Hey! The UEFA Champions League’s knockout phase playoffs got off to a strong start on Tuesday and have more in store on Wednesday, while the U.S. women’s national team’s prep for their first games of 2025 is officially underway. I’m Pardeep Cattry with a midweek check-in.

📺 Footy fix

All times U.S./Eastern

Wednesday, Feb. 12

🇪🇺 UCL: Club Brugge vs. Atalanta, 12:45 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network 🏴 EPL: Everton vs. Liverpool, 2:30 p.m. ➡️ USA Network 🇪🇺 UCL: Celtic vs. Bayern Munich, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+

⚽ The Forward Line

🇪🇺 Knockout phase playoffs are officially underway

Real Madrid’s 3-2 win over Manchester City marked a thrilling start to the UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoffs on Tuesday, with the reigning champions coming from behind twice before scoring a last-gasp game-winner at Etihad Stadium. City managed a surprisingly strong start, surviving an early period of pressure from Madrid and nabbing the game’s first goal. Things began to unravel after the halftime break as the visitors scored an equalizer, and the back-and-forth game ended with them relinquishing yet another lead and now facing a tough second leg in Spain.

“Many games at the end we give away. At that level, it is so difficult… [The responsibility] belongs to all of us, not just the players.” - Pep Guardiola

On Wednesday, another batch of teams hope to join Madrid on the list of teams with first leg advantages, which includes Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus.