After the first leg action three weeks ago, tonight's first batch of Champions League second leg ties would appear to be decided already.
Real Madrid hold a 2-0 advantage as they welcome Roma to the Santiago Bernabeu, while Wolfsburg also have a 3-2 lead over Gent to bring back to the Volkswagen Arena.
Real in particular look home and hosed but that would be ignoring the fact that Roma have been on a charge in Serie A lately.
With manager Luciano Spalletti having sidelined the Francesco Totti question and inspired his team to find a new groove, the Giallorossi have won their last seven league matches, including 5-0, 3-1 and 4-1 wins over Palermo, Empoli and Fiorentina respectively in their past three games.
Key to their form has been new loan signing Stephan El Shaarawey who has netted three times in the past three games, while Mohamed Salah has notched five goals in his past four matches.
Wolfsburg's Julian Draxler, right, shoots on goal as Gent's Lasse Nielsen tries to block the shot during the Champions League round of 16, 1st leg soccer match between Gent and Wolfsburg at Ghelamco Arena in Ghent, Belgium, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
It's still a tall order for Roma to go to the Bernabeu and not only win, but overturn a 2-0 deficit. That's even against a Real team that's underachieving massively in La Liga and living off games against weaker sides where Cristiano Ronaldo and co plunder goals galore as flat-track bullies.
They have put together consecutive wins over Levante and Celta Vigo in the past two games since their home setback in the derby against Atletico Madrid.
However, a bit of complacency could open the door for Roma, even if Real remain heavy favourites to keep them at bay and reach the last-eight.
Meanwhile, Wolfsburg should have been celebrating quarter-final advancement after an hour of their first leg clash with Gent. Three goals to the good thanks to Julian Draxler's double and Max Kruse's third, they allowed minnows Gent to get back into the tie thanks to the concession of two late goals.
It wasn't enough for Gent to get a draw, but it leaves a window of opportunity for the Belgians to shock the Germans tonight. And Gent have form given that reaching the last-16 was a shock in itself.
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