Top 5 teams after first-leg round of 16 games | UEFA Champions League 2019-20

The first leg of the always awaited UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie is done and dusted. There were some upsets and some predicted scorelines in what were eight high-quality football games which delivered the excitement that the Champions League always promises the fans.

All the Bundesliga clubs had a dream first leg as Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Bayern Munich emerged victorious in their matches. Former CL finalists Atletico Madrid earned the most impressive victory against defending champions Liverpool as they beat the Reds at home, whereas underdogs Atalanta beat Valencia 4-1 in their CL knockout debut. Manchester City emerged victorious in this round's most anticipated tie against Real Madrid, while Borussia Dortmund shocked PSG in a 2-1 victory.

The likes of Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Napoli, Liverpool, and Juventus have all to play for in the second leg as most of the ties are expected to go down the wire in a couple of weeks. After an exciting round of football, we analyse the top 5 teams in the Champions League at the end of the first leg of the round of 16.

---

#5 RB Leipzig

Tottenham Hotspur v RB Leipzig - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

When RB Leipzig drew Tottenham Hotspur in the round of 16, the game was expected to be a hard-fought one and had the potential to be one of the low-key, yet one of the best ties of this round. After 90 minutes at the London Stadium, the second-placed Bundesliga team had thoroughly outplayed last year's Champions League finalists and went back home with a 0-1 victory and a precious away goal.

There is little doubt now that Julian Naglesmann is the next big thing in the world of football management. The 32-year-old is younger than the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Manuel Neuer, and yet it seems as if he has been a coach for over two decades. The German international got the better of the legendary Jose Mourinho at the latter's home stadium, and now the North London club has to put in a serious shift in Germany if they want to progress to the next round.

Leipzig was sharp off the front and put in one of their best performances of the season. The leaders of their group in the previous round, the German club is now in pole position to advance to their first-ever quarter-final appearance in the competition.

#4 Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid beat defending champions Liverpool in the first leg

It was an unhappy return to the Wanda Metropolitano for defending champions, Liverpool. The Reds beat Tottenham Hotspur for the trophy at this venue back in June 2019 but were outdone by a well-drilled Atletico side who emerged victorious at their home ground against arguably the best team in the world this season. The former La Liga winners were nowhere close to our top five at the end of matchday 6, but beating the current champions is enough to earn them a place here.

Diego Simeone got his match tactics spot on. The Spanish side is well-known for their defensive football and their ability to shut down even the best attacks, and they did just that against the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. After scoring early through a corner, the 2014 and 2016 CL finalists gave Liverpool not a sniff of goal and shut down their fullbacks and forwards, earning a valuable clean sheet in the process.

Liverpool were the heavy favourites going into this tie, but it seems that the walk towards the latter stages will not be easy for the current Premier League leaders. The reason Atletico don't rank higher is due to their second-place finish in their group earlier this season, the better performances of the teams ahead of them in this list, and the fact that a one-goal cushion is never enough when you have to visit Anfield. For the time being, though, Simeone and his men can remain happy.

#3 Atalanta

Atalanta have been the surprise package in the Champions League this season

The UEFA Champions League is unique in the way we usually get brilliant underdog stories of teams who push over their weight and surprise the world with their grit and determination. Last season, it was Ajax who captured the eye of Europe as they made their way to the semi-finals. This season, it is debutants Atalanta who have won their last three games in this competition and who demolished Valencia 4-1 in Italy in the first leg.

Having never played in the competition before, the Italian team looks well set as a lock for the quarter-finals barring a major collapse in the second leg. By the end of match week 4 in the group stages, even qualification to the round of 16 looked bleak - manager Gian Piero Gasperini and the players have turned it all around. Only Bayern Munich had a more resounding victory in the first leg, and no other team has shocked the fans as much.

Not only do Atalanta play some beautiful football, but their attitude towards the game is also to be admired and respected by all. No matter who the opponent is, the players do not give up. It could be argued that the club was a bit lucky in getting Valencia over heavyweights such as Liverpool in this round, but they have made the most of that opportunity. The team ranked 5th in our rankings at the end of CL matchday 6, but this jump is well deserved. If they continue this form, the club could be a problem for any opponent in the next round.

#2 Bayern Munich

Bayern humiliated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Former Arsenal player Serge Gnabry put in yet another brilliant performance in London as he scored a brace against former Champions League winners Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. In what was expected to be a closer tie, the defending Bundesliga champions destroyed the Blues at their home and cruised to a 0-3 victory which should be enough to see them through to the next round.

Frank Lampard and his team held their own in the first half but were completely outmatched by Bayern in the remaining 45 minutes as they scored three without reply. Hans-Dieter Flick has done a stellar job since his appointment as the Bayern boss, and this performance was a message to the other teams in the competition - the German giants are to be feared and respected.

Bayern has won all seven of their CL games this season, and their place in the quarter-finals of the competition is all but assured. The only reason they do not rank first on this list is due to the victory of the first-placed team in our rankings.

#1 Manchester City

A Kevin De Bruyne led Manchester City beat Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu

When Real Madrid vs Manchester City was announced for this round, it was a unanimous opinion that this was the most exciting round of 16 tie in ages. 13-time Champions League winners vs a team desperately looking for their first European title - the stage was set for the clash between two heavyweights. The match did not disappoint.

Pep Guardiola's men outplayed and outperformed Zinedine Zidane's squad as the current Premier League winners defeated Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite Real's hot and cold performances as of late, the Los Blancos are the kings of this competition and the Bernabeu is the venue synonymous with the Champions League. To Manchester City, that did not matter.

Despite a goal from Isco after an error by the Cityzens, the team led by Kevin De Bruyne rallied back and scored two all-important away goals as they beat their opponents 1-2 in a hostile environment. Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was sent off and will miss the second leg in a game where his team will need to score at least two goals to avoid elimination.

Pep's team now has won 5 of their 7 CL games this season and are yet to taste defeat. They are currently the favourites to win this tie and knocking out the 13-time winners will be a huge confidence boost heading into the next round. As such, their place as number one on this list is well deserved.