The first ties of Round of 16 of the ongoing UEFA Champions League were concluded in February. The clubs with the highest chance of reaching the quarter-finals were revealed after the first ties. As a result, teams will be able to build out flawless strategies for the second tie. Some of the clubs have a significant edge after securing big victories in their first ties, while others appear to be wide-open matchups in the second ties. Let’s take a look at the teams with the best chances of making the 2022 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
UEFA Champions League 2022 Round of 16: Fixtures and Results
Sixteen matches are scheduled to be played in the Round of 16. Each side is slated to play two games on a home-and-away basis. If the aggregate goals in a two-legged tie are the same, the winner will be determined by 30 minutes of extra time. If extra time fails to determine the winner, a penalty shoot-out will be held. Let’s see who the favorites are to advance to the 2022 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Sporting CP vs Manchester City
First Leg: 0-5; Second Leg: 9 March; Aggregate: TBD
Manchester City have a huge lead over Sporting CP after scoring five goals away from home in the first leg. Pep Guardiola’s side will almost certainly advance to the quarter-finals unless Sporting CP makes the biggest comeback in UCL history. The second leg between these two teams will take place at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, March 9.
Red Bull Salzburg vs Bayern Munich
First Leg: 1-1; Second Leg: 1-7; Aggregate: 2-8
Bayern Munich were dissatisfied following a 1-1 draw in the first leg against Red Bull Salzburg. They intended to make a big impression in the second leg, which they achieved by beating Salzburg 7-1 on Tuesday. Bayern Munich earned a place in the quarter-finals with a 2-8 aggregate score.
Benfica vs Ajax
First Leg: 2-2; Second Leg: 15 March; Aggregate: TBD
This match was expected to be competitive, and neither team was disappointed in the first leg. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, the winner will be decided in the second leg. The second leg will take place on March 15 in Amsterdam.
Chelsea vs Lille
First Leg: 2-0; Second Leg: 16 March; Aggregate: TBD
Chelsea won 2-0 at home in the first leg against the French league champions, Lille. Lille will need to outperform Chelsea in order to qualify for the quarter-finals. However, the reigning Ligue 1 champions will find it incredibly tough to overcome Chelsea in the second leg. The second tie will take place on March 16 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United
First Leg: 1-1; Second Leg: 15 March; Aggregate: TBD
Both Atletico Madrid and Manchester United have had a difficult season thus far. When the tie was confirmed, neither team was the bookies’ favourite. The Wanda Metropolitano hosted the first leg, which finished in a 1-1 draw. The winner will be decided in the second leg, which will take place on March 15 at Old Trafford.
Villarreal vs Juventus
First Leg: 1-1; Second Leg: 16 March; Aggregate: TBD
The tie is wide open for any side after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw. Juventus will host Villarreal for the second leg on March 16th. Juventus may start the match as a slight favourite before the second leg as they will be playing at home.
Inter Milan vs Liverpool
First Leg: 0-2; Second Leg: 1-0; Aggregate: 1-2
Inter Milan were under pressure heading into the second game after losing the first leg 2-0 at San Siro. Inter Milan made a valiant effort to reduce the deficit and end the game at 2-2 at Anfield, but they were only able to score one goal. Therefore, Liverpool have qualified for the quarter-finals with a 1-2 aggregate.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid
First Leg: 1-0; Second Leg: 9 March; Aggregate: TBD
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in the first leg. As a result, the second tie is wide open and will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 9. This is one of the most thrilling Round of 16 matchups since both teams have some world-class players. Both teams would aim to outwit each other in terms of strategies in this game.
Bottom Line
Following the first ties of the Round of 16, it is apparent that the in-form teams have the upper hand in securing a quarter-final berth. Therefore, the best teams are likely to compete in the tournament’s last eight rounds. Two of the tournament’s favorites, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have already qualified for the next round. The remaining six spots will be confirmed by next week. The remainder Round of 16 matches of the 2022 UEFA Champions League are predicted to be enthralling.
Source: United News of Bangladesh