Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Predictions

Kompany's Bayern open at home in front of a wall of red at the Allianz Arena. Harry Kane — typically devastating at this level — will be central to everything Bayern do. Real Madrid, however, are a different beast in European knockout football. Mbappé's pace on the transition and the composure of Valverde and Bellingham gives Ancelotti enormous tools for an away leg.

The Bernabéu in a European knockout night is unlike any stadium in the world. Real Madrid's UCL record at home in the knockout stage across the Ancelotti era is near-impeccable. Bayern will need to score to survive, and that means risk — which is exactly when Madrid's counter-attacking brutality becomes lethal. Vinicius Jr. on the left flank could be utterly decisive here.