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2020-21 UEFA Champions League
Last 16, first leg
Selected fixtures
Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 February 2021
The
UEFA Champions League will continue with four Last 16, first-leg matches across Europe on the midweek of Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 February 2021, featuring heavyweights such as Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Tuesday 23 February sees reigning European kings Bayern Munich face a tricky match at the Stadio Olimpico against Lazio. While Bayern breezed through the group stage they will still be wary of a potent Le Aquile which has been on the rise in Serie A in recent weeks and boasts dangerous attackers such as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and the prolific Ciro Immobile.
“Lazio were in Dortmund’s group, so I watched the games,” said Bayern forward Thomas Muller. “They’re an opponent who can be very awkward in attack, especially with Ciro Immobile. Caution is advised, but of course we’re looking forward to the next round. Rome is a beautiful city and we have good memories of playing Roma there.”
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Tuesday also features a potential thriller between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. The Blues have made progress under new manager Thomas Tuchel – who took Paris Saint-Germain to last season’s final – but they’ll need to produce something special when they come up against the La Liga leaders.
Wednesday 24 February sees Manchester City looking to translate their domestic dominance to the European stage when they face Borussia Monchengladbach. This first-leg match will be staged in Budapest, Hungary as German health authorities have banned travellers from the United Kingdom over concern for their Covid-19 variant.
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The same evening also sees a fascinating clash between Atalanta and Real Madrid in Bergamo, with La Dea hoping to take full advantage of Los Blancos’ inconsistencies through the season.
“It’s also not an excuse to suggest we’re already thinking of Real Madrid, because although we rotated the squad, we haven’t underestimated any of our games,” said Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
“There seem to be excessive expectations around Atalanta, as if they want us to win the Scudetto, Coppa Italia and Champions League. I mean, if you ask us to win the Treble, we’ll give it a go! But really we’re satisfied with what we are doing.”
UEFA Champions League fixtures, 23-24 February
Last 16, first leg matches
Tuesday 23 February
20:00: Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
20:00: Lazio v Bayern Munich
Wednesday 24 February
20:00: Atalanta v Real Madrid
20:00: Borussia Monchengladbach v Manchester City
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