Which of the continent’s players still featuring in the UCL has the best chance of winning it?
Getty Images7Adel Taarabt
Benfica are the dark horses in the Champions League, but cannot be underestimated after eliminating Ajax in the Round of 16.
One-time wonderkid Taarabt, now reinvented as a central midfielder, remains a glittering talent on his day, and is enjoying a late-career revival at Benfica even if he’s dropped out of the international reckoning.
After his previous stints with Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan and Queen’s Park Rangers, Benfica’s showdown with Liverpool may be the biggest match of his career.
AdvertisementGetty6Samuel Chukwueze
The last Nigerian still standing in the Champions League, Chukwueze won’t be going to the World Cup, but will surely be targeting another European trophy this season after last year’s Europa League triumph.
They have to get past Bayern Munich next, but after eliminating Juventus in the last round, the Yellow Submarine will fear no one as they look to reach the final four.
Chukwueze has had a limited impact in the UCL so far this season—starting just one match—although he could still have a big role to play during the latter stages.
Getty Images5Geoffrey Kondogbia
Atletico Madrid certainly have their work cut out against Manchester City, but could Diego Simeone be the man who inflicts the latest UCL heartbreak on Pep Guardiola?
Certainly, the Spanish giants have the resources to frustrate the Prem leaders, not to mention experience of reaching the Champions League final.
Kondogbia will have a major role to play in the heart of the park, having established himself as a key player at Atleti, while Mozambique’s Reinildo has settled quickly since signing from LOSC Lille in January.
Getty.4Edouard Mendy & Hakim Ziyech
Chelsea will need to improve dramatically this week following Saturday’s humbling at home against Brentford.
The 4-1 loss was one of the low points of Thomas Tuchel’s time in charge of the Blues, where various failings were exposed against their lowly local rivals.
It was a game to forget for Mendy, who was defended by Tuchel after the match, while Ziyech was one of the West Londoners’ better performers during a tricky outing.
The German coach will be expecting from a big response from all of his team when they face Real Madrid on Wednesday.