The UEFA Champions League round of 16 officially begins this week as several European heavyweights begin to make their case to reach the May 31 final in Munich and win the whole thing. This round's action is headlined by the latest edition of the Madrid Derby as well as another regional matchup between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti's insistence on allowing the brilliantly-talented Madrid players freedom keeps paying off, even if it can be risky

Madrid has been a thorn for Atletico in the Champions League over the years, beating the city rival in two finals and eliminating it from the competition the other two times they faced off in the knockout rounds.