Champions League last 16: tie-by-tie analysis and verdicts after redraw | Jonathan Wilson


The redraw of the Champions League last 16 was kind to the Premier League clubs and the quartet should progress

Bayern, as ever, have been dominant in the Bundesliga and they romped through the group stage winning six out of six, scoring 22 and conceding only three. Under Julian Nagelsmann they play with as high a line as they did under Hansi Flick, and Robert Lewandowski remains as prolific as ever. If there are doubts, they are only over two things: Bayern’s squad is not as deep as those of many of their rivals, making them susceptible to injuries, and top-class sides may be able to exploit that high line. Salzburg have in the past caused problems against other hard-pressing teams, notably against Liverpool two seasons ago when they lost 4-3 at Anfield and drew 2-2 in Austria, but they have been a little less open and fluent under Matthias Jaissle than they were under Jesse Marsch and took only one away point in the group.

Continue reading...