Champions League: 5 Things We Learned From Tuesday’s Games As Kane, Mbappe Push Bayern & PSG Forward

• Bayern Munich and PSG are through to the last-8 of the UCL
• Both sides would hope for favourable draws in the next round
• Here are the five talking points from Tuesday's set of matches

Tuesday's round of matches in the UEFA Champions League delivered the epitome of top-tier football entertainment for fans worldwide.

Although Real Sociedad and Lazio displayed commendable performances, they ultimately exited the competition without causing any upsets because the Champions League demands and rewards excellence, not just decent performances.

It is the stage for the best of the best, and when the pressure was on, the elite teams rose to the occasion.

Sports Brief examines five key takeaways from the matches, highlighting how Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane propelled PSG and Bayern Munich to the quarter-finals.

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1. Kylian Mbappe is the real deal

With his playing time reduced in PSG's recent matches following his announcement of his departure, Kylian Mbappe stepped up when it mattered most.

Mbappe's brace propelled the French champions past the round of 16, a stage that had proven challenging for PSG in the past couple of seasons despite their substantial investment in the search for Champions League success.

His two superb goals played a crucial role as Les Parisiens comfortably advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in three seasons, securing a 4-1 aggregate victory over Real Sociedad, Eurosport reports.

2. Luis Enrique forced to eat humble pie

The Spanish tactician, who claimed the Champions League title in 2015 with Barcelona, was straightforward when addressing his choice to limit Mbappe's playing time by substituting him in PSG's recent matches.

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Enrique emphasised the need for the club to focus on the future beyond the French forward, who announced he would depart from Paris at the end of the season, as cited by GOAL.

Nevertheless, when the crucial moment arrived, the former Blaugrana boss 'ate humble pie,' allowing his standout player to stay on the field for the entire match, and unsurprisingly, it was Mbappe who scored both goals to propel PSG into the last-8.

3. Harry Kane matching Mbappe boot for boot

Harry Kane is matching Kylian Mbappe stride for stride!

The English striker has been enjoying a stellar season with Bayern Munich. However, despite his individual brilliance, his move to the Bundesliga may see FC Hollywood finish the season empty-handed.

Nevertheless, Kane continues to deliver on his end of the deal by finding the back of the net consistently. On Tuesday, the former Tottenham Hotspur star led Bayern to a comeback victory against Lazio, scoring a brace in the process.

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His goal tally in the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League now stands at six, matching Mbappe's record. Additionally, Kane made history by becoming the first British player to score over 50 goals in UEFA competitions, per Fan Nation.

4. Maurizio Sarri plays into Bayern's hands

Maurizio Sarri is a coach known for his unwavering commitment to attacking football, a departure from the typical defensive style associated with Italian teams.

Despite being Italian, Sarri has always favoured an aggressive attacking approach on the field.

Even in situations where caution might be expected, Sarri remains steadfast in his offensive tactics. This was evident in the reverse round of 16 fixture against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

After securing a narrow one-nil victory at the Olimpico three weeks prior, Sarri's team was on the verge of reaching the quarter-finals.

Regrettably, their hopes were dashed as Bayern delivered a ruthless performance, scoring three goals to eliminate the Serie A club from the competition.

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5. Never doubt Thomas Muller

You underestimate Thomas Muller at your own peril! His impact in the Champions League is undeniable.

Before the match, there were speculations about him being relegated to the bench.

Fortunately, Tuchel went against his initial inclination and opted to keep the 'Raumdeuter' in the lineup, a decision that paid off handsomely.

Although Kane's opening goal will officially credit Guerreiro with an assist, it was Müller's contribution that laid the groundwork.

His crucial touch on De Ligt's powerful shot secured the 2-0 lead just before halftime, effectively sealing the fate of the match. It was a vintage display of big-game prowess from Müller.

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The lineup for the quarter-finals of the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League is gradually coming together.

Powerhouses such as Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have already secured their spots in the next round, Sports Brief reported.

Meanwhile, teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Inter Milan have gained first-leg advantages, positioning themselves favourably to progress into the quarter-finals alongside the aforementioned clubs.