Champions League Quarterfinals Power Rankings: Barcelona, Bayern Rise, Real Madrid Drops
And now there are just eight.
The quarterfinals for the Champions League are weeks away, with the match-ups being drawn on Friday morning.
Many of the remaining sides are not particularly shocking to say the least, though it is the first time since 2012-13 that an English side is not in the quarterfinals and just the second time since 1999-2000 that the Premier League has no representative this far into the tournament.
But this is not about the teams missing, but the teams still in contention. How do they rank based on current form?
8. Monaco
It is worth noting that this team was not expected to romp through to the next round. In fact, almost everyone had Arsenal taking down the French side and moving into the quarterfinals for the first time in years. But alas, a 3-1 win in the first leg proved crucial to Monaco which managed to get into the quarterfinals.
Unfortunately, do not expect a lengthier stay in the tournament. While this side has proven to have a stingy defense and some strong play from Joao Moutinho, it is easily the weakest side remaining.
Of course, the team was not supposed to be on this list so who knows what else might happen.
7. Porto
Another team that is rather low compared to recent play, but Porto is really an unknown asset in this tournament.
The team cruised through a relatively easy group before taking down the weakest side in the Round of 16. This team does have strong players in the likes of Casemiro, but it might not be strong enough to take down better teams left playing.
6. Real Madrid
Yes. Out of the eight remaining sides, the defending champs are in the bottom half of this list. In their current form.
Madrid has the horses to be at the top of the list, but the team's recent play begs to differ heavily. Maybe a win at the Camp Nou will change the team's mindset and boost the confidence, but with Ronaldo averaging less than a goal per game in 2015 and the rest of the team's offense suddenly disappearing, there is little hope of a repeat.
5. Atletico Madrid
The other Madrid side has not been as good as previously thought. In fact, since that 4-0 thrashing of its crosstown rivals, Diego Simeone's troops have gone 2-3-2 (two wins, three draws and two defeats). Not really a sterling record for a team that had just thoroughly dominated its greatest rival and looked poised to be a force in Europe. Koke's injury had a lot to do with the poor form, but one look at the Bayer Leverkusen showdown in the Round of 16 and it was clear that this side is no longer as potent as last season. A short stay might be in order, unless, of course, Los Colchoneros meet Real Madrid in the next round.
4. Paris Saint-Germain
The French side thoroughly dominated Chelsea through two games and wound up getting the correct result in the end. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's absence in the first leg of the next tie could be damaging to this team's chances, but with the way the Brazilian defensive duo of Thiago Silva and David Luiz are playing, this team might be the dark horse that shocks everyone.
3. Juventus
The Italian side laid waste to a poor Borussia Dortmund side, but continued to look dominant and comfortable in this tournament. With Paul Pogba coming into his own, this is a scary match-up for any side at this point in the game. The Old Lady looks determined to win and could be a team of destiny.
2. Bayern Munich
The last two were tough to sort out because they both look so dominant at this very moment. But Bayern had an easier task in the previous round and does not have the individual genius that Barcelona possesses.
1. Barcelona
That individual genius, of course, is Lionel Messi, who looks the best he has in his entire career. He dismantled Manchester City on his own and looks like he is finding another gear. He is not just scoring goals, but tearing apart midfields and finding creative ways to help his team. The rest of Barcelona is benefitting from this and that alone makes them a huge favorite.