Neymar Included in PSG's 21-Man Champions League Squad to Face Borussia Dortmund
Feb 17, 2020
PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 01: Neymar Jr of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Montpellier HSC at Parc des Princes on February 01, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel has included Neymar in his 21-man UEFA Champions League squad for their clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson relayed the news after PSG announced the squad on Monday:
Thomas Tuchel has opted to leave Paredes out, suggesting he could have played some part for PSG in Dortmund but would not have been fully fit. #UCL#BVB
Neymar has missed PSG's last four matches in all competitions with a rib injury, and Tuchel was previously unsure if he'd be fit to play against the German side:
🗣 Thomas Tuchel: "I can't say that Neymar will be 100 per cent to play against Borussia Dortmund.
"We will discuss and decide on Friday, the latest possible time to do so. We can't risk his fitness." 🤕 pic.twitter.com/yV3wElbmQP
The Parisians take on BVB in the away leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday before hosting them at the Parc des Princes on March 11.
Since his arrival in the French capital in 2017, injuries have restricted Neymar to appearing in just one Champions League knockout match.
In his first season at the club, he managed to play in the first leg of their last-16 tie with Real Madrid, which they lost 3-1, but a fractured metatarsal ruled him out of the second. PSG subsequently lost that 2-1.
Last season, he missed both legs of the round of 16 with the same injury. The Parisians beat Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford before losing 3-1 at home, so they went out on away goals.
PSG have more attacking options this season following the arrivals of Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia last summer, but having Neymar available is an enormous boost to their chances.
The Brazilian has only played 18 occasions this season because of injuries, but in that time he has displayed exceptional form, scoring 15 times and offering up 10 assists.
He has incredible chemistry with Kylian Mbappe, too:
Players to assist Kylian Mbappe's Ligue 1 goals this season:
J. Bernat ❌ A. Di Maria A. Di Maria A. Di Maria A. Di Maria Neymar Neymar Neymar Neymar A. Di Maria A. Di Maria Neymar Neymar T. Meunier
If Neymar is able to get on the pitch, he's likely to have plenty of joy against Dortmund. In their last eight matches in all competitions, the German outfit have shipped 16 goals.
They've also scored 28 goals in that time, though, so there could be plenty of action at both ends of the pitch.
Champions League 2020: Odds, Live Stream, TV Schedule for Last-16 Ties
Feb 17, 2020
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 10: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Virgil Van Dijk of FC Liverpool gestures during the UEFA Champions League group E match between RB Salzburg and Liverpool FC at Red Bull Arena on December 10, 2019 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
The 2019-20 UEFA Champions League kicks back into action on Tuesday when the last-16 ties get under way.
Fittingly, defending champions Liverpool begin proceedings in the knockout rounds when they visit Atletico Madrid.
At the same time, Borussia Dortmund host Paris Saint-Germain in what could be the most entertaining tie of the round.
On Wednesday, Atalanta meet Valencia, and Tottenham Hotspur welcome RB Leipzig to north London.
Here are the viewing details for all four fixtures, along with odds courtesy of Caesars Palace.
Champions League Fixtures (Odds: Home, Draw, Away)
Tuesday, February 18
8 p.m. GMT: Atletico Madrid vs. Liverpool (47-20, 47-20, 6-5)
8 p.m. GMT: Borussia Dortmund vs. Paris Saint-Germain (39-20, 29-10, 6-5)
Wednesday, February 19
8 p.m. GMT: Atalanta vs. Valencia (77-100, 61-20, 63-20)
8 p.m. GMT: Tottenham Hotspur vs. RB Leipzig (13-10, 49-20, 41-20)
In the United Kingdom, the matches will be shown on BT Sport and streamed via theBT Sport website.
In the United States, the matches can be streamed viaB/R Live.
Liverpool's inexorable march towards a first league title in 30 years continued on Saturday as they beat Norwich City 1-0:
Atleti, meanwhile, failed to win in La Liga for the fourth game in five when they drew 2-2 with Valencia on Friday.
The current gulf in class between Jurgen Klopp and Diego Simeone's sides is seemingly chasmic, and it is difficult to see any other outcome from their tie than the Reds advancing to the quarter-finals.
However, Atleti have an excellent recent history in European competition. In the last six seasons they have won the UEFA Europa League, and reached a quarter-final, a semi-final and two finals in the Champions League.
All of those successes have been built on their immaculate defence, and Norwich showed on Saturday Liverpool's supreme attacking unit can be frustrated. The bottom-of-the-table Canaries did not concede until the 78th minute.
Atletico's back line has looked more vulnerable this season, but if Simeone can put together another game plan as he has in past seasons, the Madrid outfit could cause Liverpool more trouble than many are expecting.
If Atleti's aim will be to keep the scoreline down against Liverpool, Dortmund against PSG is almost a guaranteed goal-fest.
In PSG's last five matches they have scored 21 and conceded eight, including a madcap draw against Amiens on Saturday:
Liverpool have already qualified for next year’s Champions League.
But even if the Brazilian is absent, it will still be a fixture bursting with attacking talent, not least 19-year-old Jadon Sancho, who continues to stagger with his consistent brilliance:
Thomas Tuchel casts doubt on Neymar's anticipated presence vs Dortmund next week: "I cannot say for 100% that he will be there." https://t.co/pXmVGRZ3I8
Wednesday's fixtures are less headline-grabbing than Tuesday's but should be equally intriguing.
As last season's runners-up, Spurs, boast significantly more Champions League experience than Leipzig, who have never played in the knockout rounds before.
However, Leipzig will be considered favourites by many to reach the last eight, especially after getting back to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Werder Bremen on Saturday.
An away goal could be crucial for the Bundesliga side, and Timo Werner will likely relish the prospect of taking on a Spurs defence that conceded 14 goals in the group stage, more than any other qualified side.
Atalanta, meanwhile, managed to make the knockout rounds by finishing second in Group C despite a goal difference of minus four.
In drawing the erratic Valencia, though, they have a superb opportunity to reach the quarter-finals, especially given they have found some supreme goalscoring form of late, netting 25 times in their last eight Serie A fixtures.
Atletico Madrid vs. Liverpool: UCL Odds, Live Stream, TV Schedule
Feb 17, 2020
NORWICH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Sadio Mane of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Norwich City and Liverpool FC at Carrow Road on February 15, 2020 in Norwich, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid are dealing with some key injuries headed into the first leg of their last-16 tie with Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Atleti have problems up front, where Diego Costa and Joao Felix are fighting to reach full fitness. However, Diego Simeone will be able to welcome back centre-forward Alvaro Morata to lead the line.
Morata's presence, along with Simeone's ability to set a rugged team up to spoil, means holders Liverpool will still be wary of the 2014 and 2016 finalists, despite the Reds' awesome form in all competitions this season.
Liverpool lead the Premier League by an incredible 25 points, having dropped points just once, in a 1-1 draw with bitter rivals Manchester United, back in October. Jurgen Klopp's team have also only lost once in Europe, en route to qualifying from Group E, falling 1-0 to Napoli.
A rock-solid defence led by Virgil van Dijk should intimidate goal-shy Atletico, while Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will be major threats on the counter at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Mane returned from a hamstring injury to score the decisive goal in Liverpool's 1-0 win away to Norwich City on Saturday. The 60th-minute substitute proved he hasn't lost any of his pace, nor his shooting power and willingness to take on chances early.
Mane's return will create more space for Salah and increase the strain on an Atletico defence breached just five times through six matches in Group D. A formidable back four underpinned by centre-back Jose Gimenez and goalkeeper Jan Oblak could frustrate Salah and Co.
Simeone's well-drilled unit will miss the industry of right-back Kieran Trippier, who won't feature because of groin surgery, per Mike McGrath of The Telegraph. Atleti will rely even more on protection from midfield, where Thomas Partey remains a busy enforcer who also has a spectacular goal or two in him:
😮 What a goal by Thomas Partey!
🔴⚪ Valencia had just equalised, but the Ghanaian midfielder comes up with a fantastic response for Atleti
Atletico will need a goal threat from midfield because of their issues up front. Morata is back after a speedy recovery from a muscle injury, according to Patricia Cazon of AS.
The same source also noted how Costa "is training but has not received the medical all-clear." Morata's power allied with Costa's ruthless finishing would offset not having the flair of Felix, who is still dealing with a leg problem.
Yet even with Morata in the lineup, Atleti seem set to struggle to break down a brilliant Liverpool defence enjoying an awesome run of consistency:
The rapid development of 22-year-old Joe Gomez alongside Van Dijk has been key to the run. So has the return of goalkeeper Alisson Becker from a lengthy injury absence earlier in the season.
Brazil international stopper Alisson has restored calm to the back line, as well as the ability to sweep up anything Van Dijk and Co. might miss. With tough-tackling holding midfielder Fabinho now fit, Liverpool will feel confident about keeping a clean sheet in the Spanish capital, before settling the tie at Anfield on Wednesday, March 11.
Thiago Silva Says PSG 'Have No Fear' of Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland
Feb 16, 2020
DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 14: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Erling Braut Haaland of Borussia Dortmund looks on during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt at Signal Iduna Park on February 14, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain do not fear in-form Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland ahead of their UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg, according to captain Thiago Silva.
Haaland signed for Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in the January transfer window and scored his ninth goal for the club in just his sixth appearance in Friday's 4-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt:
In all competitions, the Norway international is averaging a goal every 39 minutes for BVB.
Remarkably, in the Champions League group stage, he averaged a similarly astonishing 47 minutes per goal, netting eight goals in six appearances for Salzburg in a group that also included Liverpool, Napoli and Genk.
Ahead of Tuesday's last-16 first leg between PSG and Dortmund at Westfalenstadion, Silva was full of praise for Haaland, but he told RMC Sport the French champions do not fear the 19-year-old (h/t Sean Wilson of Goal):
"He scores a lot of goals. Nine goals in six games, it's incredible, it's huge. I hope that we will be able to be cautious and that he will not score against us, but rather after in the league. But for us it's wonderful to play against a player like that, especially since he's just started his career. He is very motivated, but so are PSG.
"Are we afraid? We have no fear, but we have a lot of respect. I saw the match [against Eintracht], they have a lot of quality in front, they scored four goals, with incredible technique, movements that are difficult to fight. But if we are together, we can make a good match there. With great respect for these players, who are phenomenal."
PSG have underwhelmed in the Champions League in recent seasons.
They were knocked out at the quarter-final stage four seasons running from 2012-13 onward. And in the past three campaigns, they failed to get past the first knockout round, a run that includes humiliating exits to Barcelona and Manchester United:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 6, 2019
PSG are strong favourites to get past Dortmund and reach the last eight, but their recent history in the tournament adds significant pressure to Thomas Tuchel's side. As does the fact that Tuchel was BVB manager between 2015 and 2017.
Dortmund are a serious proposition at home. They have won their past three matches at Westfalenstadion by a combined score of 14-1 and are unbeaten on home turf this season in all competitions.
On the road, though, they have lost their past two games and won just three of their past 11.
As a result, if PSG can avoid defeat on Tuesday, they will be in prime position to advance to the next round.
Zinedine Zidane Says European Ban Will Motivate Man City vs. Real Madrid
Feb 15, 2020
Real Madrid's head coach Zinedine Zidane sits on the bench during a Spanish Copa del Rey soccer match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Zinedine Zidane has said Manchester City's motivation will be "immense" when they meet Real Madrid in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League because of the two-year ban UEFA imposed on them.
The Premier League champions will be omitted from European competition for the next two seasons, and the Los Blancos coach believes Pep Guardiola's men will be desperate to perform when they play the first leg on Feb. 26.
Marcus Banks of the Manchester Evening News reported Zidane refused to comment on UEFA's judgment but admitted the nature of the ban could influence City's display in the forthcoming tie:
"For what has just happened, their motivation will be immense.
"I'm not going to go into what happened, what is going to happen... It's a team anyway, who will be a difficult opponent, knowing also how they have been doing in the Premier League. So they will have extra motivation.
"It's a rival who are going to be very, very difficult, it's a very big team."
City have stated they will appeal the ban handed to them for committing "serious breaches" of UEFA's financial fair play in allegedly overstating their sponsorship revenue in accounts submitted between 2012 and 2016.
The governing body also fined the Sky Blues €30 million (£25 million).
City will remain in the current competition, and this campaign temporarily represents their last chance of European success for a significant period of time.
Guardiola's side have experienced a troublesome defence of their Premier League crown, which they have won for the last two seasons. Liverpool lead the way by 25 points after beating Norwich City 1-0 on Saturday at Carrow Road.
Real enter the match in excellent shape, surging to the top of La Liga as they battle champions Barcelona.
Los Blancos have lost just once in 23 games in all competitions after their recent 4-3 Copa del Rey elimination against Real Sociedad.
Madrid lost their opening Champions League group game 3-0 at Paris Saint-Germain, but Zidane's outfit are at the peak of their powers after working their way back to top form.
Jurgen Klopp Says Liverpool Are Not UCL Favourites; Talks Up Juventus and PSG
Feb 15, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 01: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool holds aloft the trophy during the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 01, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has talked up his team's rivals for the UEFA Champions League title this season, saying he considered Juventus as the favourites for the prize at the start of the campaign.
The Reds were beaten in the 2018 final by Real Madrid, although they went one step further last term, winning 2-0 against Tottenham Hotspur in the Spanish capital to clinch their sixth European crown.
They will continue the defence of their title on Tuesday when they head back to the Wanda Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 knockout clash.
Ahead of that encounter, Klopp discussed some of the Reds' possible rivals in this season's tournament, per Paul Wilson of the Guardian:
"Juventus were my favourites before the season started but obviously I don't watch Italian football enough because I cannot work out why they are not 10 points ahead at the top of Serie A. They have the biggest squad I have ever seen in my life; quality players, too, it's crazy.
"The Bayern Munich squad is also massive, [Paris Saint-Germain] are incredible when they are all fit, you can never discount Barcelona, and let's not forget Manchester City because the Champions League will be one of their big targets.
"I have no clue how far we can go, but there's no need to think about it yet because at the moment all we need to concentrate on is Atletico on Tuesday."
Here are the highlights from last year's final, when the Reds were able to get the edge over their Premier League rivals in a tight encounter:
Liverpool have excelled in European competition since Klopp arrived at the club in 2015. They made it to the UEFA Europa League final in his first season in charge before advancing to the previous two Champions League showpieces.
The Anfield Watch Twitter account outlined Klopp's almost flawless record in continental competition since he took charge on Merseyside:
While Klopp has talked up a number of possible rivals, none of the teams in question are in as good a place as Liverpool at the moment. The Reds have been sensational in the Premier League and are a whopping 22 points clear at the top.
Juventus have depth aplenty, although their form has been inconsistent as of late under Maurizio Sarri. In Cristiano Ronaldo, they have a proven game-changer when it comes to the Champions League, although there's not a settled side around him at the moment.
Per ESPN FC, the 35-year-old appears to be hitting form at a perfect time in the campaign:
Cristiano Ronaldo goals in 2020:
Cagliari ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️ Roma ⚽️ Parma ⚽️ ⚽️ Roma ⚽️ Napoli ⚽️ Fiorentina ⚽️ ⚽️ Verona ⚽️ Milan ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/dDYra5504S
Elsewhere, Barcelona and PSG also look vulnerable in defence, despite being able to call on superstars like Lionel Messi and Neymar, respectively, at the top end of the pitch.
Real Madrid and Manchester City will face off in the second round, meaning one of those big names will be eliminated. Madrid have Zinedine Zidane in charge, who masterminded a win over Liverpool in the 2018 final, while City will be desperate to progress in the competition after it was confirmed on Friday they are facing a two-year ban from UEFA tournaments.
Manchester City Hit with 2-Season UCL Ban, €30M Fine over FFP Violation
Feb 14, 2020
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City reatcs during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 02, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Manchester City have been banned from UEFA club competitions—the Champions and Europa Leagues—for two seasons and fined €30 million (£24.9 million) after being found to have breached the European governing body's financial fair play (FFP) rules.
Rob Harris of the AP shared UEFA's full statement:
Full details of Man City being banned from Champions League for TWO SEASONS for "serious breaches" of UEFA financial rules pic.twitter.com/sYVG5orSRt
The news will be a severe blow to the Premier League champions, but Pep Guardiola's side have released a statement in which they said they will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport "as quickly as possible."
The Citizens have been found guilty of "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts" and also in the information given to UEFA between 2012 and 2016. Manchester City were also found to have breached regulations by having "failed to cooperate in the investigation."
The investigation was brought about after allegations by German magazineDer Spiegeland Football Leaks in November 2018, as shown by Get French Football News:
Breaking | Football Leaks headline: Manchester City’s owners allegedly injected €2.7bn into the club over the last 7 years through its shareholders & over-valued sponsorship contracts which infringe FFP regulations.
Football Leaks claim that a Manchester City executive sent an email following the death of an FFP investigator as follows: "One has fallen, there are six to go." https://t.co/3H6pQJljBo
Ed Malyon at The Athletic explained why Manchester City could get the punishment overturned:
The severity of the financial and playing impact this ban would have on Man City means I think they’ll throw full legal might at getting it turned over - which means they probably succeed...
But if this punishment stands in current form it’s a watershed moment in modern footbal
Friday's decision will also have ramifications for the Premier League and qualification for next season's Champions League, as highlighted by ESPN FC's Dale Johnson:
The big news from this is that Champions League qualification will now drop to 5th, so Sheffield United in a UCL spot.
Europa League places may possibly drop down to 8th, which right now would give Man United a 2QR place. https://t.co/D9MsAkFmaQ
Manchester City's ban could also have an impact on manager Pep Guardiola who is contracted to the club until summer 2021.
The Spaniard's future has come under scrutiny after his team slipped 22 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League. He toldSky Sports he thought he could be sacked if City fail to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 tie.
The Citizens are not the first club to be banned from European competition by UEFA for breaking FFP rules, Dynamo Moscow and Galatasaray have both been handed suspensions, but Friday's decision will still send shockwaves through the football world.
Thomas Tuchel 'Cannot Say 100%' That Neymar Will Be Fit for Dortmund UCL Clash
Feb 12, 2020
PSG's coach Thomas Tuchel, second left, speaks with Neymar during the French League Cup quarter final soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Saint Etienne at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel has said Neymar is a doubt for the team's UEFA Champions League showdown with Borussia Dortmund.
The French champions are in action on Tuesday against the Bundesliga side in the last-16 of the competition, with the first leg to be played at the Westfalenstadion.
PSG may have to face Dortmund without their star man though, with the Brazil international absent for the previous three games. After Wednesday's 6-1 mauling of Dijon in the French Cup quarter-final, Tuchel said he doesn't know if Neymar will be ready for the Champions League.
"I cannot say 100 per cent that he will be there," said the PSG boss, per Get French Football News.
Before the match, Tuchel played down fears the forward will be rusty for the match. "He doesn't need playing time in order to be ready for Dortmund," he said.
Neymar missed the match with Nantes on February 4 because of inflamed rib cartilage. The forward was then left out of the squad for the match with Lyon on Sunday and the Dijon contest.
His absence has prompted some concern among PSG supporters and now it appears as though they will face an anxious wait to see if he can play his part against Dortmund.
Following Neymar's 28th birthday on Feb. 5, Squawka summed up how much the former Barcelona man has accomplished:
If Neymar can't play, he would be hugely frustrated. PSG have been knocked out at the last-16 stage of the Champions League in the previous two years; over the course of two two-legged ties, the Brazilian has missed three clashes because of injury.
When PSG paid a world-record fee to sign Neymar in 2017, you suspect it was with these crucial Champions League matches in mind.
Although he's suffered with injury niggles again this term, when Neymar has been on the field he's thrived for PSG. In Ligue 1, he has netted 13 goals and laid on six assists in 14 matches.
Even if Neymar was to miss the Dortmund first leg, PSG would be confident of causing their opponents issues with the firepower available. Kylian Mbappe was on the scoresheet against Dijon, while Tuchel also has Angel Di Maria, Mauro Icardi, Edinson Cavani and Pablo Sarabia to call on.
Michael Ballack Backs Bayern Munich to Beat Chelsea in UCL Last 16
Feb 12, 2020
DORTMUND, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 07: Michael Ballack of Roman and Friends looks on during the Roman Weidenfeller Farewell Match between BVB Allstars and Roman and Friends at Signal Iduna Park on September 7, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Michael Ballack believes Bayern Munich have "a big advantage" over Chelsea ahead of the upcoming UEFA Champions League last-16 tie between two of his former clubs.
Bayern visit Stamford Bridge for the first leg on February 25, with the return scheduled for March 18 at the Allianz Arena.
A run of seven games unbeaten in the Bundesliga has seen Bayern move to the top of the table, and they look to be finding form at the ideal time under interim manager Hansi Flick:
Frank Lampard's young Chelsea side, meanwhile, have won just one of their last five Premier League games and are in danger of dropping out the top four:
Ballack believes Lampard's inexperience managing at the highest level and the inexperience of his side will give Bayern a major edge when the two sides meet, per Goal's James Westwood:
"Bayern are favourites, for many reasons. Experience speaks strongly in their favour. Chelsea's transfer ban has compelled them to put their faith in young players. Their manager is new and inexperienced in his job, and that is a big advantage for Bayern. The performance levels of Bayern's players are another plus for them. They are more stable than they were last autumn."
Ballack, 43, played alongside Lampard in Chelsea's midfield between 2006 and 2010 after his four-year spell at Bayern. He enjoyed great success at both clubs, winning a combined 12 major trophies, including three Bundesliga titles and a Premier League.
During the decade Ballack was at his peak, Bayern and Chelsea were both among Europe's elite and regularly made the latter stages of the Champions League.
Chelsea's star has fallen a little of late.
The Blues won the Premier League in 2016-17, but they have missed out on Champions League football in two of the last four seasons and haven't got past the last-16 stage since 2013-14.
Bayern, meanwhile, are seven-time defending champions in the Bundesliga, and though they were beaten by Liverpool in the first knockout round of the Champions League last term, they reached the semi-finals in four of the five preceding seasons.
Joao Felix Says Liverpool 'Most Difficult Team to Face' Ahead of Last-16 UCL Tie
Feb 7, 2020
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 26: Joao Felix of Club Atletico de Madrid looks on prior the game during the Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and CD Leganes at Wanda Metropolitano on January 26, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Joao Felix is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge Atletico Madrid are facing in the first knockout phase of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League.
Atleti are drawn against holders Liverpool in the last 16, with the first leg set to take place at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on February 18. Felix, who is Atletico's record signing, rated Liverpool highly during an interview with Eleven Sports (h/t Goal):
"It will be a very difficult tie. Perhaps of all the teams, they are the most difficult team. Liverpool are in good shape, in excellent form, they are the defending champions and it will be very difficult, as with any match in the Champions League. But against this Liverpool who are doing very well, it will be even more difficult."
Felix is right to sound a note of caution, despite Atleti's fine record in this tournament under Diego Simeone. The Argentinian guided the club to the final in 2014 and 2016 but was on the losing end against Real Madrid on both occasions.
Notable wins over Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have bestowed a reputation upon Atletico as a pragmatic team able to frustrate high-profile opposition. Doing the same to Liverpool won't be easy considering Simeone's squad is beset by injuries.
Felix is among the walking wounded in a depleted forward line along with Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata:
Angel Correa is almost the last man standing in terms of viable centre-forwards. There are also issues at the back, where right-back Kieran Trippier is dealing with a groin strain. The former Tottenham Hotspur defender lost to Liverpool in last season's final and may have provided invaluable intel on a familiar opponent enjoying irresistible form.
The Reds are comfortably dominating the Premier League title race, holding a whopping 22-point lead at the top of the table. A rock-solid defence led by award-winning centre-back Virgil van Dijk is affording opposition attackers little joy:
Seven consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time since December 2006.
🧱 vs. Bournemouth 🧱 vs. Watford 🧱 vs. Leicester 🧱 vs. Wolves 🧱 vs. Sheffield Utd 🧱 vs. Spurs 🧱 vs. Man Utd
Liverpool appear primed to overwhelm an Atletico side that's lost four and drawn one in their last five games. Simeone's squad has scored just once during this dire sequence that has left them sixth in the La Liga table.
Part of the problem has been the way Felix has struggled since arriving from Benfica last summer in a deal worth €126 million. The 20-year-old has scored a mere four goals and provided just one assist in all competitions.
The onus will now be on the misfiring Thomas Lemar and returning Yannick Carrasco to catch Van Dijk and Co. by surprise.
Atletico Madrid have spent just under €300m on four offensive players in the last 2 & a half years:
- Thomas Lemar (€70m) - Diego Costa (€65m) - Joao Felix (€120m) - Vitolo (€40m)
In a combined 159 matches played for Atleti, they've scored a total of just 13 goals. 😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/feR9q5UOdS
Atletico will still be able to count on a rugged defence led by centre-back Jose Gimenez and goalkeeper Jan Oblak, both of whom will have to be in peak form. Even so, Simeone's ability to set a team up to exceed its talent will be tested to his limit with Atleti so obviously outmatched.
