UEFA Champions League 2018-19: 5 key battles that will light up the Round of 16 games

#1 Tanguy Ndombele vs Sergio Busquets (OSC Lyon vs FC Barcelona)

The best CDM in the World: Sergio Busquets

This is a battle of defensive midfielders, one which might not be the best for those who look for stats, yet this is the best midfield battle for football purists. The qualities of a defensive midfielder -- passing, vision, holding up possession, resisting press, choosing the right path to pass -- cannot be detected completely by any computer. In last year's Round-of-16, we saw an amazing battle of defensive midfielders -- Sergio Busquets and N'Golo Kante on the same pitch. Busquets dropped a masterclass in that game.

Why not do it again this time? Here Barcelona face Ligue 1 third-placed team, OSC Lyon. Lyon are riding high on momentum after their win against leaders PSG in the league. But if Lyon are to win this one, they need this guy to step up.

Ndombele is on the radar of Juventus and also Premier League clubs like Manchester United. The reason? He is really good. A good dribbler under pressure, he is strong and absorbs all the contact till he sees the correct option to pass. He is not someone like Busquets who cannot be pressed, he just holds the press off with slight physicality and dribbling.

Busquets, as we know, is a trademark defensive midfielder. He is just too good to be pressed. Like Steven Gerrard once said, it is so frustrating to press Busquets that you ultimately give up. When technicality meets a bit of youth physicality, it is going to be something else. Ndombele loves to press and push opponents off, Busquets cannot be pushed off the ball, this is surely a great battle.

Tanguy Ndombele vs Sergio Busquets: League stats 2018/19

It is pretty clear that Ndombele contributes more to the attack while Busquets adds stability and defensive solidity. Lyon will be host to a great battle.