PSG against Bayern and Real against Liverpool.

Champions League returns on Valentine’s Day after a record. It’s important to take a fresh look at all the playoff first round pairings, because there are a lot of changes.

PSG -Bayern

Repetition of the final of the first day. In Lisbon, Coman’s target – Parisian, pupil PSG, brought a cup to the Germans. But the sheikhs do not give up. Galtier has not only saved the strength of some of the main players, but also overshadows the state of Mbappe and Messi. Nagelsmann accused his opponents of cheating, waiting for the French and Argentine on the field. In this pair, no one knows how to defend themselves, but Donnarumma is in excellent shape, but Sommer is not a fact. PSG lost to Munich under Golovin, and Bayern returned to victories after the world series. There are no favorites here, but the game lays claim to two leaders of their leagues.

Milan-Tottenham

Of all the play-off participants, only Napoli and Leipzig have never played in a final. KETCH AND Champions League. Spurs, of course, lost the game, even as they forced mighty Liverpool to fight. Milan remember the games against the Reds in the finals. Moreover, it was not always possible to upset them. Between them, future rivals played in the playoffs Champions League. Crouch’s goal then left Allegri without a quarter-final finish. Pioli has many problems on the eve of a new meeting with Spurs. AC Milan beat Torino, ending a seven-game winless streak, but did not emerge from the crisis. And Tottenham is a team that, after the success with Manchester City, has lost heavily against the peasants of the middle Leicester. Again a pair without a favorite.

Club Bruges – Benfica

Scott Parker led the Belgians in the middle of the season, which speaks of problems before. Club Brugge have become the charms of the group stage, but now draws have stuck with them. Yaremchuk can’t find goals, Vanaken can’t always save. Benfica appear to be the favourites, even if Braga’s exit on penalties from the Copa de Portugal is reminiscent of the solidity of the Eagles. This match will have a much smaller crowd than the parallel match between Borussia D and Chelsea, but if Club Brugge don’t lose big at home, it will prove interesting.

Borussia D-Chelsea

Potter’s team has a kick that hurts to behold. Steps in default, trivial decisions. Fernandez makes two more touches. Cucuralia doesn’t notice Mudrik ten meters away. Havertz is annoyed that he has to play in the center of the attack. Felix twisted, but he had such matches at Atletico, and failures followed after that. But Borussia D is good. After the World Cup, they went on a six match winning streak. They are like Aller, who defeated cancer: they are back with new strength and purpose. That’s just the defense is still bad.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid

Who is in the worst condition? Klopp will win this competition. Liverpool have won one of their last seven matches in all competitions. Tomorrow is the derby against Everton, where they have changed coaches. It’s a shame to lose to your neighbours, especially later on at Newcastle, and then the match against Real Madrid. King Champions League will have time to rest after the Club Final world Cup. For Ancelotti it is important to prove himself in European competitions. The departure from a Liverpool like that will not be understood. Especially given the history of the meetings, as well as the return of Benzema and Alaba. The defense of the “creamy” is strange, but that of “Liverpool” is no better. This pair wants many goals.

Eintracht-Naples

Do not rush to bury the Germans. They have stubborn football, since the end of October they have not lost a match against Borussia D. A draw in Munich with Bayern showed Spalletti that only the Neapolitan style familiar to this season will transfer the fairy tale to the Champions League. We need successful soft passes from Kvaratskhelia to Osimkhen, the correct work of Lobotka in the middle of the field, Meret’s competent game on the line with the support of the new Koulibaly – Kim. Napoli are definitely the duo’s favourites, but let them remind you how Eintracht’s underestimation for Barcelona ended. The Germans are Europa League winners, they have experience.

Inter-Porto

A week later, two teams will play, united by Mourinho’s success in the Champions League. A lot of water has passed under the bridge after those successes of Josè. But the principles that were used in Milan and Porto remain. Inter Inzaghi is an incredibly uncomfortable opponent. They have strong central defenders, an elite midfield with Barella, Calhanoglu, Brozovich and Mkhitaryan. Martinez, Dzeko and Lukaku have the advantage. Porto are cool too, Conceição knows his team very well, they haven’t lost in twenty games in a row. One of the strongest couples, if we talk about the form of the opponents. Inter lost against Empoli, but beat Napoli, Atalanta and Milan twice.

Leipzig-Manchester City

In a week and a half the Germans will cling to the sensation. Let’s see how the “citizens” will be affected by the imminent threat of disqualification and deduction of points. Guardiola will try to play on the club’s feelings of patriotism to get closer to Arsenal. But it is clear that the main focus of the season for Manchester City, as well as for PSG – success in the Champions League. But obsession with a dangerous tournament does not lead to good. Real Madrid won the cup as it should be, showing boundless patience and will to win. Manchester City can’t do that. They had stupid flights. And since Leipzig made an exception only for the sensation of the season – they lost after an 18-game unbeaten run, it is too early for Guardiola to rejoice in the draw.

The Champions League will reserve surprises. There are more clubs with problems here than with unbeaten streaks and an easy game in the new year. There hasn’t been such an even first round in a long time. A year ago only the success of Villarreal was a surprise, in other pairs the experienced and eminent ones won. There will be duels when both opponents match the description.