High Stakes in UEFA Champions League: Can Juventus and Inter Overcome Their Deficits?

High Stakes in UEFA Champions League: Can Juventus and Inter Overcome Their Deficits?

As the UEFA Champions League knockout phase heats up, eight teams will secure their spots in the round of 16 this week. Heavyweights Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain each hold a slender one-goal advantage as they return home to face Benfica and Monaco, respectively. Both teams face significant challenges to ensure their advancement. Atletico Madrid is in a tight battle with Club Brugge after an entertaining 3-3 draw in Belgium, leaving both teams with a reasonable chance to progress. For Italy, this week is crucial as Inter, Atalanta, and Juventus risk elimination from the tournament. Inter’s match against Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday and Atalanta’s home clash with Borussia Dortmund are pivotal, with both clubs needing to overcome two-goal deficits. Juventus faces an uphill battle against Galatasaray, needing to overturn a 3-0 deficit following a disastrous outing in Istanbul. Predictions from CBS Sports Team: James Benge backs Atalanta despite their two-goal disadvantage, citing their recent win over Napoli as a sign of resilience. Pardeep Cattry sees Bodo/Glimt as a potential upset, having recently surprised Inter with a 3-1 victory. Francesco Porzio predicts Borussia Dortmund will continue to dominate against Atalanta. Chuck Booth expresses skepticism about Juventus's chances, emphasizing their need for a strong defensive performance. Game of the Week: The match between Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge promises to be exciting, with both teams needing to score following last week's draw. Meanwhile, eyes will be on Real Madrid as they host Benfica, amidst the backdrop of a controversial incident involving players from both teams last week.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-02-23