Full Champions League Round of 16 predictions: Will Real Madrid advance vs. PSG?

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Now coming to the blockbuster draws of the season, Atletico Madrid will go head to head against Manchester United. And, Diego Simeone’s worst nightmare, Cristiano Ronaldo will meet him yet again. I’d like to remind you of the iconic Round of 16 in 2019 where CR7 bagged a hat trick while playing for Juventus to make the latest addition to Simeone’s failed attempts against any of CR7’s team. The Simeone-Ronaldo faceoff has been a continuing theme in the Champions League and we are up for yet another episode.

Although Manchester United is looking shaky lately I predict the Red Devils to go past this Atletico side with Cristiano Ronaldo getting another clutch shift added to his highlight of clutch moments in this season’s Champions League. Yes, there have been loads of them.

I am not just saying this because of the Ronaldo-Simeone angle added to this fixture. But in fact, I do not believe in this Atletico side. They haven’t hit the highs of last season and are simply not the Atletico we are used to seeing. I am actually going to say this, I think they were really, really lucky to have made it into the round of 16. AC Milan or Porto could have easily been the team to have progressed and would have been a little more worthy competitors to the rest of the last 16 clubs.

I predict a close and hard-fought encounter for this fixture with the Ronaldo-Simeone dynamic coming into this game in its full glory. CR7 will score a goal or two and clutch this tie to take United into the Quarterfinals. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this game progress into extra time and penalties. To be honest, what would be better than both Simeone and Ronaldo getting a chance to set the record straight in yet another decisive penalty shootout?

Team that goes through: Manchester United