Predicting the Round of 16 matchups.

The round of 16 matches for this year's Champions League has been decided. There are some great matchups to look forward to.There were heartbreakes for Inter milan and Ajax who failed to reach the next round.It is really interesting that only the teams from top 5 league in Europe have qualified for knockout stages.

The matches are played in 2 legs one leg at home and another away. Team first  playing at home have a slight disadvantage.
So that factor is also considered.The team with more goals wins but the scores are level even after 2 legs the team with more away goals wins.but even away goals are equal then the match heads into extra time and then penalties. The  leg is scheduled in Mid February while the second leg takes place in March.
.So, let's predict the results of the Round of 16 draw with considering all important factors....


Match 1
Dortmund (Germany)vs Paris Saint Germain (France)

I think Psg will be okay with this draw , Dortmund is the perfect type of team PSG likes as an opposition. It is a great opportunity for them to move into quarter finals.They certainly have to show character to prove they are ready for champions league. Dortmund have huge problems to cover - a weaker midfield, Injury to Star players and dealing with the speed of Mbappe.For psg the onus will be on how do they find perfect midfield combination and impact of Neymar Jr.
Players to watch out - Jason Sancho,Julian brandt (Dortmund)

Neymar Jr , Kylain Mbappe (PSG)

My Prediction - Psg to win with strong performances in both legs.

Match 2
Atletico Madrid (Spain) vs Liverpool (England)

This might be a nightmare for atletico Madrid since they are in huge goal crisis.They have scored just 18 goals in last 17 games which is a worry against Free flowing Liverpool squad.For Liverpool the only worry is the dip in form for Firmino. But, with attacking quality of Mane and Salah and defensive trident - Arnold,Van dijk and Robertson Liverpool are firm favorites for this clash.
Players to watch - Jao Felix ,Jan oblak(atletico).
Sadio Mane , mo Salah (Liverpool)
Prediction - Liverpool to win courtesy strong second leg display.

Match 3
Atlanta(Italy) vs Valencia (Spain)

The 2 surprise packages who qualified for knockouts are face to face.They both will take this draw any day as both the teams are balanced on paper and it will be exciting end to end stuff. Valencia in particular like going forward and they have some experienced campaigners in the squad while Atlanta will hope there fairy tale run continues in champions league.
Player to watch out - Zapata,Fernando muriel (Atalanta)
Rodrigo, Dennis cheryshev (Valencia)
Prediction - Valencia progresses with there expirence.

Match 4
Tottenham Hotspur vs RB lepzig

A match between 2 great attacking sides this will be a great game to watch for neutrals. Tottenham have improved a bit under Mourinho but it's still work in progress the form of dele Alli is encouraging ,on the other hand Timo Werner is having a goal feast.The problems for both the team is same defensive lapses and the tie will be decided by the team which manages to limit the defensive errors.

Players to watch - Hyeun Son, Harry kane( Tottenham)
 Timo Werner, Forseberg (Rb lepzig)

Prediction - Rb lepzig to go through just because of having advantage to play second leg at home.


Match 5
Chelsea vs Bayern Munich

The repeat of 2012 UCL final ,is another great contest. Although, both teams are struggling in there domestic leagues. Chelsea's back four is huge problem for lampard while the lack of intensity is causing Bayern trouble in bundesliga, although Lewandoski and Coutinho are in great run of form. The game at Stamford bridge will be key as Chelsea are struggling away from home.

Key player - Tammy Abraham , ngolo kante(Chelsea)
Lewandoski , kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Prediction - Bayern will be too strong for Chelsea

Match 6
 Lyon (France) vs Juventus (Italy)

On paper the most one sided affair in the knockouts. Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus are far more superior than the French side. Lyon's only hope will Memphis Dempay is already out for 6 months so it is highly unlikely to see them go through. Juventus will hope to showcase strong performance to carry that form further into the competition.

Key players - Ronaldo ,Dybala ( Juventus)
Moussa Dembele ,Traore( Lyon)

Prediction - Juventus to win both legs..

Match 7
Napoli vs Barcelona

If any team has the pressure to win the UCL this year it is Leo Messi and Barcelona. Matchup against Napoli is a good one. Napoli is struggling in Seria A and sacked Anchelotti. Barca on the other hand are not finding there feet. Leo Messi is shinning bright while ter stegen has saved barca's blushes multiple times this season.Suarez has shine promise but his wastefulness in final third is a worry. Barcelona's midfield has to click soon if they have to progress any further in the UCL. Napoli's attacking threat of lozano,insinge and mertens can cause  Barca problems at the back.

Players to watch - Leo Messi , Ter stegen(Barcelona)

Kolido koulibaly, Mertens (Napoli)

Prediction - With second leg at home Barca will go through

Match 8
Real Madrid vs Manchester City

This is surely the match of the Round. Pep's attacking City vs Zidane's ever motivated Real. Real Madrid after poor start to season have found there rhythm back and there display at El classico surely shows they are prepared for Manchester City.Benzema is in red hot form while Eden hazard will be back for real till January. City after some lapses in EPL are getting dangerous as well.Kevin de bruyne ,Sterling and dominating midfield is there strength.Pep will surely hope to go through against Madrid as champions league glory is the only cup to fill for Pep's Manchester City. A thrilling contest is surely on the cards.

Key players - Karim benzema ,Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Kevin de bruyne and Riyadh mahrez

Prediction - It is extremely tough call but I give it to Manchester City just because of the advantage of second leg at home.


                                                    -  Rugved Joshi.
                   
Let's see how many of this do I get right and I would Really like to know Your opinion and predictions as well. 🙂😊

The Journey of 'Little Magician'

Leo Messi , the Argentinean star won his record breaking sixth Balon d’Or award(best player of the year award).He is already considered the greatest ever to play the game and his sixth balon D’Or takes him one step ahead of his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo.Talking about his style of play he dribbles past defenders using his agility and body fakes, although not the strongest with right foot his left foot shooting prove to be to much for his opposition. His freeckicks have aged like wine ,getting better every year.

            Although it has not been a smooth road for him as a footballer. Coming from Argentina a ten year old Messi was impressive in his days at Old Newell Boys. But, deficiency in growth harmones  at age of 12 was a threat for his footballing career. After couple of trails he agreed to move to Barcelona at 13 after they agreed to pay for the full expenses of his treatment. In Barcelona, he found it hard to settle as he was  shy and tiny than the other players. He was bullied initially but gained respect quickly after impressing everyone with his game.His progress surprised everyone and within couple of years he started playing regularily for Barcelona B Team. Once

while playing in a practice match against the senior team Brazilian star Ronaldinho was so impressed by his style  that he almost forced his manager Rijkard to get him into the main team. So,gradually he was shifted into the main squad and at mere age of 17 he became the youngest Barcelona player to play a competitive game. He quickly became fan favourite with his small cameos , he even scored a hattrick against Spanish Giants Real Madrid at the age of 19, but he still was physically weak and was quiet injury prone in his initial years at Barcelona. Those injuries started to hamper his performances. In 2007, he took a bold step and completely changed his eating habits and followed a strict diet plan to avoid injuries. The result was seen immediately he had 3 injury free season and finished runner up for 2 consecutive years behind Kaka and Cristiano. After the departure of ronaldinho and Samuel Eto messi had to be the Main man for Barcelona as he awarded the NO.10 jersey.

His game under new manager Pep Guardiola reached new heights and From that year he didn’t disappoint as he stepped on another gear and scored 40 + goals that season. He became the youngest winner of Balon D’or award and won it 4 years on trot.2012 was a record-breaking season for him, he scored an astonishing  91 goals in a single year and no player has achieved this feat in top 5 European leagues. Although his form didn’t dipped but Barca’s  over reliance on messi started to become a problem and oppositions tried to exploit that which led to domination of Cristiano

Ronaldo and messi

Ronaldo and Real Madrid at world stage.

But with the help of Luis suarez and Neymar Jr he formed a deadly trio and Barca ended up winning all the trophies in 2015 season.

The famous MSN 

              

 His International Career is considered a failure by many. But it is really harsh on him.

He won the Olympics Gold medal at 2004 but has failed to win his side any major international trophies. He had carried his team to 3 consecutive finals (World cup 2014, Copa America 2015 and 2016)  but couldn’t win any . Although he was adjudged the player of the tournament at FIFA 2014 world cup. Today he continues to be talisman of Barcelona, his career is already a legendary. At 32 He thinks he still has a handful of  years in him and we as football fans hope he keeps delivering his majestic performances for years to come.

Rugved Joshi