Four things to look out for ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League games, as the inaugural play-off round begins tonight.
French foes face off in play-offs
The new-look format for the Champions League has removed the same country seeding system, paving the path for clashes between compatriots as the knockout rounds begin.
Brest exceeded expectations in the league phase to secure a playoff place and would likely have wanted to avoid a tie with French football’s dominant force. It’s an all-Ligue 1 clash, as Brest host Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg tonight.
PSG began their European campaign unconvincingly but improved as the tournament progressed. Three consecutive wins, including statement performances against Manchester City and Stuttgart, sealed their place in the knockout rounds.
⚽️ A big @ChampionsLeague game this evening!
⚠️ Kick-off is at 6:45pm CET#SB29PSG I #UCL pic.twitter.com/yFvNODl3qT
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 11, 2025
Luis Enrique has since added Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to a forward line already boasting Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, with PSG emerging as a dark horse for this competition. Dembele is arguably Europe’s form player right now and helped himself to a hat-trick when the teams met in Ligue 1 just 10 days ago.
Kolo Muani will boost pragmatic Juventus
Kvaratskhelia’s arrival in Paris forced Randal Kolo Muani out the exit door, with Luis Enrique having been unconvinced by the forward.
Juventus won a competitive race to sign the striker on loan, and he has enjoyed an electric start in Italy. Kolo Muani scored both goals as Juventus won 2-1 at Como at the weekend to make it five goals in his first three appearances. His mobility and pace appear more suited to the demands of Thiago Motta, who has favoured the Frenchman over Dusan Vlahovic.
A finish full of power from Randal Kolo Muani 💥#ComoJuve pic.twitter.com/xCdpRAomst
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 8, 2025
With Juventus having struggled for goals in the league phase, Kolo Muani could inject some much-needed life into their forward line. The Old Lady, who host PSV Eindhoven tonight, mustered just nine goals in eight games during the league phase.
Champions League’s most compelling modern rivalry returns
Manchester City and Real Madrid meet this evening in the latest chapter of a compelling modern rivalry.
For the fourth consecutive campaign, the teams collide in the Champions League’s knockout rounds. Every final since 2021 has featured either Real Madrid or Manchester City, while their European encounters have been unmissable action.
Who can forget Real’s Rodrygo-inspired comeback in the 2022 semi-final? Or Manchester City’s crushing of the Spaniards on route to the trophy a year later? Last season, the teams shared six goals in a draw at the Bernabeu before Madrid squeezed past the Citizens on penalties in the return.
Grab the popcorn for this one.
Guirrasy gunning for history with Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund reached the final last season, but things have been trickier this time around. Languishing in 11th in the Bundesliga, the Germans sacked Nuri Sahin, with Niko Kovac drafted in as his replacement.
Progress was confirmed in the Champions League, with Serhou Guirassy an outlier in terms of his team’s struggles. The summer signing from Stuttgart has scored 19 goals this season, including nine in just eight Champions League games. It’s the joint-highest return in the competition this season, alongside ex-Dortmund frontman Robert Lewandowski.
A goal contribution in EVERY game this season 😮💨
Guirassy 🇬🇳#UCL pic.twitter.com/Wygctt8MCQ
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 10, 2025
Another goal for Guirassy tonight will see him become just the third Dortmund player to reach 10 goals in a Champions League season, after Lewandowski and Erling Haaland. That’s elite company.
Read – Guardiola confident ‘special’ Man City can beat Real Madrid
See more – Manchester City vs Real Madrid – Match preview and team news
