The Champions League returns on Tuesday afternoon with the first two round of 16 matches. The competition is arguably one of the most hotly anticipated of the annual soccer season and this is the phase where things get most interesting.
But it has been a long time since we have seen teams play. In fact, the group round ended in December and teams have undoubtedly altered their styles and are in different form. So which teams are now the favorites to lift the European trophy based on current form?
Cristiano Ronaldo passed Raul on the UEFA Champions League all-time scorers league as he tries to catch Lionel Messi who currently holds the record. Meanwhile, Liverpool failed to qualify into the Round of 16 of the tournament, eliminated by FC Basel after 1-1 at Anfield.
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, who is one goal away from tying Raul's record for most career in UEFA Champions League competition, failed to score on Tuesday but came away with a victory at home against English Premier League (EPL) club Liverpool while Juventus' Andrea Pirlo scored in his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance helping the Serie A champions get by Olympiakos with a 2-1 victory.
Manchester City, which recently won their second English Premier League (EPL) title in three years, has accepted UEFA's sanctions - including a €60 million ($82,056,000 USD).
While Manchester City celebrates their second English Premier League (EPL) title in three years, the club faces a murky as they plan to appeal UEFA's sanctions against the team for failing to meet their "Financial Fair Play" requirements. Man City faces £49 million ($82,530,700 USD) fine paid over three years, a 21-player limit on next season's Champions League competition and a salary cap to the current payroll level.
