UCL power rankings: How teams look ahead of the round of 16

The group stage of the UEFA Champions League came to a conclusion on Wednesday. Here’s how teams look heading into the round of 16.

The Champions League concluded the competition’s group stage on Wednesday, finalizing the field of 16 clubs that have advanced to the knockout round.

The round of 16, scheduled to start Feb. 16 following the winter break, will feature defending champions Bayern Munich, last season’s runners-up PSG and perennial contenders such as Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

PSG sneaked into the knockout round after winning Group H on goal differential, needing a win Wednesday against Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir. PSG won 5-1 after the match had been suspended the previous day following a racist slur uttered by the fourth official.

https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1336793301186453505

The draw for the last-16 will take place this coming Monday. Group winners will be drawn against group runners-up. Teams from the same country cannot face each other in the round of 16. Teams that met each other in the group stage also can’t play each other in the following round.

Here’s a look at the latest power rankings.

10. Paris Saint-Germain (4-0-2)

Neymar’s six goals in the group stage helped PSG go from last place in Group H into a top seed heading into the knockout round. Once again, PSG are a scrappy team and could get better as the competition progresses.

9. Lazio (2-4-0)

Striker Ciro Immobile has once again been a scoring machine for the Roman club this season. His five goals have made a big difference in the Champions League thus far.

8. Atalanta (3-2-1)

The Italians are embarking on another potential Cinderella run. Never underestimate what Atalanta can do in high-pressure matches.

7. Barcelona (5-0-1)

The Catalan giants have Lionel Messi, but will that be enough this season? The club has underperformed in Spain and manager Ronald Koeman could be out of a job before the tournament resumes in two months time.

6. Borussia Dortmund (4-1-1)

Erling Haaland may be out with an injury, but he’s a big reason why the German club won Group F. The key now is to make sure Haaland get back into the lineup once the tournament resumes.

5. Juventus (5-0-1)

Under the leadership of Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata’s six goals, the Italians won Group G (edging out Barcelona on goal differential) and are a real threat to finally win the Champions League if they can maintain this current form heading into the spring.

4. Chelsea (4-2-0)

Winners of Group E, the London-based club may very well have the best roster in the Premier League. Whether the they can turn that into a Champions League title remains to be seen. A lot will depend on whether Oliver Giroud can remain consistent up front throughout this season.

3. Liverpool (4-1-1)

The 2019 Champions League winners captured Group D despite several key injuries. The English club have the talent and depth to go far in the tournament this season.

2. Manchester City (4-2-0)

Pep Guardiola’s side could very well prioritize the Champions League once the tournament resumes. This is a side with plenty of depth. The Group C winners can very well lift the trophy if they remain focused.

1. Bayern Munich (4-2-0) 

The defending champions remain in the top spot after cruising to the top spot in Group A. Can this team be stopped? For now, it doesn’t appear like it.