The Champions League is hotting up as we approach the business end of the season with the teams fighting out in the last eight of the competition finalised this week.
PSG, Tottenham and Manchester United were among the big teams knocked out in a thrilling last-16 stage played out over the past month.
Here Sportsmail guide you through all you need to know about the sides remaining ahead of Friday’s quarter-final draw…
Barcelona
Lionel Messi swept Chelsea aside to put Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals
Champions League form guide
The only unbeaten side left in the competition alongside Liverpool, it’s been serene progress into the last eight for Ernesto Valverde in his debut season.
Just two goals conceded so far shows a defensive steel not widely seen in previous vintages.
Two big home wins over Barcelona and Juventus in their two biggest games in Europe so far show they remain a tough proposition in the Champions League.
Competition history
Five-time champions now entering the end of the cycle that saw them lift the title four times in nine years.
But after securing a record 11th successive place in the last eight of the Champions League they are still a feared outfit.
After quarter-final exits in the last two seasons they will be desperate to make amends this time.
Star man so far
Lionel Messi was in inspired form to sweep aside Chelsea in Wednesday night’s second-leg at the Nou Camp.
He may be into his fourth decade now but the magic remains untouched and the killer instinct in the final third still unerring.
He is hunting his fifth Champions League success and you wouldn’t bet against him getting it at some point, but will it be this season?
Danger Rating
They don’t strike fear into you like the Barcelona of old under Pep Guardiola, or even Luis Enrique’s 2015 side.
But they showed their ruthlessness in dismantling Chelsea over two legs, and with Messi in this kind of form you always have a chance. 5/5
Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski leads the scoring charts for Bayern Munich in Europe this season
Champions League form guide
A 3-0 reverse at PSG in September accelerated the demise of former manager Carlo Ancelotti but it has almost been plain sailing for the Germans ever since.
Jupp Heynckes has energised an ageing side, who have won FIVE straight games in the competition since.
A 5-0 mauling of Besiktas in their first-leg a month ago made the return fixture in Turkey on Wednesday night a mere formality.
Competition history
Among a select group of five-time winners, Bayern Munich are bonafide royalty in the European Cup.
Added to that is the experience of manager Heynckes, aiming to join Bob Paisley and Ancelotti in winning the competition for a third time.
He last won it with this side in 2013, 15 years after claiming it with Real Madrid in 1998.
Star man so far
You can’t look too much further than Robert Lewandowski, who once again has come to the fore in front of goal.
The Polish hitman has struck five times in six games in the competition so far, and 32 in 35 games overall.
But the dependence on Lewandowski may have turned into over-reliance over the course of the season; only one other player (Thomas Muller, 10) has reached double figures.
Danger Rating
They are runaway leaders in the Bundesliga once again, but the sheen of old is not quite there.
The name will be feared, and so too the top players who remain from Heynckes’ triumph at Wembley four years ago.
But there is a lingering suspicion that this is a side in need of overhaul this summer. 4/5
Juventus
Paulo Dybala scored the crucial goal that sent Juventus past Tottenham in the last-16
Champions League form guide
Juventus have not looked overly convincing, winning just three of their six group games and collapsing to a 3-0 defeat at Barcelona in September.
But they came out on top in a titanic last-16 struggle with Tottenham where their big game experience came to the fore at the crucial moments.
Competition history
A big European name, but lacking the history in this competition their reputation deserves.
Twice beaten finalists in the last three years, Juve have lost seven finals in the competition’s history winning it only twice.
It remains the one trophy missing from Gianluigi Buffon’s cabinet, and manager Massimiliano Allegri has proved himself adept at negotiating two-legged ties.
Star man so far
Paulo Dybala chose an opportune moment to break his European duck this season to send Juve through against Spurs last week.
He has drawn level with Gonzalo Higuain as the club’s top scorer this year and looks to be hitting his best form.
At 24, is the Argentine finally ready to join the elite of world stars?
Danger rating
A settled defence, a fearsome frontline and a shrewd manager in the dugout; no-one will want to draw Juventus in the quarter-finals.
Their recent record is to be feared, with only Bayern Munich getting the better of Allegri over two legs in a madcap tie two years ago.
But over two legs Tottenham showed that this is a side who can be got at it, with a goalkeeper whose powers appear to be waning. 4/5
Liverpool
Roberto Firmino has been on fire in attack for Liverpool scoring seven times in the competition
Champions League form guide
The competition’s top scorers and the only unbeaten side remaining in the competition, alongside Barcelona.
Jurgen Klopp’s free-scoring side have taken Europe by storm, rattling up two 7-0 wins in the group stage and a five-goal romp away at Porto in the last-16.
Competition History
Five-time winners with an illustrious European history dating back to before their maiden triumph in 1977.
The miraculous win in Istanbul in 2005 ushered in a period of European excellence where Rafa Benitez continually took Liverpool into the latter stages.
A downturn in fortunes over the last decade makes this only the second time since 2009 the Reds have reached the last eight.
Star man so far
The obvious answer is Mohamed Salah, but it is Roberto Firmino who has come to the fore in Europe this season.
He has seven goals in the competition so far, making him the third highest scorer.
His movement and defensive work in the attacking third make him an absolute handful for opposing teams, as much as his prowess in front of goal.
Danger rating
They are yet to be tested against a European heavyweight, but with 28 goals in eight games no-one will want to draw them.
A place inside the Premier League top four looks safe – for now – so Klopp may be tempted to throw all his eggs in one basket between now and the end of the season.
Anfield retains a mystical aura on Champions League nights, and Liverpool will be sure to draw on that in the latter stages. 4/5
Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne’s trickery has underpinned Manchester City’s success in Europe so far
Champions League form guide
Two defeats in dead-rubber games should take nothing away from Manchester City’s excellence in the Champions League this season.
They ran away as group winners thanks to two sparkling wins over an imposing Napoli side before Christmas.
And a kind last-16 draw against Basle posed few problems, with Pep Guardiola’s side forging a four-goal lead to take back to the second-leg at home.
Competition History
City remain relative novices in the Champions League. This is only the second time they have made it to the last eight after a semi-final exit in 2016.
Their previous under-performance in the competition looks to be a thing of the past now with the quality of the squad assembled by Guardiola.
The Spaniard is another looking for a third triumph, having twice succeeded before with his stellar Barcelona side.
Star man so far
The orchestrator from deep, Kevin De Bruyne has proved irresistible in the Champions League this season.
Manchester City’s star man runs the game and pulled the strings from midfield in significant group stage wins over Napoli.
He embodies the style of play that has won admirers far and wide, and he will prove key whoever they draw in the next stage.
Danger rating
City are surely the most feared side in Europe after a stellar campaign so far that has seen them lose only four times in all competitions.
They are running away with the Premier League title and can focus all their energies on the Champions League in the final months of the campaign.
Unsurprisingly the bookies have them as favourites, and they will take some beating this year. 5/5
Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo came to the fore once again to send Real Madrid past PSG in the last-16
Champions League form guide
Thoroughly unconvincing domestically, Real Madrid have showcased all their familiar hallmarks in Europe.
A 3-1 dismantling by Tottenham in the group stage aside, it has been business as usual for the double defending champions.
Cast as underdogs in the last-16 against PSG, Zinedine Zidane’s side rose to the occasion and knocked out the French pretenders with ease over two legs.
Competition History
Real Madrid defined the early stages of the European Cup and they define the competition even now.
Three triumphs in four seasons make this their strongest period since the days of Alfredo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas.
The long wait for La Decima finally ended in 2014, and now the pursuit of No 13 is well and truly on.
Star man so far
Cristiano Ronaldo. Who else?
The twilight of his career is fast approaching but there remains no-one quite like the Portuguese when it comes to pressure moments in big-game situations.
He delivered the goods against PSG with three goals in the tie and leads the scoring charts with an incredible 12 strikes.
Danger rating
They may not be the best team left in the competition but Real Madrid are probably the one you would least like to draw.
Three wins in four years give them an unrivalled pedigree at this level. They may be creaking in the league, with Zidane approaching the end of his tenure, but would you back against them making it three from three? 5/5
Roma
Edin Dzeko (right) was the match-winner as Roma edged past Shakhtar Donetsk this week
Champions League form guide
One of the surprise packages of the season so far, but Roma have reached the last eight of the competition entirely on merit.
Edged out Chelsea to win Group C and knocked out Atletico Madrid in the process.
Came through a tight last-16 tie over Shakhtar Donetsk on away goals thanks to Edin Dzeko’s second-half strike at the Stadio Olimpico this week.
Competition History
One of only two teams left yet to claim the trophy. The Italians though do have some pedigree in the competition, losing in their only final appearance to Liverpool back in 1984.
But this is the furthest they have been in the Champions League in 10 years, when they suffered quarter-final defeats in successive seasons to Manchester United.
Star man so far
Alisson continues to impress in goal for Roma and kept them in the first-leg against Shakhtar Donetsk.
But it is former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko who has most impressed in Europe this season.
His four goals this year have propelled the Serie A side to their best performance in Europe in a decade.
Danger rating
Chelsea came unstuck against Roma but the Italians failed to lay a glove on Atletico Madrid over 180 minutes in the group stage.
A narrow muscling out of Shakhtar will not have the rest of Europe quaking in its boots. They are certainly among the weakest two teams left. 2/5
Sevilla
Sevilla’s Wissam Ben Yedder celebrates after his late double dumped out Manchester United
Champions League form guide
Won only twice to progress through the group stage where they were involved in two thrilling draws with Liverpool, yet contrived to lose 5-1 away at Spartak Moscow.
Manchester United’s inexplicable refusal to attack the Spanish side led to their downfall in the last-16, with Wissam Ben Yedder’s late sucker-punch at Old Trafford sending Vincenzo Montella’s side through.
Competition History
Sevilla are into the quarter-finals for the first time in 60 years, and have never progressed further in the European Cup,
They may be Champions League fledglings but their European nous should not be questioned after three successive Europa League titles between 2014 and 2016.
Transferring that expertise up another level may prove a bridge too far, but shows they cannot be discounted.
Star man so far
Wissam Ben Yedder’s rather unheralded career has sparked into life this season.
The Frenchman is the second top scorer in the competition with eight goals so far and his introduction on Tuesday night proved decisive in sending Sevilla into the last eight.
Danger rating
A pretty side to watch, and very good in the middle third, but Sevilla lack the cutting edge and firepower to go further in this competition.
Manchester United played into their hands in the last-16 in a way that is inconceivable of any of the remaining Champions League favourites.
A place in the semi-final is surely beyond them, despite the warning sounded by knocking out Manchester United. 3/5