Champions League Knockout Round: Crucial Second Leg Preview and Key Stats

The UEFA Champions League is heating up with a series of thrilling second-leg matches that promise to deliver high-stakes drama and unforgettable moments. As Europe’s elite football clubs vie for a spot in the next round, fans can expect intense competition and tactical brilliance. From AC Milan’s quest to overturn a deficit against Feyenoord to Real Madrid’s narrow lead over Manchester City, each fixture is poised to be a pivotal battle. With key players returning from injuries and suspensions, and others stepping up to fill the void, these matches will test the mettle of both teams and their strategies. Stay tuned for a comprehensive preview of each match, including kick-off times, venues, first-leg scores, and the players to watch.

Today’s Matches

AC Milan vs. Feyenoord

Kick-off Time: 18:45 CET
Venue: San Siro, Milan
First Leg Score: Feyenoord 1-0 AC Milan
Potential Round of 16 Opponents: Arsenal or Inter Milan

Match Preview: AC Milan faces a challenging task as they host Feyenoord, aiming to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg. The early goal in Rotterdam resulted from a misjudgment by goalkeeper Mike Maignan, allowing Igor Paixão to capitalize. Milan’s defense, led by Strahinja Pavlović, acknowledges the need for a more assertive performance in the return match. Pavlović emphasized, “We must be much more assertive.” Similarly, defender Kyle Walker remains optimistic, stating, “We can turn it around in the second leg. It’s not just the forwards all the team needs to contribute to score goals.

Injuries and Suspensions: AC Milan will be without Emerson Royal, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Alessandro Florenzi due to injuries, while Yunus Musah to return after first-leg suspension. Feyenoord will miss several key players, including Justin Bijlow, Gernot Trauner, and Calvin Stengs due to injuries.

Players to Watch: Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan) and Igor Paixão (Feyenoord) will be crucial in determining the outcome of this match. Gimenez has been in excellent form, while Paixão’s contributions have been vital for Feyenoord


AC Milan vs. Feyenoord Key Stats

• Feyenoord have suffered defeats in five of their last six away matches against Italian sides.
• AC Milan have failed to progress from five of their last six ties after losing the first leg.
• Milan have recorded wins in each of their last three home matches in the Champions League.

Benfica vs. Monaco

Kick-off Time: 21:00 CET
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon
First Leg Score: Monaco 1-2 Benfica
Potential Round of 16 Opponents: Liverpool or FC Barcelona

Match Preview: Benfica returns home with a slender 1-0 advantage, courtesy of Vangelis Pavlidis‘ decisive goal in the first leg. Pavlidis reflected on the result, stating, “We are one step in front, but it is not enough. We know that Monaco will be prepared for the next game. We have to be focused.” Monaco, aiming to overturn the deficit, faces the challenge of breaking Benfica’s defensive resilience.

Injuries and Suspensions: Benfica will be without key players such as Alexander Bah and Manu Silva due to injuries. Monaco will miss Mohamed Al Musrati due to suspension, while Jordan Teze and Wilfried Singo are doubtful.

Players to Watch: Álvaro Carreras (Benfica) and Breel Embolo (Monaco) will be pivotal in this match. Carreras’ defensive prowess will be tested against Embolo’s attacking threat.

Monaco vs. Benfica Key Stats

• Benfica have failed to win in their eight away matches against French teams in the Champions League, losing on five occasions.
• Monaco have made their best start to a European campaign since 2005-06 in the UEFA Cup.

Atalanta vs. Club Brugge

Kick-off Time: 21:00 CET
Venue: Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo
First Leg Score: Club Brugge 2-1 Atalanta
Potential Round of 16 Opponents: Lille or Aston Villa

Match Preview: Atalanta faces a challenging task as they host Club Brugge, aiming to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg. The Belgian side secured their victory with a last-minute penalty by Gustaf Nilsson, following an early goal from Ferran Jutglà and an equalizer by Mario Pašalić. Atalanta’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, has expressed concerns over a shortage of fit strikers, with key forwards Ademola Lookman and Gianluca Scamacca sidelined due to injuries. Despite these setbacks, Gasperini emphasizes the need for adaptability and the crucial importance of scoring goals to progress in the competition.

Injuries and Suspensions: Atalanta will be without Ademola Lookman, Gianluca Scamacca, Sead Kolasinac and Odilon Kossounou due to injuries. Club Brugge have no significant injury concerns.

Players to Watch: Mateo Retegui (Atalanta) and Ferran Jutglà (Club Brugge) will be key players in this match. Retegui’s goal-scoring ability will be vital for Atalanta, while Jutglà’s creativity will be crucial for Club Brugge.

Atalanta vs. Club Brugge Key Stats

• Club Brugge have suffered a tournament-record 16 eliminations after winning the first leg of a knockout tie.
• Atalanta ended a five-game winless sequence on home soil in Europe against Sturm Graz when winning 5-0 last month.

Bayern Munich vs. Celtic

Kick-off Time: 21:00 CET
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
First Leg Score: Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich
Potential Round of 16 Opponents: Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen

Match Preview: Bayern Munich returns home with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, where goals from Michael Olise and Harry Kane secured the win. Celtic, under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers, displayed resilience and aim to capitalize on their away goal. Rodgers has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to challenge Bayern, emphasizing the importance of boldness and strategic play.

Injuries and Suspensions: Bayern will be without Alphonso Davies, João Palhinha and Daniel Peretz due to injuries. Celtic will miss James Forrest due to injurie.

Players to Watch: Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich) and Nicolas Kuhn (Celtic) will be key players in this match. Gnabry’s attacking threat will be crucial for Bayern, while Kuhn’s goal scoring ability will be vital for Celtic.

Bayern Munich vs. Celtic Key Stats

• Celtic have suffered eliminations in their last nine ties in the Champions League after losing the first leg.
• Bayern Munich have progressed from their last 13 ties after recording a win in the first leg.

Tomorrow’s games

Borussia Dortmund vs. Sporting CP

Kick-off Time: 18:45 CET
Venue: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
First Leg Score: Sporting CP 0-3 Borussia Dortmund
Potential Round of 16 Opponents: Lille or Aston Villa

Match Preview: Borussia Dortmund enters the second leg with a commanding 3-0 lead from their triumph in Lisbon. Despite facing challenges in the Bundesliga, where they currently reside in the lower half of the table, Dortmund’s European campaign remains robust. New head coach Niko Kovač has yet to reverse domestic fortunes but has maintained the team’s formidable presence in Europe. Sporting CP, adjusting to life after the departure of manager Rúben Amorim to Manchester United, faces an uphill battle to overturn the deficit.

Injuries and Suspensions: Borussia Dortmund remains without Felix Nmecha and Ramy Bensebaini, both sidelined until March, while Sporting CP faces significant absences, including full-backs Geny Catamo and Nuno Santos. Midfielder Daniel Bragança and forward Pedro Gonçalves are also ruled out due to ligament injuries, leaving Francisco Trincão to support Viktor Gyökeres in attack.

Players to Watch: Serhou Guirassy has been a standout performer for Borussia Dortmund, boasting an incredible record of 10 goals in just 9 Champions League appearances. He has matched the Dortmund record of Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski by scoring ten goals in a single Champions League campaign, making him a constant threat in front of goal. On the other side, Viktor Gyökeres has been equally vital for Sporting CP, netting 6 goals in 8 appearances, and will be key to any hopes of a comeback.

Borussia Dortmund vs. Sporting Lisbon Key Stats

• Dortmund have suffered just one defeat in their last 15 home matches in the Champions League, scoring an average of 2.2 goals per game.
• Sporting Lisbon have suffered 2-1 defeats in each of their last two away matches in the competition.

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Brest

Kick-off Time: 21:00 CET
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
First Leg Score: Brest 0-3 Paris
Potential Round of 16 Opponents: Liverpool or FC Barcelona

Match Preview: Paris Saint-Germain enters the second leg with a commanding 3-0 lead after their dominant performance in the first leg against Brest. Ousmane Dembélé‘s brace sealed the win, continuing PSG’s recent excellent form. Just 10 days before the Champions League encounter, PSG had also beaten Brest 5-2 in Ligue 1 on February 1, 2025. With back-to-back victories over Brest, Paris is brimming with confidence and will look to extend their advantage at home and secure progression to the next round.

Injuries and Suspensions: Ahead of the game against Brest, PSG’s only notable absentee is Warren Zaire Emery, who is still recovering from an ankle injury. Brest, on the other hand, faces a tough challenge as they will be missing Jordan Amavi (hamstring), Bradley Locko (Achilles), Jonas Martin (muscle), Romain Del Castilo (knee), and Ibrahim Salah, who was forced off before half-time over the weekend.

Players to Watch: Ousmane Dembélé has been in red-hot form for PSG, scoring a double in the first leg against Brest and with 15 goals in his last 8 appearances. He will be pivotal for PSG’s attack. For Brest, Abdallah Sima will be a key player in their efforts to turn the tie around, with his pace and technical ability crucial to any hopes of an upset.

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Brest Key Stats:

• Paris Saint-Germain has won 18 of their last 19 matches against Brest in all competitions.
• In the first leg of the Champions League knockout phase, PSG dominated possession with 65.9%, while Brest had 34.1%.

PSV Eindhoven vs. Juventus

Kick-off Time: 21:00 CET
Venue: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
First Leg Score: Juventus 2-1 PSV Eindhoven
Potential Round of 16 Opponents: Arsenal or Inter Milan

Match Preview: PSV Eindhoven enters the second leg at home trailing 1-2 after a hard-fought first leg against Juventus in Turin. The Dutch side will need to overturn the deficit in front of their fans to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Juventus will be looking to protect their narrow advantage, having secured a valuable away win. Both teams will be determined to progress, making this second leg a pivotal encounter.

Injuries and Suspensions: PSV had to play without several key players in the first leg, and the situation hasn’t improved ahead of the second leg. Ricardo Pepi is sidelined for the season with a knee injury, and Sergino Dest is still recovering from long-term injuries. In addition, Rick Karsdorp and Olivier Boscagli are doubtful due to muscle injuries.
Juventus, on the other hand, will also be missing several players, including Bremer, Juan Cabal, Arkadiusz Milik, Pierre Kalulu, and Douglas Luiz, all of whom are unavailable due to various injuries.

Players to Watch: For PSV, Luuk de Jong, the team’s top scorer this season, will be expected to lead the attacking line and provide the necessary goals to turn the tie in their favor. On the Juventus side, Randal Kolo Muani, who has been in excellent form since joining Paris Saint-Germain, scoring five goals in five games, will spearhead the attack and look to extend his goal-scoring run.

PSV Eindhoven vs. Juventus Key Stats:

• Juventus have progressed from their last 20 European ties after winning the first leg.
• PSV have only progressed from three of their eleven Champions League ties after suffering a first leg defeat.

Real Madrid vs. Manchester City

Kick-off Time: 21:00 CET
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
First Leg Score: Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid
Potential Round of 16 Opponents: Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen

Match Preview: Real Madrid takes a narrow 3-2 lead into the second leg after a dramatic first leg at the Etihad. Despite Manchester City leading 2-1 until the final minutes, Madrid managed to secure a crucial added-time winner, tilting the psychological balance in their favor. The return to Madrid offers a strong advantage for Los Blancos, as the Bernabéu crowd will be behind them. However, Manchester City, despite the setback, remains determined to level the tie and capitalize on any opportunities to force extra time or secure a win. The second leg promises to be an intense battle as both teams fight for a place in the next round.

Injuries and Suspensions: Real Madrid has received a boost ahead of the second leg with both Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba returning to full training after missing the first leg due to injury. They are expected to be in contention for the visit of Manchester City. However, Lucas Vazquez remains sidelined due to a hamstring issue, while long-term absentees Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal continue to recover from knee injuries.
On the Manchester City side, Jack Grealish is recovering from an injury sustained in the first leg, and Manuel Akanji is set to be out for several weeks following an abductor injury. Additionally, Oscar Bobb and Rodri are both unavailable due to fitness and ACL issues, respectively.

Players to Watch: Omar Marmoush has made a significant impact since joining Manchester City, scoring 3 goals in his first 3 appearances. Alongside him, Erling Haaland remains a standout, continuing to deliver exceptional performances in attack. Both players, occupying similar positions, are crucial to City’s hopes in the second leg.
For Real Madrid, Vinícius Júnior was at the heart of the victory in the first leg, delivering a decisive performance. Despite the criticism surrounding his absence from the Ballon d’Or, he proved his worth on the pitch. Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, scored the decisive goal in the dying minutes, cementing his key role within the team.

Real Madrid vs. Man City Key Stats

• Man City have been eliminated on all four occasions when they have suffered a first leg defeat.
• Real Madrid have failed to score in just one of their last 78 home matches in the Champions League.
• Real Madrid have won 300 matches in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, making them the first team to reach this landmark.

As the second-leg matches of the UEFA Champions League unfold, the stage is set for epic comebacks, tactical masterclasses, and moments of individual brilliance. Teams like AC Milan, Benfica, and Atalanta face the challenge of overturning first-leg deficits, while powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid aim to consolidate their leads. With injuries and suspensions playing a crucial role, the depth and resilience of each squad will be tested. As fans eagerly await the outcomes, these matches are sure to deliver the excitement and drama that define the Champions League. Stay tuned for the latest updates and analyses as the road to the final narrows.