THE BIG ISSUES
THE Champions League returns tomorrow with the first two of four last-16 second legs before heading to Lisbon for the final rounds. Good omens for City?
Man City have failed to get beyond the quarterfinals the last couple of seasons. But beating UEFA with an appeal to CAS against their two-year Champions League ban may be a good omen.
They’re joint-favourites with Bayern Munich to win it for the first time as they seek to consolidate their 2-1 lead over Real Madrid. Time for Ronaldo to step up. Juventus last won the Champions League in 1996. With a ninth straight Serie A title secured they turn to overturning the 1-0 deficit to Lyon. The competition’s all-time leading goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo scored just twice in seven but Juve need him to come alive if they’re to end their wait. Chelsea look to Liverpool for inspiration. Last term the Reds produced a brilliant
Anfield semi-final fightback to overturn a 3-0 deficit and beat Barcelona 4-3 on their way to trophy triumph.
Chelsea face a similar prospect but at Bayern and the odds are stacked against them even more. Frank Lampard has a list of injuries and the FA Cup Final defeat at the weekend won’t have helped morale.
Messi redemption?
Barca lost the league title to arch-rivals Real and need some good news to end the season. Lionel Messi is the man to deliver it if he can exorcise the demons of Anfield, starting against Napoli at home with the tie slightly in their favour with an away goal at 1-1.
Will surprise packages continue to astound?
Buoyed by the highest league finish in their history, Atalanta have the potential to shock PSG. But Atletico look a tougher prospect for Leipzig after losing Timo Werner to Chelsea.