Preview of the Champions League

The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 matches has been drawn, with some intriguing match-ups being at our disposal next February. This is the time where the true competitors are revealed, as a team’s endurance and motivation is going to be tested. This is the biggest soccer/football tournament of the year.

The next round of matches is set to take place over a set of two weeks, Feb. 13 through Feb. 20. First up, the Real Madrid (Spain) vs Paris Saint Germain (France) game will be a spectacular to watch. These two teams are arguably the biggest European teams, as well as some of the richest. This game will take place on Feb. 14 which is a Wednesday.

For Real Madrid, they will be looking for a “three-peat,” as they have won the last two Champions League Finals. Superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will look to continue Real Madrid’s hot streak as being invincible in the competition. Paris Saint Germain, on the other hand, are looking like Europe’s new powerhouse. After the team’s signing of Brazilian superstar Neymar da Silva Santos, many expect them to go far in the competition. It is certainly possible, as many players on the team have prior experience at the Champions League.

Another interesting matchup is the Juventus (Italy) versus Tottenham (England) game on Feb. 13. Tottenham has looked great on the group stage, especially since a win over Real Madrid cemented their position as a real competitor this year. Young stars Harry Kane and Dele Alli will look to capture the spotlight against the Italian champions. For Juventus, they will be looking to redeem themselves from last year’s embarrassing loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League Final. The team is mostly the same from last year, so the return to the final could be possible.

These round of games will be a proving ground for many teams. Their stamina, endurance, competitiveness, and drive will all be tested. Remember, this round is over two legs, so each team has a chance to play on their home turf and a game away from home. For many fans, this is the holy grail of European soccer and their pride and joy for their teams is often lost and gained here.