Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.English clubs have taken a hammering from Europe's elite this season.
Liverpool didn't make it past the group stage, Chelsea somehow failed to beat Paris Saint-Germain at home despite playing against 10 men for 90 minutes and Arsenal did Arsenal things.
On Wednesday night, Manchester City were outclassed away to Barcelona making leaving zero English teams in the final eight of the competition.
Despite there being no teams in Friday's draw, we can't very well turn our eyes away from the the most prestigious competition in Europe just because our teams aren't in amongst it.
Therefore we've devised a handy guide to help you select your team for the rest of the tournament.
It's done on personality type so please be honest with yourself.
WHO SHOULD I SUPPORT?
Hipster: Porto
You ride around town on your single speed 'fixie' drinking your gourmet coffee with a big bushy beard, top knot, rolled up chinos with no socks and sleeved tattoos on each arm. Every breath you take you are sticking it to 'the man', especially when you pop in for that £4 bowl of cereal on Brick Lane and post the results to social media.
You're picking Porto because Borussia Dortmund, darlings of the thinking football fan are out. Julen Lopetegui's (who?) team are that dangerous dark horse that no one knows anything about except from playing video games.
"Yea, that Jackson Martinez, great finishing ability and lighting quick," you'll tell your awestruck friends. "Watch out for Yacine Brahimi and Cristian Tello on the wings; Ricardo Quaresma can still do a job."
Geek: Bayern Munich
Never mind goals, silky skills or crunching tackles, football is better watched through a spreadsheet; pass completion and total duels won are what gets you going.
Well, you're in luck. Pep Guardiola's team are an analytical head's dream, passing the ball more than any team in Europe, completing a whopping 88 per cent of their passes and having an average of 70 per cent possession in their matches.
Nouveau Riche: Paris Saint-Germain
If you spend money like it's going out of fashion then look no further. Most teams would baulk/laugh at a £50million offer for David Luiz (he has the odd decent game, as Chelsea fans will know), but not PSG. You'll stop at nothing to reach the very top and get what you want, Financial Fair Play/interest charges be damned.
Tax dodger: AS Monaco
If you like all of the above but don't like to moan about whopping levels of top-rate tax, then settle with the Principality. Teams from Guernsey and Jersey aren't getting in the Champions League any time soon.
Traditionalist: Juventus
Once upon a time, Italian teams were the most feared in Europe, playing a hard brand of defensive football dotted with more than enough quality to hit you on the counter - that's if they ever wanted to attack in the first place.
But while Serie A used to be the world's best league, it's now below La Liga, the Premier League and the Bundesliga, with only three Italian teams allowed in the competition.
An Italian team hasn't won the competition since Mourinho's Inter in 2010, if you want a return to the old days then the Old Lady is your choice.
Champagne socialist: Barcelona
In public you talk about your left wing, republican roots that represent the wants and needs of the people. You just want to do what's fair and just.
It doesn't matter that in private you are facing a court charge for tax fraud or that you have signed a huge sponsorship deal with oil-rich Sheiks.
Anarchy!
Narcissist: Real Madrid
Some people would baulk at the prospect of supporting a team that have it all - more European Cup wins than any other club, a record 32 national titles and the ability to break the world record transfer fee on the regular.
But you, you just want to win. They may not be playing their best football at the moment but a team worth in excess of £3bn must get it right sooner rather than later.
The younger sibling: Atletico Madrid
You've lived in the shadow of your better looking, richer and more successful older sibling for far too long. Even when you pip them and win a title of real meaning, upsetting a long held hegemony in the process, the older sibling just comes back and goes one better by winning a bigger, shinier trophy.
Well enough's enough. It's time to start taking you seriously, even if you are seen as an afterthought.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments