How teams reach the 1/8 finals of the 2023/24 Champions League: who is better, who is worse

The round of 16 matches of the Champions League begin this Tuesday, February 11, and the teams have changed a lot compared to December. Two months are given to sign contracts, reverse the momentum or be filled with doubts.

There are four teams that are one step ahead of the rest. These are Madrid, City, Inter and Arsenal. Ancelotti’s men took to the field after playing perhaps their best game of the season against Girona., albeit with a reduced defense and without Bellingham. It may slow them down, but their mood couldn’t be better. Something similar is happening with Arsenal, which beat West Ham 0-6 on Sunday. artillerymen. City won ten games in a row and got De Bruyne and Haaland back. In addition, Inter won seven games in a row (including the Super Cup), and also played games in Florence, Rome and against Juventus. Arteta’s side and Inzaghi’s side will play their round of 16 tie next week, before visiting Burnley and hosting Salernitana respectively this weekend.

Two teams that also have good dynamics are PSG and Dortmund. The French haven’t lost since December 7, but they’re leaving behind some not very convincing draws. In addition, the low level of local football means they cannot be trusted too much. In its turn, The Germans have not lost since returning from the winter holidays. Five games in which they won four of them, scoring 13 goals and losing only one. Jadon Sancho has revitalized the team.

A strange incident happened with Copenhagen, who host City on Tuesday, have not played since December 12.. The Danes will resume the Super League on the 18th. Two months served to avoid fatigue and to be able to thoroughly prepare for this match… but perhaps also to lose the competitive rhythm.

But most of them are bad or have a lot of doubts. The cases of Bayern Munich and Barça, two giant clubs facing serious crises, attract attention.. The former lost disastrously to Leverkusen last Sunday. Many questions are asked in Munich. Seconds are about to become the straw that breaks the camel’s back and Draw with Granada leaves them at the limit.

Atlético Madrid have played three matches in a row without a win.. They will be able to redeem themselves and gain confidence in Saturday’s match against Las Palmas ahead of their visit to Inter. It’s the same with Real Madrid, who, although they showed a great face in the Champions League matches, played four games in Spain without a win and last Saturday they lost at home to Osasuna. Visiting Paris will be a big challenge.

Naples, Lazio, PSV and Leipzig are in doubt after inconsistent results over the past few weeks. Also from Porto, who lost to Arouca this Monday. and begins to fall out of the race to win the Portuguese league. The Champions League is the perfect opportunity for everyone to recapture their feelings.