The UEFA Champions League returns on Tuesday night commencing the 2nd leg of the Round of 16. In the first leg, something rare and unusual happened as Porto were the only home team that managed to win their game. The other 7 home teams suffered defeat while none of the games ended in a draw.
Here are 2 things that would come as no surprise to the football world:
Another Ronaldo Masterclass -
Cristiano Ronaldo is no stranger when it comes to single-handedly winning UCL matches for his team. Juventus would be hoping for yet another match-winning performance from the all-time top scorer of the competition. Andrea Pirlo benched the Portuguese forward on the weekend against Lazio presumably because of the game against Porto. Porto scored in the opening minutes of each half to go 2 goals up before Federico Chiesa got a very crucial away goal. Cristiano Ronaldo has had good individual performances in UCL for Juventus but the Biaconeri have failed to go past the Quarter Finals.
Atalanta cruising past Real Madrid -
Real Madrid are kings of the Champions League having won the competition a record 13 times. But they have gone out of the competition in the last 16 for two years in a row now. An injury plagued Real Madrid managed to get a late winner via Ferland Mendy against a 10-men Atalanta. Although Los Blancos have the advantage and the away goal they could still go out of the competition. Real Madrid have been very inconsistent this season as they sit 3rd on the La Liga table. Atalanta on the other hand scores goals for fun so an Atalanta victory might not be the most shocking thing to happen in this round.
