elusive five trophies this season – having bubble wrapped the Community Shield and League Cup already.
Even though Schalke are still fighting relegation, their cup aspirations are still alive with a German Cup quarterfinal clash next month. But with six losses in their last six visits to England and with only one win against City in 1970, Schalke have a mountain to climb. However, the trend of no fear football in Europe has caused many a good team to be upset this season (see sidebar).
Barcelona (0) vs Olympique Lyon (0) – Wednesday, 10pm
On Wednesday evening, Barcelona host Olympique Lyon, who fought hard to hold the Catalan team to a goalless draw in France. After a minor dip in form, Barcelona are back after a double Clásico victory away from home, securing a cup final and a nine-point cushion in the league. Luis Suárez has finally found form this year with a brace in the first Clásico.
Lyon, for all their being perceived as minnows, remain unbeaten in this Champions League season and have drawn six times in a row, one less than the record held by AEK Athens.
They will also have their captain, top goal scorer and French World Cup winner Nabil Fekir, at the helm in Camp Nou. Every time Fekir has scored, Lyon have not lost.
History and home advantage are not on their side, but Lyon have enough hunger to claim an unlikely win.
Bayern München (0) vs Liverpool (0) – Wednesday, 10pm
Liverpool travel to the Allianz Arena to take on Bayern München for only the seventh time.
Both teams have one win apiece and both are unbeaten in their past five games across all competitions.
The problem for Liverpool, however, is that they have been terrible away from home in Europe this season, having lost all their away fixtures.
Before the first leg, Liverpool were comforted by the knowledge that, although they were level on points with City for the league title, they still had a game in hand. Three weeks later (as of Friday), they were one point behind City, level on matches played. This gradual slip has even filtered into coach Jürgen Klopp’s normally humorous and calm press conferences, and he even he lambasted a journalist for asking if they took enough risks in the drawn game against Everton.
“I’m really disappointed by this question. We don’t play PlayStation here,” a clearly frustrated and annoyed Klopp told the journalist.
Bayern, in contrast, were three points off their league’s top spot before they played Liverpool in the first leg. Since then, they have closed the gap and now lie on equal points with Borussia Dortmund only second on the log due to a weaker goal difference.
Bayern will again be without Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich, both of whom have been suspended.
Liverpool instead get their superstar fullback Virgil van Dijk back and will be hoping his purple patch this season inspires them to never walk alone.
