In the 2022 Champions League final rematch, Real Madrid will travel to Anfield on Tuesday with the mission of hurting Liverpool even more in the round of 16.
Madrid got their hands on the famous trophy in Paris last May, but while the Reds have struggled in the Premier League this campaign, their European form suggests they should put a serious test on a team that has been among them.
Meanwhile, reigning Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt will be looking to continue their brilliant European form when fugitive Serie A leaders Napoli arrive in the city.
This season, Napoli have welcomed everyone, proving their strength in Europe as they take Serie A by storm.
Courtesy of Stats Perform, here are some of the key statistics and facts to know before matches.
Vinicius Junior to face Liverpool for the last time @vinijr || #Championship pic.twitter.com/59v4EcJnwG
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 20, 2023
Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Memories of last season’s Champions League final will be fresh in the minds of these two teams as Liverpool look to reverse Real Madrid’s recent dominance trend.
The Spanish giants have lifted the top prize in European club football for the 14th time since beating Liverpool 1-0, leaving the English team without a win in their last six meetings between the clubs.
This is Liverpool’s longest winless streak against any team in Champions League history, with five defeats and one draw dating back to 2009.
However, England have not been good hunting grounds for Madrid in recent years, with only one win – against Chelsea in 2022 – in their last seven away matches in the country (D2 L4).
Also in favor of the hosts is their amazing European form this season, they have won five consecutive victories in the tournament after losing the first leg against Napoli.
The key for the Reds will be figuring out how to stop Vinicius Junior, who has directly contributed to seven goals – five and two assists – in his last eight Champions League games.
Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah could join Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as Africa’s all-time leading scorer with another goal for his 44th.
Kvaratskhelia is special. #Championship pic.twitter.com/KbyfZ8qo9S
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 7, 2022
Eintracht Frankfurt – Napoli
Napoli will be dreaming of their first double in the Champions League and Serie A as they hit the road for the first leg against Frankfurt.
They will face a German team that excelled in European competition under head coach Oliver Glasner, suffering only two defeats in 19 matches (W10 D7), including a triumph in the Europa League final against Rangers last season.
Frankfurt have won the last four meetings against Italian teams since losing to Palermo in 2006, while Napoli have just won two of their 12 away matches in Germany (D5 L5).
But Napoli have been a different beast this campaign, leading all teams with 20 goals in the group stage. Under Luciano Spalletti, they average 3.3 goals per game.
Breakout star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is at the center of Napoli’s success, joining Dries Mertens (2017-18 season) as the only players in the club’s history to score multiple goals and provide assists in the same Champions League campaign. He has the potential to write his own history as no Napoli player has done so three times.
Frankfurt, meanwhile, have a pair of scorers in good shape. Daichi Kamada has scored in each of his team’s last three Champions League matches this season, while Randal Kolo Muani has scored in the last two.
