Ideal Champions League Round of 16 Matchups
This Monday brings the draw for the Champions League Round of 16.
With the group stages concluded, the pace of Europe's premier competition speeds up, somewhat, as the knock-out stages arrive.
The perfect draw contains the right blend of marquee fixtures and closely matched games, while preserving enough major ties for the latter stages.
It's no fun arriving at the semi-finals with two seemingly predictable games, for example.
Therefore, with all permutations considered, here's a look at some exciting potential matchups for the Champions League Round of 16.
Atletico Madrid vs. Bayer Leverkusen
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We start with the winners of Group A, and 2014 runners-up, Atletico Madrid.
Sometimes it's interesting to match two similar styles together and see which side prevails. That would certainly be the case should Diego Simeone's side draw Bayer Leverkusen.
Both of these teams have uncompromising defences, averaging two of the best ratios for shots conceded in Europe's top five divisions. They are also no strangers to physical, aerial battles at both ends of the field.
Leverkusen (274) and Atletico (235) both contested the most aerial duels of any side still in the Champions League this season and should provide an entertaining contest in the Round of 16.
Their most recent meeting was in the 2010-11 Europa League group stage, where both matches finished in 1-1 draws.
Real Madrid vs. Schalke
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This tie would not be the most entertaining viewing. It is, however, an ideal scenario for the Round of 16 draw.
Real Madrid surged through their group in imposing fashion, recording six straight wins and becoming the first side to post an unblemished group-stage record twice.
Schalke are one of the poorest sides to make this stage, qualifying with a goal difference of minus five. They conceded 14 goals in six games, eight more than any other side to qualify and the fourth-worst return of any group-stage participant.
Their prospects of advancing further appear bleak at best.
Regardless of who they face, Real will almost certainly make it through this stage and deserve bigger prey at a later date. Schalke, meanwhile, will most likely be sent on their way.
Real mauled the German side 9-2 on aggregate at the same stage last year and would do so again, not that many would watch.
More importantly for this hypothetical draw, this tie allows a host of tastier matchups further down the list.
Monaco vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
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Monaco are the tie that all unseeded teams will want.
They managed to win Group C and did so by scoring just four goals in six games, three fewer than any other side to qualify.
Pitting them against Shakhtar Donetsk is more of an even tie than many would give them, but it presents an intriguing clash of attack versus defence.
Monaco currently hold the best defensive record in the Champions League, incredibly conceding just one goal and keeping five clean sheets in six games.
Presenting that record against Luiz Adriano, the tournament's top scorer, would clearly test its credentials.
The Brazilian equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's group-stage record of nine goals—despite missing the final game—and leads the line for a team that scored 15 goals in their six matches.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Basel
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Borussia Dortmund versus Basel would be one for the hipsters out there, and would not necessarily be as predictable as it seems on paper.
The Swiss side can blow hot and cold, losing away to Ludogorets and being dismantled 5-1 by Real Madrid.
That said, they also have some impressive European scalps to their name over the past few seasons: Liverpool, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manchester United have all been defeated in the past four years, and their squad is always a hotbed of young, exciting talent.
Pair that against a Dortmund side formidable in the Champions League, yet struggling towards the foot of the Bundesliga and suddenly, the tie appears far more even.
Given the pace and counter-attacking nature of both sides, as well as the flair on show in attacking positions, this would provide another watchable spectacle.
Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint-Germain
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As mentioned, every draw needs marquee fixtures.
Though it would be tough to lose either one of these sides so early on, Bayern Munich versus Paris Saint-Germain would be a game most football fans would tune into.
It pits two of Europe's most exciting sides in the final third against each other, and, of course, provides another matchup between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pep Guardiola.
Bayern would be heavily favoured to come through but haven't faced the Parisians in their new guise as a European powerhouse.
To reach the next level and be a genuine contender for the trophy, PSG will have to start knocking out the big boys at some stage. Why not start with one of the very best?
Barcelona vs. Manchester City
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Suddenly, the big ties start rolling in.
Manchester City barely squeaked through in Group E and would deserve a tough matchup should it come their way on Monday—something Barcelona would provide.
Both of these clubs have been struggling to find their very best form of late, and this tie would be another tough one to call, with all key players fit.
It would also present a replay of last season's Round of 16, in which the Catalan club prevailed after some red cards blunted City's challenge.
Manuel Pellegrini's side will feel those games didn't reflect their true potential and would want to prove themselves far more competitive in a replay of that tie.
The winner of this fixture would install themselves as one of the hot favourites for the trophy.
Chelsea vs. Juventus
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Another absorbing tie would be Chelsea against Juventus.
Jose Mourinho's side are one of the favourites for this year's competition and are the current top scorers with 17 goals.
They would be expected to beat the Italian champions, but their most recent meeting with Juventus ended in a comprehensive 3-0 defeat back in 2012.
That loss eliminated the Blues from that year's group stages and fans would been keen to gain revenge for that game. Juventus, on the other hand, have endured a quiet few years in the Champions League and will want to start the knock-out stages with a bang.
The individuals on show for both sides would make this another enjoyable contest and one that could easily provide a shock.
Porto vs. Arsenal
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Finally, we finish with Porto landing Arsenal.
Aside from Monaco, this would be the tie Arsene Wenger would want most of all, but it's another that would prove much closer than many might assume.
Porto breezed through qualification and are one of only three unbeaten sides left in the competition. Only Chelsea (17) scored more than their 16 goals and they actually managed 22 more shots than Arsenal during the group stages.
The Gunners, who were unable to capitalise on Borussia Dortmund's struggles, finished second in Group D and appeared shaky in defence.
Of the 16 remaining teams, only Basel allowed more shots on target than Wenger's side and Porto have the firepower to trouble a fragile back line. This may be a case of be careful what you wish for, should the Gunners draw Porto.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
