Last week, Matchday 6 proved pivotal for several top clubs around Europe.  For teams like Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma, the results of the UCL’s final round of group stage fixtures were a delight, as both squads surprisingly advanced to the knockout stage.  Meanwhile, for clubs like Napoli and Atletico Madrid the day was a bit grim as losses for each meant the Europa League Round of 32 is on the horizon, not the UCL Round of 16.  Fast forward to yesterday morning, and the Round of 16 stage was officially set via the draw as customary.  Thus, let me provide you with a quick rundown of the eight matchups set to commence in February and conclude in March.

UCL Round of 16

Juventus vs Tottenham Hotspur FC
Leg 1: Tuesday, February 13th, 2018 at Allianz Stadium in Turin, Itlay
Leg: 2: Wednesday, February 7th, 2018 at Wembley Stadium, London, England

On The Volley: This should be a fascinating set of fixtures as a sizable part of England’s upcoming World Cup core from Tottenham (Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Eric Dier) clash with Italy’s end-of-an-era stars from Juve (Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, and Andrea Barzagli).

FC Basel 1893 vs Manchester City FC
Leg 1: Tuesday, February 13th, 2018 at St Jacob Park in Basel, Switzerland
Leg 2: Wednesday March 7th, 2018 at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England

On the Volley: The Swiss champions surprised most by advancing to the knockout stage ahead of Benfica and CSKA.  With that said, defeating Man City wouldn’t be anything short of a miracle as Man City is the hottest team in Europe at the moment.  So, good luck to you Bebbis.

FC Porto vs Liverpool FC
Leg 1: Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 at Estadio do Dragao in Porto, Portugal
Leg 2: Tuesday, March 6th, 2018 at Anfield in Liverpool, England

On The Volley: Another club that shocked the group stages is Porto.  Finishing ahead of last year’s Ligue 1 champions, Monaco, and Bundesliga runners-up, Leipzig, Porto’s run has been impressive.  As for Liverpool, the Reds topped Group E, but didn't seem convincing in many of the matches, excluding Matchday 6’s 7-0 thrashing of Spartak of course.  Thus, I have a sneaking suspension that this two-legged tie will surprise, thanks to the Reds shotty backline.

Real Madrid CF vs Paris Saint-Germain
Leg 1: Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain
Leg 2: Tuesday, March 6th, 2018 at Parc des Princes in Paris, France

On The Volley: Simply put, this two-legged tie will be EPIC! Hands down the best draw of the Round of 16, as 12-time (back-to-back defending) UCL champions Real Madrid square off against the best front three in club football.  It’ll be 5-time (back-to-back winner) Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo against the unquestioned #3 best player on the planet in Neymar Jr.  In addition, other top 11 players, according to France Football, such as Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos, Kylian Mbappe, and Edison Cavani will be taking the pitch as well. 

FC Bayern München vs Besiktas JK
Leg 1: Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany
Leg 2: Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 at Vodafone Park, Istanbul, Turkey

On The Volley: The German giants must have been very good this year as Santa provided the Bavarians with an early Christmas present in drawing Besikats. Turns out that failing to top your group can actually be more rewarding than winning it.  PSG finished atop Group B, ahead of Bayern, but as aforementioned, have to play the European Champs, meanwhile Bayern face the weakest of the eight group winners.  I think it’s time UEFA change the formatting for the knockout rounds.  

Chelsea FC vs FC Barcelona
Leg 1: Tuesday, February 20th, 2018 at Stamford Bridge in London, England
Leg 2: Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalunya 

On The Volley: Due to England setting a record with five clubs advancing to the Round of 16 coupled with the rule stipulating that a team can neither face a club from its country nor be drawn against the second placed squad in its group, there was a 43% chance that these two clubs would be drawn together— the highest such probability ever in the Round of 16.  On the pitch, keep an eye on the Leo Messi as he aims to score his first goal against the Blues.  La Pulga is 0 for 7 against Chelsea to date, the longest goalless streak against one club in Messi’s glittering career.  That’s bound to change, right?

FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs AS Roma
Leg 1: Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 at Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine
Leg 2: Tuesday, March 13th, 2018 at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy

On The Volley: Neither squad was expected to reach the knockouts, but it’s guaranteed that one club will reach the quarterfinals.  On paper, most would say Roma will advance.  However,  there seems to be a Cinderella-esque feel to Shakhtar.  A club that was forced 200 miles west of its home in Donbass due to the 2014 pro-Russian conflict in eastern Ukraine.  Donbass Arena itself damaged by artillery shelling.  Unrest still ever-present in the area, thus forcing the club of Shakhtar to move west.  Now, with the Champions League Final set to take place in Kyiv, Ukraine, what a wonderful story it’d be if Shakhtar defined all odds and reached Europe’s pinnacle by playing in said match.  Only time will tell, but the Miners appear well on their way.

Sevilla FC vs Manchester United FC
Leg 1: Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 at Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville, Spain
Leg 2: Tuesday, March 13th, 2018 at Old Trafford in Manchester, England

On The Volley: Sevilla scraped through the group stage winning just two matches out of six.  Meanwhile, United cruised through Group A, winning five out of its fixtures.  It’s been some years since the Red Devils reached the knockout stage, but this squad is ready to roll past a Sevilla side that was roasted by Real 5-0, by halftime last weekend.