Today’s Tuesday is stingy with big duels in the round of 16 first leg of the Football Champions League (9 p.m., Sky). Chelsea host the winners of the Salzburg group, OSC Lille, while Europa League winners Villarreal take on the “old lady” Juventus Turin at home. The quartet no longer plays a title role in the domestic championships. So you’re all the hotter for the “royal class” in which Chelsea are naturally at their best. The “Blues” are the reigning champions and are clearly the favorites against France’s sensational champions, who are currently only eleventh in Ligue 1.
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel is concerned about the poor form of his star striker Romelu Lukaku, who has yet to score in the English Premier League this year. In the most recent last-minute win over Crystal Palace (1-0), the data service provider Opta Sports only counted Lukakus touching the ball seven times in 90 minutes. It was the fewest number of outfield players since records began in 2003/04. “We act as a team and want to win as a team,” said Tuchel. The Brits are undefeated at home and without conceding a goal in this Champions League season.
Juventus are in the last 16 of the Champions League for the eighth time in a row and are hoping for goals from Dusan Vlahovic (22), who came from Fiorentina for around 70 million in the winter.