Power Ranking the Champions League Round of 16 Teams

16. Gent

Gent are the wild card in the round of 16. They played sufficiently enough, but were more the beneficiary of poor play by Valencia and Lyon. Gent are the first Belgian side to feature in the last 16 since 2000-01. The teams they could face in the next round include Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

16. Gent

Gent are the wild card in the round of 16. They played sufficiently enough, but were more the beneficiary of poor play by Valencia and Lyon. Gent are the first Belgian side to feature in the last 16 since 2000-01. The teams they could face in the next round include Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

15. PSV Eindhoven

PSV scored a late goal on the last day of group play to secure their place in the round of 16. It is their first time to this stage since the 2006-07 season. They finished the group stage with a plus-one goal differential, but they were unable to get a win on the road. It will be tough for PSV to advance to the next round.

15. PSV Eindhoven

PSV scored a late goal on the last day of group play to secure their place in the round of 16. It is their first time to this stage since the 2006-07 season. They finished the group stage with a plus-one goal differential, but they were unable to get a win on the road. It will be tough for PSV to advance to the next round.

14. Benfica

It has been a few years since Benfica made this stage in the Champions League, but they have had success in the Europa League. They eased into the round of 16 with the benefit of an easy group, but were not convincing in their wins.

14. Benfica

It has been a few years since Benfica made this stage in the Champions League, but they have had success in the Europa League. They eased into the round of 16 with the benefit of an easy group, but were not convincing in their wins.

13. Dynamo Kyiv

Dynamo are a surprise entry in the final 16. They moved on to the knockouts on the last day of group play. Led by Andriy Yarmolenko, they are an exciting offensive squad, but the opponents will be too much in the next round.

13. Dynamo Kyiv

Dynamo are a surprise entry in the final 16. They moved on to the knockouts on the last day of group play. Led by Andriy Yarmolenko, they are an exciting offensive squad, but the opponents will be too much in the next round.

12. Roma

Roma did not play excellent football in the group stage. In many ways, they are lucky to be in the final 16. Barcelona played a secondary lineup in the last match and should have lost to Bayer Leverkusen which would have knocked Roma out. Instead, Roma gets in with a minus-five goal differential.

11. Chelsea

Chelsea will still have something positive to focus on now that they advanced to the knockout stage on the last day of group play, but they should have won the group easily. They may still get a good matchup in the next round, but could be the only group winner that is not favored as Paris Saint-Germain are a possible opponent.

11. Chelsea

Chelsea will still have something positive to focus on now that they advanced to the knockout stage on the last day of group play, but they should have won the group easily. They may still get a good matchup in the next round, but could be the only group winner that is not favored as Paris Saint-Germain are a possible opponent.

10. Zenit

Zenit won their first five matches in group play to allow them to relax on the final match day. That is unlike the pressure they are feeling in the Russian Premier League as they have slipped to fifth place. The domestic pressure will amplify the tension felt as they head into the knockout stage.

10. Zenit

Zenit won their first five matches in group play to allow them to relax on the final match day. That is unlike the pressure they are feeling in the Russian Premier League as they have slipped to fifth place. The domestic pressure will amplify the tension felt as they head into the knockout stage.

9. Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg topped their group despite losing Kevin De Bruyne. They are improving in many facets, but are also in a battle at the top of the Bundesliga. This will be their first time in the round of 16, so the heavy schedule could wear on them. The team cannot afford any injuries.

9. Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg topped their group despite losing Kevin De Bruyne. They are improving in many facets, but are also in a battle at the top of the Bundesliga. This will be their first time in the round of 16, so the heavy schedule could wear on them. The team cannot afford any injuries.

8. Arsenal

Arsenal became the 10th team to lose the first two games in the group stage and advance to the knockout round. Olivier Giroud has been the hero in many ways during the group stage. Now Arsenal have the possibility of facing Real Madrid or Barcelona in the next round.

8. Arsenal

Arsenal became the 10th team to lose the first two games in the group stage and advance to the knockout round. Olivier Giroud has been the hero in many ways during the group stage. Now Arsenal have the possibility of facing Real Madrid or Barcelona in the next round.

7. Juventus

Juventus are last year's runner-up and no one is talking about them. They are unbeaten at home in the last 16 European matches and still have plenty of talent across the field. If they can play with more fluidity there is no reason to think they cannot move into the final eight, but they are going to have to find a way to score more goals.

7. Juventus

Juventus are last year's runner-up and no one is talking about them. They are unbeaten at home in the last 16 European matches and still have plenty of talent across the field. If they can play with more fluidity there is no reason to think they cannot move into the final eight, but they are going to have to find a way to score more goals.

6. Atletico Madrid

Madrid won their group and only gave up three goals. It was a methodical approach that led to their third-straight group win. Antoine Griezmann has led the way with four goals, but Atletico have not yet reached their full potential this season.

6. Atletico Madrid

Madrid won their group and only gave up three goals. It was a methodical approach that led to their third-straight group win. Antoine Griezmann has led the way with four goals, but Atletico have not yet reached their full potential this season.

5. Manchester City

GOAL, Man City! Sterling grabs his brace and Man City's third, which propels them to the top of Group D. #UCLonFOX https://t.co/KyCncwihJO
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 8, 2015

5. Manchester City

An outburst by Raheem Sterling on matchday six moved City to the top of the group. That increases their odds to make it to the final eight, but they must play more consistent domestically and in the Champions League. Regardless, Sterling will be the catalyst for City.

4. Paris Saint-Germain

Who do you think PSG will face in the Champions League round of 16? https://t.co/MLlHFDMsF0 #DreamBigger
— PSG English (@PSG_English) December 9, 2015

4. Paris Saint-Germain

If it wasn't for Real Madrid, PSG would have cruised to the group win. They scored 12 goals and allowed just one. That defensive effort equaled the competition record making PSG easily the best runner-up moving into the knockout rounds.

3. Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo and company had a scoring outburst in their last group stage game. Madrid are expected to get at least to the quarterfinals, and if they don't it will be considered a failure.

3. Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo and company had a scoring outburst in their last group stage game. Madrid are expected to get at least to the quarterfinals, and if they don't it will be considered a failure.

2. Bayern Munich

Boom! #LewanGOALski! pic.twitter.com/7ydZJaxJhj
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) December 9, 2015

2. Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich were considered the best team in Europe through the first part of the season, but now they have finally lost in the Bundesliga. They continue to shrug off injuries, but are on track to have a healthy squad in the new calendar year. They finished six points clear of their group.

1. Barcelona

Messi is healthy. Neymar may be playing his best football yet. Luis Suarez has embraced his role as a playmaker. They are a favorite to be the first team in the Champions League era to retain the title.

1. Barcelona

Messi is healthy. Neymar may be playing his best football yet. Luis Suarez has embraced his role as a playmaker. They are a favorite to be the first team in the Champions League era to retain the title.