Champions League round of 16 power rankings
By James Dudko
9. Real Madrid
It’s only fitting the holders and 11-time winners are the highest-ranked second-place team headed into the last 16. Los Blancos have been in commanding form in La Liga.
Real can still count on forward Cristiano Ronaldo to save his best for Europe’s premier club competition. But the return of holding midfielder Casemiro makes Real a major threat again.
The midfielder adds balance to a squad otherwise built to dominate in forward areas. The formula didn’t always pay off in the group stage, where Los Merengues conceded 10 goals, a far cry from lasts season’s solidity.
Zinedine Zidane has been experimenting with a 3-5-2 lately, which hasn’t always convinced. But this is a side so packed with talent, there are times it seems the formation barely matters. An early exit from the Copa del Rey was a big disappointment on the domestic stage, but Real will take confidence from their three-point lead at the top of La Liga.
Napoli will be difficult opponents, but Real will expect to go through, especially with the second leg to be played at the Bernabeu.