UEFA Champions League: 5 things to watch out for in the round-of-16
It is February and that means the UEFA Champions League is back with its knockout stages. Football in 2021, in just two months, has already seen some great matches, shock results (Liverpool's 3 home losses) and the sacking of Frank Lampard.
And fans can expect even more action, thrills, ups and downs as the UCL round of 16 begins in eight days' time.
With some great match-ups, old and new rivalries, tactical battles and individual brilliance in store for the fans, here are the top five things to watch out for in the UCL round-of-16.
1) The German Battle: Julian Nagelsmann vs Jurgen Klopp
Having lost their prolific striker Timo Werner in the summer, RB Leipzig were expected to struggle in both the German League and the Champions League.
However, after an early setback in the group stages when they were thrashed 5-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford, manager Julian Nagelsmann steered them safely into the round-of-16.
Leipzig will now face six-time Champions League winners Liverpool in the round-of-16, who are led by another German manager, Jurgen Klopp.
Apart from the fact that they're both charismatic German managers, there isn't much similarity between the two. They could not be more different in their managerial styles too.
While Klopp sticks to his heavy metal, high energy, high pressing style of football, his opposite number is tactically flexible as well as adaptable.
Julian Nagelsmann has consistently adapted to different situations such as a tough opponent or the loss of his main goal-scorer.
Therefore, the match-up between the two German managers is sure to be a great battle.
2) Master vs Apprentice: Neymar returns to Camp Nou
Neymar left Barcelona for PSG in 2017 to move out of Messi's shadow and prove to the world that he is a superstar in his own right.
While he has achieved domestic success on a yearly basis in Paris, European glory still evades him.
Meanwhile, his former teammate and good friend Lionel Messi hasn't fared any better. With Barcelona struggling both on and off the field, Messi has suffered heartbreak on multiple occasions, failing to reach the Champions League final even once since the Brazilian's departure.
When the two meet in the round-of-16, it will not only be a footballing spectacle but also an emotional reunion of two of the game's biggest names.
