UEFA has announced the quarterfinals matchups for the 2013 Champions League. The matchups indicate a few lopsided tilts and two heavyweight matchups. After considering what each team must go through in order to move on, it is interesting to consider which teams' chances of winning the tournament have increased and which have decreased. Here is the power ranking for the remaining eight Champions league squads and their chances at reigning victorious.
1. Real Madrid: All conversation about Madrid's poor form in late 2012 has all but subsided, as Los Blancos have looked untouchable during the last few weeks. Many thought that the tilt with Manchester United could poise a tough challenge for the team's unity, but Jose Mourinho and company passed that test brilliantly with discipline and timely play. While Lionel Messi is the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, few would claim that he has been better than Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013. The Portuguese superstar has carried Madrid this year with 20 goals, including a pair against Barcelona in the deciding Copa del Rey match and another pair in both legs against United. However, the greatest point in Madrid's favor is the matchup against Galatasaray, arguably the weakest remaining side. Madrid is highly favored by pundits to win this match and that alone increases their chances at a finals berth.
2. Borussia Dortmund: Despite a dreadful year in the Bundesliga, Dortmund has looked tremendous in the Champions League. The team does not contain the flash of other contenders, but their industrious play coupled by timely scored and tough defense has made them a black horse to steal away this tournament. Many questioned this team's status after a 2-2 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of the round of 16 but a subsequent 3-0 win at home quelled doubts. Robert Lewandowski has scored five goals in the tournament and has looked dangerous in every game; and that goes without saying the contributions that other players have given, including Mario Gotze. The fact that they take on an inexperience Malaga side in the quarterfinals only helps their cause.
3. Barcelona: Is Blaugrana still the best team in Europe? Despite poor performances against Madrid and Milan a few weeks ago, their 4-0 destruction of AC Milan on Tuesday certainly hints that Barcelona has regained its form from earlier this year. Messi also broke out of his slump in big games with two important strikes and the team has looked healthy. Most would argue that Barcelona should be atop this list, but the match against Paris Saint-Germain is the big the obstacle they will need to leapfrog. While Messi may be the most dangerous player on the pitch, PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic will like the one that commands the most attention from either side's defense. His presence could force the Barcelona defense into a more conservative formation to limit his effectiveness on the counter.
4. Bayern Munich: The future Bundesliga champs were shocking in their Round of 16 battle with Arsenal. Despite thoroughly dominating the English side in the opening leg, Munich looked sloppy and disorganized at home in the second. The team has not bee consistent throughout the tournament, but they contain one of the most lethal offenses and could easily make the final for a second straight year. They must however get through a potent Juventus in order to achieve this goal.
5. Juventus: The Italian side stated earlier this week that it hoped to avoid facing Real Madrid, but had to settle for an equally volatile opponent in Bayern Munich. Despite the great challenge (in which Juventus is likely the underdog), the team has looked solid over the last few Champions league games and could be the most deceptively dangerous of the eight remaining sides. First off, the team is one of two teams remaining that has yet to lose in this tournament; the other is Borussia Dortmund. More importantly, they have showcased the best defense of any remaining teams. In eight matches thus far, Juventus has only conceded four goals; all of them came in the team's first three game of the tournament. Juventus has won five straight in the competitions, a feat no other team has accomplished. They lack the firepower of the other four teams listed above them, but they are organized and disciplined.
6. Paris Saint-Germain: PSG has been excellent in this tournament, but their match against Barcelona pits them as major underdogs. The team is efficient structurally and has plenty of goal scorers. However, the round of 16 encounters against Valencia did not show the team in top form and it is possible that the team's inconsistent league form could start appearing more regularly in the Champions League. Ibrahimovic is a major weapon and could arguably turn the tide.
7. Malaga: The new Cinderella team shocked the world with a solid win over Porto, but they must now take on a bonafide contender in Borussia Dortmund. Isco has continued his ascent to stardom and was tremendous in the second leg against Porto.
8. Galatasaray: No one should overlook the Turkish side's accomplishments in this tournament. The team pulled off a tremendous win against Schalke in the second leg and has looked imposing with the addition of Didier Drogba. The African star was the difference a year ago in Chelsea's championship run and should not be overlooked. However, the team drew a Madrid side that has looked as good as ever and the first leg in Madrid could spell doom for Galatasaray.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
