The Group Stage of the Champions League has officially come to an end. On December 20, UEFA will draw the next set of matches for the Round of 16.
Here are the remaining teams and how they rank against each other.
1.Bayern Munich (13 points)
Germany's top team was the runner-up in last year's edition of the tournament and while they did not have a superlative group stage (mainly due to a tough group), the team still managed to win their group with a tremendous display of offensive bravura. They scored 11 goals in their final three matches of group play for a total of 15 in the six matches. The team's superior play down the stretch should be a major factor in the knockout stages.
2. Barcelona (13 Points)
From all accounts, Lionel Messi should be okay, but if he is out for a prolongued period of time Barca could be in trouble as Messi has registered on almost half of Barcelona's goals this season. He scored five in six UCL matches and places this team near the top of list with his presence. Barcelona would be at the top of the list thanks to their superior playstyle, but they are weak on the counter attack and have a questionable defense. Should Tito Vilanova and company bolster their backend during the January transfer, then this team could easily be at the top of the list.
3. Real Madrid (11 Points)
They did not win their group, but no one should discount Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo. When Ronaldo is on his game (as he was against Ajax Amsterdam), this could be the most dangerous team in the UCL. Borussia Dortmund did manage to shut them down so they are not without their problems, but Mourinho will make adjustments in the January transfer window to bolster its backend. Mourinho should also get Mesut Ozil at his best because he was not anywhere near that in the group stage. If he can find that rhythm, then this midfield is infinitely better.
4. Borussia Dortmund (14 Points)
They walked through the Group of Death relatively unscathed and shut down Madrid. They are not as deep as the above teams and for that reason are placed this low. However, they are the dark horse frontrunner to win the Champions League this year.
5. Manchester United (12 Points)
Sir Alex Ferguson should never be overlooked. Man U never looked dominant in the entire tournament's group stage save for one match, but many players that were struggling early on (Javier Hernandez) are getting back to form so this team should be rather dangerous in the knockout stages. Goalkeeping is certainly a concern for this squad though David de Gea seems to be getting back into the swing of things.
6. Schalke 04 (12 Points)
Another German side that had an impressive first round in a competitive group. Schalke is not as explosive as the other two teams listed above, but they are certainly a disciplined team that is more than capable of scoring the opportunity goal.
7. Paris St. Germain (15 points)
The book is still out on the French squad after they won a rather tame Group A, but they are deadly offensively and played well defensively in the group stage.
8. Porto (13 Points)
The Portuguese side tripped up in its last match with PSG, but they ran through Group A with relative ease, only allowing four goals in six matches. James Rodriguez is a major threat in the midfield for this squad and could create a great deal of problems in the knockout rounds.
9. Valencia (13 Points)
Valencia not only put up 13 points, but essentially tied Bayern Munich atop Group F. They tied Germany's top team in their second match and managed two terrific performances against a surprising BATE Borisov squad.
10. Shakhtar Donetsk (10 Points)
They slipped up against Juventus in the final match, but they exhibited early on that they were a contender in the Champions League. The defeat of Chelsea at home was a major statement and this team has played with poise and confidence in each of its matches.
11. Juventus (12 Points)
Juventus won its group, but was hardly convincing throughout the early stages of the tournament. The offense was generally woeful save for one match against Nordsjaelland (who gave up 22 goals in the tournament) and against a severely underachieving Chelsea side. They will need to be better on that end in the knockout stages because there are plenty of teams that are solid defensively and could shut down an inept offense with ease.
12. Celtic (10 Points)
Celtic could theoretically be higher on this list after their two memorable performances against Barcelona, but the quality remaining in this tournament is quite high. This team qualified at the last second and has high confidence; something that could make them a major surprise moving forward.
13. Arsenal (10 Points)
Arsene Wenger's squad has seen better days, but Arsenal has the talent to make a run. More consistent play from them would certainly help as they have had too many hiccups in the champions league to date. The loss to Olympiacos is certainly one that comes to mind and the 2-0 loss at home to Schalke 04 is another.
14. Malaga (12 Points)
As a group winner, Malaga arguably should be higher, but Group C was a relatively easy group with a Zenit St. Petersburg tremendously underperforming. Nonetheless, they are a team to be reckoned with and could surprise an unsuspecting foe.
15. Galatasaray (10 Points)
The Turkish side was mediocre in a rather easy group but benefitted from playing a B squad from Manchester United in their second to last match and a disappointing Braga squad in their final match. Their win over CFR Cluj-Napoca was impressive, but this was not a top tier group for them to compete in. They only managed seven goals in the six games and could be in trouble in the knockout stages.
16. AC Milan (8 Points)
The fewest points of any team qualifying in a relatively tame group. AC Milan has had a pitiful season and the UCL was not ideal either. Their qualification is mainly the result of underperformance from other teams in their squad; Zenit St. Petersburg gave up an own goal in their first match to secure victory for Milan. Their other win turned out against an inconsistent Anderlecht side. This team does not have the power to make it out of the knockout stages.
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