In France and Germany, the poster of the day will undoubtedly be Bayern Munich-PSG.
With a German team a priori superior, but a Mbappé certainly starting in this return match, the outcome remains uncertain.
But doubt and uncertainty, we find them more in the other poster of the evening, opposing Tottenham to AC Milan.
If the Italians are in a favorable situation after the success (1-0) of the first leg, the English have the advantage of receiving in this return match.
Two clubs hoping to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, in order to get back on their feet in the league, in a difficult season.
To discover
Champions League fixtures and results
Tottenham, the fear of succeeding
Tottenham's last trophy dates back to 2008, when they won the League Cup against Chelsea.
Worse, in their entire history, Spurs have only been champions of England twice, the last of which was in 1961. However, the north London club had some opportunities.
Second in the championship in 2017, finalist in the League Cup in 2015 and 2021, and above all, finalist in the 2019 Champions League (2-0 defeat against Liverpool).
This year, as very often, Tottenham had started its season well.
Antonio Conte had time to work with his group, benefiting from some reinforcements, like Richarlison (transferred from Everton in the summer of 2022 for 57 million euros).
After 11 days, Spurs had only lost once, to rivals Arsenal.
But during the season, Tottenham star striker Harry Kane soon found himself isolated.
If the captain of the English selection assumes his rank perfectly, with already 18 achievements in the league, this is not the case for his teammates.
Heung-Min Son, his faithful comrade from last season (author of 23 goals and 7 assists in the league during the previous exercise), is only a shadow of himself this season.
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Richarlison, the Brazilian rookie at nearly 60 million euros, certainly distinguished himself with a splendid goal at the World Cup, but has still not found the net with his club in the league.
In the defensive sector, Hugo Lloris, captain of Tottenham, is not the all-risk insurance that he may have been in the past.
Author of a few blunders this season, the former goalkeeper of the Blues has been injured in the knee since the beginning of February.
Even the coach, Antonio Conte, is not in great shape.
Operated for the removal of the gallbladder on February 1, the Italian technician missed several games on the bench of his team, he who needed to rest.
Usually willing to play spoilsport roles in the league, Tottenham are fighting to stay in the Top 4,
despite the very disappointing season for Chelsea and Liverpool.
But the Reds are making a good comeback, and are only three points behind Spurs, with one game less.
Milan, the failure of confirmation
AC Milan's trajectory is similar to that of Tottenham.
Qualified in the knockout stages of the Champions League and second in Serie A at the end of the 15th day, before the truce of the World Cup, the start of the Rossoneri season looked good.
But this break cut off the momentum of the Milanese.
On the restart, Theo Hernandez and his teammates went on a seven-game winless streak in all competitions.
Subsequently, the Italians slightly raised the bar, with four wins in a row, including one against Tottenham in the first leg.
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But before facing Spurs for the second leg, the Milanese lost to Fiorentina, the tenth defeat of the season in all competitions.
A very different rhythm from last season, during which the club was crowned Italian champion.
Currently in 5th place in the championship, in a hotly contested Serie A apart from the surge in Naples, the Rossonneri do not want to sound the alarm and keep their motivation.
“
We know it will be very difficult
(the second leg against Tottenham)
, but nothing is impossible.
I see where we were three years ago and where we are now.
Logically, this club must still go further.
Personally, that's what I want.
This is also what we want as a team.
announced Ismael Bennacer, AC Milan midfielder.
Bennacer and Ibrahimovic.
Panoramic
For this return match and for the rest of the season, coach Stefano Pioli hopes to count on these strong men like Rafael Leao or Theo Hernandez, but also on the returns of Mike Maignan in goal and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a men's leader. .
“I am very happy to have such a leader.
He always wants everyone to go beyond their limits, mistakes are not allowed to anyone.
It is also an ingredient of our success over the years.
He gives me a lot of advice, he's a really good person.
I'm proud to share the locker room with him,
"
Bennacer said of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's return.