It’s been a brutal week for English football on the European stage. All six Premier League clubs in Champions League the round of 16 failed to win their first leg, leaving the nation’s hopes of a strong quarter-final performance hanging in the balance. Three of those clubs face almost impossible tasks, while even the two teams that drew their first legs cannot afford to go down.
The Mission Impossible Trio
Manchester CityChelsea and Tottenham Hotspur each faces three-goal deficits, and the mountain they have to climb could hardly be steeper.
At the Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s City must overturn a 3-0 loss to Real Madrid, a deficit that no team in 36 previous attempts has managed to overturn against the Spanish giants. The score at the Bernabéu flattered Madrid a little; City dominated possession and completed more than twice as many passes as Real in the opponent’s half, but were not cutting edge when it mattered most. Erling Haaland, the most feared striker in world football, finished the match with an expected goal value of zero. Guardiola must find a way to inject urgency and invention into his attack, with Ryan Cherki potentially the creative spark to unlock things behind Haaland, if City are to produce one of Europe’s great comebacks.
Chelsea, on the other hand, must erase a defeat by 5-2 in Paris Saint-Germain. The Blues actually created a respectable number of chances in Paris, creating four big chances to their opponents’ two, but wasted them all. Cole Palmer, their most gifted attacker, was peripheral on the night and has managed just one goal in his last five games. He needs to rediscover his best form, and fast. The task is made more difficult by the fact that PSG arrive at Stamford Bridge as reigning champions, hungry and rested after being given a free weekend by Ligue 1 organizers.
Tottenham face an equally daunting challenge against Atletico Madrid. Spurs were undone by individual mistakes in the Spanish capital, losing 5-2 in a tie that could easily have been more comfortable. To progress, they must score at least four clean sheets – a near-perfect performance, that is, from a side with little confidence. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s mistakes have been the theme of recent weeks, and with Atlético’s quality against them, the margin for further error is nil.
Liverpool Anfield Test
Liverpool’s task is more achievable, but still far from simple. Arne Slot’s side lost 1-0 in Istanbul against Galatasaray and must now produce the kind of intense, complete performance that has eluded them for much of the season. Jamie Carragher’s observation that there has barely been a single game all season where Liverpool have been dominant and tight at the back is uncomfortable. The Reds need to score at least once, prevent the Turkish champions from extending their lead and, above all, avoid conceding a late goal, which has cost them dearly on several occasions this campaign.
The noise and atmosphere of Anfield under the lights in a Champions League tie remains one of the most intimidating environments in football. If Liverpool can feed off that energy from the first whistle, they have the squad to get the job done. But they can’t afford to sleepwalk for any part of the 90 minutes.
The draws: Arsenal and Newcastle
Arsenal and Newcastle at least go into their return games level on aggregate, giving them genuine control over their own destiny, although neither can afford to be complacent.
Arsenal drew 1-1 at Bayer Leverkusen and will host the Germans on Tuesday. Mikel Arteta’s main dilemma is selecting the right attacking combinations. Noni Madueke impressed from the bench in the first leg, while Viktor Gyokeres claimed a starting place after coming off the bench to score against Everton at the weekend. The question of whether Kai Havertz or Gyokeres leads the line, and what that means for Bukayo Saka’s role, is one that Arteta needs to sort out carefully, with a Carabao Cup final around the corner adding further reason to avoid extra time and unnecessary fatigue.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, travel to the Spotify Camp Nou to face Barcelona knowing that a 1-1 draw in the first leg gives them every chance of a historic place in the quarter-finals. The Magpies were desperately unlucky to concede a stoppage-time penalty at St James’ Park, but overall parity means the tie remains wide open. Anthony Gordon’s pace on the counter-attack will be vital against Barcelona’s aggressive defensive line, and Joelinton’s energy, which has been carefully managed ahead of this game, along with Sandro Tonali in midfield, could be the key to disrupting the Catalans’ tempo. Barcelona are formidable at home, having lost just once this season, but Eddie Howe’s men have shown all year that they can compete with Europe’s best.
The bigger picture
The collective failure of English clubs in the first leg has raised uncomfortable questions about the Premier League’s genuine standing among Europe’s elite this season. It would be historic and remarkable if even two of these six teams manage to reach the quarter-finals. For now, fans across England will be hoping for miracles, or at the very least, a performance or two to be proud of.
The returns will take place on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 March 2026.
