Champions League: previews and predictions for the playoff round Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are among the teams fighting for a place in the last 16.
Forward pair Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi are also sidelined, though Peter Bosz can at last call upon Ivan Perisic after he joined too late to be included in their Champions League squad for the league phase.
Real are without defenders Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez, meaning midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni is likely to partner Raul Asencio at the heart of the defence with Fede Valverde at right-back. Real are vulnerable at the back but they are frightening going forward.
Familiar foes face off in the first Champions League playoff game this week as Brest take on PSG at the Stade de Roudourou in Guingamp. Brest’s ground did not meet Uefa’s requirements, so they will continue to play at the home of their local rivals.
January signing Randal Kolo Muani has been a breath of fresh air, scoring five league goals in just three outings for the Italian side; only Dusan Vlahovic (eight) has netted more for Thiago Motta’s side this season.
