FC Barcelona vs. SL Benfica

First-leg result: Benfica 0-1 Barcelona

Barcelona has taken a crucial advantage into the second leg, thanks to a slim 1-0 victory at home. Robert Lewandowski’s return from physical discomfort is a huge boost for the Catalan club, who will rely on his experience to finish the job in the second leg at the Camp Nou. Despite Barcelona’s dominance, Benfica faces a daunting task, particularly given their poor history in Barcelona, where they have never won.

Barcelona’s Situation: With Lewandowski back in action, the team will look to tighten their grip on the tie and advance to the quarter-finals. However, they must be cautious not to underestimate Benfica, who is known for their resilience and unpredictable nature.

Benfica’s Situation: Historically, the Portuguese club has struggled at the Camp Nou, but with nothing to lose, Benfica could play with freedom and pull off an upset if they get an early goal. Still, it’s a tall order for the visitors, and they’ll need to rely on their defense to keep Barcelona at bay. Plus, they won’t have Angel Di Maria on the bench. 

Liverpool FC vs. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)

First-leg result: PSG 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool pulled off a fantastic away win at the Parc des Princes, edging PSG 1-0 in a highly competitive match with Harry Elliot’s goal. Manager Arne Slot made it clear that his team would not rest on their laurels and would push for another win at Anfield to secure qualification. The Reds will undoubtedly be motivated to make their home advantage count and finish what they started.

Liverpool’s Situation: The team is in a strong position after the first leg, and Slot’s words ring true – Liverpool will attack PSG with the full force of their Anfield crowd behind them. Expect fireworks as the Premier League giants aim to secure their place in the next round.

PSG’s Situation: With a narrow deficit to overcome, PSG’s star-studded lineup will need to dig deep. The likes of Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia must deliver if the Parisians are to have any hope of overturning the tie.

Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich

First-leg result: Bayern Munich 3-0 Bayer Leverkusen

Bayern Munich holds a commanding 3-0 lead over Bayer Leverkusen, who now faces an almost impossible task in the second leg. The Bavarian giants have been in superb form, and it seems likely that Leverkusen will find it difficult to recover from such a deficit.

Bayern’s Situation: Bayern’s dominance in the first leg leaves them with one foot in the quarter-finals. A home tie in the second leg should be the perfect opportunity for them to further stamp their authority and see out the tie with ease.

Leverkusen’s Situation: Leverkusen has a mountain to climb, and with a three-goal deficit, the team will need a miracle to overturn Bayern’s lead. Nevertheless, they’ll likely fight until the end, but realistically, it’s Bayern’s tie to lose.

Atlético de Madrid vs. Real Madrid

First-leg result: Real Madrid 2-1 Atlético de Madrid

In what was a thrilling Madrid derby, Real Madrid emerged victorious with a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabéu. Atlético Madrid will be looking to bounce back in the second leg at home, and while a one-goal deficit is manageable, Real Madrid has shown its resilience in Europe.

Atlético’s Situation: Atlético will need to channel their famous fighting spirit to overcome their rivals and advance. The home crowd at the Wanda Metropolitano will play a crucial role, but they will need to put together a near-perfect performance to turn the tie around.

Real Madrid’s Situation: With the away goal advantage, Real Madrid will likely play a more cautious game in the second leg, relying on their defense and counter-attacking prowess to finish off Atlético’s hopes of a comeback.