6 things we learned from the Champions League last 16 ties

Well, there you have it. The 2023/24 Champions League round of 16 is done and dusted.

There was perhaps a lack of intrigue surrounding several of the ties, but after a slow start to the round, the typical tension and momentum shifts which define the latter stages of this competition started to come to the fore during the final round of second legs.

And with a lack of upsets seeing a litany of behemoths progress, we should be in for a blockbuster conclusion to the competition.

Here are six things we learned from the round of 16 affairs.

1. Harry Kane is in the mood for Champions League success

Harry Kane may well end up breaking Robert Lewandowski's Bundesliga single-season scoring record by the time his debut campaign is up.

The Englishman, who netted his fourth domestic hat-trick of 2023/24 against Mainz, is nothing short of a supreme performer, and it was his brace that helped a vulnerable Bayern Munich into the quarter-finals.

It's certainly been a timely return to form for Kane, who endured a barren run as Bayern succumbed to Bayer Leverkusen and lost in Rome amid a pair of dire collective displays.

The striker's clutch showing helped Thomas Tuchel's side overturn a 1-0 deficit against Lazio and served as a welcome reminder that he can and will deliver on the big occasion for the Bavarian behemoths as they go in search of European glory.

2. Real Madrid's heritage takes them a long way

Real Madrid weren't expected to have many issues against an exciting, vertical, but annoyingly inconsistent RB Leipzig.

Injuries played a role in their unconvincing 1-0 away win which saw the hosts spurn a litany of chances, but there were few mitigating factors for their shoddy showing in the reverse fixture.

Madrid escaped with a 2-1 aggregate win with Leipzig again proving profligate. Carlo Ancelotti candidly said his side "must improve" after the second leg, with Madrid undoubtedly reliant on individual brilliance and their nous in this competition as opposed to any collective mastery.

Heritage counts for plenty during the nitty, gritty phase of Champions League footer, and no club has it in greater abundance than Real Madrid. Despite their tactical flaws, they'll still take some beating.

3. More to PSG more than just Kylian Mbappe

Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil certainly thinks so.

Paris Saint-Germain's superstar-driven pursuit of its ultimate goal often came at their detriment, and drifting away from such an approach is standing the French club in good stead.

Mbappe remains the final third killer and the star who'll ultimately decide how far PSG will go in this competition, but there's no doubt they're as collectively coherent as they've been in a very long time. With their talisman leaving the summer, Luis Enrique knows that his side are going to have to become less reliant on his brilliance even as 2023/24 progresses.

"With the level they have shown in this match, they are a serious candidate to win the Champions League," Imanol said after the second leg. PSG made light work of a tie some touted as a potential banana skin.

4. La Masia has unearthed one hell of a talent

You can question their financial management all you want, but these Catalonians sure know how to cultivate footballers.

La Masia operated as the cornerstone behind Barcelona's imperious success under Pep Guardiola, and the club's academy continues to play a major role in Catalonia.

Xavi was without Masia graduates Gavi for both legs and Pedri for the second against Napoli, with the homegrown Fermin Lopez, a box-crashing midfielder unlike any the club have produced in recent memory, scoring Barca's first on Tuesday night.

Teenager Lamine Yamal was instrumental in Barca's fast start, while 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi was named UEFA's Player of the Match for his role in taming Victor Osimhen and company.

Yamal and Cubarsi are sensations.

5. Arsenal are learning on the job

The free-scoring Gunners squeaked past an admirably horrible Porto following a 210-minute slog in which they toiled against a stubborn Portuguese block.

Sergio Conceicao arguably outwitted his counterpart, and there's no doubt that further questions would've arose regarding Mikel Arteta's competence in knockout fixtures had the penalty shootout gone the other way.

Arsenal were careful and cautious for much of this tie, with their usual vigour out of possession nowhere to be seen. This is a very good Gunners outfit, but one that's still learning on the job when it comes to Champions League knockout stage football.

Their inexperience showed at times during this round of 16 tie, but they were ice cold from 12 yards.

6. Jadon Sancho's starting to sparkle

D'you reckon Sancho is missing Old Trafford?

After spending months in the wilderness in Manchester, Borussia Dortmund handed their former star an olive branch and signed him on loan in January.

The winger took some time to shake the rust off, but Sancho is beginning to shine under the bright lights again. His goal against Werder Bremen will perhaps serve as the ignition for a stellar conclusion to 2023/24.

Sancho dazzled in Dortmund's return leg against PSV on Tuesday night, with the Englishman's early goal proving the difference. He's playing with a swagger again, and the Yellow Wall was keen to show their appreciation after he was replaced by Marco Reus with 15 minutes to play.

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