THE last-16 stage of the Champions League continues with PSG and Bayern Munich both in action.
Kylian Mbappe and Co face Spanish side Real Sociedad, while Harry Kane is set to lead the line for Bayern against Lazio.
And both sides will be hoping that they can emulate Manchester City who beat Copenhagen 3-1 or Real Madrid after their 1-0 away win against RB Leipzig.
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Neuer makes Harry Kane demand
Manuel Neuer has made a strict demand to his Bayern Munich teammates ahead of their Champions League clash against Lazio after Harry Kane failed to find the net last weekend.
Kane was limited to just one shot and 18 touches of the ball on Saturday afternoon as Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen extended their lead at the top of the table to five points.
Neuer commented on the defeat, saying: “We haven’t quite gotten over it. When you lose like that, it does something with you. We’ve spoken about it, analysed it and been clear about it.
“The good thing is we’ve got a game straight after. We want to get to the next round. We want to make up for things that we didn’t do well in Leverkusen.”
Neuer added: “It’s important that we stick at it. It’s a new competition, a new day. Even when Bayern Munich lose, the sun still rises. We’re looking forward to the game.”
Schmeichel shows love for City star
Peter Schmeichel hailed Kevin De Bruyne after Manchester City defeated Copenhagen 3-1 in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.
He said: “He’s always got good things to say. What a player he is. He got Player of the Match today as well.”
Pep Guardiola also described De Bruyne’s showing at the Parken Stadium as “extraordinary.”
City set for huge windfall
Manchester City hope to be the first English club to pocket £100 million in UEFA prize money this season by defending the Champions League crown.
And with television cash added in, that could rise to a record-smashing whopping £128 million if they lift the trophy at Wembley on June 1.
Pep Guardiola’s men picked up around £85 million from the organisers by lifting the trophy for the first time in Istanbul in June.
But if they go all the way and retain their title on home soil it will be worth substantially more.
While UEFA’s cash pot for the competition remains at a total £1.73bn, favourites City are in line to take their biggest share yet.
Ancelotti praises Real Madrid duo
Carlo Ancelotti praised Aurelien Tchouameni and Brahim Diaz following Real Madrid’s win over RB Leipzig.
He told TNT Sports: “Without three centre-backs, Tchouameni played a fantastic game as a centre-back.
“It’s an emergency now, but we understand he’s a fantastic player in every place you put him. He’s good as a number six, but also as a centre-back.”
On Diaz, he added: “He [Diaz] played really well.
“Obviously, Bellingham is a fantastic player and really important for us, but the fact we have a lot of injuries during the season gave everyone a strong motivation and they are doing really well.”
Man City break English record
Manchester City set a new Champions League record following their 3-1 win over Copenhagen on Tuesday.
The treble winners took control of the last-16 tie thanks to goals from Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden.
City have now won nine straight games in the Champions League, setting the longest streak by any English side in the competition’s history.
Haaland plays through heartbreak
Erling Haaland played through the heartbreak of losing his grandmother against Copenhagen.
The Manchester City striker lost Tone Rasdal, 80, over the weekend.
Rasdal, the mother of Haaland’s father Alfie, died peacefully on Saturday.
An obituary for Rasdal read: “Our dear mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, grandmother and great-grandmother Rasdal died peacefully today, aged 80.”
Norwegian outlet Nettavisen reported that Rasdal passed away at a Sivdaheimen nursing home.
It is expected that her funeral will take place next week.
Kroos makes shock revelation
Real Madrid star Toni Kroos shockingly admitted that Leipzig’s disallowed goal should have stood in Tuesday’s first-leg Champions League tie.
Real Madrid ran out 1-0 winners in Germany, after a wonder goal from Jude Bellingham replacement Brahim Diaz.
Both fans and footballers were left perplexed with the confusing refereeing decision inside three minutes.
Benjamin Sesko found the net with a header, but the goal was disallowed due to a slight nudge from Benjmain Henrichs on goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
It was initially deemed that Sesko was offside, but the defender was then somewhat harshly penalised for colliding with the goalkeeper.
Kroos said of the incident: “I think in the end he called offside because it got in his way.
“But the goalkeeper couldn’t reach the ball and that’s why the goal had to be given. You can’t argue any other way.”
Tuchel tipped to join Barcelona
The representatives of Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel have offered him to another Champions League club, according to a new report.
Journalist Fernando Polo claims that Tuchel’s entourage has offered his services to Barcelona, who will be looking for a new manager next season following the departure of Xavi.
Xavi has already announced that he will leave Barca at the end of the campaign following a disappointing season which sees them sit 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid in the La Liga table.
Foden hilariously trolls Micah Richards
Phil Foden cheekily trolled Micah Richards over his £600-a-week haircut habit after starring in Manchester City’s win over Copenhagemn.
After adding another goal to his tally during City’s 3-1 win over Copenhagen, Foden stopped to chat with CBS Sports’ Champions League crew comprising of Kate Abdo, Micah Richards, Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry.
After chatting about the game, Richards pivoted to Foden’s barnet.
The former City ace, 35, asked: “Before you go, who’s your barber? Because your trim’s looking kinda fresh I’m not gonna lie.”
Foden quipped back: “I’ve heard you pay a lot for your trim.”
Barca hit by injury woes
Barcelona are set to be without Ferran Torres and Joao Felix when they take on Napoli next week.
Both are sidelined through injury which means Xavi will likely have to call upon Raphinha and Yamine Lamal instead.
Foden breaks Champions League record
Phil Foden created history in the Champions League last night by becoming the youngest Englishman to reach 50 appearances.
After the contest, Gary Lineker hailed the Stockport-born midfielder as “outrageously brilliant” as he registered a goal and an assist.
Foden has scored 14 goals and produced 11 assists in the Champions League, helping Manchester City win the competition last season.
Forgotten Arsenal star to return
Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira is set to give Mikel Arteta a major boost by returning to the squad for next week’s Champions League last-16 first leg clash against Porto.
The playmaker has been out since November after undergoing groin injury.
The Gunners’ Champions League campaign resumes next week, with a trip to Porto to face the Portuguese giants.
And Vieira has given Arteta a major boost by returning to training, and the midfielder hopes to be fit to face Porto.
Tuchel to address Kane issue
Thomas Tuchel is keen to fix an issue with Harry Kane in tonight’s clash against Lazio.
The striker uncharacteristically was starved of the ball in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.
Tuchel said: “It was rare for Harry to have so few touches (against Leverkusen). The formation was actually thought of with him in mind, but we didn’t find him at all. We want to get Harry in the game more, and we need to fix it.
“I’m convinced we can show a reaction (against Lazio). It wasn’t good enough in Leverkusen. But it’s a new opponent, a new competition. I hope we can make up for it.”
Man City suffer injury woes
Pep Guardiola was left to rue injuries to Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva after Manchester City returned to Champions League action with a 3-1 win at FC Copenhagen on Tuesday.
He detailed the issues they have, saying: “It’s something muscular with Jack, his groin.
“He felt it on the grass, started to complain. The players can feel it immediately if it’s muscular. It’s a pity, he’s gutted.
“He wanted to continue but we didn’t want to make the damage even worse. We’ll make tests tomorrow.
“Bernardo has a big knock in his ankle and Josko is out two to three weeks. Kova is ready to come back.”
Guardiola with eyes on the defence
After winning an amazing treble last season, Man City are still in a good position to defend all three trophies.
It will take some doing but with the depth of quality in their squad, you would not bet against them.
They have one foot in the quarter finals of the Champions League, face Luton Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup and are two points behind Liverpool in the Premier League.
Madrid in Kroos control in Leipzig
With all the stars in Carlo Ancelotti’s side, one player who often gets overlooked is their midfielder Toni Kroos.
The stability he brings to this team, while linking play, is something that takes Madrid to another level.
Once again this evening, his stats over the course of the game are something to be respected.
Quiet night for Haaland in Denmark
Despite their emphatic win, Copenhagen did manage to keep Erling Haaland fairly quiet this evening.
The big Norwegian probably had more glimpses of goal in added time than he did in the rest of the game.
Not that Guardiola will be worried, just his presence on the pitch creates openings for the players around him.
City continue to impress with form
Man City go into a run of games now before they face Liverpool at Anfield on March 10.
Being the perfectionist that he is, Pep Guardiola will want to head into that crunch match having won every game before it.
They face Chelsea this weekend but also have a Manchester derby thrown in the mix too.
Diaz takes over Bellingham mantle
Brahim Diaz stepped into the void this evening due to the injury to Jude Bellingham.
It was his goal that seperated the sides at the Red Bull Arena.
With a special strike, it left many asking the question…..Jude who?
De Bruyne back in groove for City
Having spent such a long time out injured, many wondered if we would see the same Kevin De Bruyne when he finally returned.
He has certainly answered that question and it looks like he has never been away as he is involved in all that Man City do.
Another stellar performance this evening which saw him score one goal and get two assists.
True class.
FT: RB Leipzig 0-1 Real Madrid
Brahim Diaz’s stunning goal is the difference between the sides.
Marco Rose will be giving his side some shooting practice when they get back together for training.
The stats would suggest that the Germans dominated the game, but Real Madrid come away with a slender one-goal advantage.
FT: Copenhagen 1-3 Man City
It is a comfortable win for Pep Guardiola’s side in the end.
They made things more difficult for themselves when Ederson’s blunder led to a Copenhagen equaliser.
In the end, Man City will be pleased to take a two goal lead back to the Etihad Stadium.
FT: RB Leipzig 0-1 Real Madrid
A disappointing result for the Germans at the Red Bull Arena.
Real Madrid were favourites to win this game but Leipzig did enough to score the goals that could have won this game.
They now face a tough task at the Bernabeu.
FT: Copenhagen 1-3 Man City
Many City deal with a tricky fixture and now have one foot in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
They will take a two goal advantage back to Manchester for the second leg.
Copenhagen have tried their hardest to cause an upset but the visitors’ class shone through.
Copenhagen 1-3 Man City
90+2. Foden cuts in from the flank and spots the run of De Bruyne.
He gets to the byline and gives it back to Foden.
Shifting it onto his left foot he buries his effort into the back of the net.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
