The storms may have calmed in northwestern Europe and European football returns after a long break. The first quartet of games will take place this week and the remaining four, next week.
With all four games happening at the same time, Valencia goes to Atalanta after their narrow escape in Group G. They bid for another chance in Italy when they face Atalanta in Bergamo. Albert Celades edged Ajax to ensure qualification into this round. A lone goal was just enough to do the business. Atalanta also comes into this game with some nerve. It took a final group game magic. Josip Ilicic has eight goals in 2020 and can cause an upset for the Spanish visitors although he never found the back of the net in the group stages. Valencia on paper looks the better side but underestimating Atalanta will be at their peril.
Tottenham Hotspur and RB Leipzig lock horns at the Tottenham stadium. Julien Nagelsmann secured Leipzig through to the knockouts to make it top of their group. His team has not been convincing but have taken the results when necessary. Their results domestically have been unusually sparse and have been knocked off first place in the Bundesliga. They are advantaged to have the first tie away from home. Timo Werner will be looking to get on the scoresheet for the RedBull sponsored side. Mourinho however after bolstering his squad during the winter break should have a good run in the knockouts stages. He will be without Son and Kane, but Steve Bergwijn could give the attacking impetus required. The defensive issues befalling Mou continues, and solutions are needed to ensure progress to the next round.
Thomas Tuchel will be in the away dugout when he returns to the Signal Iduna in this exciting clash. He knows the ground so well but comes in as head coach to ensure progress with Les Parisiens. The French side has been bootless in this part competition over the years and may not have Neymar available, but Mauro Icardi and Mbappe can fill in the void as they were exceptional in the group stages. Lucien Favre will be looking to shatter the dreams of the visitors as he can now rely on the services of the goal machine, Erling Haaland. The grapple with Internazionale to ensure qualification was admirable. They have it all to do when they face their former boss. The Yellow Wall as always will be boisterous until the final whistle is blown.
Arguably the best team in European football now will continue their title defence at the stadium that helped secure their sixth. Jurgen joked about having the home dressing room to have the same kind of energy in the final last year. He also lavished praise on Diego Simeone for his good works with Atletico Madrid. He will have a full squad back for the first time this season as he faces Atleti. A good result away should be enough to get them through. Joao Felix is a doubt for the clash, but Diego Costa returns. Carrasco also returns after his spell in China. The criticism from fans is the unwillingness of Simeone to change his style bearing the limitless attacking forwards he has. The diversity in attack is mouthwatering, and a tweak could see better results and fans happy.
Part one of the knockouts is upon us, let's tuck in and enjoy it as it unfolds.
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