Ranking the Champions League's final 16

Kristian Jack

TSN Soccer Analyst

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It is almost time.

The Champions League anthem has been placed at the top of the song list inside 16 stadiums. After a hiatus of over two months, the best club sides in the world are ready to battle again for the crown jewel of European football.

It was Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who best described the current format of the Champions League referring to it as “two competitions in one.” The group schedule is over and now it is time for the knockout tournament to begin. Like all cup competitions, a team’s chances hinge on current form and the draw.

Here is a look at the last 16 and their chances to lift the cup on May 28 in Milan.

1. Barcelona – the current champions are looking to become the first team since A.C. Milan in the last 80s to retain the European Cup. For them to do so, they will need their core group of players to stay healthy. Barcelona has become a team that get the ball to the fearsome front three of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi quicker. If those three stars all remain healthy, Barcelona will be difficult to stop. Messi remains the world’s best player and Suarez’s goal-scoring record is remarkable, but Neymar has consistently been the best player in Spain this season. This could be the season that finally puts him at the same level as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

2. Real Madrid – Ronaldo’s form has been discussed at length in the Spanish capital this season and, much like the club itself, it has had its highs and lows. Others like Karim Benzema and Luka Modric have been outstanding but can only be leaned on so far. For Madrid to win under Zinedine Zidane they will need Ronaldo back to his best. Either way, a test against Roma shouldn’t be a tough one.

3. Bayern Munich – This club could easily move to the top of the list with an impressive last 16 showing. A game against May’s finalists, Juventus, presents challenges. No other opponent will have been as hard to break down, even for such a talented attack as Bayern’s. Pep Guardiola’s team will still be big favourites and know this is the tournament they and their coach will be judged on this season.

4. Atletico Madrid – No team in Europe is more organized, and Diego Simeone’s men, so close to winning it all in 2014, look ready to mount another serious challenge thanks to their magnificent defence throughout the team. Lethal on the counter-attack and led by the intelligent Koke, the side is in much better form than they were last time and should be able to bully their way past PSV.

5. Paris Saint-Germain – Laurent Blanc’s team has annihilated all domestic opponents and are running away with the league title, but can they reach similar levels in Europe? Chelsea is a familiar opponent, but this group of talented players can no longer be judged by simply reaching the last eight. It is time for Zlatan Ibrahimović and his mates to step up and get to at least the last four and start giving the super powers some concerns.

6. Chelsea – Almost everything has gone wrong for Chelsea this season but under interim boss Guus Hiddink they have shown signs of improvement, with key players Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, in particular, looking much better than they did earlier under Jose Mourinho. Those two will be integral against PSG if Chelsea are to progress.

7. Manchester City – Manuel Pellegrini’s side continues to frustrate. Yet, the collapse of Juventus in the group stages has handed them an easier path to the final eight, a destination they still have yet to reach. Sergio Aguero is easily their most important player and has scored some enormous goals for this club in recent years. His form and fitness will be keys against Dynamo Kiev.

8. Wolfsburg – Don’t sleep on this Bundesliga side. They may not be playing at a level domestically that they had hoped but they were very impressive in the group stages, winning a competitive group, which secured them a berth with fellow history-makers Gent. Neither team has made it this far before and this matchup is made for German star Julian Draxler to shine with the big lights on.

9. Zenit – Andre Villas-Boas returns to Portugal for a matchup with an in-form Benifca side in one of the most anticipated ties of the last 16. The Russian side were brilliant in the group stages – becoming the only team to win their first five matches – but will a long winter break ahead of this game disrupt them? As usual, the form of Hulk and Axel Witsel will be keys.

10. Benfica – It could have been a much more difficult draw for Rui Vitoria’s men after finishing second in Group C. Domestically, they have been in fine form and they will relish a test against Zenit knowing they have a great chance to make the quarter-finals for the first time since 2012.

11. Dynamo Kiev – Most will expect Sergei Rebrov’s team to be defeated by Manchester City but Kiev will not see it like that. They were very impressive in the group stages, playing four very competitive matches against Porto and Chelsea where many of their internationals showed the experience needed to gain vital points. The side will fancy their chances of scoring in both legs against a vulnerable defence.

12. Juventus – Oh what could have been. Juventus should have won their group comprehensively but allowed Man City to overtake them and now get Bayern Munich. Flying domestically, Max Allegri’s squad will not be intimidated against the Germans, but without defender Giorgio Chiellini for the first leg will they be able to keep it tight to keep the tie in the balance back at the Allianz Arena?

13. PSV Eindhoven – Phillip Cocu’s men are playing with house money after an eventful group stage that saw them qualify despite losing two of their first three matches. Hopefully the young side will play with nothing to lose and attack Atletico at home knowing that they likely need two goals to give them a chance back in Spain.

14. Arsenal – It is easy to be disappointed if you are an Arsenal fan with a draw against Barcelona, but Wenger will approach the tie with a positive attitude, challenging his elite players like Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Laurent Koscielny and Petr Cech to remember how well they have played against the Catalan giants in the past. Will be a very tough tie but have little to lose.

15. Roma – Like their opponents Real Madrid, Roma have changed coaches since their last Champions League match. The influence of Luciano Spalletti has made a difference domestically but, in truth, too many current Roma players have not played well enough consistently to make them think they can seriously knock out a team like Real Madrid.

16. Gent – This side had a tremendous 2015, clinching their first ever Belgian title and finishing above Valencia and Lyon to reach this stage of the Champions League. A matchup against Wolfsburg wasn’t what some players wanted, instead they preferred a game against a bigger opponent, but since the draw they have talked up their chances of beating the German team who have been woeful away from home. The home first leg at Ghelamco Arena will be vital.