Italy World Cup winner and former Bayern Munich star Luca Toni feels the Bavarians ‘must not underestimate Atalanta’ in the Champions League Round of 16: ‘If they take it lightly, it’s a risk.’

Atalanta and Bayern Munich meet in the Champions League Round of 16 with the first leg played in Bergamo on Tuesday, March 10.

Toni warns Bayern about Atalanta

Bayern Munich are among the favourites to win the Champions League this season, and, naturally, “emirates online casinos” sees them as the most likely team to progress to the quarter-finals, where they’d meet the winner of the tie between Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Atalanta, however, have already shocked some European heavyweights this season, especially in Bergamo, with Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund both losing at the New Balance Arena in the previous Champions League phases.

“On paper, Bayern are much stronger than Atalanta. La Dea has good players, and they play good football with Raffaele Palladino on the bench, especially in the Champions League,” Toni, a former Bayern Munich and Fiorentina star, told Prime Video Italia.

“The coach has changed the team’s mentality. I’ve heard Juric didn’t have a good relationship with the team, but Palladino has recreated a good atmosphere inside the team, as it happened with Gasperini.”

Palladino replaced Juric at the start of November, and La Dea has since won 15 of 26 games.

Bayern Munich will travel to Bergamo without the injured Manuel Neuer, while Harry Kane should be available after missing Friday’s Bundesliga game against Borussia Monchengladbach.

“It’s all in their hands. If they are on their day, they are clearly favourites. Bayern have fantastic players,” Toni continued.

“That being said, they should not underestimate Aalanta, who have the confidence and the pride to have reached such a stage. It will be the game of a lifetime for Atalanta, and it’s a risk if Bayern take it lightly.”

Atalanta hope Ederson will be available on Tuesday after missing the last five matches due to an injury.

“Ederson is one of the most European players, one of the best,” Toni concluded.

“Let’s see who will play in attack, but Atalanta are characterised by team spirit, as everyone helps.”

Toni spent two seasons at Bayern Munich, scoring 58 goals in 89 games.

During his playing career, the former Italian striker won a Bundesliga title in 2007-08 and the German Cup in the same year.

With Italy, he won the 2006 World Cup. He was twice the Serie A top goalscorer, first in 2005-06 with 31 goals and then in 2014-15 with 22 goals, the same as Mauro Icardi.

The UEFA Champions League knockout stages return with a truly mouth-watering clash as the defending European champions, PSG, prepare to host the current FIFA Club World Cup winners, Chelsea.

The first leg at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday marks a high-stakes rematch of last summer’s global final, where the Blues convincingly won 3-0.

Luis Enrique’s side enters this tie under significant pressure following a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Monaco in Ligue 1 over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, led by Liam Rosenior, have faced a grueling domestic schedule but remain a formidable force in cup competitions.

With a place in the quarter-finals on the line, both managers face critical selection dilemmas.

How PSG could line up against Chelsea

PSG are sweating over the fitness of several key midfielders, with Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz both major doubts due to recent injuries.

This could leave a heavy burden on teenage sensation Warren Zaïre-Emery to anchor the midfield alongside Vitinha.

In attack, Luis Enrique is expected to stick with his high-octane front three.

The creative burden will fall on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has been in scintillating form since his move to the French capital, supported by the lightning pace of Bradley Barcola and the veteran presence of the returning Ousmane Dembele.

Predicted PSG starting XI vs Chelsea: Matvey Safonov; Achraf Hakimi, Illia Zabarnyi, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Warren Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Desire Doue; Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

How Chelsea could line up against PSG

Liam Rosenior has a defensive headache with Levi Colwill out long-term and Wesley Fofana a major doubt following a knock.

This likely means Trevoh Chalobah will continue his partnership with Jorrel Hato in the heart of the defence.

Further forward, Chelsea’s danger man Cole Palmer will be the focal point of the attack, operating just behind the prolific Joao Pedro.

Alejandro Garnacho could start on the left wing to provide much-needed directness against PSG’s attacking full-backs.

Predicted Chelsea starting XI vs PSG: Filip Jorgensen; Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Jorrel Hato, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Alejandro Garnacho;  Joao Pedro.

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PSG vs Chelsea Head to Head

History suggests there is very little to separate these two modern giants.

Across 10 competitive meetings, the record is perfectly balanced with three wins apiece and four draws.

While PSG won the most recent Champions League knockout encounters in 2015 and 2016, Chelsea hold the bragging rights for the biggest trophy in their recent history.

The Blues’ 3-0 victory in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final remains fresh in the memory, a night where Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro dismantled the Parisian defence in New Jersey.

PSG will be desperate for revenge on home soil to prove they are still the kings of Europe.