Julius OkorieThe last 16 of this year’s Champions League, boasts of two categories of teams, those who have won the title at least once and above and those still struggling to lay their hands on the title.
In fact the seven in quest of first title are PSG, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal and Lille. Others are Club Brugge, Aston Villa and Athletico Madrid.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelLeading the pack of those with bragging right of haven won the title before is reigning champions Real Madrid with 15 titles in the kitty.
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Liverpool follow with six titles each. Barcelona boasts of five titles, Inter Milan three titles, Benfica two while Borrussia Dortmund , Feyenoord, and PSV boasts of a title each.
Making it to the last 16 didn’t come easy, after all the likes of Manchester City, Juventus and AC Milan to mention a few tough sides failed to survive the play-offs.
The two-legged battle for the last eight begins 4th March, and teams will need to dig deep to jump the hurdle.
How will the first title hunters fair?
*Club Brugge Against Aston Villa:
This will be an open contest. Club Brugge host the first leg 4th March with Aston Villa hosting the second and final leg March 12.
Safe to say both teams are on the same pedestal with 50:50 chances.
*Borussia Dortmund Against Lille:
The odds favour Dortmund who have won the title once 1996/1997. The Bundesliga side, have also been runners up twice 2012–13, 2023–24
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Dortmund hosts the first leg which will be an added advantage. A resounding win at home will be difficult for Lille to overturn in the return leg.
*Real Madrid Against Athletico Madrid:
The two La Liga sides are not strange bed fellows as they have clashed several times in the La liga and other competitions.
With intimidating credentials going into this two-legged encounter, Real Madrid who are defending champions, will be bringing all the experiences in the kitty to bear as they chase their 16th title. Interestingly they host the first leg, but being regular foes in the La liga, the ground doesn’t matter. It promises to be full of fireworks though with ratio 60:40 in favour of Real Madrid.
*PSV Against Arsenal:
None of the sides boasts of Champions League title in the past and as such will be standing on the same pedestal. Just like that of Club Brugge versus Aston villa, it will be 50:50. The Advantage however goes to Arsenal if the Gunners can up their game. They play the first leg away and return home to the Emirates for the final leg, a good opportunity to correct mistakes of the first leg. Should PSV however choose to run riot at home and play defensive all through in the second leg, then the Gunners will miss out.
*Inter Milan and Feyenoord:
No room for intimidation here. Both teams are past winners of the Championship, though while Inter Milan has won thrice 1963/64 1084/65 2009/2010, Feyenoord has won once 1969/70. Though Inter may boast of better experience it may not be free party for the Serie A side. Feyenoord hosts the first leg which could be an advantage but if they miss opportunities at home, Inter will surely fly higher.
Benfica Against Barcelona:
Five-time champions Barcelona, certainly have an edge here. Benfica on their part are not new comers to the championship with two titles in the kitty won 1960–61, 1961–62. As for veterans Barcelona who won 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15 the desire to always add to titles is always there. Barcelona stands ratio 60:40 of advancing.
PSG Against Liverpool:
Ligue 1 giants PSG are under dogs in this contest despite their exploits in other competitions. PSG are still seeking their first Champions League title which sounds unbelievable though but that is the reality. Facing Liverpool who have won the championship a record six times,1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1983–84, 2004–05, 2018–19 may not be easy ride for PSG. The French side hosts the first leg March 5th before the return leg at the Antfield. The odds favour Liverpool to progress over two legs but PSG won’t give up without a fight.
Bayern Munich And Bayer Leverkusen:
Veterans Bayern Munich with six titles in the kitty, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 2000–01, 2012–13, 2019–20 certainly will be a tough nut to crack, for Bayer Leverkusen and haven come this far can hardly wait to embrace the last eight. Fellow La Liga side ,Leverkusen are in search of their first title and host the second leg of the two legged clash.
Given that both clash regularly in the La Liga, whichever ground they use may not make much difference. The odds favour Munich who will be bringing all experience to bear in their quest of a seventh title.
The last 16 play-offs will certainly be full of fireworks and there certainly will be room for upsets and the fans are certainly looking forward to it.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
