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Ranking UCL and Europa League Knockout Ties from Most to Least Interesting
As the most unpredictable year of our lifetimes draws to a close, there is still much to look forward to and more unpredictability along the way. Something I look forward to every spring is the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions and Europa League. Not only is predicting each result tough to do (especially prior to the conclusion of the January transfer window), but predicting which ties will be entertaining can be difficult as well. Two big names doesn’t guarantee the best football, but it does increases the reasons why casual fans of the sport or diehard fans of other clubs would watch. A sudden injury, suspension, rise, or dip in form could drastically alter this list, but on the precipice of the new year, here is each European knockout tie ranked from most to least anticipated.
I have separated them based on competition because in truth, most fans would rather watch any Champions League fixture than Europa league should their club not be involved in the latter competition. However, I am still of the belief that completely ignoring the Europa league deprives you of some interesting matches.
UEFA Champions League Round of 16 ties
1 PSG vs Barcelona
Neymar is Barcelona’s prodigal son. He once formed a lethal attacking trio with Lionel…