What to see in the first week of the Champions League round of 16 second leg matches | Champions League

Four crucial Champions League Round of 16 matches will take place next week, with tension, emotion and upsets almost guaranteed in each.

These are some of the main talking points heading into the first week of home games.

Round of 16 schedule

Next week's matches

Tuesday 5 March

Real Sociedad – Paris

Bayern – Lazio

Wednesday 6 March

Manchester City – Copenhagen

Real Madrid – Leipzig

All matches kick off at 21:00 CET

A complicated task for Bayern

Bayern have only failed to reach the quarter-finals once in the last 12 seasons (2018/19), but the German giants are in danger of being eliminated in the round of 16 this time after Lazio's impressive 1-0 win in Rome. First stop.

Maurizio Sarri's pupils are bidding for a place in the quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years. However, Bayern are unbeaten in their last 13 home matches in the Champions League (ten wins and three draws). com. biancocelesti They will be fully aware that they still have a lot to do to make progress. Sarri said: “They are a strong team, and even the players on the bench impressed me. We will get the win, and we know it will be difficult in Germany.”

Real Madrid is looking for a surprise

For almost an hour, Real Sociedad held off the attacking talents of Paris in the first leg in France. Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barkola left Real Sociedad needing an exceptional performance in San Sebastian if they are to qualify for the European Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1982/83.

The Basque club can take inspiration from Newcastle, which exploited the passion of its fans to beat Paris 4-1 in the group stage. “In the second half, more than the 2-0 score, I think we could have paid a higher price,” coach Imanol Alguacil said. “So I'm happy to concede only two goals. If we can play at home like we did in the first half, we will get our chances.”

Copenhagen has nothing to lose

“It was a tough night, and they were one or two levels above the opponents we faced in the group.” This was the truth of Copenhagen's coach, Jacob Nystrup, after his team's 3-1 defeat by Manchester City in Parken, a result that forced him to return in the second leg.

On the plus side, Copenhagen can now travel to England knowing they have nothing to lose and at least they will be able to test themselves again against the best team in the world and the reigning Champions League champions. “We'll try to go there and see if we can get a draw or maybe a win,” added defender Denis Favreau.

Leipzig does not give up

Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz had to work hard to settle the first leg against Leipzig in Germany. The Spanish striker, who came on for the injured Jude Bellingham, beat three defenders before firing home the far post and scoring the only goal of the game after half-time.

Although the goal was undoubtedly a harsh blow for Leipzig, they will take heart from the fact that they stood up to Real Madrid for the rest of the game, and will go to the Bernabeu hoping to make an impact. “We played very well and showed that we have great quality,” said striker Benjamin Cescu. “It didn't work out. Let's hope things improve in the second game.”

next week

• Arsenal will try to overcome its 1-0 loss to Porto in London next March 12, with the aim of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2009/2010 season.
• Also at stake is the draw between Atletico Madrid and Inter, where nerazzurri They won 1-0 in Milan. The return match will be held at the Metropolitan Stadium on March 13.
• The winners of the eight qualifiers will be very interested in the quarter-final draw, which will be held on March 15.