2024-25 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Second leg preview

2024-25 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Second leg preview

barcelona vs Benfica

match Information

when and where: march 12, 2025, Camp Nou

first leg result: barcelona 1-0 Benfica

barcelona took an early lead with a 1-0 win in the first leg, and they’ll look to continue their strong performance in the second leg at home. benfica, on the other hand, will need to be aggressive in their offense to advance.

first leg recap

barcelona overcame a difficult situation when Pau Kubarsi was sent off in the 22nd minute of the first leg, but Rafinha’s 61st-minute winner secured the win. goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s brilliant saves were crucial.

barcelona’s home form

barcelona are unbeaten in their last 16 games at Camp Nou, but they’ve also been strong at home against Portuguese clubs. in the league, they recently beat Real Sociedad 4-0 and are now top of the table.

benfica’s challenge

benfica have had strong performances in European competitions in the past, and will likely be aggressive in this match as well, especially with the likes of Andrea Belotti up front.

predicted strategy

barcelona: Barcelona will look to take control of the game, be aggressive, and shut down Benfica’s counterattacks.

benfica: They need to score, so they will likely utilize an aggressive attacking tactic.

this match pits Barcelona’s strong home form against Benfica’s counterattacking strategy.

liverpool vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)

match info

when and where: march 12, 2025, Anfield

first leg result: liverpool 1-0 PSG

liverpool won the first leg with an 87th-minute goal from Harvey Elliott. PSG created a number of scoring chances, but were denied by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.

liverpool’s home form

liverpool have been strong at Anfield and have won at home against PSG in the Champions League in the past. They have also progressed to the next round 14 times in a row in similar circumstances.

PSG’s challenge

PSG are in dominant form in the league, having won their last six games in a row, and Ousmane Dembele has been their key striker, scoring 20 goals in his last 15 games.

expected strategy

liverpool: Liverpool will be aggressive at home and will combine a defensive strategy to prevent PSG from counterattacking.

PSG: They need to win, so they will press hard and play aggressively.

expect an exciting matchup between Liverpool’s solid home form and PSG’s desperation to fight back.

inter Milan vs Feyenoord

match info

when and where: march 12, 2025, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

first leg result: inter Milan 2-0 Feyenoord

inter Milan moved one step closer to the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win away from home, and will be looking for a strong showing in this match at home.

first leg recap

inter Milan won with goals from Markus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez, while Feyenoord created several chances but failed to score.

inter Milan’s home form

inter Milan have kept seven out of eight clean sheets at home in the Champions League and are unbeaten in their last 14 matches.

feyenoord’s challenge

feyenoord are in a difficult situation with captain Quinton Timber and first-choice goalkeeper Justin Viljoer missing through injury. They are also without a win in their last eight away games against Italian clubs.

expected strategy

inter Milan: the Nerazzurri will play a solid defensive game and will look to score through Martinez and Thuram.

feyenoord: They will attack aggressively in hopes of pulling off the upset, but their injury problems will make it a difficult match.

inter Milan are in a favorable position based on their two-goal lead, while Feyenoord will need a multi-goal win.

leverkusen vs Bayern Munich

match info

when and where: march 12, 2025, Bayer Arena

first leg result: bayern Munich 3-0 Leverkusen

bayern Munich cruised to a 3-0 victory in the first leg to boost their chances of reaching the quarterfinals. leverkusen will have to try to bounce back at home, but it won’t be an easy task.

first leg recap

a Harry Kane brace and a Jamal Moussaoui Alaa double led Bayern Munich to a 3-0 win. leverkusen struggled further after the 62nd minute sending off of Nordy Mkhitaryan, managing just one shot on target.

leverkusen’s challenge

leverkusen have been struggling in recent matches, including a 0-2 loss to Werder Bremen. the injury absence of key player Florian Wirz is likely to take its toll on the team.

bayern Munich’s strategy

bayern Munich will look to capitalize on their three-goal lead and stabilize. however, with Manuel Neuer out injured, 21-year-old rookie goalkeeper Jonas Urbich could be called upon.

expected strategy

leverkusen: Leverkusen will attack strongly from the start and look to score multiple goals.

bayern Munich: They will play defensively and look to counter-attack.

it will be interesting to see if Leverkusen can pull off a miraculous upset, or if Bayern Munich will breeze through to the quarterfinals.

as you can see, the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 will feature a number of interesting matchups, and the strategies and performances of each team will be key to deciding the outcome.