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The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals draw has been announced. All football fans will be looking forward to these highly anticipated matches, including the repeat of last year's Champions League final. But there is more to it than just two elite football teams battling it out.
There are players with massive fan bases, history from previous meetings and a race to top their personal stats. These elements ensure that there are always high-profile personal battles when elite football clubs take on each other. This season's Champions League quarterfinals draw has set the stage for many such fights.
Here's a look at the most anticipated personal battles from each of the quarterfinal ties.
4. Pepe vs Werner
Pepe is 38 years old now. But the veteran is a three-time Champions League winner. He knows how to rise to the occasion in the big games. His performance in the second leg match against Juventus is only a testimonial to this. It will once again be his duty to keep Chelsea's Timo Werner and company quiet.
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Timo Werner, on the other hand, portrays a precise opposite picture. He has been underwhelming since his big-money move to Chelsea. So far, he has added only nine goals and five assists in 37 appearances across all competitions. A stat that is much below what he is capable of.
Much of Chelsea's recent surge in form relies upon their solid defense rather than their attacking flair. That is precisely what makes this an exciting battle. Werner will be hoping to put in a statement performance against the underdogs. In contrast, Pepe will do all he can to add to Chelsea's miseries upfront.
3. Ruben Dias vs Erling Haaland
This battle could be the beginning of a rivalry for years to come, one of the best strikers in the world against one of the best defenders. Ruben Dias' impact on the Manchester City team has been impeccable.
Many compare this to how Van Dijk transformed the Liverpool team into a powerhouse. The stats also confirm such claims. The Portuguese defender conceded only three goals in sixteen matches during City's twenty-match winning streak.
Erling Haaland has been one of the most consistent players over the last couple of seasons. Many people see him as the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Having already scored ten goals in the Champions League this season, he leads the race for the golden boot.
His league form is no different, with 19 goals and four assists from 20 matches. Both Haaland and Dias will be looking to make a mark against arguably the most formidable opponents they could face today.
2. Mbappe vs Neuer
The previous battle was between a formidable defender and a striker. Now it's the turn of a veteran goalkeeper and a young striker. In a repeat of last year's Champions League final, much will depend on who emerges top in this crucial battle.
Neuer's heroic saves played a significant part in Bayern Munich's triumph last year. Mbappe would not want that to be the case this year.
PSG have not been very comfortable in the French League this season. They are 3 points behind the league leaders Lille after 29 matches. But Mbappe's brilliant showing against Barcelona is a real positive for them.
With Messi and Ronaldo eliminated, Mbappe would consider this an opportunity to stake his claim at the crown. Bayern Munich, on the other hand, are the leaders of the German League. Still, their defensive frailties have been visible throughout the season. They have conceded 35 goals in the league so far.
With such a stat, they would want a heroic performance from Neuer to stop Mbappe from running away with the tie.
1. Sergio Ramos vs Mohamed Salah
The memories from the 2018 Champions League final are still fresh. Real Madrid defeated Liverpool to clinch their 13'th European Cup. One of the major talking points after the game was how Salah's injury impacted the game.
There is no doubt when they meet each other, this will be the most significant personal battle in the Champions League quarterfinals this season. Former Real Madrid player Roberto Carlos added fuel to the discussions by saying Salah would go nowhere near Ramos in the match.
Liverpool are having one of the worst seasons of their recent past. Plagued by injuries, their depleted squad is struggling badly in the English Premier League. Meanwhile, Salah's stats of 17 goals in the league don't look bad for a striker. But most of the goals came in the early parts of the season.
His recent lousy form has been one of the reasons for their struggles this season. If anything can motivate him to turn his season around, an act of revenge against Real Madrid makes a good case for it. On the other hand, Ramos will be eager to show that he is still one of the world's best defenders.
