Champions League 2014: Trailing Clubs with Best Chance to Reach Quarterfinals

There were some impressive performances in the first leg of the round of 16, but nothing has been decided yet. With the second leg still to be played, a number of trailing squads have an opportunity to come back in the aggregate score.

Obviously, this comeback attempt will be harder for some than others. Paris Saint-Germain seem to have a bid in the next round locked up after going up 4-0 against Bayer Leverkusen, while Borussia Dortmund look to be in good shape while returning home with a 4-2 lead over Zenit St. Petersburg.

Even a top club like Arsenal will struggle to make up a two-goal deficit against the tough defense of Bayern Munich. 

However, these other clubs have a chance to turn things around in the second matches in March. 

AC Milan (Down 0-1 to Atletico Madrid)

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This was the closest of the first six competitions in this round of Champions League, which is a bit surprising based on what these clubs have done in league play. Atletico Madrid remain one of the top clubs in La Liga while AC Milan have struggled all year in Serie A.

However, Milan have played well at home, especially defensively. This helped keep the score close, but they were unable to break through with a goal of their own against Thibaut Courtois.

It will be difficult to do any better on the road, but the talent is there to complete the upset. Even Diego Costa admitted that Mario Balotelli is "a great player, one of the best in the world," according to Dermot Corrigan and Ben Gladwell of ESPN FC.

The question is whether he can get any help on the attack. Either way, it is clear that Atletico are not ready to call this a win. Courtois told Paolo Menicucci of UEFA.com:

"

It was a nice victory here, but it's not over yet.

We have to be careful and play like we did today. We cannot say the tie is finished because it will be another hard game – they will come to Madrid trying to push hard to score a goal. We have to try to keep another clean sheet in order to qualify for the quarter-finals.

"

With Milan earning some confidence with a strong performance, they have every chance to make up this one-goal deficit and come away with a win. 

Manchester United (Down 0-2 to Olympiakos)

Based on what we have seen out of Manchester United all season, it is not surprising to see them lose a 2-0 match on the road against Olympiakos. This continues a miserable trend that keeps getting worse, as noted by WhoScored.com:

Star forward Robin van Persie expressed his disappointment with the tactics in the match, via Sky Sports:

"

It was quite difficult because my team-mates are often in the area where I want to play. That's why I have to change my tactics. Unfortunately, they are often in my area.

It was much too slow and we only had one shot on target in the whole match against Olympiakos, which is far too little. Everyone is very disappointed.

"

Despite all these problems, there is one positive to take away from this: United have a chance to redeem themselves at Old Trafford. As bad as things have gone, the club can turn things around with a strong performance at home against Olympiakos, a club that has not been in this situation in a long time.

With David Moyes fighting for his job and the players competing with their backs against the wall, you can expect the best performance of the season on March 19. The talent is on the roster to succeed; it just comes down to living up to expectations.

Manchester United should come out confident in the second leg and do what it takes to come away with a victory.

Manchester City (Down 0-2 to Barcelona)

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Not many clubs have the ability to come back from a two-goal deficit against Barcelona, especially dropping the first leg at home. Barca do not lose often in Camp Nou, and it is even more rare that an opponent can score two or three goals.

However, Manchester City have that ability thanks to one of the best attacks in the entire world. While the unit was held scoreless at Etihad Stadium, this was without top scorer Sergio Aguero, who should be fully fit for the second leg on March 12.

OptaJoe points out how dominant Aguero has been during the league season:

Additionally, the forward ranks fourth in UCL play with six goals in five matches. Danny Pugsley of Metro explains exactly how valuable Aguero is for City's success:

"

Of City’s 235 shots taken with Aguero on the pitch this season, he has either taken himself or created 46.74 per cent of them and scored 37.5 per cent of City’s goals scored whilst he has been on the pitch, all totals where Aguero ranks far higher than any other of City’s forwards. ...It is undeniably the case that his return and his presence will go a long way in shaping City’s fortunes over the remainder of the season.

"

With a full lineup, Manchester City have the ability to score multiple goals on any squad. Additionally, Real Sociedad recently scored three goals on Barcelona, proving it is possible.

Watch for the English club to attempt to pull off a 3-1 win to advance to the next stage of UCL action.

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