PSG Secures Fourth Consecutive Victory

Nicosia (AFP) – French club Paris Saint-Germain are seeking a fourth consecutive victory in the UEFA Champions League when they face a cautious Spanish side, Villarreal, in their fifth-round match on Tuesday.

Under Spanish manager Luis Enrique, the team is enjoying its best continental campaign, having won the title in the past two seasons, and domestically, by topping the league with a two-point lead over Lille.

Paris Saint-Germain have not lost in their last 13 matches in the continental competition (nine wins and four draws), matching the club’s record set between the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 seasons.

In contrast, Villarreal, who are playing their first continental match against the Parisian club, are experiencing a turbulent period in the Spanish league, leaving them in eighth place. They have also had an ordinary start in the Champions League, with one win and two losses.

Bayern Munich have not lost in their last three meetings with Atletico Madrid. Recent encounters between the two sides in the group stage of the 2020-2021 season saw the German champions win 4-0 in Munich and draw 1-1 in Madrid.

Bayern are dealing with injuries, the latest being to Moroccan midfielder Ismail Saeiders, who underwent successful surgery on his right ankle after suffering a ligament tear during a 2-2 league draw with rivals Borussia Dortmund. According to media reports, he will be sidelined for approximately three months. The club also faces the absence of injured striker Serge Gnabry, who is recovering from a thigh injury.

Six minutes before the end of regular time, French midfielder Michael Olise also left the pitch holding his right knee. Jamal Musiala and Colombian forward Luis Diaz are also recovering from muscle strains.

All eyes are on Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, who was named the world’s best player with the Ballon d’Or award. If he scores in his 11th consecutive match, he will equal the continental competition record set by Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo between 2017 and 2018 while playing for Spanish club Real Madrid.

Fresh off a dominant 6-1 league victory over Deportivo Alaves, Barcelona face English visitors Aston Villa, one of five teams with a perfect record so far, as they seek quick revenge for their painful 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

In other matches, Turkish side Galatasaray host German club Stuttgart, Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk face Portuguese side Sporting CP, Dutch club Feyenoord take on Italian side Inter Milan, Austrian team LASK Linz meet Slovak club Slovan Bratislava, Bodø/Glimt play Lille, and English club Manchester United host Italian side Roma.