UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Five things we learned

Although the draw for the quarter final is only on Friday, the results of the first knock-out rounds certainly saw some interesting anomalies. Whilst some teams, like Real Madrid and PSG romped to the quarters, for others, like Chelsea and Bayern Munich, it was a tight affair. Although, a couple of upsets were one the cards, none were forthcoming as all the usual suspects made it through. Here are the five major talking points.

#1 Can anybody stop Bayern or Real Madrid?

If there are two teams that everyone will be hoping to avoid when the draw for the quarter-finals happens in Nyon on Friday, it will be Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Both clubs have established themselves as front runners for this year’s big prize. Whilst the German club is looking to become the first club to retain their Champions League crown, Los Blancos are in search of “La Décima”.

With the addition of Pep Guardiola to their ranks, Bayern have done the impossible, they have added to an already perfect team. And their 50 game unbeaten streak is a testament to that. In the Champions League, they have cruised along thus far, but you can be sure that they will turn on the style if it needs be. One team who have always been about the style has been Real Madrid. Their 9-2 aggregate win over Schalke was their biggest in the Champions League and in Cristiano Ronaldo, they have a player, who already has 41 goals this season, including 13 in the Champions League – his career-best haul. Can anybody stop them, on current form, it doesn’t look likely. But stranger things have happened. If, however both sides meet up, it should make for a fascinating encounter.