5️⃣ things to look out for in Tuesday's Champions League action 💫 | OneFootball

The Champions League returns on Tuesday night with the first legs of four last 16 ties.

This is what to look out for from the action.

⚔️ Match of the Day

There is no doubt whatsoever that the standout fixture on Tuesday comes from the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu where holders Real Madrid welcome Atlético de Madrid across the Spanish capital.

This mouthwatering match-up is, of course, a repeat of the 2014 and 2016 finals, both of which the Rojiblancos lost to their rivals in excruciating fashion.

In fact, the Madrid giants have met 10 times previously in UEFA competition and it is Real who hold the upper hand, winning five and drawing two of those meetings but that is all in the past now.

Both are very much in the title fight domestically too, and both LaLiga fixtures between the sides this season ended in 1-1 draws, an indicator of just how tight and tense this one promises to be again.

🔎 Team to Watch

Borussia Dortmund have had a turbulent season both domestically and in Europe to say the least.

Now on their second coach of the campaign with Niko Kovač at the helm, BVB have enjoyed 3-0 wins in Brugge and Lisbon this year as well as hitting seven in the league phase but they have also been frustratingly inconsistent - an issue which cost former coach Nuri Şahin his job.

Taking on Lille, there have been encouraging signs recently under the new boss they they are improving and this will pose a very interesting test after their surprisingly ruthless showing against Sporting CP in the playoff round.

Dortmund have only lost one of their last 16 home games in the Champions League (against Barcelona in December) and have kept clean sheets in four of their last five knockout ties at the Westfalenstadion.

🔥 Player to Watch

Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri has already impressed domestically this season in some difficult circumstances and could now be set to announce himself to a European audience.

At 17 years and 348 days old at kick-off in a game he's slated to start in, he will become the second youngest Arsenal player to feature in a Champions League knockout game after Cesc Fàbregas in 2005 against Bayern Munich.

It will also see him become only the third Englishman under the age of 18 to start a knockout tie in this tournament after Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.

All good company to be in and clear evidence of the quality he possesses. PSV's defence will have their hands full in dealing with him.

👀 Potential upset

Do not write off Club Brugge's chances of overcoming the much more fancied Aston Villa to book a berth in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Unai Emery's side have much greater star and firepower within their ranks and coupled with Brugge's dismal record against English opposition (they have won just one of their last 16 games), the Premier League outfit are rightly regarded as big favourites.

But that one Belgian victory did come earlier this season and it came against Tuesday's opponents, with that incredible bizarre Tyrone Mings error leading to a Villans loss.

In addition, Brugge already claimed a big play-off round scalp with a 5-2 aggregate win over Europa League holders Atalanta, winning both legs - they will be no pushovers in this one.

📊 Fascinating stat

Both Real Madrid and Atleti enjoy overall winning records against fellow Spanish sides in European competition. Los Blancos have lost just five of 23 meetings, while their rivals have won nine and drawn five of their 21 fixtures.

📸 2024 Getty Images