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Andrew Cesare Richardson

The Uefa Champions League knockout stages are upon us, with matches on Tuesday and Wednesday, European time.
On paper there aren’t too many differences with previous editions, despite the traditional group stage having been replaced by a new league phase.
We’re down to 16 teams, with a home-and-away fixture and the winner qualifying for the quarter-finals.
And while the format is roughly the same, there are some caveats, as well as plenty of interesting narrative points.
One nation

For the first time at this stage, teams from the same country can face each other – and that has brought us two particularly intriguing ties.
Madrid will host a first Champions League derby since their meeting in 2017, which marked a fourth consecutive season Atletico’s dreams were dashed by arch-rivals Real – a run that included two final defeats.
However, one key element of that period of domination was Cristiano Ronaldo, who later scored a hat-trick for Juventus to ensure a come-from-behind victory over Diego Simeone’s side in 2019.
The Rojiblancos did get their revenge on the Portuguese icon when they knocked his Manchester United side out in 2021-22. Can they finally get one over Real Madrid?
The other same-nation tie sees Bundesliga runaway leaders Bayern Munich facing German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Their two league meetings this season finished in draws, while Leverkusen won their cup clash 1-0 at the Allianz Arena.
Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has never lost against former club Bayern Munich – but his last meeting against a side he previously played for ended in a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Hello again

Another new feature of this season’s edition is a lack of protection against separating sides who faced off in the league phase.
That means replays of two group-stage encounters, one of which delivered a shock and the other arguably the game of the tournament so far.
Club Brugge host Aston Villa, whom they beat 1-0 on matchday four. The Belgians then further showed their mettle in this competition with the stunning elimination of Uefa Europa League holders Atalanta in the play-off round.
Elsewhere, Benfica face Barcelona in a repeat of a match that saw the two sides share nine goals on matchday seven, with the Catalans eventually winning 5-4, having been trailing 4-2 with 12 minutes remaining.
PSG v Liverpool

Possibly Europe’s two form teams are preparing to face off.
Liverpool, runaway leaders in the English Premier League, finished top of the league phase and only defeat to PSV Eindhoven in their final match prevented a 100 per cent record.
But Paris Saint-Germain have failed to win only once in all competitions since December 6 and in that time have twice scored seven, with Ousmane Dembele shining in that same period.
Only twice has he failed to score and, in 14 matches, has notched 20 goals.
PSG’s renowned frailty in this competition makes Liverpool favourites, but the Parisians have never looked this organised.
Don’t do anything Rash

Marcus Rashford is set to make his debut for Aston Villa in the competition – and starts just one booking away from a suspension.
That’s because of the two yellow cards he picked up for United in the Uefa Europa League earlier this campaign.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid will be without the suspended Jude Bellingham, while Federico Valverde is a doubt.
Other major team news includes doubt over Inter Milan midfleder Hakan Calhanoglu’s fitness, while Real Madrid defensive pair Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger are both a booking away from suspension.
Golden Boot up for grabs

Of the top 15 scorers this season, only three are no longer in the competition.
Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy leads the top goal-getters on 10, with Barcelona duo Robert Lewandowski (9) and Raphinha (8) chasing him down.
Real Madrid pair Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, as well as Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis, are next on seven.
It’s interesting, though, that Barcelona have played two fewer matches than all the other contenders on this list.
But if their clash with Benfica is anything like their league phase meeting, these numbers could rocket.


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5 things to know as Uefa Champions League last 16 starts with PSG v Liverpool, Madrid derby

Uefa Champions League

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring against Real Madrid in the Champions League league phase. Photo: EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo with the Champions League trophy after Real Madrid’s 2016 final win over Atletico. Photo: AP

Barcelona’s Raphinha after scoring the dramatic ninth goal of the match against Benfica. Photo: AFP

Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring during PSG’s Ligue 1 victory over Lille. Photo: EPA

Aston Villa’s Marcus Rashford is one booking away from a Champions League suspension. Photo: AP

Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy is the leading Champions League scorer this season. Photo: dpa

Serena Williams joins WNBA ownership group, Nottingham Forest reach FA Cup quarter-finals

Serena Williams performs onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome. Photo: TNS

Andy Murray (left) will be coaching Novak Djokovic as he looks to win in Indian Wells. Photo: Reuters

Nottingham Forest hero Matz Sels (front left) celebrates with teammate Jota Silva. Photo: AP

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior appears to rubbish rumours over a move to the Saudi Pro League. Photo: DPA

Zhang Jike inflames Chinese social media with claim he would beat women’s champ Wang Manyu

China’s Wang Manyu, the world No 2, recently came out on top at the Asian Cup in Shenzhen in February. Photo:  Xinhua

Zhang Jike celebrates at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where he won team gold. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

Plenty of talking points as we reach the knockout round, such as why new Aston Villa man Marcus Rashford must be careful against Club Brugge


Plenty of talking points as we reach the knockout round, such as why new Aston Villa man Marcus Rashford must be careful against Club Brugge.
