The Champions League last 16 barrels on this week, and there's the small matter of a repeat of last year's final on the agenda. We've assembled everything you need to know about Tuesday night's fixtures.
Champions League last 16 previews and form guides
Liverpool v Real Madrid (Anfield Stadium, 8pm)
Liverpool
Place in domestic league: 8th
Last three results: W W L
Liverpool qualified for the round of 16 by finishing second in Group A behind Italian side Napoli. The Reds lost first place on goal difference, with Napoli scoring three more goals than Liverpool. Their domestic league season has been made of ups and downs - but Jurgen Klopp's team are far off their goal of becoming champions of England again. They are sitting in eight place, 19 points behind league leaders Arsenal and may now have to fight for a European spot against the likes of Newcastle, Brentford and Fulham.
Liverpool will tonight play defending champions Real Madrid in what could be the match of this round. The Reds will really want to win this tie, as they can still remember the defeat in last year's Champions League final in Paris against Carlo Ancelotti's side. This is the fourth time in six seasons these two teams have played each other in the Champions League.
Liverpool will enter this game with a long list of injured and unavailable players. Star players such as Ibrahima Konaté, Luis Diaz, Arthur and Thiago Alcantara are all out with injuries. Record breaking transfer signing Darwin Nunez is also doubtful with an injury, as is the promising 19 year old Calvin Ramsey. However Klopp said that Darwin Nunez has a "chance" of being available for tonight's game but they have to "see how he can deal with the pain".
Real Madrid
Place in domestic league: 2nd
Last three results: W W L
Carlo Ancelotti's team topped their Champions League group, finishing only one point ahead of German side RB Leipzig but with impressive wins such as a 5-1 home victory against Celtic. In La Liga they are falling away from arch-rvials Barcelona in the title race, currently sitting second, eight points behind the Catalonian side - but also with eight points ahead of third side Real Sociedad.
Carlo Ancelotti is sure that this is a wonderful draw for all football fans in the world as he stated:
It'll be a very entertaining tie and a very tough one. There'll be a great atmosphere at Anfield and also at the Bernabéu. It'll be a spectacular tie.
On the injuries side, Real Madrid will have to play this game without two key players, French full back Ferland Mendy and German World Cup winner Toni Kroos are both unavailable for this away game in Anfield.
📋✅ Our squad for the match 🆚 @LFC!#UCL pic.twitter.com/VwdG1L0B3S
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 20, 2023
Frankfurt v Napoli (Deutsche Bank Park, 8pm)
Frankfurt
Place in domestic league: 6th
Last three results: W L W
The Frankfurters finished second behind Tottenham in Group D. It was the closest and most interesting group when it came to qualification for the knockout stages. All four teams had the possibility of making it to the round of 16, making the last gameday was decisive. Each team moved into qualification position at different stages of the final matchday but, ultimately, Spurs and Frankfurt won out. In the Bundesliga, Frankfurt sits in sixth position, eight points ahead of seventh place Wolfsburg and five points away from first place Bayern Munich.
Frankfurt will enter this first leg against Napoli with the hope of getting a win at home in front of their fans but they know it will be hard against a team who are in the form of their life.
The only two injuries to mention are the ones of French winger Junior Dina Ebimbe and German 18 year old midfielder Marcel Wenig. Club captan Sebastian Rode is uncertain after being ruled out for illness. Manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Rode will be included in the squad, but he will not start. Those injuries should not have a big impact on the squad as they still have players able to produce big games such as club star striker Randall Kolo Muani, Mario Gotze, and goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
Galsner has recognised the talent of the Italian side, stating that Napoli has more than their attack to cause trouble:
🎙️ #Glasner:
“There’s more to @sscnapoli than just their attack. They have an incredible balance and don’t concede many goals. They had an exceptional group stage.”
––––––#SGEuropa | #SGENapoli | #UCL pic.twitter.com/YusHp37YxW— Eintracht Frankfurt (@eintracht_eng) February 20, 2023
He also added that this should be a great game with the fans supporting them:
We’ve got an extraordinary game coming up. Our aim is clear: to advance. Both clubs have good, stable sides. A full house, wonderful atmosphere and two teams in good form – that’s how it should be.
Mario Gotze also mentioned the atmosphere saying that this is "going to be a sensational game" and that they are "looking forward to the last 16 and a tremendous atmosphere".
Napoli
Place in domestic league: 1st
Last three results: W W W
Luciano Spalletti's team are playing their best seaon ever. They topped their Champions League group, one point ahead of last year's finalist Liverpool. They won five of their six games, and all wins came with at least three goals scored. Big victories included a 6-1 away win against Netherlands giant's Ajax and a 4-1 win at home to Liverpool. Napoli scored the most of goals in the Champions League group stage.
In Serie A, they have won 20 of their 23 games (2 draws and one defeat), and are first of the table 15 points clear of second place Inter Milan. With the likes of Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Hirving Lozano and Matteo Politano, Napoli are well equipped when it comes to play offensive football. Osimhen is a goalscoring machine, standing as Serie A's top goalscorer with 18 goals in 19 games
"Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible."
- 𝐎𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐡𝐞i𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/YWYQsAnLaN— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) February 18, 2023
Napoli will come to Germany as strong favourites for this game. Team coach Spalletti still remains precautions and says:
Every draw is tough at this level. Eintracht Frankfurt are the holders of the Europa League, which is the second-biggest competition in Europe, and they are on the up as a team. It certainly won't be easy.
Only one player unavailable for the Neapolitans, which is Giacomo Raspadori who sustained a thigh injury.
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