As the second leg of the round of 16 matches comes to a close, teams start looking into the nearing end of one of the most prestigious soccer competitions to date. The UCL (UEFA Champions League) is an annual competition consisting of the top teams from Europe. Teams such as Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and much more, compete every year in hopes of adding another trophy to there club’s history.

Reigning champs Bayern Munich, and Premier League favored champions, Manchester City, finish their respective group stage tied with the highest amount of points at 16 between the two clubs having five wins and only one tie. Although, teams such as Borussia Dortmund are not a team to be joked about. There top goal scorer, Erling Haaland, has scored 2o goals in the past 14 matches, shattering an old record once held by Tottenham Hotspurs, Harry Kane, who netted 14 goals in 24 matches. Haaland is 6’4 making this Norwegian striker able to body through center backs with ease. His tall structure is also useful for winning aerial 50/50’s on set pieces.

For the first time since 2004, both Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Juventus F.C.‘s Cristiano Ronaldo fail to make it past the round of 16. This is shocking considering that Messi and Ronaldo are arguably the top two greatest players to ever step on the pitch.

Messi’s squad got knocked out by Paris Saint Germain with French striker Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat trick in the first meeting of the two teams. Mbappe continues to shine as one of Europe’s premier goal scorers, his ability to control the left wing with his speed and quick body movements make it a difficult match up for the back line.

NBC Sports has Manchester City at the best odds to win it all this year. This comes at no surprise considering how dominant Pep Guardiola‘s team has been this year in the Premier League. From goalie up until the front line, this Manchester City team is not to be joked about. Guardiola’s young star Phil Foden has netted 6 goals and 5 assists in under 22 matches this season in the Premier League and plans to do more damage in the UCL causing worry for anyone up against them.

This tournament should be exciting to watch nonetheless considering the amount of crazy games that have occurred already including Juventus vs FC Porto where a late goal in overtime by Porto’s side sent them into the next round.

Don’t miss the UCL finals on May 29th, 2021.