European Highlights: Nostalgia aplenty as continental giants do battle

Much has changed since Chelsea and PSG last met at the Club World Cup last summer
Much has changed since Chelsea and PSG last met at the Club World Cup last summerWilliam Volcov / BRAZIL PHOTO PRESS / Brazil Photo Press via AFP

We are into the business end of the continental football season, with all three premier European competitions reaching the last 16 stage. Here, Flashscore picks out the best games to follow during the week.

Tuesday, March 10th

Newcastle vs Barcelona (21:00 CET)

Nostalgia runs rife through the game of football, and this clash feels like we are harking back to the late 1990s or the early 2000s.

Whilst Barcelona have stayed at the top table of European football in the intervening 25 years, Newcastle have traversed up and down the English pyramid to return to the Champions League.

Backed by their Saudi owners, and into the last 16 of the competition, they know that winning this competition is their own realistic way back into Europe next season.

Newcastle's players in training ahead of the game
Newcastle's players in training ahead of the gameAction Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

It's going to be a big test, though, coming up against a side top of LaLiga, and looking in red-hot form.

In contrast, the Magpies were beaten soundly by Manchester City in the FA Cup at the weekend and questions remain over Eddie Howe's tactics.

This will stretch them to the limit, and if he can get a positive result at a rocking St James' Park, they will be confident of progress a week from now.

Read more about this game with our preview from expert Jason Pettigrove.

Wednesday, March 11th

PSG vs Chelsea (21:00 CET)

From traditional teams to 21st-century powerhouses, where Chelsea head across the English Channel for a repeat of the Club World Cup final in July 2025.

On that day in New York City, the Blues wiped the floor with PSG, thrashing them 4-0 to end a dream run for the Parisians.

They are, of course, the reigning Champions League winners, and despite dropping points against Monaco on Friday, their focus will be on this encounter as they look to go back-to-back.

Chelsea have been hot and cold all year, beating the likes of Barcelona in the League Phase, but also drawing away to Qarabag. It's difficult to know what type of team will turn up at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, giving this tie a really intriguing feeling.

Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP (21:00 CET)

The Cinderella story of the Champions League this season is, without a doubt, the success of Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt. After taking down Inter in the last round, they have been rewarded with a kind draw - Sporting CP - in the last 16.

Bodo has proven to be a tough place to go this year. The aforementioned Inter lost 3-1, whilst Manchester City have also been a victim in the Arctic Circle.

They have improved throughout the Champions League this season, and are rested, given their league season does not start until this weekend, meaning their full attention has been on this competition.

One to watch on the night is Kasper Hogh. He already has seven goal involvements this season in Europe, and needs one more to break the Norwegian record.

For Sporting, they have had six trips to Norway in the past, and have a good record, winning five and losing just the once.

Thursday, March 12th

Bologna vs Roma (18:45 CET)

Over to Thursday night, where we have an all-Italian clash that sparks memories of Italian sides meeting in European finals. This, though, is not the final of the Europa League; instead, Roma and Bologna will duke it out over two legs for a spot in the quarter-finals.

For coefficient fans, this is not the tie Italy would have wanted. If both teams could have gone deep into the competition, it would have helped their nation's chances of gaining more valuable spots in the future, especially with the Italian wipeout in the Champions League.

Bologna - Roma most recent head-to-heads
Bologna - Roma most recent head-to-headsFlashscore

But for the purists, this is an intriguing clash. Roma have been riding high since Gian Piero Gasperini came to the club in the summer, whilst Bologna have been challenging the bigger clubs this season.

Like typical Italian clashes in Serie A, this game will almost certainly be tactical and low scoring. But don't let that put you off. It will be a great atmosphere in Bologna in the battle to win those crucial moments.