![Michael Cox (The Athletic FC Podcast): "The main reason [English teams were eliminated] is the English teams are not very good. The top E..."](https://assets.pippa.io/shows/6818be7d1d28d62313ac8ef3/show-cover.jpg)
Who are the Champions League favourites after the last 16?
🎧 Listen to the full episode on The Athletic FC Podcast
Premier League performance in Europe
The main reason [English teams were eliminated] is the English teams are not very good. The top English sides are not that good. They might be strong in terms of financial power and bringing lots of good players, but we know all season they haven't been playing good football really.
Pep Guardiola's tactical legacy
Sometimes I think Guardiola for the first time has started to maybe look a little bit dated because football at the moment is very different from football five years ago or ten years ago.
Manchester City's decline
I've never been convinced by City this season or last season in the Premier League or in the Champions League and actually their Champions League results have been pretty bad. They were beaten fair and square over two legs.
Champions League winner predictions
I think Barcelona and Bayern play the best attacking football and I think they might be the best two teams, but Arsenal have got a good draw. If I was to bet on one side getting to the final I would go for Arsenal.
I think it's clear that that Bayern and Arsenal are the two outstanding teams this year but as we know we very rarely get a Champions League final between the two outstanding teams.
Real Madrid's tactical identity
Real Madrid are kind of vibes based. That unpredictability maybe out of possession and unpredictability in possession is both a strength and a weakness. It's a blessing and a curse.
Arsenal's Champions League prospects
Arsenal are not sure they're the best team, but I think they're the most suited to the knockout format. I think they will keep clean sheets.
Premier League coefficient and Champions League spots
There's a very good chance or a reasonable chance I'd say that Aston Villa win the Europa League under Unai Emery but finish outside the top five, so it's very likely that we'll have six teams back in it again and we could be seeing the same issues this time next year.
Barcelona's defensive tactics
The high line continues to be something of a problem [for Barcelona]. Newcastle's both of Newcastle's goals this week were essentially from the high line.
Champions League rule changes
I think the away goals rule I quite liked it not because of its original purpose but just because I think it created some more drama. I think it made Champions League or all European football feel different.
