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James Maw (Associate Editor, @JamesMawFFT)
Manchester City
Pep's team has not only achieved a relatively favorable score in the last 16 games (Schalke finished second in the under-performing group and is fighting in the Bundesliga), but they are also the most prolific scorers in European football – enough to sow fear. hearts of any rival.
They have gone farther than this stage twice in eight attempts, but it's their best and most experienced team to date. With the bogey Liverpool group potentially more focused on the title race in the Premier League, there should not be too much to fear in Europe. Their greatest concern will be their tendency to suffer the odd defense.
Andrew Murray (Editor, @Andy_MurrayFFT)
Barcelona
Always be afraid of the voracious dog. It is true that only four years have pbaded since Barça's last victory in the Champions League, but the time that Real Madrid is preparing is over.
This comeback against PSG in 2016/17 was only a suspension of execution and the capitulation of last season against Roma brought a fearless reflection in Catalonia. They remain imperfect – Messidependencia is still one thing – but signs of European unrest have returned.
At Ousmane Dembele, they have the kind of direct player they need since the departure of Neymar, plus a goalkeeper at the top of his form, Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Go on to the next round, when they will be without Xavi-Iniesta heir Arthur to hurt themselves, and they will be hard to beat.
Chris Flanagan (Editor, @CFlanaganFFT)
Barcelona
There are two clubs that I love more than others: Barcelona and Juventus. The influence of Cristiano Ronaldo could be powerful for Juve, but for the moment, I would go for Barcelona.
It's been six years since anyone, with the exception of Barça or Real Madrid, won the Champions League – they know how to do it. It's hard to support Madrid now that they've lost Ronaldo, but their biggest rivals and Lionel Messi have a point to prove. Last season's 3-0 defeat of Roma in Rome hurt them a lot. They will not be so complacent anymore.
Joe Brewin (British digital publisher, @JoeBrewinFFT)
Juventus
Surely … well? The old lady has qualified for two finals in the last four seasons, but she has been beaten twice – as one might expect, it must be said – against Real Madrid, powered by MSN and powered by MSN.
But this time, they have Cristiano in their sleeves. Max Allegri has long been able to count on a highly organized and extremely resilient team to overcome a severe enemy (notably in Madrid in 2014/15 and Barcelona the following season), but his power of star at the extreme point was lacking for the do it all the way.
Not this time: Ronaldo, 34, leads the A-series scorers and may even like the competition more than his own thinking. He is the finishing touch of a team that no one will want to face.
Hunter Godson (Editor, @ HunterGodson)
real Madrid
Three consecutive Champions League trophies seemed to be enough for the most successful team in the competition during the first exchanges of the season. With Ronaldo en route and leaving for Turin, Madrid quickly collapsed. Defeats against a handful of La Liga boys who badped resulted in Julen Lopetegui's dismissal and a team lacking motivation to cross the distance again.
Enter ex-madridista Santiago Solari. After a humble defeat against CSKA in the Champions League, Los Blancos began to move up a gear. After a 3-1 victory in the Madrid derby, Real are now six points behind Barça in the league, and it seems that the winners in series have finally awakened from their nap in football.
They may not have Ronny this time, but Sergio Ramos & Co. have a penchant for trophies and trophy tournaments on special occasions. Add to that the discovery that Vinicius Junior is actually pretty good at football and it seems that Madrid could just win it again.
Conor Pope (editor of digital functions, @ConorPope)
Liverpool
The main argument against Jurgen Klopp, who has taken a step closer to his side and won it this year, is that it 's a real title race.
But the national form should rather be favorable to them: Liverpool is the only undefeated Premier League team at home this season, Mohamed Salah is leading the standings and badists, and their recent vacillation has been two draws, a month after a single defeat.
The prospect of a European night in Anfield raises fear among all teams on the continent. And do not expect them to leave because of mistakes at the guard this time.
Gregg Davies (Chief Sub, @GreggDavies)
Atletico Madrid
NOW LIS …
Always the bridesmaids. After suffering painful defeats at Bayern Munich in 1974, then at Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016, Diego Simeone's men can only be more motivated to end the hoodoo in their (new) stadium on June 1st.
Although not quite the stubborn strength of recent seasons – four goals for Dortmund in the group stage was a record loss for El Cholo – Los Rojiblancos I do not know how to negotiate a knockout tie: in the last decade, Rubin Kazan and Real Madrid have been the only ones to beat Atleti on two legs in Europe.
Frustrated Juventus – and old foe Cristiano Ronaldo – in the last 16, and they will imagine their chances of finally going to the end.
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