Champions League 2017/18: Ranking the 8 quarter-finalists

Juventus v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final
Are Madrid
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once again?

#5 Juventus FC

Tottenham Hotspur v Juventus - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg
After losing the 2015 and 2017 finals, will Juventus be third-time lucky?

The Old Lady are the exact opposite in terms of experience when compared to the previous three teams. They have been one of the most consistent sides in the tournament in recent years and have made it to the final in both 2015 and 2017. It showed as Tottenham dominated their round of 16 tie but the Italian side stepped up when mattered to seal their progress.

Massimiliano Allegri's side have finally overturned their league campaign in recent weeks after a slow start and now opened a 4-point lead over Napoli at the top of the Serie A. They are already in the finals of Coppa Italia and have conceded only 3 goals in this calendar year.

Juventus' famous defense is going strong as the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli continue to deliver. Although they finished second to Barcelona in their group, they still have a great chance of ousting each of the remaining teams if drawn together. Further, the attacking power of Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain gives them an edge while their midfield can out-work anyone.

Thus, Juventus can be considered to be strong contenders for the tournament but find themselves fifth as attacking teams have been winning the Champions League more in recent years.


#4 FC Bayern Munich

RSC Anderlecht v Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League
Bayern have largely flown under the radar this season

The 2013 winners are undoubtedly one of the biggest and strongest sides left in the tournament. However, the struggling start to the season under Carlo Ancelotti saw them lose to Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage and finish second. After a managerial change with their Champions League-winning manager Jupp Heynckes returning, the Bavarians have returned to their scintillating best.

Bayern are cruising in the Bundesliga with a whopping 20-point lead over second-placed Schalke and through to the semi-finals of DFB-Pokal. They are scoring freely at the moment with 42 goals in 12 games since the turn of the year and are yet to lose in 2018. Robert Lewandowski already has 32 goals this season and their defense has done well in the injury-forced absence of Manuel Neuer.

While eventual winners Real Madrid knocked the German side out in the quarterfinals last season, the latter definitely have the quality and winning experience to get across the finish line this season.

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