UEFA Champions League Power Rankings: Bayern Munich climb after dominating PSG; Chelsea biggest risers
CBSN
There are big changes in the top four with Bayern impressing against Lionel Messi and company
The second legs of the Champions League round of 16 are at their halfway point. As we await its conclusion next week, now seemed as good a time as any to check in on how the favorites, dark horses and the rest of the field are shaking up in pursuit of glory in Istanbul this summer.
The clash of the titans concluded with something of a whimper, Paris Saint-Germain crashing out at the Allianz Arena as Bayern Munich netted twice in the second half, firing the French champions into their spring ritual of recriminations and impeachments. Julian Nagelsmann's side were one of three teams to make their first-leg advantage count second time around with Benfica easing into the last eight with a 5-1 win over Club Brugge, a drubbing so severe that it prompted the Belgian side to sack Scott Parker two months after appointing the former Fulham and Bournemouth manager.
AC Milan were never particularly made to sweat away to Tottenham, a 0-0 draw in north London enough to take them through after Brahim Diaz had scored the only goal in the first leg. There is now a distinct possibility that Italian clubs will outnumber their English counterparts in the quarters with Napoli and Inter Milan better placed, in results terms, to progress than Liverpool and Manchester City. Chelsea have at least guaranteed some Premier League involvement in the Champions League, overturning a first-leg deficit as goals from Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz earned Graham Potter a much-needed win.