Arsenal lead Sporting Lisbon 1-0<\/span> He will play Wednesday’s match at the Emirates. <\/p>\nMadrid’s season is on the brink<\/h2>\n
For Madrid, who trail leaders Barcelona by nine points in the Spanish league, their best chance of success this season may be the decisive tournament, the Champions League. <\/p>\n
But they face a huge task of overturning the draw with Bayern in Munich on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
The German giants have been one of the standout teams in Europe this season, finishing second in the league with seven wins from eight games and defeating Atalanta 10-2 on aggregate in the round of 16. <\/p>\n
Bayern have won 39 of their 45 competitive matches this season and only lost twice. Vincent Kompany’s side look well placed to win a seventh European Cup, which would put them on par with AC Milan as the second most successful team in the competition’s history. <\/p>\n
Bayern boast one of the most lethal attacks in Europe, featuring Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz, but had to rely on the timeless talent of 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to keep Madrid at bay in the first leg. <\/p>\n
This should be encouraging for Madrid as they were able to create more chances against Bayern’s defence, but they will have to find a way past Neuer to avoid elimination.<\/p>\n
Liverpool deja vu <\/h2>\n
PSG ended Liverpool’s Champions League run last season, and they appear ready to repeat the act this year. <\/p>\n
Last week’s first-leg win in Paris did not reflect Luis Enrique’s side’s dominance on the night, but they had plenty of chances to build an even more commanding lead. <\/p>\n
Liverpool manager Arn Slott said: “Paris Saint-Germain were the better team, but we didn’t give up. That’s why we still have a chance in this draw, because they kept us alive by not converting some chances.” <\/p>\n
After losing 3-0 in the first leg, six-time champions Liverpool will look to rely on the famous Anfield crowd to pull off another famous comeback, as they did in their 4-0 win over Barcelona in 2019. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a loss would put even more pressure on Slott as Liverpool’s Premier League title defense collapsed early in the season. <\/p>\n
Can Barcelona bounce back?<\/h2>\n
Barcelona is also on track to win the Spanish title again. There is also a risk of sudden dismissal.<\/span> From the Champions League. <\/p>\nLosing to Inter Milan in last year’s semi-finals was a shock, but Atl\u00e9tico’s exit in the quarter-finals was even more surprising. <\/p>\n
But that will be an option for Hansi Flick’s side if they are unable to overturn a 2-0 deficit at the Metropolitano Stadium on Tuesday. <\/p>\n
Diego Simeone’s Atl\u00e9tico side already eliminated Barcelona from the Copa del Rey last month and are on the brink of winning the double. <\/p>\n
Barcelona fought back from a 4-0 loss in the first leg to win the return match 3-0. That could provide some encouragement, especially for a team with a front line full of goal-scoring threats such as Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford. However, Rafinha’s absence due to injury could be crucial. <\/p>\n
Arsenal feeling the pressure<\/h2>\n
Arsenal face a crucial week as they aim to win the Premier League and Champions League double. <\/p>\n
They face Manchester City in a crucial game in the title race on Sunday, before Mikel Arteta’s side take on Sporting Lisbon. <\/p>\n
Arsenal are favorites to win at home after taking a 1-0 lead against Portugal thanks to Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time goal. But in recent weeks there have been signs that pressure is mounting on the Premier League leaders. <\/p>\n
Losing to City in the English League Cup final and a shock defeat to second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup ended Arsenal’s quest for a quadruple trophy. <\/p>\n
Another defeat to Bournemouth in the league on Saturday means second-placed City have closed the gap on the leaders to six points ahead of this weekend’s clash. City also have a game in hand. <\/p>\n
With that in mind, Arsenal may be relieved to look to Europe.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
James Robson is https:\/\/x.com\/James Saran Robson<\/span><\/p>\n___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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