The Champions League knockout stage is in full swing, and the power dynamics in Europe’s biggest club competition have shifted dramatically. The play-off round delivered major upsets, thrilling performances, and a new No. 1 in our rankings.
City’s Crown Slips as Madrid Makes a Statement
The biggest shock came at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Real Madrid dismantled defending champions Manchester City with a 6-3 aggregate victory. Kylian Mbappé was the star of the show, leading Los Blancos to a dominant win and sending a message to the rest of the competition: Madrid is back in business.
Paris Saint-Germain also flexed their muscles, annihilating Brest 10-0 across two legs. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund made light work of Sporting CP, who struggled after losing coach Ruben Amorim to Manchester United.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich scraped past Celtic in an unconvincing fashion, while Italy’s contingent took a major hit, with Juventus, Atalanta, and AC Milan all crashing out. Feyenoord, Benfica, and PSV pulled off memorable victories to book their places in the last 16.
Who’s Rising, Who’s Falling?
The knockout phase has completely reshuffled our Champions League Power Rankings. Here’s where the remaining contenders stand:
16. Feyenoord (↔)
Against all odds, Feyenoord stunned AC Milan, even after selling star striker Santiago Giménez to their opponents. With fearless performances, they’ve proved they belong in the last 16.
15. Benfica (⬇️)
A rollercoaster 3-3 draw with Monaco sealed their spot, but defensive issues make them a wildcard. A tough last-16 draw against either Liverpool or Barcelona awaits.
14. PSV (⬆️)
Overcame Juventus in dramatic fashion, showing immense resilience. However, a matchup against Arsenal or Inter will test their limits.
13. Club Brugge (⬆️)
The tournament’s surprise package! Stunning Atalanta to advance, their counterattacks are lethal, and they’ll be looking to shock another giant in the next round.
12. Lille (↔)
A sensational league phase saw them top a group with Madrid, Bayern, Milan, and PSG. Now they face Dortmund or Brugge in a winnable last-16 tie.
11. Borussia Dortmund (↔)
Sacked their manager after a shocking loss to Bologna but bounced back in style. They have the firepower to cause problems for their next opponent.
10. Aston Villa (↔)
Unai Emery’s side punched their ticket straight to the last 16 and avoided bigger threats in the draw. Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio’s arrivals have bolstered their attack.
9. Arsenal (↔)
Injury woes continue to mount, with Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka sidelined. Despite a strong group-stage finish, their attacking depth is a growing concern.
8. Paris Saint-Germain (↔)
From almost crashing out to utterly destroying Brest, PSG is surging. With an in-form attack featuring Dembele and Kvaratskhelia, they’ll be a nightmare opponent for Barcelona or Liverpool.
7. Bayern Munich (⬇️)
Scraped past Celtic, relying heavily on Harry Kane. Defensive frailties persist, and a tough last-16 draw against either Leverkusen or Atletico could spell trouble.
6. Bayer Leverkusen (⬇️)
Florian Wirtz is in the form of his life, but Xabi Alonso’s side faces a daunting test against either Bayern or Madrid. Experience remains their biggest question mark.
5. Inter Milan (⬇️)
Quietly one of the most solid teams in the tournament. With the best defense in Europe, they’ll be a formidable challenge for anyone.
4. Atletico Madrid (⬇️)
Griezmann and Julian Alvarez are leading a resurgent attack, and their signature resilience remains intact. A brutal last-16 matchup against Madrid or Bayern awaits.
3. Barcelona (⬇️)
Unpredictable but explosive. Their defense remains shaky, but their attack can tear anyone apart. Facing PSG or Benfica next.
2. Liverpool (⬇️)
Finished top of the league phase, but fixture congestion and potential clash with PSG raises doubts. However, Mohamed Salah remains a game-changer.
1. Real Madrid (⬆️)
The new No. 1! They dismantled City and are getting key players back at the right time. With Bellingham, Mbappé, and their famous Champions League aura, Madrid is once again the team to beat.
What’s Next?
With the last 16 draw looming, the path to Wembley is becoming clearer. Can Madrid continue their dominance? Will PSG finally break through? Or is there another Cinderella story in the making?
Stay tuned as the Champions League drama unfolds!
