Six Premier League clubs are fighting to avoid a total European collapse this week, with Manchester City and Chelsea needing historic “remontadas” to overturn heavy first-leg deficits against Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
The Premier League faces a potential “referendum” on its global dominance as Manchester City, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur all require near-perfect performances to stay in the Champions League.
City trail Real Madrid 3-0, while Chelsea and Spurs both face daunting 5-2 deficits. Bernardo Silva remains hopeful, noting,
“With one goal, the atmosphere of the ground will change,” though no team has overturned a three-goal margin since 2019.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior echoed the need for flawless execution against holders PSG, who were devastating on the break in the first leg.
While the London club famously overcame the Parisians in 2014, Luis Enrique’s side appears more resolute this season.
Rosenior emphasized the scale of the challenge on Tuesday, stating his side must be “perfect” to exorcise the ghosts of their recent 5-2 hammering in France.
Elsewhere, Liverpool must overturn a 1-0 deficit against Galatasaray at Anfield, while Newcastle United and Arsenal defend 1-1 draws against Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.
The stakes are high for the English game, which risk a “spectacular comedown” from the historic high of having six teams in the last 16.
As Miguel Delaney observed, “the odds of more than half the teams going through don’t look good.”