The UEFA Champions League round of 16 continues with English giants Chelsea and Manchester United playing their first knockout stage matches of the season against French champions Lille and Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.
Despite winning the domestic titles in their respective countries last year, Lille and Atletico are struggling to keep pace and come into the crucial Champions League matches in shaky form.
Lille are currently 11th in the league, while Diego Simeone's Atletico are in fifth.
Chelsea and United are starting to take control of their season after foundering for a couple of months. The sides are third and fourth in the Premier League, and effectively out of the title race.
The battle for goals ⚽️👊
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 21, 2022
Pick 2 forwards to find the net...#FedExPerformanceZone | @FedExEurope | #UCL pic.twitter.com/W1w1U68deR
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is potentially fit to return to the side after a groin issue kept him out. Mason Mount could make the Chelsea bench after an ankle problem but is unlikely to be ready to start. Striker Romelu Lukaku's poor form is a cause for concern for Thomas Tuchel.
Lille finished top of Group G ahead of RB Salzburg, Sevilla and Wolfsburg, and will be hoping to spring a surprise against the Blues in the first leg at Stamford Bridge Tuesday night.
United, on the other hand, will make the daunting trip to Spain to play Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night. Despite the disappointing season for both sides, they are coming off impressive wins over Osasuna and Leeds United.
Though Atletico hold the upper hand in Champions League knockout matches against English sides, the two teams are meeting for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Antoine Griezmann is back fit for the Madrid team but Thomas Lemar remains doutbful. Yannick Carrasco and Felipe both miss out because of suspensions. For United, Edinson Cavani is struggling with a groin problem.
Juventus at Villarreal
In the other two matches of the week, Juventus travel to Villarreal and Portuguese side Benfica face Dutch giants Ajax.
Villarreal is back in the last 16 for the first time in 13 years, while Juventus is trying to return to the quarterfinals after consecutive eliminations at this stage.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri won't be able to count on forward Paulo Dybala because of an injury, and will start the match with Alvaro Morata and new signing Dusan Vlahovic up front. Defender Giorgio Chiellini is also out injured, while Leonardo Bonucci is listed as doubtful.
Villarreal coach Unai Emery is a four-time Europa League champion but has never taken any of his teams—including Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal— past the round of 16 in the Champions League. He remains without injured striker Gerard Moreno but forward Arnaut Danjuma is in top form after a long period sidelined.
Ajax are in imperious form in the Dutch domestic and will take on a Benfica that beat Barcelona in the group stage to make it to the round of 16.
Match timings
Chelsea vs Lille – Wednesday 1.30am
Juventus vs Villareal – Wednesday 1.30am
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United – Thursday 1.30am
Benfica vs Ajax – Thursday 1.30am
