Champions League: All you need to know ahead of the last 16

The Champions League resumes on Tuesday with 16 teams now vying for a place in the final at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on June 3rd.

The second round first legs will take place over this week and next week before a break of a week and then the second legs in the first two weeks of March.

The quarter-final draw will then take place on March 17th and is the first stage where teams from the same country can play each other.

With three English teams left in the competition, here is your team-by-team guide to the last 16.

ARSENAL

Last-16 opponent: Bayern Munich — first leg (a) February 15th, second leg (h) March 7th.

Overview: Arsene Wenger’s side qualified easily from a straightforward group, beating both Ludogorets and Basle twice and drawing both matches with Paris St Germain to finish top ahead of the French champions, but have fallen off the title pace domestically as speculation continues around the future of Wenger plus star duo Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

Strengths: With Sanchez and Ozil, the Gunners have plenty of creativity and the ability to unlock most defences.

Weaknesses: Arsenal lack leaders and players prepared to grab games by the scruff of the neck.

Odds: 25/1.

ATLETICO MADRID

Last-16 opponent: Bayer Leverkusen — first leg (a) February 21st, second leg (h) March 15th.

Overview: Atletico impressively topped Group D ahead of Bayern Munich after recording five wins from six.

Strengths: Antoine Griezmann is having another fine season, backed up by fellow attackers Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, Fernando Torres and Kevin Gameiro.

Weaknesses: Their transfer ban has prevented Diego Simeone strengthening his squad and the mental scars of losing two Champions League finals in three years to rivals Real are likely to run deep.

Odds: 8/1.

BARCELONA

Last-16 opponent: Paris St Germain — first leg (a) February 14th, second leg (h) March 8th.

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Overview: Aside from defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, five-time winners Barca waltzed through Group C, scoring 20 goals and finishing six points clear of second place.

Strengths: Lionel Messi, the competition’s top scorer with 10, is an obvious one and, with the Argentinian joined in attack by Neymar and Luis Suarez, plenty of goals is another. The Catalan club are perhaps also one of the few teams remaining who other sides will genuinely fear playing.

Weaknesses: Luis Enrique’s team still look vulnerable at the back. Javier Mascherano and Samuel Umtiti definitely have frailties and they could be exposed by Europe’s top clubs.

Odds: 3/1.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Last-16 opponent: Atletico Madrid — first leg (h) February 21st, second leg (a) March 15th.

Overview: Leverkusen saw off Tottenham and CSKA Moscow to finish second behind Monaco in Group E following two wins and four draws.

Strengths: Roger Schmidt’s side demonstrated their organisation and resilience by remaining unbeaten in the group stage.

Weaknesses: Inconsistent form has left them mid-table in the Bundesliga. They could lack the necessary firepower to progress, although striker Javier Hernandez — until recently without a league goal since October 1 — has now netted three goals in his last two games.

Odds: 125/1.

BAYERN MUNICH

Last-16 opponent: Arsenal — first leg (h) February 15th, second leg (a) March 7th.

Overview: Following defeats to FC Rostov and Atletico Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti’s side had to settle for second spot in Group D behind the Spanish club.

Strengths: Refreshed from the four-week German winter break, Bayern have a team packed with quality and experience, with prolific Poland international Robert Lewandowski leading the line.

Weaknesses: Very few, although should anything happen to Lewandowski and Arjen Robben then the goals could dry up.

Odds: 4/1.

BENFICA

 

The Champions League resumes on Tuesday with 16 teams now vying for a place in the final at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on June 3rd.

The second round first legs will take place over this week and next week before a break of a week and then the second legs in the first two weeks of March.

The quarter-final draw will then take place on March 17th and is the first stage where teams from the same country can play each other.

With three English teams left in the competition, here is your team-by-team guide to the last 16.

ARSENAL

Last-16 opponent: Bayern Munich — first leg (a) February 15th, second leg (h) March 7th.

Overview: Arsene Wenger’s side qualified easily from a straightforward group, beating both Ludogorets and Basle twice and drawing both matches with Paris St Germain to finish top ahead of the French champions, but have fallen off the title pace domestically as speculation continues around the future of Wenger plus star duo Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

Strengths: With Sanchez and Ozil, the Gunners have plenty of creativity and the ability to unlock most defences.

Weaknesses: Arsenal lack leaders and players prepared to grab games by the scruff of the neck.

Odds: 25/1.

ATLETICO MADRID

Last-16 opponent: Bayer Leverkusen — first leg (a) February 21st, second leg (h) March 15th.

Overview: Atletico impressively topped Group D ahead of Bayern Munich after recording five wins from six.

Strengths: Antoine Griezmann is having another fine season, backed up by fellow attackers Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, Fernando Torres and Kevin Gameiro.

Weaknesses: Their transfer ban has prevented Diego Simeone strengthening his squad and the mental scars of losing two Champions League finals in three years to rivals Real are likely to run deep.

Odds: 8/1.

BARCELONA

Last-16 opponent: Paris St Germain — first leg (a) February 14th, second leg (h) March 8th.

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Overview: Aside from defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, five-time winners Barca waltzed through Group C, scoring 20 goals and finishing six points clear of second place.

Strengths: Lionel Messi, the competition’s top scorer with 10, is an obvious one and, with the Argentinian joined in attack by Neymar and Luis Suarez, plenty of goals is another. The Catalan club are perhaps also one of the few teams remaining who other sides will genuinely fear playing.

Weaknesses: Luis Enrique’s team still look vulnerable at the back. Javier Mascherano and Samuel Umtiti definitely have frailties and they could be exposed by Europe’s top clubs.

Odds: 3/1.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Last-16 opponent: Atletico Madrid — first leg (h) February 21st, second leg (a) March 15th.

Overview: Leverkusen saw off Tottenham and CSKA Moscow to finish second behind Monaco in Group E following two wins and four draws.

Strengths: Roger Schmidt’s side demonstrated their organisation and resilience by remaining unbeaten in the group stage.

Weaknesses: Inconsistent form has left them mid-table in the Bundesliga. They could lack the necessary firepower to progress, although striker Javier Hernandez — until recently without a league goal since October 1 — has now netted three goals in his last two games.

Odds: 125/1.

BAYERN MUNICH

Last-16 opponent: Arsenal — first leg (h) February 15th, second leg (a) March 7th.

Overview: Following defeats to FC Rostov and Atletico Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti’s side had to settle for second spot in Group D behind the Spanish club.

Strengths: Refreshed from the four-week German winter break, Bayern have a team packed with quality and experience, with prolific Poland international Robert Lewandowski leading the line.

Weaknesses: Very few, although should anything happen to Lewandowski and Arjen Robben then the goals could dry up.

Odds: 4/1.

BENFICA