Real Madrid will go to Anfield on Tuesday to rematch the 2022 Champions League championship with the goal of inflicting more damage on Liverpool in the round of 16.
Madrid won the coveted trophy in Paris last May, but despite Liverpool’s struggles in the Premier League this year, their recent European performance would indicate that they should present a stiff challenge for a team that has had Madrid’s number in recent years.
While Napoli, the lopsided Serie A leaders, roll into town, reigning Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt will try to keep up their impressive European form.
This season, Napoli has faced off against everyone, establishing itself as a major force in Europe and dominating Serie A.
Courtesy of Stats Perform: here are some of the key statistics and facts to be aware of ahead of the ties.
🇧🇷 Vinícius Júnior last time out against Liverpool ⚽️@vinijr || #UCL pic.twitter.com/59v4EcJnwG
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 20, 2023
Liverpool v Real Madrid
Memories of last season’s Champions League final will be fresh in the minds of these two sides as Liverpool try to reverse the recent trend of Madrid dominance.
The Spanish giants lifted the top prize in European club football for a 14th time after defeating Liverpool 1-0, leaving the English side winless in their past six meetings between the clubs.
That is the longest winless streak Liverpool have suffered against any team in their Champions League history, with five losses and one draw dating back to 2009.
However, England has not been a happy hunting ground for Madrid in recent years, with only one victory – against Chelsea in 2022 – from their past seven away fixtures in the country (D2 L4).
Also in the hosts’ favour is their terrific European form this season, having rattled off five consecutive wins in the competition since losing their opener against Napoli.
A key for the Reds will be figuring out how to stop Vinicius Junior, who has directly contributed to seven goals – scoring five and producing two assists – in his past eight Champions League fixtures.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah could join Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as Africa’s all-time leading scorer in the competition with one more goal, which would be his 44th.
🇬🇪💫 Kvaratskhelia is special. #UCL pic.twitter.com/KbyfZ8qo9S
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 7, 2022
Eintracht Frankfurt v Napoli
Napoli will be dreaming of their first Champions League and Serie A double as they hit the road for their first leg against Frankfurt.
They will face a German side who have excelled in European competition under head coach Oliver Glasner, with only two losses from 19 matches (W10 D7), including a triumph in last season’s Europa League final against Rangers.
Frankfurt have won their past four meetings with Italian sides since a loss to Palermo back in 2006, while Napoli have just two wins from their 12 away dates in Germany (D5 L5).
But Napoli have been a different beast this campaign, leading all teams with 20 group stage goals. They are averaging 3.3 goals per game in the competition under Luciano Spalletti.
Breakout star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is at the centre of Napoli’s success, joining Dries Mertens (2017-18 season) as the only players in the history of the club to record multiple games with a goal and an assist in the same Champions League campaign. He has the potential to write his own history, as no Napoli player has done it three times.
Meanwhile, Frankfurt have a pair of in-form goalscorers. Daichi Kamada has scored in each of his side’s past three Champions League matches this season, while Randal Kolo Muani has found the back of the net in their past two.