Champions League power rankings: Bayern Munich and Liverpool boss matchweek 6

Champions League power rankings for matchweek 6, including Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

The teams are now set for the last 16 of the Champions League after all group winners and runners-up were revealed in matchweek six.

Bayern Munich and Liverpool made it through in emphatic fashion, thrashing Paris Saint-Germain and Spartak Moscow, respectively. Manchester United, Juventus, Porto and Sevilla joined them in the next phase.

Here are the full rankings after the final group games:

16. Sevilla

Sevilla remain a side skilled in what it takes to progress in European competitions. They proved as much by finishing second in Group E behind Liverpool.

Whether this team will go any further than the last 16 is debatable, though. The manner of Sevilla’s progress, a 1-1 draw away to group minnows Maribor, showed this squad isn’t as loaded as in recent seasons.

Even so, Sevilla still possess some match-winners, including striker Wissam Ben Yedder and South American schemer Ganso. Yet they won’t stop this team from being seen as one of the more favorable draws for the next stage.

15. Porto

Porto are another club with a solid pedigree in Europe. They also saved their best performance for when it mattered in Group G, hammering Monaco 5-2 to qualify.

In the process, Porto showed off the firepower sure to make them a tricky opponent in the last 16. Specifically, powerhouse striker Vincent Aboubakar can get goals in bunches, while winger Yacine Brahimi is a flair player who can add a flourish to any game.

There have been stronger Porto sides than this one in years past, but there’s still enough quality here for this group to cause a surprise or two.

14. Chelsea

Chelsea made it through Group C, but rarely convinced along the way. The Blues were condemned to second after a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

It was the third disappointing result of Chelsea’s group campaign, to go along with the 3-3 stalemate and 3-0 defeat against Roma.

Still, it’s not all doom and gloom for a Chelsea side sure to be a major threat in the knockout rounds. Eden Hazard is the world-class talisman of a team also featuring playmaker Cesc Fabregas and dynamic target man Alvaro Morata.

The Blues have enough quality up front to go far, regardless of how tough their draw for the last 16 proves.

13. Shakhtar Donetsk

They may have snapped Manchester City’s lengthy winning run, but there are still doubts about Shakhtar Donetsk’s ability to go far beyond the next phase.

The 2-1 win over City came against a much-changed starting XI. Typically, Shakhtar used Brazilian flair to win.

Goals from intuitive forward Bernard and raiding left-back Ismaily were enough to see off City. Yet it’s easy to believe things would have looked a lot different had the visitors been at full strength.

Shakhtar don’t always travel well, but are creative enough in attack to make life difficult for some of the tournament’s big boys.

12. Basel

Swiss heavyweights Basel made serene progress from Group A, even beating Manchester United en route to the last 16. The 2-0 win in Benfica was built on good organization defensively, dovetailed with pace and power in attack.

Dimitri Oberlin embodies those qualities and will be a handful for any team. Norwegian midfielder Mohamed Elyounoussi was also on the scoresheet against Benfica and offers plenty of guile and industry.

This is a well-drilled team with underrated quality in the right areas. Manager Raphael Wicky’s group may be seen as a soft touch, but they’ve already proved they can beat the big names.

Next: Champions League round of 16 field set

11. Juventus

Juventus were steady, nothing more, in making it through Group D. Even so, last season’s beaten finalists still have enough match-winners in the final third and resolve defensively to step it up in the last 16.

Gonzalo Higuain is still a lethal finisher, while Paulo Dybala can be counted on to offer flair in support. Douglas Costa and Juan Cuadrado offer pace and trickery on the flanks, while Sami Khedira and the brilliant Blaise Matuidi provide brawn and energy in the middle.

The Juve defense isn’t quite as strong as in recent seasons, but Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli are still around.

Expect the Bianconeri to be tougher to deal with now the competition is getting serious.

10. Roma

Juventus couldn’t win their group, but Roma at least flew the flag for Serie A after doing enough to finish ahead of Chelsea in Group C. The 1-0 win over Qarabag wasn’t exactly a statement, but there is enough talent in Roma’s ranks to make teams nervy about drawing the Italians in the last 16.

Edin Dzeko has been prolific since moving to Rome, while Radja Nainggolan is a talisman in the middle. By frustrating Chelsea twice, Roma proved they can be more than a match for any of the big names left in the tournament.

9. Real Madrid

The holders are through, but still have to be surprised about not managing to finish above Tottenham in Group H. There’s still an impressive amount of goals in this team, but defensive frailties should worry manager Zinedine Zidane.

Vulnerability at the back was obvious as Los Blancos scraped past Borussia Dortmund, winning 3-2 at home. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang exposed the Real back four twice.

Thankfully, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the free-scoring talisman Los Merengues can count on. Ronaldo scored against Dortmund to ensure he found the net in every group game.

Real are being overshadowed by Barcelona both domestically and in Europe. But Ronaldo’s exploits in front of goal prove the holders still have one edge over their old enemy, per OptaJose:

Since Ronaldo usually gets better as this tournament progresses, it would be unwise to bet against Real making it three in a row.

8. Besiktas

Besiktas stayed in control of Group G from day one thanks to a mix of aggression, experience and craft. The Turkish side showed those qualities by winning their final group match 2-1 away to RB Leipzig.

Goals from Alvaro Negredo and Anderson Talisca showcased the power this squad boasts up top. Few players run the midfield as well as Oguzhan Ozyakup, while Cenk Tosun will tie teams in knots out wide.

Given how strong they are at home, along with the notable quality in their ranks, Besiktas are going to be a difficult draw.

7. Barcelona

Barcelona haven’t wowed onlookers the way they did in previous years, but there was still a commendable business-like efficiency about how they won Group D.

The Blaugrana conceded just one goal en route to the knockout stage, despite losing key defender Samuel Umtiti to injury. It’s helped the midfield has been tougher to break down than in recent seasons.

There is also more structure and discipline to Barca’s tactical shape under manager Ernesto Valverde. His willingness to play three at the back or even 4-4-2 has lent the five-time winners a better framework for frustrating the opposition.

If Barca can carry this stubborn streak into the last 16 and beyond, they will be a major threat. After all, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez won’t stay quiet in the final third for long.

6. Manchester City

City’s winning run had to come to an end at some point, but the loss to Shakhtar must be seen in the right context. In this case, manager Pep Guardiola rested several key players with the upcoming derby against United in the Premier League in mind.

Before the final group game, City had taken 15 points from 15. This is still a squad with the resources in attack to scare those left in the draw.

Strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, along with playmakers David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, give City the weapons to unlock any defence. More important is the mode of playing Guardiola has implemented.

No team is better than this one at keeping the ball away from the opposition.

5. Paris Saint-Germain

Like City, PSG saw their perfect run ended on the final matchday of the group stage. Yet while the former knowingly reduced their strength, PSG would have been humbled by how easily they were brushed aside by Bayern.

Les Parisiens were thoroughly outplayed during a 3-1 defeat at the Allianz Arena in a manner the previously red-hot Ligue 1 leaders hadn’t experienced this season.

Even so, PSG still sit ahead of City in the rankings, because not even the Manchester club can compare with the French giants’ attacking strength. Kylian Mbappe was superb against Munich, while Edinson Cavani remains prolific.

Yet it’s Neymar who often adds the game-changing magic. The former Barcelona man was the standout performer of the group stage, according to WhoScored.com:

This team has more talent going forward than any other left in the competition.

4. Manchester United

It took a little longer than expected, but United eventually cruised through as winners of Group A. The Red Devils sealed top spot after coming back to beat CSKA Moscow 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford got the goals, offering a reminder of United’s enviable pace and power in attack. Those qualities are complemented by a tough and resourceful defence protected well by holding midfielder Nemanja Matic.

Manager Jose Mourinho had more talent in the Porto and Inter Milan squads he won this trophy with. Yet he still has the ingredients and know-how to guide this United team to more than a few upsets.

3. Tottenham

They may have only been playing Group H minnows APOEL at Wembley, but there was something significant about Spurs’ 3-0 win on matchday 6. Specifically, the north London club managed to show off its deceptive strength in depth.

Fernando Llorente scored and assisted Heung-Min Son to help create a 2-0 lead. Both players have vital roles in a squad often too reliant on star striker Harry Kane.

Remember, it wasn’t too long ago Llorente’s goals propelled Athletic Bilbao to a Europa League final.

Even little-used winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou got in on the act, showing the pace and eye for goal Spurs have missed in wide areas. Those qualities are present again now Erik Lamela has returned.

These supporting acts mean Spurs won’t just win or lose on how well Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen perform.

2. Liverpool

Aside from PSG, no team boasts a forward line as dynamic as Liverpool’s. The Reds flexed their attacking muscle in style to put seven past Spartak and win Group E.

Every member of the front four scored, with Philippe Coutinho netting a hat-trick and Sadio Mane bagging a brace. Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah were also among the goals.

This is a fluid quartet able to combine direct pace with artful passing and impish flair. Thanks to this four, Liverpool know no equal on the break, but they can also create goals from lengthy passing moves.

Teams simply won’t know who they should focus on when defending the Reds. Some will look to Coutinho, who excelled during the group stage, per the tournament’s official Twitter account:

But teams who pay too much attention to Coutinho will regret giving Salah and Firmino space. The duo has been in free-scoring form, per Sky Sports Statto:

Questions will remain about how a sketchy defence will cope against better opposition, but Liverpool’s front four will still carry this team far.

1. Bayern Munich

Attacking options aren’t in short supply for a Bayern side back to their best under familiar manager Jupp Heynckes. Robert Lewandowski is arguably the best pure No. 9 in the tournament, an opinion he lent weight to after scoring against PSG.

Corentin Tolisso found the net twice and is an exciting mix of technique and strength from midfield. But it’s in the wide areas where this squad is strongest, thanks to Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and rising young star Kingsley Coman.

Heynckes can even turn to Real Madrid loanee James Rodriguez, who was superb against PSG, either as a winger or a No. 10.

It spoke volumes about the depth of this squad Heynckes was able to leave midfield workhorse Arturo Vidal and forward Thomas Muller on the bench.

This is a group more than equipped to outlast the rest.