The champions league is scheduled to restart in February. The teams will face off for the knockout, the one where all the real drama starts. Though teams now have enough gap to realign themselves and also work on their domestic appearances.

The Champions league draw god hasn’t been lucky to a few teams including once again the recap of Arsenal facing Bayern Munich. All teams need to focus on their glitches to turn around the game on their side. The focus by almost all the teams is to reign on their home soil, and progress through the second leg with an advantage but turnarounds, shocks, unexpected result is all what everyone waits for when it come to much awaited Champion’s league knockout stages.

Manchester city vs. AS Monaco

Manchester City is put up against the freest running and scoring team in Europe. Monaco’s double against Tottenham will surely come as a warning to Pep Guardiola’s side which by far has not been up to the mark. Though Manchester City may consider itself quite lucky to have avoided one of the top seeds in a draw, but Monaco will be a serious threat to Pep’s side.

Considering recent seasons, Monaco has knocked out big clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham, and coach Leonardo Jardim has managed to breed a side which is fully packed with young talent that is confident and offensive. The satisfying news for Guardiola is that this game takes place in a few months which means he has time to tighten his team’s defense or add new reinforcements.

Real Madrid vs. Napoli

Real Madrid has been rewarded for finishing second in their group, facing Napoli. However, as runners-up they’ll have to play the second leg on away soil, which means that they’ll either have to perform exceptionally well in the first leg in Spain, or they’ll need to get a result in the intimidating surroundings of Napoli’s Stadio San Paolo. All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo who has recently won 4th Ballon D’Or.

Napoli has had a bit of an off season so far, which seemed to be turning around in a good way. A hot start for the Italian side was soon brought to an abrupt stop when their key player/striker Arkadiusz Milik suffered a knee injury. They struggled and shelled themselves badly in the game and looked wildly out of balance in every area of the ground pitch. But they seem to finally be finding their footing again.

Real Madrid will have a pretty offensive game against Napoli, the team with similar counter attacking play and runs.

Benefica vs. Borussia Dortmund

The group stage draw did not seem kind to Borussia Dortmund when they were pitted against defending champions Real Madrid. But they perked up to that challenge and won their group, and they’ve been rewarded with a comparatively easy Round of 16 draw. Benfica is certainly not a drooping team — they’re top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga, but BVB will see themselves as favorites in the knockout stage.

Benfica are an interesting team and a tricky matchup in the Champions League. Though they lack the astounding star studded players, they do have a team filled with solid underrated players. The likes of Raul Jimenez, Franco Cervi and Victor Lindelof aren’t outstanding on their own, but as a unit combined. Benfica are a solid team capable of delivering surprising and magical results.

Borussia Dortmund’s lack of domestic success in Bundesliga hasn’t moistened their European dream. Dortmund and their young, free-wheeling team have always created a lot of excitement around the club, with every match becoming something that fans like to watch.

Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal

Arsenal’s initial elation at having topped a Champions’ League group for the first time in five years didn’t last for a long time as they now face their familiar knockout tie against Bayern Munich. In another edition of a one-sided Champions League rivalry, Bayern Munich will play Arsenal in the round of 16 for the third time in five seasons. Bayern ousted Arsenal in back-to-back seasons in the first knockout round in 2013 and 2014, and also in 2005. Some hope is emergent for Arsenal fans, thanks to improved performances this season, which have seen them mount a convincing title challenge. Arsene Wenger will be looking up for redemption this year against still the favorites Bayern Munich.

Porto vs. Juventus

There are great expectations from Juventus, for reaching the quarter-finals with ease, just as there is at home to win the Scudetto but it’s all relative and one mustn’t underestimate their opponents at this stage of the competition.

In reality, things are and will never be that simple for both the teams. Porto must be approached with caution and not with ease, knowing they’ve already knocked out one Italian team.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. Atlético Madrid

Atlético Madrid has always surprised their fans, reaching two finals in the last three years makes them the big favorite in this one. Though, Leverkusen can be a knotty team to beat. The problem for Roger Schmidt, once spoken of as a future Bayern boss, is that Leverkusen has not had many days this season, so one can expect a stunner from this side anytime. But Atlético’s European experience, plus the edge from the likes of the in-form Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez, should be ample to see the Spanish side swinging across the Round of 16.

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona

The same teams play each other over and again; the same draw, which Barcelona has won in the previous two meetings in the last four years. Though Barcelona’s style of football is always terrifying, its midfield seems weaker and with lack of stamina and pace. This can turn out to be a cause of concern when playing against players such as Verrati, Matuidi and Motta in that specific area of field.

The absence of Ibrahimovic has definitely reduced the fire of PSG. This particular game much be played with caution by both sides, where Barcelona is weaker in this stage of the season. For PSG, there could be some fatigue and the absence of their star will have to be reduced by players of different characteristics like Cavani, Lavezzi and Lucas Moura and specially Angel di Maria who has now become the shadow of the player who propelled Real Madrid to success in 2013.

Sevilla Vs Leicester City

Sevilla has gone through a journey of unknown this season and they finally seem getting along with the champion’s leagues’ big boys after winning the Europa league for the last three seasons running. They are not only in Europe’s top club competition now, but they’re there with a new coach: former Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli.

On the other hand the champions of England are making a complete catastrophe of their title defense at home, but surprisingly in Europe, they made serene progress through Group G. Leicester will find themselves going toe-to-toe against Jorge Sampaoli’s attacking side in another matter entirely. It will be an entertaining game, but ultimately, Sevilla’s attack will have just too much for Leicester’s defense to take.

Champion’s league success is not achieved by how many star players you have, but the aggression you show on the field, playing against the top seeds or being one of the top seeds. One can expect Man city, Dortmund, Atlético Madrid to advance with ease. But one can always expect the unexpected from the Champions League.

For complete fixture list, visit here.

Picture Courtesy: UEFA