With the group stages of the UEFA Champions League coming to a close the Round of 16 is only a few months away and to commemorate this. We decided to throw down some power rankings.
The Champions League saw many emotional events so far this season from Manchester City’s emotional comeback from fourth place in the group stages along with a huge turn out of results from the Bundesliga.
Without further ado, here are the InscriberMag’s UEFA Knockout Rankings.
16. FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) 2nd in Group H
Skakhtar was the “new comer” of the Champions League this year for many fans. Hailing from the country of Ukraine, Shaktar drew FC Bayern Munich for the Round of 16.
The interesting thing is this draw can go just about anyway but it is very unlikely that Shaktar will be seen in the quarterfinals come March. This will be the Club’s first taste of FC Bayern.
Group Stages Results: DDWWLD
15. Schalke 04 (Germany) 2nd in Group G
Schalke 04 has seen it’s fair share of change in all competitions this season with the welcoming of former Chelsea manager and European Champion Roberto Di Matteo. The Club is currently fifth in the German Bundesliga sitting one point behind Bayer Leverkusen with 26 points. The main reason we placed Schalke so low on our count down is mainly for the fact that before Matteo’s arrival to Schalke the club had a hard time in the group stages. Schalke will see current Champions Real Madrid in the round of 16.
Group Stages Results: DDWLLW
14. Arsenal FC (England) 2nd in Group D
The North London club has seen it’s fair share of adversity in the 20th year of Wenger’s reign as the manager of the Gunners.
The club has seen nothing but injuries in it’s domestic campaign may carry on to the second half of the season with the absence of Mesut Ozil for most of the season the club has been carried off the foot of former Barca man Alexis Sanchez.
Arsenal is currently sixth in the Barclays Premier League seven points below where they should be in the top three. Arsenal drew AS Manaco in the Round of 16.
Group Stages Results: DWLWWDWW
13. AS Manaco (France) Group C Winner
AS Manaco has been an interesting watch for the UCL this season only losing once in the group stages which was against Lisbon side Benfica. The interesting thought is realistically AS Manaco can knock down Arsenal in the round of 16 but will probably not get past the quarterfinals. Monaco is currently 6th in Ligue 1 in France.
Group Stages Results: WDDLWW
12. Borussia Dortmund (Germany) Group D Winner
First of all, What happened to Dortmund this season? Currently sitting 16th in the German Bundesliga the Yellow Wall has dealt with nothing but adversity after snatching the German Super Cup out of the hands of Bayern Munich earlier this season.
The club has dealt with six league losses this season and barely holds on above the relegation zone. The club has it’s fair share of injuries as well such as Marco Reus who was injured prior to the World Cup and then last month Reus saw yet another injury.
Rumors are circling around that Manager Klopp is on his way out of Dortmund this season after a fairly historical reign at Dortmund. Dortmund also has had a bad rep in transfers losing Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze to FC Bayern within the last few years.
Dortmund drew Italian side Juventus in the round of 16. The interesting thing is we will not know where Dortmund will be here come February. They can easily fight back up the table in the coming months with the German winter break coming next week this could mean a month of pondering for Klopp and Company.
Group Stages Results: WWWWLD
11. Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) 2nd in Group C
Leverkusen has been on FIRE in the German Bundesliga this season currently sitting in 3rd Place below VFL Wolfsburg. The Club has seen a little bit of success in the Champions League this season.
The club will see the La Liga Champion Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16. Does Bayer 04 have a chance?
Only time can tell if Leverkusen will show up against Madrid.
Group Stages Results: WWLWWWLD
10. Juventus (Italy) 2nd in Group A
Juventus has had a wonderful season so far coming in on repeating as Serie A Champions this season. The question is. How will they deal with a struggling Dortmund side? Will Dortmund be healthy enough to take on Juventus?
In recent seasons, Juventus has had a bad turn out in the knock out stages but this may be their year to shine.
Group Stage Results:WLLWWD
9. Manchester City Football Club (England) 2nd in Group E
It is arguably true that Group E was this year’s UCL “Group of Death”. City has had a very successful year domestically coming off of it’s 2nd EPL title back in May. Interestingly, they had a terrible start to the UCL this season?
They answered this with a big November come back beating FC Bayern 3-2 at the Etihad and finishing the job against AS Roma in December.
City currently has it’s fair share of injuries to sort out and an absence in the mid field come January with Yaya Toure leaving to play in the African Cup of Nations. City drew FC Barcelona and will definitely be a challenge to a great Barca Squad.
Group Stage Results: LDDLWW
8. FC Basel (Switzerland) 2nd in Group B
Fear Basel, That’s been the case for most English teams that have come in contact with Basel within the last couple of years. The Switz will have their hands full against Porto in the Round of 16 in the coming months.
They seem to be a very underrated club coming into the knock out stages. And they will definitely want to get a piece of Porto in the round of 16.
Group Stage Results: LWLWLD
7. Paris Saint Germain (France) 2nd in Group F
ALLEZ PARIS!! PSG opened up it’s UCL campaign stunning Barcelona 3-2 in France. PSG held the group lead for most of the group stages but fell short with Barca paying back the favor with a crushing 3-1 defeat at Camp Nou.
Paris will see Chelsea yet again in the Round of 16. And will definitely be a force to be feared.
Group Stage Results: DWWWWL
6. FC Porto (Portugal) Group H Winners
FC Porto has been a very interesting side to watch in the Champions League this season. Porto is a very underrated club with great ambitions coming into the Round of 16. They will face FC Basel in Round of 16.
Group Stage Results: WWWDWWWD
5. Atletico Madrid (Spain) Group A Winners
Coming off of a horrifying loss in the Champions League final against Madrid rivals Real Madrid, Atletico still looks to be solid title challengers coming into the Round of 16. And not only that Madrid has made up for their losses from the transfer window. Madrid will face German side Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16 and will probably make a push farther into the competition this season.
Group Stage Results:LWWWWD
4. Chelsea Football Club (England) Group G Winners
Chelsea ended their UCL run against Atletico Madrid last year on their own pitch at Stamford Bridge last season, With no clear idea who would take on the striker position at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho compensated by unloading in the summer transfer window bringing in former Atletico Madrid and Spanish-Brazilian striker, Diego Costa to the blues along with the return of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.
The Blues currently set on top of the EPL nearing the mid-season mark. Chelsea will face French champions Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 as a rematch of last year’s quarterfinals that ended with Chelsea advancing on away goals. This year’s Chelsea team is well primed to make a run for the final so don’t be surprised if you see the Royal Blue making a push to Berlin.
Group Stage Results: DWWDWW
3. FC Bayern Munich (Germany) Group E Winners
Mia San Mia! FC Bayern has been it’s typical form for the mid-season after coming off of another Bundesliga Championship Season. Die Roten didn’t make very many moves in the transfer Window this season but they did add former Real Madrid man Xabi Alonso to the club.
Bayern will look to capitalize after a disappointing exit in the Champions League Semifinal last season getting crushed by Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena. Bayern currently sits comfortably atop the German Bundesliga coming in on the German winter break.
Expect Bayern to fight to the end.
You never know where they will end up at the end of the season! FC Bayern will face off against FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the Round of 16.
Group Stage Results: WWWWLW
2. Real Madrid (Spain) Group B Winners
La Decima proved that Real Madrid were the true kings of Europe last season. The club has caught more fire off their UCL winning campaign capturing the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA World Club Cup.
Madrid has made major moves over the transfer window off loading notables such as Di Maria (To Manchester United) and Xabi Alonso (FC Bayern) They also brought in James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos to help out at the midfield position. Could we see a repeat on the cards this season?
Madrid will face German side Schalke 04 in the Round of 16.
Group Stage Results: WWWWWW
1. FC Barcelona (Spain) Group F Winners
You may question why we put Barcelona above Real Madrid on our list, Well here is why. Barcelona has made many moves this season to improve the attack at Camp Nou. The addition of former Liverpool man Luis Suarez has proved well for the now Barcelona striker.
Along with the likes of Leo Messi and Neymar. Barca is primed to make a cup run more than ever this season. Could we potentially see an El Classico for the Champions League Final this year? Barcelona will get it’s first knock out stage test against English side Manchester City FC in the Round of 16.
Group Stage Results: WLWWWW
All in all regardless of the outcomes this year’s knock out stages of the UEFA Champions League look to be very eventful and enjoyable by the masses! The Round of 16 begins February 17 and ends on March 18th.
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