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The Champions League last 16 is here - All you need to know

The most prestigious and coveted trophy in the footballing world is within an arms grasp of a handful of the footballing giants of Europe. The Champions league has entered its final knock-out stages and 16 elite teams will battle over two legs in the hope of progression towards being crowned the champions of Europe. This is where the cup gets exciting, where fortunes are won or lost, and no matter how good you think you did in the first leg, it isn’t over until that whistle blows after 90 minutes of the second. The last 16 is where some of the best clubs in the world clash, after having disposed of the ones that just couldn’t cut it at this level. Here is everything you need to know about this crucial round of fixtures that really sorts the wheat from the chaff.

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Chelsea

After such a dismal title defence that has left Chelsea struggling in the Premier League, they will be desperate to acquire silverware elsewhere. Winning the Champions League would be the only way that Chelsea could enter the competition again next year, so they will be sure to put a lot of focus on this. PSG are flying high in the French top division and nobody can touch them, but they are as yet to really attain the world class, elite status of teams like Barcelona and Bayern Munich that they so desperately desire. With Champions League winning players like Angel Di Maria, Thiago Motta, and David Luiz in their ranks, this year could be their best chance yet.

Benfica vs. Zenit Saint Petersburg

This one could go either way, with both sides fairly evenly matched. The two teams met in the competition at this stage four years ago, when Benfica went through on 4-3 aggregate. Benfica have been enjoying some good form in 2016 and are challenging at the top of the table in Portugal. Zenit, on the other hand, have had a winter break and the players will be fresh and rested. This could be an intriguing couple of matches.

Gent vs. Wolfsburg

The Belgians are the firm outsiders in the competition and although they could have been drawn against tougher opposition, this is still a tie that should be beyond them. Wolfsburg are languishing in mid table in the Bundesliga, so fans will be hoping for progression in Europe to entertain them in an otherwise uneventful season. If they make it through this round they will need a favourable draw in the quarter finals if they are to get any further though.

Roma vs. Real Madrid

Real Madrid Cristiano RonaldoReal Madrid will be hoping to enter the quarter finals for the sixth season in a row, but will be wary about coming up against Italian opposition. The Spanish giants have lost their last eight two-legged ties against Italian teams and will be eager to bury that unfortunate statistic. They have the far superior squad and are one of the favourites to go all the way in the competition. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and company should have no trouble sweeping this competition aside.

Arsenal vs. Barcelona

Arsenal fans have been on a rollercoaster ride in the Champions League this season. At one point it looked as though the Gunners may not get out of the group, but they managed to turn things around, only to draw the favourites to win the competition in the knock-out stages. Barcelona are the reigning champions and have the deadliest strike force in the world with Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez. This is Arsene Wenger’s toughest challenge of the campaign, even after having managed a rare victory over Bayern Munich earlier on. If they get through this it will be a miracle.

Juventus vs. Bayern Munich

Juventus reached the final last year in what was a fantastic season for the club. They would be one of the favourites to go all the way again this year had they not drawn the German giants in this round. Bayern Munich are one of the best teams in the world, but Pep Guardiola has never won the Champions League with them. He will be determined to remedy this before he moves on in the summer, and it is likely he will take them all the way to the final.

PSV Eindhoven vs. Atletico Madrid

For so many years in Spain it has been a two horse race between the giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid, but Atletico are now becoming a powerhouse. They are having a great season in La Liga and are hot on the heels of Luis Enrique’s men. The red and whites have by far the best defence in the league with world-class talent up top in the French striker, Antoine Griezmann. They easily have enough talent to progress beyond this tie.

Dynamo Kiev vs. Manchester City

Arsenal vs Manchester CityManchester City are so desperate to get further than the round of 16, a feat they have never managed before. Of all the English teams they were gifted the most favourable draw, but are also still fighting in other competitions and the squad is stretched. With injuries to key players including Kevin De Bruyne, Samir Nasri, and Wilfried Bony, fans will be desperately hoping that the likes of David Silva and Yaya Toure can recapture the devastating form they have displayed over recent years. Kiev may well quash City’s dreams in what would be a major upset. [su_button url="https://www.ticketgum.com/champions-league-tickets" background="#0D2041" size="20" wide="yes" radius="0"]Get Champions League Tickets[/su_button]  
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