The UEFA Champions League Round of 8 will commence on Tuesday night as the battle for European football’s biggest club prize heats up.
Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid as the two Spanish giants extend their rivalry beyond the La Liga. If most people had written off Atletico when the Champions league draw was announced, Barcelona’s shock loss at the Nou camp in Sunday’s El Clasico have perhaps punctured their air of invincibility.
Their 2-1 loss to Real Madrid ended an unbeaten run that spanned 39 games and will now convince Atletico to perhaps gun for their first win over Barcelona this season.
Tuesday’s second fixture sees German giants Bayern Munich face in form Benfica. Bayern’s route to the final was nothing short of dramatic after rescuing victory from the jaws of defeat after going 2-0 to Juventus in just 60 minutes.
Benfica have won their last eight games and Bayern’s unimpressive defense will have to step up if they hope to get anything out of the fixture.