Ranking the Champions League Round-of-16 Games in Order of Excitement
The draw for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League has inevitably presented some thrilling ties, matches that will be watched all over the world and not just in Europe.
Which are the best ties, though? And which ones will you be watching?
We've ranked the matches in order of how exciting we think they'll be, but what is your opinion? Let's get ranking.
8. Basel vs. Porto
1 of 8
On Matchday 6, Basel did well to get the draw they needed at Anfield to knock Liverpool out at the group stages, and they'll feel confident that they can get a positive result in at least one of their legs against Porto.
Porto are perennial Champions League participants but never really get much further than where they are right now, and whilst this meeting will be an interesting one, it is hardly going to set the pulses racing.
7. Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atletico Madrid
2 of 8
Last season's runners-up, Atletico Madrid, made it out of their group ahead of Juventus, and the Spanish champions have been rewarded for that feat by securing a tie with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
The Germans came out of a strange Group C in which they qualified with two matches to spare only to finish second behind a rock-solid Monaco. They'll hope to be in better form than they have been lately when the matches against Atletico come around. They have currently won just one of their last five.
6. Arsenal vs. Monaco
3 of 8
Arsenal's collapse in throwing away a three–goal lead to draw at home to Anderlecht doesn't look so bad now; had they won their group, they'd have ended up facing Juventus in the last 16.
They instead take on a Monaco side that qualified from its group after only conceding one goal, and although the tie will evoke memories for manager Arsene Wenger, who was in charge at Monaco between 1987 and 1994, it doesn't quite promise the thrills that plenty of the others do.
5. Schalke vs. Real Madrid
4 of 8
Schalke won't need reminding of the last time Real Madrid came to town, as the Spanish giants ran riot in Gelsenkirchen in last season's last 16, winning 6-1 thanks to doubles from Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.
They became European champions three months later, and they maintained that form on the way to winning this season's Group B with six wins out of six.
Schalke, who lost heavily at home to Chelsea in the group stages, will fear another one-sided tie.
4. Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund
5 of 8
In a tie that will evoke memories of the 1997 Champions League final, Italian champions Juventus have been paired with Borussia Dortmund, who won that final 3-1 some 17 years ago.
Jurgen Klopp's men have disappointed in the Bundesliga this season, but they topped their Champions League group to set up this tie against a side that will be disappointed not to have won its section.
The Turin giants will be at home first in a tie that promises plenty of technical excellence.
3. Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Bayern Munich
6 of 8
On October 21st this season, Shakhtar Donetsk and Bayern Munich scored 14 Champions League goals between them on the same night.
Shakhtar were in Belarus facing BATE Borisov, and Bayern were in the Stadio Olimpico taking on Roma. Both sides showed their awesome attacking prowess in recording results that made the rest of Europe sit up and take notice.
Donetsk has always been regarded as a tricky place for opposition teams to go to, and Pep Guardiola's men aren't likely to relish the trip to Ukraine, even if they emerge from the tie victorious.
2. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Chelsea
7 of 8
Demba Ba's dramatic late goal at Stamford Bridge took Chelsea past Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 on aggregate last season, but the Blues will be eyeing a much more comfortable passage to the quarter-finals this time around.
The added factor of David Luiz makes this a thoroughly watchable tie, and one that will again catch the imagination of plenty of European football fans. With the Blues riding high at the top of the Premier League and looking in good form under Jose Mourinho, the Londoners will expect to win.
1. Manchester City vs. Barcelona
8 of 8
For the tie of the round, though, we go to another repeat of one of last season's last 16 matches: the meeting of Manchester City and Barcelona.
A terrific performance at the Etihad Stadium and a red card for City defender Martin Demichelis helped Barca to a 4-1 aggregate win overall last time out, but City seem to have got stronger since then and will be determined to test Luis Enrique's defence.
In addition, the battle between Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi will be a fascinating one to watch, and it all adds up to a titanic tussle over two legs.
