5 player duels to look forward to in the Champions League round of 16
The Champions League is back again, folks! Football a joyous affair no matter whenever you watch it, but you can't deny that late night games are the most exciting ones, especially if they are from the world's best club competition.
Following the draws held in December, the tournament has some mouth-watering fixtures in store for us in the Round of 16. It's just the second stage in the competition and there are a couple of titanic clashes that have come earlier than expected. These face-offs have made the Round of 16 more thrilling than usual.
Keeping in mind these battles of giants, let's have a look at five player duels that will decide the results of certain fixtures.
#5 Alex Telles - Mohamed Salah
Sure, the clashes of Real Madrid and Barcelona will be the cynosure of everyone's eyes in this round, but it would be unjust to turn a blind eye towards Liverpool's skirmish against Porto.
Both sides have had a decent group stage voyage, having garnered three wins each en route to the Round of 16. The clash is set to be a 50-50 for sure, but the battle between Mohamed Salah and Alex Telles will be crucial in deciding the upshot of the game.
Left-back Telles has been in fine form for the Portuguese champions, having assisted 10 goals in all competitions this season. The defender has already attracted interest from a host of giants, thanks to his impressive performances on the flanks of his side.
However, facing the Egyptian star will probably be the biggest challenge for him this season. Salah's exploits in England need no special mention and he will be expected to make a major difference as the Merseysiders visit Estádio do Dragão.
Apart from the goal-scoring threat Salah will impose on his opponents, Alex Telles will be required to pay special attention to his electrifying pace on the flanks.
Both players came face to face in last season's Champions League playoffs where Porto eventually emerged as winners, defeating Roma 4-1 on aggregate.Telles did a good job keeping Salah quite back then, but with the Egyptian now in the form of his life, the Brazilian definitely requires to do a good homework, if he is to turn the tie in Porto's favour.