So once again the Champions League reappears and the draw for the round of 16 has been made. And once again there are some ties which make you say, “There’s going to be a lot of controversy in that one” I don’t how UEFA manages to do it so well without drawing serious attention to themselves from people who actually matter in the football world. Seriously, we can tell which matches are going to cause a stir; you can’t keep expecting people to believe there are coincidences.
Let’s take a look at this year’s draw:
Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk
- Not much to say about this one. A relatively even match up, Roma finished 2nd in Group E which contained Bayern. One match between the two sides the Romans came from 2-0 down to win 3-2, whereas Shakhtar managed to win a group which Arsenal were expected to dominate.
Valencia vs Schalke 04
- Valencia 2nd in Group C to Man Utd and Schalke winners of Group B. Another about even match up. One talking point could be Raul’s return to Spain, even if not against his former club.
Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich
- A repeat of last year’s final. Yes we expected it given the seedings so no surprise here. Evidence of UEFA seeking to keep people interested with the absolute “randomness” of such a thing unfolding. It’s a different Inter which won the Champions League last season however. No more Mourinho, a visibly older squad, Wesley Sneijder a shadow of the player who lead Inter to that magnificent treble, and let’s not forget Rafa Benitez is now their manager. Bayern however aren’t in much better shape. At the time of writing they currently sit 6th in the Bundesliga 17 points behind leaders Dortmund.
Olympique Lyonnais vs Real Madrid
- Lyon was the team that knocked out Madrid last season at the same stage. The same stage they’ve been stuck at since 2004. Given that they now have Mourinho in charge, whose sole purpose at the Bernabeau is really to lift the Champions League then it will probably be the turning point for them this year around, provided that the players don’t catch cold feet. And of the possible teams they could’ve drawn Lyon was just the right amount of difficultly to give them a test but allow them to go through.
Marseille vs Man Utd
- Easy draw for Sir Alex’s men. They finished unbeaten in their group and look most likely candidates for the Premier League based on current form and Chelsea’s stuttering.
FC Copenhagen vs Chelsea
- If Ancelotti is still around given Chelsea’s recent form this is a match they will be thankful for. Another easy tie for the favourites.
Arsenal vs Barcelona
- The two best passing sides in the world faceoff. No, Barca couldn’t have been given an easy run to the title as they are the favourites for the cup, especially after the 5-0 drubbing of Madrid in La Liga even though that is another competition. The 3 Ballon D’Or nominees all play for the Blaugrana. Arsenal have been good this season so there is no clear winner here on the basis of current form but the Champions League doesn’t return to February. Also, one cannot forget the Cesc Fabregas issue, when will he finally give up on Arsenal and return to the Camp Nou.
AC Milan vs Tottenham
- Spurs topped a group containing the other side from Milan so it was obvious they had to come up against the other half of the city sooner rather than later. Good Premier League form has been transferred to the Champions League for the men from White Hart Lane with Welshman Gareth Bale receiving all the plaudits. Milan sit atop Serie A thanks to their summer signings of Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Boateng and new manager Allegri but their Champions League form has not been as consistent. Spurs have employed the you score 3 we’ll score 4 method of wining most of their games this season so this is likely to be a high scoring tie.
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