The knockout round of the Champions League began Tuesday — a reminder of the absolute glory of the European competition, and a few matchups stood out against the rest.
Last weekend, all eyes turned to a rescheduled fixture at Goodison Park as Everton and Liverpool played in the final ever Merseyside Derby at the 132-year-old grounds. Liverpool entered at the top of the table, looking to expand its lead during its chase for a second-ever Premier League title.
To start the weekend, third-place Nottingham Forest hosted mid-table Brighton & Hove Albion. Both teams entered the match off losses — Forest was coming off a 5-0 thrashing from AFC Bournemouth, while Brighton lost 1-0 on a penalty to Everton.
The Champions League's influence on individual awards was diminished Monday when Manchester City’s Rodri won the Ballon d’Or player of the year award over Vinicius Junior in a ceremony organized by France Football magazine and UEFA.
The new Champions League format means more teams, more games and more exciting matchups — and it all starts today.
So, what matches should fans pay close attention to?
It is safe to say that last time Real Madrid visited the Etihad Stadium, they left unhappy.
Even though it seems like a lifetime ago, it has just been one year since Manchester City humiliated Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals.
The Champions League quarter finals draw took place last Friday and left spectators with some interesting matchups, but it’s no surprise that all of the knockout stage games are compelling. At the end of the day, it is a competition between the best of the best.
What can we anticipate from the Union of European Football Associations Champions League this year compared to last season?
As February approaches, the Champions League knockout stage is closer than ever. This is the time of the year where clubs and fans start preparing for the most important nights of the year.
