Champions League: PSG and Liverpool collide in last-16

From an all-German showdown to a clash of European heavyweights, Gulf News previews the key talking points ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League last-16 matchups.

Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen face off in an eagerly anticipated last-16 encounter, marking the first time these two German heavyweights meet on the European stage.

Bayern enter the contest on a nine-match unbeaten streak across all competitions (W7, D2), including a 3-1 comeback victory over Stuttgart on Friday. The Bavarians boast an impressive home record in the UCL last-16, losing just once in their last 11 matches (W9, D1), with a staggering 41 goals scored during that run. However, they’ll need to find answers against a Leverkusen side that has proven a thorn in their side under Xabi Alonso.

Leverkusen, unbeaten in their last six matches against Bayern across all competitions (W3, D3), have kept three clean sheets in their last four meetings with the Bavarians. Alonso’s men have been formidable domestically, riding an eight-match unbeaten streak (W5, D3) and claiming a dominant 4-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend.

While Leverkusen have struggled in recent UCL away matches, losing to Atlético Madrid and Liverpool, their Bundesliga away form remains exceptional, with 29 matches unbeaten on the road. Confidence will be high as they aim to extend their impressive record against Bayern.

Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool meet in a blockbuster last-16 tie, marking their first knockout stage encounter since the 1996/97 Cup Winners’ Cup semi-finals, where PSG advanced on aggregate. This time, the Parc des Princes hosts the opening leg as two of Europe’s most in-form sides clash.

PSG come into the match riding a 22-game unbeaten streak across all competitions (W19, D3), including an emphatic 10-0 aggregate win over Brest in the previous round. Their European home record is equally imposing, with just 10 losses in their last 80 matches at the Parc des Princes (W50, D20). However, their struggles against English sides - winning only two of their last eight encounters (D1, L5) - highlight the challenge ahead.

Liverpool, under Arne Slot, have been equally dominant, finishing atop their UCL league phase group with seven wins in eight games. While their attacking firepower has been evident, scoring at least twice in 11 of their last 12 matches, a five-game winless streak on French soil (D2, L3) highlights the scale of their task. Slot’s unbeaten record against French opposition (W2, D1) offers hope, with the Reds boasting 16 wins in their last 22 UCL away games (D1, L5).

Benfica and Barcelona meet in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) last 16, rekindling a storied rivalry that spans 11 encounters across Europe’s top competition. Their previous meeting this season produced a thrilling 5-4 victory for Barcelona, making history as the only time Benfica failed to win after scoring four goals in a European home match.

Benfica, who have struggled in recent UCL home games, have managed just one victory in their last nine outings on their own turf (D3, L5). Their record against Spanish sides at home in Europe also leaves room for improvement, with only two wins from their last 12 such matches (D4, L6). However, the Portuguese giants head into this clash in fine domestic form, unbeaten in their last eight competitive matches (W7, D1).

Barcelona, meanwhile, bring formidable momentum into this contest. Unbeaten in 2025 with 12 wins and three draws, they continued their dominant run with a 4-0 triumph over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday. The Catalan side has an impressive record in Portugal, with just one defeat in their last 10 away matches against Portuguese opposition (W7, D2).

Though Barcelona’s away form in the UCL has seen them concede two or more goals in their last five matches, their tally of 17 goals during that span highlights their attacking prowess.