Champions League last 16 Preview

The remaining games in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League resume tonight with mouthwatering games to look out for.

Without further ado, let’s look at the next games to be plated today and tomorrow.

Man United Vs Atletico Madrid

Ragnick’s side host the Spanish champions in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday after 1-1 draw in Madrid last month. Manchester United have not reached that stage since 2019, when they were beaten by Spanish opposition.

For Atletico Madrid, Yannick Carrasco was banned for both legs, while Matheus Cunha and Daniel Wass are long term injury concerns. Geoffrey Kondogbia is also in a race against time to be fit, after being a key man in the first leg.

Man United will again be without Mason Greenwood due to a club suspension, but Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay could all come back into the side here.

Diogo Dalot is likely to hold off competition from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof to start at right-back. Marcus Rashford is expected to drop down to the bench for the home side.

Ajax Vs Benfica

Ajax and Benfica reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie in Amsterdam on Tuesday night.

The last time that Ajax managed to make it out of the group stages in the Champions League saw them produce that dazzling run to the semi-finals in 2008-19.

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Not since a 3-0 Taca de Portugal defeat to Porto back in December have Benfica failed to find the back of the net in a competitive fixture. Only one of their last 14 away Champions League matches excluding qualifying has ended in victory.

Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer has joined Maarten Stekelenburg on the sidelines after sustaining a broken finger. So, Andre Onana will take the 38-year-old’s place for the second leg. Edson Alvarez is expected to recover from illness in time for the game and Lisandro Martinez will also return from a domestic ban.

Is it Tuesday yet? 🥵#UCL pic.twitter.com/EmptyKr1Zs

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) March 13, 2022

As for Benfica, Taarabt is fine to line up on Tuesday after his domestic sending off. Yaremchuk may not be fit to start the second leg due to illness. Lucas Verissimo and Haris Seferovic both remain on the sidelines.

Juventus Vs Villarreal

After a tightly fought 1-1 draw in the first leg, Juventus and Villarreal reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 quarter-final tie.

Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria might miss the match due to a muscular injury in the leg. Weston McKennie and Federico Chiesa are out for the long term alongside Kaio Jorge.

Alex Sandro and Mattia De Sciglio were both fit enough to come off the bench in the Sampdoria night.

As for Villarreal, Rube Pena, Paco Alcacer and Alberto Moreno are definite absentee. Gerard Moreno, Etienne Capoue and Juan Foyth will miss the match due to their unfitness.

Lille Vs Chelsea

Before the sanctions against Roman Abramovich and the subsequent impact on his beloved Chelsea dominated the talk around Stamford Bridge, Thomas Tuchel’s side dazzled under the bright lights of Europe to put one foot firmly in the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite tournament.

The 2-0 win over Lille in the first leg marked the third meeting from three meetings with Les Dogues for Chelsea, whose only previous visit to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy for a 2019-20 group stage encounter ended in a 2-1 triumph.

Lille should be able to welcome Benjamin Andre back from illness with Renato Sanches picking up yet another injury.

As for Chelsea, Ben Chilwell and Reece James remain absent for a long term, but Tuchel will hope to welcome Cesc Azpilicueta back from a bout of illness.