The Spiciest Champions League Fixture – Striker vs. Qooligan

Hooligan Soccer

·4 mars 2025

The Spiciest Champions League Fixture – Striker vs. Qooligan

In our podcast yesterday, Gary Striker and I waffled on (brilliantly, I might add) on this week’s CL Round of 16. Many theories were proposed; many outcomes debated. Here’s where each of us stood on the eight fixtures. By Wednesday night, we will know who won.

Tuesday, Mar. 4

Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa

Gary: Aston Villa He’s all in on Villa, even as he acknowledges both teams aren’t in great form. He also can’t pronounce Brugge.
Qooligan: Club Brugge I can correctly pronounce Brugge (in Vlaams), but think this game is a toss-up. I’m inclined to lean Belgian.

Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille

Gary: Borussia Dortmund He’s all on board the Dortmund train. Correctly noted that Lille’s form hasn’t been good (they recently got spanked by PSG in Ligue 1)
Qooligan: Borussia Dortmund I think Lille is a great unknown. Personally, I think the two-game break they earned could come back to bite them.

PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal

Gary: Arsenal
Qooligan: Arsenal
Neither one of us particularly think Arsenal is very good, or at least very consistent. But we also recognize that PSV isn’t going to be the team to topple them.

Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid

Gary: Real Madrid Gary points to their unsurpassed record in this competition, and the absurd talent on their roster. And he has a point. But he’s wrong.
Qooligan: Atlético Madrid This is their year. I feel it.
Mark Lim: Draw He weighed on this here
Samuel Johnson: Real Madrid “Real Madrid always step up in the UCL knockouts regardless of domestic form. Atlético on the other hand have never really managed to transfer their success in Spain to the Champions League.”

Wednesday, Mar. 5

Feyenoord Rotterdam vs. Internazionale

Gary: Inter
Qooligan: Feyenoord I believe that Feyenoord is the most likely of the Dutch/Belgian clubs to advance. But Inter has been so ruthlessly efficient in this competition, it’s hard to bet against them.

Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Gary: Leverkusen Gary has such a man-crush on Leverkusen’s manager Xavi Alonso it’s sickening. He’s been touting this club since Match Week 1.
Qooligan: Munich I just think Munich have more talent and consistency. Plus, Leverkusen this year are NOT the Leverkusen of last year who were riding on destiny’s train.

Benfica vs. Barcelona

Gary: Barcelona
Qooligan: Barcelona Neither one of us are stupid enough to pick Benfica.

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Liverpool

Gary: PSG He says Liverpool with his mouth, but his eyes tell the truth. Deep down I think he thinks PSG will pull an upset.
Qooligan: Liverpool No question. Though I do think it’s so very fun to have this “finals” level fixtures so early.