Champions League power rankings: Liverpool, PSG, Barcelona and each contender’s chances ranked
The Champions League knockout stages finally return tonight as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face the task of breaking down Diego Simeone’s rigorously organised Atletico Madrid.
Despite the chaos of the club’s two-year Uefa ban for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, an angrily determined Manchester City remain betting favourites to lift the trophy in Istanbul, but will first have to negotiate the almighty task of defeating Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid.
Barcelona are still immersed in their striking rescue mission, with former Middlesbrough forward Martin Braithwaite linked with an emergency move from Leganes in the absence of Luis Suarez, while Frank Lampard’s toiling Chelsea hope to revive memories of their glory in 2012 against Bayern Munich.
Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain’s quest for European dominance takes flight again, this time with Neymar “happy” and firing, against Borussia Dortmund’s thrilling young side, spearheaded by Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland. Jose Mourinho is hoping to pull of another masterclass when Spurs – deprived of both Harry Kane and Son Heung-min – take on Julian Nagelsmann’s prolific Bundesliga contenders RB Leipzig.
A slightly troubled Juventus take on Lyon, with Maurizio Sarri looking to quell reservations about his management among the club’s supporters, while Valencia and Atalanta complete the last-16 draw. Click through the gallery below to see our Champions League power rankings:
Please click through the gallery above.
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