There are nine former winners among the 16 teams that have qualified for the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Here are the brief profiles from UEFA.com.
This is how the draw went15. February & March 9
Sporting CP (POR) - Manchester City (ENG)
Sporting CP
UEFA ranking : 28Group C: Second (W3 D0 L3, 14-12 goals)Last season: UEFA Europa League play-offs (1-4 v LASK) Best performance in the premier class: Quarter-finals (1982/83)
Interim conclusion: September didn't get off to a good start, after that the young team turned up the heat and caused great enthusiasm among their own fans.
UEFA.com Sporting reporter: After two defeats early in the group stage, many had already written the Portuguese off, but then three wins in a row followed. This is only the second time in the club's history that Sporting has reached the round of 16.
All Sporting goals in the group stageCoach: Rúben AmorimWhen Sporting signed him in March 2020, he had just 13 games under his belt as Braga coach. Twelve months later, the 37-year-old clinched Sporting's first league title in 19 years, going 32 games unbeaten.
Key player: Sebastián Coates Sporting's 2020 Player of the Year as chief defender was one of the main reasons the Lisbon outfit have kept 20 clean sheets out of 34. The 30-year-old, who has 40 caps for Uruguay, is a real weapon thanks to his header power in both penalty areas.
Did you know? Sporting have made it to the group stage of the Champions League eight times, making it only their second knockout stage.
Manchester City
UEFA Ranking: 2Group A: Winner (4W 0D 2L, 18:10 goals)Last season: finalist (lost 1-0 to Chelsea)Best in premier class: finalist (2020/21)
All hits by Man. City in the group stageInterim conclusion: At times Guardiola's team played their opponents dizzy.
UEFA.com Man. City-Reporter: This season City seems a little more stable than last year. The disappointment of a lost final has inspired many teams and exactly such "symptoms" can also be seen at City.
Coach: Josep GuardiolaThe 50-year-old has twice won the competition with Barcelona but has failed to win again in the last ten years. He won the championship three times with Barcelona, Bayern and City.
Key player: Kevin De BruyneThe 30-year-old has now played over 250 games for City and is still virtually irreplaceable in midfield. Last season he was voted Footballer of the Year in the Premier League for the second year in a row.
Did you know? Last season, Guardiola reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the eighth time, only equaled by José Mourinho.
Paris Saint Germain (FRA) - Real Madrid (ESP)
Paris Saint Germain
UEFA Ranking: 7Group A: Second (W3 D2 L1, 13-8 goals)Last season: Semi-finals (1-4 on aggregate) Second leg against Man City)Best performance in the premier class: Finalist (2019/20)
All goals from Paris in the group stagePreliminary conclusion: The star-studded team is still looking for the right balance.
UEFA.com Paris Reporter: Paris only finished second behind Man in the group stage. City, but must still be counted among the strongest contenders for the title. The offensive series around Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Neymar certainly still has some potential.
Coach: Mauricio PochettinoHe led the underdog Tottenham to the final in 2019, then in January the Argentine replaced Thomas Tuchel at PSG, for whom he had played as a defender 20 years previously.
Key player: Kylian Mbappé All the limelight moves back and forth between him, Messi, Neymar and Ángel Di María, but the goalscorer shines with his darting runs and vision at goal and irreplaceable for goal preparation.
Did you know?When Paris eliminated Bayern in the quarter-finals in 2020/21, it was the first time in Champions League history that last year's defeated finalists had won in the knockout stages could eliminate the defending champion.
Real Madrid
UEFA Ranking: 5Group D: Winner (W5 D0 L1, 14-3 goals)Last season: Semi-finals (1-3 on aggregate v Chelsea)Best in premier class: Winners (1955/56, 1956/57, 1957/ 58, 1958/59, 1959/60, 1965/66, 1997/98, 1999/2000, 2001/02, 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18)
All Real Madrid goals in the group stageInterim conclusion: Not free from setbacks, but the development with many hopes for the future is making good progress.
UEFA.com Real Madrid Reporter: The away strength (three wins, nine goals, clean sheet) was crucial for qualifying for the round of 16. Karim Benzema and Vinícius Júnior were always reliable. The surprising home defeat against Sheriff seems to have been just a blip.
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti In 2014 he led Real to "Décima", now he is in Madrid for the second time. One of only three coaches to have won the premier class three times, he is now aiming for more success at the newly refurbished Santiago Bernabéu.
Key player: David AlabaIncreasingly growing in the footsteps of Sergio Ramos. Alaba, who won the German championship ten times at FC Bayern and two titles in the UEFA Champions League, has enriched Real enormously with his versatility.
Did you know?Real Madrid have never been eliminated in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
16. February & March 8Salzburg (AUT) - Bayern (GER)
Salzburg
UEFA Ranking: 22Group G: runners-up (3W, D1, L2, 8-6 goals)Last season: Group stage (Out in the round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League )Best performance in the premier class: Group stage (1994/95, 2019/20, 2020/21)
Salzburg's goals in the group phaseInterim conclusion: The youngest team in the Champions League has passed the final exam.
UEFA.com Salzburg reporter: After 21 years, a team from Austria can winter again in the UEFA Champions League. The youngest squad in the competition got back on track at just the right time, proving they also have the maturity to end a losing streak. The people of Salzburg have already gained a wealth of experience - but there's more to come.
Coach: Matthias JaissleThe 33-year-old former Hoffenheim defender had no coaching experience with a top team when he was promoted to head coach from Salzburg last summer. After two years as the club's U18 coach, he took the next step - and has since caused a sensation in the Champions League.
Key player: Karim AdeyemiThe striker has big shoes to fill but could quickly prove to be a legitimate successor to Erling Haaland or Patson Daka. Adeyemi is fast, versatile and doesn't show nerves in front of goal. The 19-year-old is now a German international and has long been the most important support in Salzburg.
Did you know?Salzburg are in the round of 16 for the first time in the club's history. In 1994 they reached the UEFA Cup final, losing 2-0 on aggregate to Inter.
Bayern
UEFA Ranking: 1Group E: Winner (5W 0D 0L, 19:13 goals )Last season: Quarter-finals (out against Paris on away goals)Best performance in the premier class: Winners (1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, 2000/01, 2012/13, 2019/20)
All Bayern goals in the group stageInterim conclusion: Hungry for goals and victories: Bayern can seem to step up a gear at will when the floodlights come on on a European Cup night.
UEFA.com Bayern reporter: Despite the many personnel problems due to injuries, illnesses and quarantine periods, the results speak for themselves. If FC Bayern finds its rhythm in the spring, it will be very difficult to beat them. If Julian Nagelsmann's tactical plans, which are still in the early stages, also bear fruit, title number 7 could come within reach.
Trainer: Julian NagelsmannThe 34-year-old has set about continuing the successful work of Hansi Flick with great zeal. In 2016, at just 28 years old, Nagelsmann became the youngest Bundesliga coach of all time and led Hoffenheim with fourth place promptly into the Champions League. During his two years in Leipzig, he also impressed the experts before moving to Munich in the summer of 2021.
Key player: Robert LewandowskiLast season he set a new Bundesliga record with an incredible 41 goals and played a major role in Bayern's ninth consecutive championship title. Also this season he marks goals like on an assembly line. In the Champions League he is the top scorer in the group stage with nine goals after five games.
Did you know?Bayern have extended the Champions League record with 21 unbeaten away games in a row and the streak is still going on...
Inter (ITA) - Liverpool (ENG)
Inter
UEFA Ranking: 24Group D: Second (W3 D1 L2, 8-5 goals)Last season: Group stage Best in premier class: Winner ( 1963/64, 1964/65, 2009/10)
All Inter goals in the group stage
Interim conclusion: The defense doesn't allow much and you create a lot of chances up front, but the result could be even better.
UEFA.com Inter reporter: Simone Inzaghi's Inter may not be as stable as Antonio Conte's team, but they do show more attacking spirit. There were many missed opportunities against Real Madrid and Shakhtar so there is still room for improvement.
Coach: Simone Inzaghi As a player he won one Serie A and three Coppa Italia with Lazio, as a coach he won the national cup once with Lazio in his five years in Rome. Like his predecessor Antonio Conte, he favors the 3-5-2 system.
Key player: Nicolò Barella Last season he was voted the best midfielder in Serie A. He can be very creative, let himself fall behind or cause a sensation in the opponent's penalty area, as he did in victoriousUEFA EURO 2020 could see well.
Did you know?The 2010 premier class winner has reached the round of 16 for the first time in more than a decade.
Liverpool
UEFA Ranking: 3Group B: Winners (W6 D0 L0, 17 goals 6). )Last season: Quarter-finals (1-3 on aggregate v Real Madrid)Best in premier class: Winners (1976/77, 1977/78, 1980/ 81, 1983/84, 2004/05, 2018/19)
All of Liverpool's goals in the group stagePreliminary conclusion: The Reds' attacking machine is running at full speed.
UEFA.com Liverpool reporter: Liverpool have gone through the group stage without losing a point. The catch-up races against AC Milan and Atlético were particularly convincing.
Coach: Jürgen KloppLiverpool manager since 2015, Klopp led the Reds to UEFA Champions League triumph in 2018/19 and to their first championship in 30 years the following season. After a rather unremarkable striker career in Mainz, he also began his coaching career there, then moved to Dortmund, where he won the league twice before succumbing to the lure of Anfield.
Key player: Mohamed SalahThe Egyptian has been the face of this side since he moved to the north of England from Roma in 2017. He had already demonstrated his great talent in Basel, but in 2014 he fell short of his potential at Chelsea. He has now struck 31 times in the UEFA Champions League for the Reds.
Did you know?Liverpool have won the European Cup six times - more than any other English side. Bayern also have six titles, only AC Milan and Real Madrid have more.
22. February & March 16Chelsea (ENG) - LOSC Lille (FRA)
Chelsea
UEFA Ranking: 4Group H: Position still open (W4 D0 L1, 10-1 goals)Last season: Winner (1-0 v Man. City) Best performance in the premier class: Winner (2011/12, 2020/21)
All Chelsea goals in the group stageIn summary: Chelsea are still outstanding defensively and there are enough options up front to make life difficult for any opponent.
UEFA.com Chelsea reporter: What a strong side! Thomas Tuchel continues to make many correct decisions and in terms of effectiveness, it seems that they are again at a similar level as in the knockout phase of the previous season.
Coach: Thomas TuchelWhen the German started his job with the Blues in January, he went 14 games unbeaten, setting a new club record for a new coach. In 2020 he had reached the final of the premier class with PSG, in 2021 he went one step further with Chelsea and things continue to run like clockwork...
Key player: Jorginho The Italian is omnipresent in midfield and sets the pace in the Blues.
Did you know?The Blues have conceded just three goals in the twelve games since Thomas Tuchel took office.
LOSC
UEFA Ranking: 62Group G: Winners (W3, D2, L1, 7: 4 goals)Last season: UEFA Europa League, out in the round of 32 (2-4 on aggregate v Ajax)Best performance in the premier class: Round of 16 (2006/07)
All goals by LOSC Lille in the group stagePreliminary conclusion: First surprising champions in France, and now on the road to success in Europe.
UEFA.com LOSC reporter: With just two points from their first three games, few would have believed the Lille side could reach the round of 16. But Jocelyn Gourvennec's team has finally reached the level. The victory on the 4th day of play was the starting signal for a successful race to catch up, which was crowned with participation in the round of 16 for the first time since the 2006/07 season.
Coach: Jocelyn GourvennecHe made his name as a Guingamp coach. In 2014 he led the club to only the second cup win in France in the club's history.
Key player: Jonathan DavidThe 21-year-old Canada international forward was the club's most expensive acquisition when he joined LOSC from Gent in August 2020. Towards the end of the last championship season, he became more and more important. He's even more important this season, scoring crucial goals on matchdays 4, 5 and 6.
Did you know? It's only the second time in eight attempts that LOSC have made it through the group stage.
Villarreal (ESP) - Juventus (ITA)
Villarreal
UEFA Ranking: 21Group F: Second (W3 D1 L2, 12-9 goals)Last season: UEFA Europa League winner (esc vs Man United)< b>Best performance in the premier class: Semifinals (2005/06)
All Villarreal goals in the group stagePreliminary conclusion: The lack of a real goalscorer almost prevented them from making the knockout stages.
UEFA.com Villarreal reporter: The 'Yellow Submarine' have been outstanding at times in the group stage, including a dominant display against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Gerard Moreno's injury problems left them lacking a goalscorer who was sorely missed at times, but they pulled through in the end.
Coach: Unai EmeryThe former Almería and Valencia coach celebrated three Europa League triumphs with Sevilla. With Arsenal he missed out on the Europa League final triumph, but in the summer of 2020 he came to Villarreal and won the Europa League again.
Key player: Arnaut DanjumaThe transfer of a player from the second division of England doesn't usually cause much jubilation from fans, but the Dutchman made his mark with the Spaniards.
Did you know?Almost half of Villarreal's 52,000 residents would fit into the 23,500-seat stadium.
Juventus
UEFA Ranking: 8Group H: Placement still open (4W 0D 1L, 9: 6 goals)Last season: Round of 16 (out on away goals v Porto)Best in premier class: Winner (1984/85, 1995/96)
All Juventus goals in the group phaseInterim conclusion: Good mix of strong old hands and talented youngsters. However, sometimes the killer instinct is missing.
UEFA.com Juventus reporter: In Massimiliano Allegri's second term, not everything is going as smoothly as he would like. Serie A is relatively inconsistent and despite four wins at the start of the Champions League group stage, the 4-0 loss at Chelsea was a major setback.
Coach: Massimiliano AllegriThe 54-year-old returned to the Juve bench after a two-year break. In 2015 and 2017 he led Juve to the UEFA Champions League finals but lost both games.
Key players: Federico ChiesaAfter the EURO triumph with Italy, the winger is increasingly developing into a leading player at Juve.
Did you know?Juve have reached the final five times since winning the title in 1996, but failed each time. Overall, the "Old Lady" brought it to seven bankruptcies in the final, more than any other club.
23. February & March 15Benfica (POR) - Ajax (NED)
Benfica
UEFA Ranking: 29Group E: Second (W2 D2 L2 7-9 goals)Last season: Out in the third qualifying round (1-2 v PAOK)Best performance in the premier class: Winner (1960/61, 1961/62)
All Benfica goals in the group stagePreliminary conclusion: Finishing in front of Barcelona seemed impossible. Benfica still made it.
UEFA.com Benfica Reporter: Group winners Bayern were just too strong. But Benfica, who started as underdogs, finished ahead of Barcelona thanks to a 3-0 win in Lisbon. Goals from Darwin Nuñez, the speed of Rafa Silva and the tireless Nicolás Otamendi made the Eagles' coup possible.
Coach: Jorge JesusIn his first term from 2009 to 2015, Jorge Jesus became the most successful coach in club history. He won ten trophies. In 2020 he returned.
Key player: João Mário The 28-year-old has only been at Benfica since last summer. But with his organizational skills, his eye and his ability to set the pace, he immediately established himself as a top performer.
Did you knowThe Lisbon club have been in seven finals in the top flight. The last five have all been lost (most recently against Milan in 1990).
Ajax
UEFA Ranking: 17Group C: Winner (6W 0D 0L, 20-5 goals )Last season: Group stage (followed by UEFA Europa League quarter-finals)Best in premier class: Winners (1970/71, 1971/72, 1972/73, 1994/ 95)
All of Ajax's goals in the group phaseInterim conclusion: Courageous, dynamic, imaginative and always with an offensive spirit: Ajax football offers a lot of entertainment.
UEFA.com Ajax reporter: Another Ajax team has been created according to the totaalvoetbal scheme. All players behave well under pressure and are able to constantly switch positions. The result is a game characterized by creativity and speed.
Coach: Erik ten HagTen Hag continues to do an excellent job. Many key players left after narrowly missing out on the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League final, but he once again created a working entity - same script, different actors.
Key player: Sébastien Haller The first player to score ten goals in his first six Champions League games.
Did you know?Haller is only the second player to score in all six group games, after Cristiano Ronaldo in 2017/18.
Atlético (ESP) - Manchester United (ENG)
Atlético
UEFA Ranking: 10Group B: runners-up (W2 D1 L3, 7-8 goals)Last season: Round of 16 (0-3 on aggregate v Chelsea)Best performance in the premier class: Finalist (1973/74, 2013/14, 2015/16)
All Atlético Group Stage GoalsBottom line: Stumbled in a tough group but delivered when it counted.
UEFA.com Atlético Reporter: Things haven't gone well for the club from the Spanish capital this season. After a goalless draw against Porto, they won at Milan shortly before the end, before losing twice to Liverpool and losing to Milan. With the victory on the 6th day of play in Porto, however, they still made it through.
Coach: Diego SimeoneSimeone has guided the Rojiblancos to two UEFA Europa League triumphs, two UEFA Super Cup successes and two Champions League finals. Last season he celebrated his second championship win.
Key player: Luis SuárezThe Uruguayan striker, signed from Barcelona in the summer of 2020, has done really well. He scored 21 goals in La Liga in 2020/21, the last of which secured the Madrid club their first league title in seven years.
Did you know?The only time Atleti missed the knockout stage of the Champions League under Simeone was in the 2017/18 Europa League.
Manchester United
UEFA Ranking: 9Group F: Winners (W3 D1 L1, 10-7 goals)Last season: Group stage (UEFA Europa League finalists)Best in premier class: Winners (1967/68, 1998/99, 2007/08)
All goals by Man. United in the group stagePreliminary conclusion: Cristiano Ronaldo provided the highlights of a roller coaster ride through the current season.
UEFA.com Man. United Reporter: Jadon Sancho secured the round of 16 ticket with his first goal in the Red Devils jersey, but United also regularly reveal weaknesses in the Premier League.
Coach: Ralf RangnickThe 63-year-old has replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjær as caretaker manager at United until the end of the season. As coach of clubs like Hoffenheim and Schalke, whom he led to the semi-finals in 2011, Rangnick was instrumental in Leipzig's rapid rise from the fourth division to the Bundesliga and the European elite.
Key player: Cristiano RonaldoThe Portuguese superstar has scored in every group game since his summer return. He scored late winners against Villarreal and Atalanta.
Did you know?United are the English champions with a record 20, but since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013 after 27 years at the helm, United have only won two titles – in 2015/16 FA Cup and 2016/17 UEFA Europa League.
