Real won’t win the UCL this season
biggest clashes and talking points of the Round of 16, insisting defending champions Real Madrid will not lift the trophy for a fourth successive campaign. So who will? In only six days, Europe’s elite club competition will return. Fans all over the world
David Kappel: Hi Paulo, arguably the biggest game is Bayern vs Liverpool. What’s your take on the tie given the somewhat opposing seasons of both clubs?
Paulo Sergio:
I have watched Liverpool many times this season – they are very strong in their 4-3-3 system. Up front they have Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, who are in great form. Bayern, meanwhile, are struggling in defence this season. They have some new players, who have not had the biggest impact yet, so there are some troubles. However, Bayern have always played well in the Champions League. They have a lot of experience, but there are also high expectations. I think it will be a struggle for Bayern against Liverpool.
DK: You already mentioned Mane, Salah and Firmino. Do you think they are the best attacking trio in the Champions League?
PS:
For me personally, yes. We are talking about the team and these three can play very well together. Liverpool have already collected 62 points in the Premier League and many of these points were won by goals of these three. They have scored many goals and are in good form.
DK: How do you see Bayern’s attack, which is mainly focused on Robert Lewandowski when it comes to goals?
PS:
Like I said, they have some new faces in Serge Gnabry, while Kingsley Coman has returned from a long injury. It is not easy to replace Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, who are not getting any younger. These two and Lewandowski in their prime were on the same level as Liverpool’s attacking trio today. Both Robben and Ribery have been great for Bayern throughout the years, but with the speed football is played nowadays, it is not easy for a player of 35 years to keep up. However, both have a lot of experience and made the difference many, many times. This season, though, Bayern have a problem in finding goals. Lewandowski is the only one with regular returns, but the others will also still reach the top. In particular, Coman is a massive talent. In these two clashes against Liverpool, Bayern would need everyone at their top to have a chance.
DK: In another high-profile clash, Manchester United meet Paris Saint-Germain. Manchester United are on the up under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while PSG will miss Neymar. How do you see this tie?
PS:
Neymar is a massive player for PSG. But they still have many other players at the top level. The squad is strong enough to reach the next round without Neymar. But we have seen that Manchester United are on a great run under Solskjaer after Jose Mourinho left. The confidence is back, the real Paul Pogba is back. He is scoring, he is influencing the game all over the pitch. It will be a cracking game for the fans, because both teams are in great form.
DK: Kylian Mbappe had a brilliant World Cup and is currently the second-best goalscorer in Europe. Do you think he can reach the level of Brazil legend Pele, who also lifted his first World Cup as a teenager?
PS: I don’t think so. Pele was at another level. Mbappe is an extraordinary player and will have a bright future, but we need to see how he will develop. We have to wait and see. The French league is not at the level of the Premier League or LaLiga. He has to show his class now in the Champions League.
DK: Atletico Madrid face off against Juventus. The Serie A giants have Mr Champions League himself, Cristiano Ronaldo, but he has only scored one goal this season in UCL. Do you think he will once again erupt in the knockout stages?
PS:
Listen, Ronaldo has been written off many, many times. Every time people are talking about his goal drought, he comes back and proves everyone wrong. He knows Atletico Madrid very well. To me, he still is the No.1 in the world and he is one of those players who can decide a game on their own. But the tie against Atletico will not be easy for Juventus.
DK: Next up is Olympique Lyon vs FC Barcelona. Lyon have twice looked really good against Manchester City in the group stage and beat PSG on the weekend. Do you think Lyon can be a stumbling block for Barca?
PS:
In football, everything is possible. Barcelona was not as convincing against Valencia, when they dropped two points. They are leading LaLiga, but Champions League is a dif- ferent level to league football. Lyon have played well in the big games this season, but Barca have often done well in the Champions League. I think they will be too strong for Lyon this round.
DK: Messi said at the beginning of the season that Barca want to win the UCL. How strong do you think this Barca side is?
PS: We have many teams in great form this season. Barcelona, Liverpool, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund are playing a great season, Tottenham Hotspur have a few injuries but the important players might come back. Madrid are not at the top level this season, in my opinion. They are missing that edge, but PSG and Manchester United need to be monitored as well. The Champions League is not easy to predict this season.
DK: Real Madrid face Ajax. The defending champions looked fragile earlier in the campaign but have now found some form. However, they will be without Ronaldo. Can they lift it for a fourth suc- cessive season? PS:
No, no, I do not think so. Not with this team. I think they are missing the player to make the difference after Ronaldo left. Real’s whole system, their whole attack was focused on Ronaldo. But this is the first season without him and we have seen their struggles this campaign. To reach a Champions League final, you need to have a great team and perform at the highest level for the whole season.
DK: Spurs face Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund. Spurs will likely miss Harry Kane, while BVB are high-flying. What’s your take on this clash?
PS:
Like I said, BVB are in great form. Spurs had a few big injuries recently, but are still playing a superb season. Both teams are very even, in my opinion, and this tie is very difficult to call.
DK: Schalke will meet Manchester City. Many suggest it will be a walkover for Pep Guardiola’s side. What’s your take?
PS:
It won’t be easy for Schalke. City have some pressure, because they want to win the Champions League. Pep had a great campaign with City last season when they won the title in record-breaking manner. But he has more pressure this season, because the club wants to win the UCL. It will be very tricky for Schalke to upset City.
DK: Finally, your former club AS Roma face Porto in a clash of the outsiders. They reached the semi-final last season. Can they again go that far?
PS:
No, no, no, I don’t think so. Unfortunately, when I played at Roma, we had many problems and now again. They lost 7-1 to Fiorentina in the Cup last week. The atmosphere is not that great. The coach is under fire. It is a game where Porto could have the upper hand.
“The real Paul Pogba is back.” “Ronaldo is the No.1 in the world.”