The UEFA Champions League is arguably the hardest cup competitors on the planet. Every year, the perfect of the perfect vie for the enduring trophy, competing in six matches within the group stage to qualify for the primary knockout spherical: the Spherical of 16.
It takes immense high quality, resilience, and consistency to beat the group stage within the Champions League, and under, we’ll meet a couple of groups which have achieved that point and time once more. With out additional ado, allow us to take a look at 5 groups which have made the best variety of appearances within the Spherical of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Particular Observe: We have now included stats from 2023-24 as nicely.
#5 Arsenal: 15 Instances
In fifth place, we’ve Premier League leaders Arsenal with 15 appearances within the Spherical of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. The Gunners, nevertheless, should not have the perfect file in relation to shifting previous the Final 16. Of their 14 makes an attempt to date, Arsenal efficiently made it to the quarter-finals on simply 5 events.
Mikel Arteta’s facet, nevertheless, have a great likelihood of creating it six this season, owing to the spectacular type they demonstrated within the group stage. They secured 13 factors from six video games to win Group B forward of PSV Eindhoven and can face FC Porto within the Final 16.
#4 Chelsea: 17 Instances
Two-time Champions League winners Chelsea are in fourth place within the rankings, having featured 17 occasions within the Spherical of 16. The Blues, who final gained the competitors in 2021, have a powerful file on this spherical as nicely, with them successful 11 of these 17 ties.
Chelsea confronted Borussia Dortmund within the Spherical of 16 final season. They beat the Germans 1-0 on the Sign Iduna Park in Dortmund earlier than selecting up a 2-0 win within the return leg at Stamford Bridge.
#3 Barcelona: 18 Instances
In third place, we’ve five-time European champions Barcelona, with them qualifying for the Spherical of 16 a whopping 18 occasions to date. The Blaugrana have essentially the most spectacular file within the Spherical of 16 amongst all groups, with them qualifying to the quarter-finals on 15 events.
After struggling two consecutive group-stage exits, Barcelona have returned to the knockout competitors this season. They certified for this stage as Group H winners, however they completed degree on factors (12) with second-placed Porto. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how they fare once they sq. off in opposition to Group C runners-up Napoli within the Spherical of 16 subsequent 12 months.
#2 Bayern Munich: 20 Instances
Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich have certified for the UEFA Champions League Spherical of 16 a whopping 20 occasions within the final 21 seasons. Impressively, the six-time European champions made it to the quarter-finals 15 occasions out of the final 19, greater than another crew within the competitors’s historical past.
The Bavarians certified for this season’s Spherical of 16 as Group A winners. They secured 16 factors out of a most of 18, successful 5 video games and drawing as soon as. Bayern must beat Lazio to maneuver into the quarter-finals on this 12 months’s competitors.
#1 Actual Madrid: 21 Instances
Fourteen-time European champions Actual Madrid have clinched the highest spot, having certified for the Spherical of 16 each single time since its introduction in 2003-04. Los Blancos have made it out of the Final 16 a powerful 12 occasions and are anticipated to enhance upon their tally once they meet German outfit RB Leipzig subsequent 12 months.
Carlo Ancelotti’s facet have been in phenomenal type this season. They’ve showcased their attacking prowess in addition to defensive stability, successful all six video games in Group C.
