Champions League last-16 first leg: What's cooking in Wednesday's fixtures?

Each matchup promises to be filled with intensity and drama, with all eight teams battling it out for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Feyenoord vs Inter Milan

Inter Milan head to Rotterdam for their first-leg tie against Feyenoord, but they will be without several key players in the full-back positions. After Dimarco’s injury in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Napoli, manager Simone Inzaghi will only have Denzel Dumfries available for the role, with Zalewski, Augusto, and Darmian already sidelined.

The absence of so many defenders puts pressure on Inzaghi’s usual 3-5-2 formation, and he will need to come up with an effective solution.

Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen

Bayern Munich will host Bayer Leverkusen in a crucial first-leg encounter, following a season where the two sides have already faced each other three times—two draws and a win for Leverkusen, who also knocked Bayern out of the German Cup in December.

With such a close history this season, Vincent Kompany's side will be looking to make a statement on home turf, but the visitors will not make it easy. This game could be pivotal, especially with the return leg scheduled in Leverkusen.

PSG vs Liverpool

Paris Saint-Germain face Liverpool in a highly anticipated clash, with the Reds coming into the match in fantastic form. Liverpool topped their group with seven wins from eight matches and are 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The transition under manager Slot has been seamless, and their performances have earned praise from PSG coach Luis Enrique, who described the team as "almost perfect". PSG will need to be at their best to overcome Liverpool, with the winner of this tie going on to face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarter-finals.

Benfica vs Barcelona

Barcelona travel to Lisbon for their first-leg tie against Benfica, aiming to bounce back after a challenging domestic season.

Although they haven't won the Champions League since 2015, they remain one of the favourites to lift the trophy. The Catalans will need to navigate past Benfica in what promises to be a tough encounter, and should they progress, a quarter-final clash with either Borussia Dortmund or Lille awaits.

March 5, 2025