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Champions League: Ranking the round of 16 ties

By Ty Finch

NANTES, FRANCE - JANUARY 14: Edinson Cavani of PSG during the French Ligue 1 match between FC Nantes and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) at Stade de la Beaujoire on January 14, 2018 in Nantes, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
NANTES, FRANCE - JANUARY 14: Edinson Cavani of PSG during the French Ligue 1 match between FC Nantes and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) at Stade de la Beaujoire on January 14, 2018 in Nantes, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /
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MUNICH, GERMANY – JANUARY 27: Sandro Wagner of Bayern Muenchen scores the team`s five goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on January 27, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY – JANUARY 27: Sandro Wagner of Bayern Muenchen scores the team`s five goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on January 27, 2018 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images) /

5. Bayern Munich vs. Besiktas

At a quick glance, this tie looks all but wrapped up just by looking at the names of the two clubs. Bayern Munich are a storied powerhouse in Germany and in European competition, while Besiktas will enter the round of 16 for the first time in Champions League history.

However, Besiktas have won the last two Turkish Super League’s and topped their Champions League group for the first time ever.

They have exciting attacking talent mixed in with experience and guile at the back. Besiktas’ back-line consists of right-back Gokhan Gonul (age 33) center-backs Pepe (34) and Dusko Tosic (33) and left-back Adriano (33). What they lack in athleticism and spryness, they more than make up for in familiarity and know-how. This was proven in the group stage, where they conceded just five times, with no team scoring against them more than once in a game.

Besiktas will have to rely more on Alvaro Negredo to produce up top, as they sold their star striker, Cenk Tosun, to Everton over the winter. However, young attacking midfielder Anderson Talisca scored four goals in the group stage, and Ricardo Quaresma and Ryan Babel provide consistently good service from the wings.

Bayern Munich finished second in their group behind Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference. They were lucky to avoid giants like Barcelona or Manchester City, but it won’t be an easy afternoon stroll for the German side.

Bayern still have loads of talent at every position, and they’ve already proven up to the task of beating star-laden clubs with a 3-1 win over PSG in the last match in group play. But Besiktas have been the surprise of the tournament so far and could stymie Bayern’s attack. Upsets are always more fun and interesting to watch than giants crushing the minnows. This could be the upset of the round.

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