Author: Mudeet Arora

Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea – Best players to look out for and predicted XI for their Champions League round of 16 clash

Chelsea begin their Champions League round of 16 journey with a mouth-watering clash against Borussia Dortmund on February 15.

Dortmund have been in impressive form, having not lost a single game since the turn of the new year. They will welcome back star youngster Karim Adeyemi back to their squad after serving his suspension for the Bundesliga game at the weekend prior to Champions League midweek.

Here’s who we think will make a huge impact in the high octane two-legged clash between Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund:

1. Jude Bellingham:
   An obvious first pick, Jude Bellingham is in the form of his life and will have another chance to prove himself at the highest level against Chelsea.

The Blues are currently struggling to maintain their spot in the first half of the Premier League table and will be alert to Bellingham’s presence on the ball.

The English midfielder has been sensational ever since he began playing for Dortmund and his quality on the ball is something that could give the Yellow Brigade from Germany an upper hand heading into this clash.

2. Nico Schlotterbeck:
   Partnering Niklas Sule in Borussia Dortmund’s central defence, Nico Schlotterbeck has been a revelation this season.

The defender is ranked third in the percentage of defensive challenges won in the Bundesliga this season. Additionally, he is ranked among the top five Bundesliga players in the number of successful passes, top ten in most number of successful tackles, dribbles, one-touch passes, blocked shots and 1v1 situations.

However, he seems to lose his cool on regular occasions and commits errors that lead to goals for opponents. If things go to plan, Schlotterbeck could single-handedly turn the tide in Dortmund’s favour.

3. Kai Havertz:

Havertz will be part of one Chelsea’s trio of attackers against Dortmund, alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling.

The German forward has been in scintillating form recently and is expected to carry it in this all-important Champions League clash.

While he hasn’t racked up high numbers in goals and assists, Havertz’s impact in Chelsea’s build-up play cannot be undermined and will be crucial if Graham Potter is to succeed against Dortmund.

4. Enzo Fernandez:
   Chelsea’s new recruit in January, Enzo Fernandez has instantly become one of the most important players.
   The 2022 World Cup winner arrived for a huge fee and has seamlessly transitioned into his deep midfield role at the club.

Fernandez will face the daunting task of limiting the impact of Dortmund players like Jude Bellingham, Marco Reus and Julian Brandt. An absolutely enthralling midfield battle awaits us in this game!

5. Marco Reus:
   Mr. Borussia Dortmund, Marco Reus is still going strong at the top level.

The attacking midfielder is at the center of everything positive there is to notice about the Yellow Submarine. We feel one of his key objectives coming into this game will be to get Kalidou Koulibaly booked so the Senegalese defender misses the second leg.

While his impact in goalscoring may not be as huge as it was in the past, his leadership on the field adds another dimension to Borussia Dortmund’s game, a dimension that could hurt Chelsea over two legs.

Borussia Dortmund predicted starting XI: Kobel; Ryerson, Sule, Schlotterbeck; Guerreiro, Can, Bellingham; Reus, Brandt, Adeyemi; Haller

Chelsea predicted starting XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Koulibaly, Chilwell; Mount, Enzo Fernandez, Jorginho, Sterling; Aubameyang, Havertz

Which players from each team will miss the second leg if they get a yellow card in this game?

Borussia Dortmund: Ryerson

Chelsea: Gallagher, Koulibaly, Mount, Mudryk

Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea’s results in their last six games in all competitions (most recent first)

Borussia Dortmund – W W W W W L

Chelsea – D D W L L L

 

A mammoth clash in the Champions League round of 16 awaits us as Liverpool take on Real Madrid in the first leg on Tuesday, February 21.

Liverpool are in miserable form and are struggling in the Premier League but we all know how Anfield is a completely different place on Champions League nights.

The second leg of this game will be played at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu stadium on March 15.

Here a list of 5 players who we think will have a huge impact in this game over two legs:

Karim Benzema:

French forward Karim Benzema was an injury scare heading into the final week before this clash, but the Real Madrid legend has made a timely return to the team.

After unleashing his absolute best in the Champions League last season, the Frenchman made a slow start to the group stage this season, playing just four games out of six while scoring none.

It is obvious Benzema will be hungry for some goals and with a struggling Liverpool side that is leaking goals at the moment, this might be the exact type of game the Frenchman will relish.

Luka Modric:

Liverpool’s midfield has been exposed on multiple occasions this season in the Premier League and they will now go up against an evergreen Luka Modric, who is expected to dominate the centre of the park with his immaculate vision and switch of plays.

A midfield of Thiago and Henderson might be kept busy with the likes of Vinicius and Rodrygo, leaving Modric to sway the game in Real Madrid’s favour at any given time.

Mohamed Salah:

If Liverpool are to have any chance of beating Los Blancos over two legs, they desperately need Mohamed Salah to start firing, right from their next games against Everton and Newcastle United before facing Real Madrid.

We all know what the Egyptian maestro is capable of, but sadly, he hasn’t been at his best, scoring just 17 goals in 31 games, which is still a great return in a struggling side, but the way Salah has kept his standards so high in the last few seasons, this number looks low!

Maybe Real Madrid is the exact type of game for Salah to remind fans of his class.

Vinicius Junior

We couldn’t possibly leave Vinicius Jr out. The Brazilian has been in sensational form in the 2022-23 season, especially in the Champions League.

He has scored 16 goals and provided 7 assists in 33 games in all competitions this season with four goals and 1 assist coming in the Champions League group stage.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to deal with Vinicius and it is a known fact that the English defender is vulnerable against high-paced wingers running at him. 

Additionally, Trent will miss the second leg if he earns a yellow card in the first leg. Vinicius could get that out of him. Expect the Brazilian to come out the winner in this clash.

Virgil van Dijk

Whenever Liverpool are in a fix, they look up to Virgil van Dijk as their leader, not only in defence, but in their team as a whole.

The Dutchman is having quite an indifferent season which is understandable considering the position Liverpool are in.

But, this is a completely different competition and Van Dijk’s mindset will be quite at it’s peak heading into this clash. If Van Dijk manages to marshal his defence and come up with the performances that the Reds’ fans know he can produce, Liverpool can cause a major upset. 

Liverpool predicted starting XI: 

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson; Bajcetic, Fabinho, Henderson; Gakpo; Jota, Salah

Who will miss the second leg if booked with a yellow card? – Trent Alexander-Arnold

Real Madrid predicted starting XI:

Courtois; Carvajal, Eder Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Valverde, Camavinga, Modric; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Benzema

What have the manager’s said before this game?

Jurgen Klopp:

“We’ve played Real Madrid in a couple of recent finals but it is not so often that our two clubs have met in a two-legged tie so now we can look forward to this happening. Real’s European record is the best around. But we also know that ours is not too bad. On top of this, we know that we have Anfield and everyone knows what this means”

Carlo Ancelotti:

“It’ll be a very entertaining tie and a very, very tough one. There’ll be a great atmosphere at Anfield and also at the Bernabeu. It’ll be a spectacular tie. We have not gone to the market (in January) because we did not need to. If you plan well and carry out your plan, it is not necessary to go into the winter market. We thought that it was not necessary to intervene in the winter market because the squad is fine.”

Liverpool and Real Madrid’s results in their last five games in all competitions (most recent first as of February 21, 2023)

Liverpool – W W L L D

Real Madrid – W W W W L

 

Club Brugge and Benfica meet in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg on Wednesday 15 February.

As expected, Benfica are firm favourites to win this clash, having been unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions.

Club Brugge, meanwhile, will hope to create a huge upset with a win in the home leg, atleast

Here’s who we think will make a major impact over two legs clash between Club Brugge and Benfica:

Joao Mario:

Our first choice is without doubt Benfica’s talisman Joao Mario. The former Sporting Lisbon star will be key in maintaining his side’s balance in midfield over two legs.

However, he has to be careful in terms of his discipline as a yellow card in the first leg will see him suspended for the second leg in Portugal.

Ferran Jutgla:

An undisputed starter for Club Brugge, striker Ferran Jutgla has scored eight goals and provided four assists in 22 league games.

In the Champions League group stages, Jutgla played all six games, scoring two goals and providing two assists in two games against Porto and Atletico Madrid.

Benfica have to be vary of his presence in Club Brugge’s attack.

Rafa Silva:

Benfica’s classic number 10, Rafa Silva is at the center of everything positive about the Portuguese side’s attacks.

The Euro 2016 winner has scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in 30 appearances in all competitions this season.

In the Champions League group stages, Silva scored four goals and provided an assist in his six games.

If Club Brugge can minimise Silva’s impact, they could turn the tie in their favour, that’s how important he is to Benfica’s attacking prowess.

Simon Mignolet:

Rarely do we expect a goalkeeper coming into such a list. However, Club Brugge will need Simon Mignolet to be at his best if they are to qualify for the quarter-final of the Champions League.

The Belgian shot-stopper kept clean sheets in five of Club Brugge’s six Champions League group games, conceding just four goals. 

If Mignolet is in form, it could be a nightmare couple of outings for Benfica.

Nicolas Otamendi:

Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi is Benfica’s leader in defence. The reason we are including him in this list is based on his vast experience in tricky situations.

Otamendi will face Jutgla in Club Brugge’s attack and it will be a battle of experience vs prime and we think experience will prevail.

The centre-back is a master at organising his defense, a leader and also a goalscorer in key situations. He is sure to have an impact in this clash over two legs. 

Club Brugge predicted starting XI:

Mignolet; Boyata, Mechele, Meijer; Buchanan, Sowah, Vanaken, Sobol; Nielsen, Jutgla, Lang

Benfica predicted starting XI:

Vlachodimos; Bah, Antonio Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Aursnes, Florentino; Neres, Rafa Silva, Joao Mario; Goncalo Ramos

Which players from each team will miss the second leg if they get a yellow card in this game?

Club Brugge: Buchanan, Mignolet, Nielsen

Benfica: Florentino, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Mario

Club Brugge and Benfica’s results in their last six games in all competitions (most recent first)

Club Brugge – D D W D D D

Benfica – W W W W D W

 

Milan vs Tottenham – Best players to look out for and predicted XI for their Champions League round of 16 clash

 

Milan and Tottenham face off in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday, February 14.

Antonio Conte returns to his old hunting ground, the San Siro, in the hopes of leading his team to qualify for the quarter-final.

This will be the fifth competitive meeting between AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur, with the English side unbeaten in their four head-to-head clashes with two wins and two draws.

Here are our choices of the five players who could create a major impact in this clash over two legs:

 

Harry Kane:

There has to be little doubt with Harry Kane being our first choice. The all-time Tottenham record goalscorer is enjoying another excellent season at the club.

Heading into the game against Leicester City in the Premier League on February 11, Kane had scored 19 goals in 30 games this season for Spurs in all competitions with just a solitary goal in the group stages of the Champions League.

The striker will look to add to his tally against Milan especially considering his movement and contribution to Tottenham’s build-up in attack. With Milan in poor form, expect Kane to fire a couple of goals in each leg of this clash.

 

Heung-min Son:

Son is the yin to Kane’s yang. The South Korean maestro might not be enjoying a prolific goalscoring season like he’s done in the last few seasons, but he is equally effective in Tottenham’s attacking third.

Regardless of his form, one thing is for certain, Son will prove to be key in this two legged tie against Milan.

It is expected he will face Pierre Kalulu in Milan’s right-back position and is likely to create a positive impact for Spurs. It goes without saying Son will be crucial in defining this two-legged tie against Milan to lead Spurs to the Champions League quarter-final.

Sandro Tonali:

Now that we’ve spoken about Spurs’ key players, it’s time to speak about Milan and Sandro Tonali is the first player that comes to our mind when we think of which players could create an impact against Spurs.
The defensive midfielder has been in the news off late with Real Madrid and Liverpool eyeing up a move for him.

Regardless, Tonali is a player that can dictate games at will and his passing ability is world class. If Tottenham intend to breeze through this tie against Milan, they have to ensure they minimise Tonali’s presence against them.

Simon Kjaer:

Milan need a leader if they are to win over two legs against Tottenham and there are not many in their squad as experienced and alpha as Simon Kjaer.

The Danish legend led Milan to an incredible Serie A title win in the 2021-22 season and has been ever-present in the team for important clashes.

Against Tottenham, Kjaer will face wave after wave of attack and he is expected to lead a relatively young defence against some of the most potent attackers in the world. We think, he will have a massive impact over two legs of this game.

Dejan Kulusevski:

Our final pick for this list is Dejan Kulusevski. The Swedish winger who is on loan at Spurs from Juventus, has been sensational in the Premier League.

Kulusevski will face Theo Hernandez at left-back for Milan in a duel that will prove to be key in the result of this clash over two legs.

Kulusevski excels in attacking from the right side of the pitch and the way Antonio Conte uses him to displace the opponents’ left-back will have a huge impact on this game.

With excellent dribbling skills and an eye for goal, watch out for Kulusevski to enjoy a decent two legs against Milan.

Milan predicted XI: Tatarusanu, Kalulu, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Rebic, Krunic, Rafael Leao; Giroud
Injured: Florenzi

Tottenham predicted XI: Forster; Emerson, Romero, Dier, Davies; Perisic, Sarr, Skipp; Kulusevski; Son, Kane
Injured: Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Lloris, Sessegnon, Bissouma

Which players from each team will miss the second leg if they get a yellow card in this game?

Milan: Ballo, Krunic, Tomori

Tottenham: Bentancur, Dier, Lenglet

Milan vs Tottenham results in their last five games in all competitions (most recent first)

Milan – L L L L D L

Tottenham – W W W L L W

 

Paris Saint-Germain take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16 over two legs with the first leg taking place on February 14, 2023 at the Parc des Princes and the return leg in Munich on March 9.

The Parisiens are still in search of Champions League glory having built a formidable squad over the past few years. However, their star player Kylian Mbappe will miss the first leg due to injury.

In Bayern Munich, they take on serial winners of this tournament in a mouth watering clash. However, the Bavarians will be without their leader in goal, Manuel Neuer.

Here’s our analysis of who are the best players to look out for in this epic clash and the XI both sides will field on the night:

Lionel Messi:

At the top of our list of players who we think will have a huge impact in the round of 16 clash between PSG and Bayern Munich is Lionel Messi.

With Kylian Mbappe out injured, Messi will have to add an extra bit of genius to his game to decode a tricky Bayern defence.

With the likes of Neymar, Vitinha and Ruiz by his side in the PSG front four, we can see Messi take up more of a lead role in targeting Sommer in Bayern’s goal.

Joao Cancelo:

Newly signed from Manchester City in January, Joao Cancelo has already settled in well at Bayern Munich. 

The Portuguese right-back made an impact just 14 minutes into his Bayern Munich debut as he provided an assist to hand the Bavarians the lead against Mainz in a DFB Cup game.

Cancelo will be marking Neymar on the right and with physicality on his side, it won’t be a surprise to see him win that duel.

Neymar:

As usual, Neymar has been in scintillating form in Ligue 1 for PSG. The Brazilian maestro has come up with 10 goals and 12 assists in 18 league games for the team.

In the group stage of the Champions League, Neymar was one of the best performing players across the board with two goals and three assists in the five games he played.

Against Bayern, the talented winger will go head-to-head with the best in the business in the form of Joao Cancelo and we’re looking forward to this mouth-watering clash. Cancelo has a tendency to be more of an attacking full-back and that could leave Neymar with space in key areas to make an impact for PSG.

Thomas Muller:

In almost every game that Muller plays well, Bayern go on and win, that’s the kind of impact the German forward has on this team.

Muller has come up with eight assists in 20 games in all competitions this season and more than his stats, his presence of mind on the field is what hands Bayern an added advantage.

Muller links up well with Bayern’s midfield and connects the dots between their full-backs and forwards in multiple attacking sequences. PSG have to be alert or else Muller will punish them.

Jamal Musiala:

A player who has seen tremendous rise in performance and stature this season is Jamal Musiala.

The Bayern academy graduate has scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists in 27 games in all competitions this season.

Primarily an attacking midfielder, Musiala is very versatile and can slot in as a winger whenever needed. The German star will mostly be man-marked by PSG and that could hand his team an advantage in terms of space creation and attacking options.

 

PSG predicted XI:

Donnarumma; Hakimi, Ramos, Marquinhos, Mendes; Verratti, Danilo, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha; Messi, Neymar
Injury: Mbappe, Mukiele, Renato Sanches

Bayern Munich predicted XI:

Sommer; Cancelo, Upamecano, De Ligt, Davies, Musiala, Kimmich, Goretzka, Sane, Muller, Coman
Injury: Mazraoui, Mane, Hernandez, Neuer

 

Which players from each team will miss the second leg if they get a yellow card in this game?

PSG: Sergio Ramos, Marco Verratti

Bayern Munich: Joshua Kimmich