The round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League is upon us, bringing together the best teams in the Group stages. As we reflect on the concluded group stages, let’s acknowledge the incredible performances of the tournament’s most prolific goal scorers.
Erling Haaland stands tall once again. The 2022/2023 UCL Golden Boot winner is dominating the charts again, scoring five times for Manchester City in the Group Stages. His clinical finishing and physical prowess make him a nightmare for opposing defenders. The Norwegian is not running unopposed. Other prolific players are in the race to rival Haaland for this year’s Golden Boot if they keep advancing to the final stages. Antoine Griezmann continues to show his class with his exceptional form for Atletico Madrid, scoring five goals in six appearances alongside Teammate Alvaro Morata. Manchester United’s Ramus Hojlund also found the net on five occasions.
The round of 16 promises to be a continuation of these top scorers’ exploits as they strive to lead their respective clubs towards European glory.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City (5 Goals)
Erling Haaland had a remarkable debut season with Manchester City. He claimed the Premier League Golden Boot race by scoring 36 goals for Pep Guardiola’s team. Haaland secured the domestic crown and clinched the Champions League Golden Boot with an impressive tally of 12 goals while also leading the Citizens to their first European glory. Manchester City won the treble at the end of the campaign. The Norwegian striker is currently displaying his hunger for goals once again and is a frontrunner to defend his UCL Golden Boot title.
He has scored once from his right foot, and other goals came from his left foot. Two of these goals were penalties. Manchester City face FC Copenhagen in the Round of 16.
Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid (5 Goals)
Antoine Griezmann has found the back of the net five times this UCL season. He scored three times against Celtic on November 7, 2023, and the rest he scored against Feyenoord. He scored three right-footed and two left-footed goals, with one from outside the box.
After facing two challenging seasons at Barcelona, Griezmann returned to Atletico in 2021, earning support through outstanding performances and re-establishing himself as a team leader, goal-scorer, and top-notch playmaker. In the previous La Liga season, Griezmann was arguably the standout player, and his impressive form has continued into the 2023/24 season. He has developed a formidable attacking partnership with Morata. He is Atletico’s all-time highest goalscorer.
Rasmus Hojlund, Manchester United (5 Goals)
Rasmus Hojlund joined Manchester United in a £72 million transfer from Atalanta last summer. He scored five times for the Red Devils, scoring one right-footed goal and a header. Three of his goals came from his left foot. Unfortunately, Manchester United exited the Champions League, and he won’t have the opportunity to add to his tally.
Alvaro Morata, Atletico Madrid (5 Goals)
Alvaro Morata has dominated the La Liga and Champions League in recent seasons. His abilities have always been in doubt. Nevertheless, he keeps proving his critics wrong. The Spanish captain continues to find himself in optimal goal-scoring positions. Unlike before, he now converts those opportunities, showcasing the qualities expected of a top-class striker.
Evanilson, FC Porto (4 Goals)
The Brazilian striker moved to Porto in 2020 from Tombense, a second-tier club in Brazil, for a modest fee of £8 million. Since then, he has evolved into a promising talent. Four of his goals came from his right foot. In a notable performance, the 22-year-old forward came off the bench and scored a hat-trick as Porto, securing a 4-1 victory against Royal Antwerp on matchday 3.
Galeno, FC Porto (4 Goals)
Galeno has proven to be a valuable asset for FC Porto over the past year, assuming the role of their primary striker. Like Evanilson, he has also scored four times this season for the Portuguese club. All his goals were right-footed.
Harry Kane, Bayern Munich (4 Goals)
Bayern Munich’s record-breaking summer signing and England captain Harry Kane had high expectations from everyone. At 30 years old, Kane has not disappointed, living up to the considerable hype and affirming his status as one of the world’s premier strikers. He scored three right-footed goals, including one penalty and a header.
Julian Alvarez, Manchester City (4 Goals)
The Argentine has emerged as a crucial player on Pep Gladiola’s squad. Initially brought in as effective backup for Erling Haaland, the World Cup winner has been in exceptional form. All four goals came from his right foot. Despite being signed as a striker, Alvarez succeeded in an attacking midfield role, particularly in supplying plays to Haaland, while Kevin De Bruyne was injured.
Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid (4 Goals)
Jude Bellingham has proven to be an all-around performer on the pitch, scoring crucial goals, providing assists, and displaying tenacity and energy. He scored three goals on his right side and a header. The 20-year-old considered the standout signing of the summer, made a €103 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund. Since joining Real Madrid, Bellingham has become a fan favorite and celebrated as a Galactico. Under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, he has been positioned in the No. 10 role, enhancing his goal-scoring abilities.
Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal (4 Goals)
Gabriel Jesus had an explosive start with the Gunners under Coach Micheal Arteta last season. All four goals were from his right foot. He has faced challenges in replicating the same level of performance in domestic competitions. Nevertheless, the Brazilian striker has kicked off the Champions League campaign on the bright side.
Lois Openda, RB Leipzig (4 Goals)
Lois Openda has made an impressive start at Leipzig. The 23-year-old scored 21 goals for RC Lens in Ligue 1 during the 2022-23 season. He scored three times with his right and once on his left foot. It includes scoring a brace as they lost to Manchester City. He shows promise for further improvement under the guidance of Marco Rose. RB Leipzig faces Real Madrid in the UCL Round of 16.
Danyro Sikan, Shakhtar Donetsk (4 Goals)
Danylo Sikan gained attention for his standout performance at the 2023 U-21 European Championships for Ukraine. He scored twice on his right foot and two headers. He has seamlessly translated his fine form to the club level. He is Shakhtar Donetsk’s most notable player in the ongoing season.
UCL ROUND OF 16 1ST LEG FIXTURES
The UCL matches come back on the 1st Leg of the Round of 16, starting on the 13th of February, 2024. Several exciting matches will take center stage. The knockout Rounds begin in the Telia Parken, where FC Copenhagen faces off against Manchester City. Inter Milan goes against Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona travels to Napals. Below are the full fixtures for the UCL Round of 16;
- FC Copenhagen vs. Manchester City (Tuesday, 13th February, 20:00)
- RB Leipzig vs. Real Madrid (Tuesday, 13th February, 20:00)
- Lazio vs. Bayern Munich (Wednesday, 14th February, 20:00)
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Sociedad (Wednesday, 14th February, 20:00)
- Inter Milan vs. Atletico Madrid (Tuesday, 20th February, 20:00)
- PSV Eindhoven vs. Borussia Dortmund (Tuesday, 20th February, 20:00)
- FC Porto vs. Arsenal (Wednesday, 21st February, 20:00)
- Napoli vs. FC Barcelona (Wednesday, 21st February, 20:00)
Explore Available Champions League 2024 Final Tickets, which are currently in high demand. View seat maps and compare prices to secure the perfect spot for your On-game experience. As the teams transition into the knockout phase, the excitement blooms. Dynamic match-ups from this Draw will keep fans and viewers worldwide in their seats. Stay tuned to witness the outcome of each match. Secure your tickets now and be part of the UCL knockout stages.
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