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Champions League 2007/08: Round of 16

Friday, 21 December 07, 04:13 PM

Draw for the last 16 of the Champions League:

Celtic v Barcelona
Lyon v Man Utd
Schalke v Porto
Liverpool v Inter Milan
Roma v Real Madrid
Arsenal v AC Milan
Olympiakos v Chelsea
Fenerbahce v Sevilla

The choice matchup there is of course the Arsenal - AC Milan tie. Two of Europe's best footballing sides, and big teams with great histories. Kaka and Pirlo the keys for Milan, and Hleb and Cesc for Arsenal.

However all the teams in this years knockout stages are quite impressive, and there is going to be some fantastic football on show.

Celtic will have to battle and scrap to get something against Barcelona, but I don't expect them to win, especially with Eto'o back now. Any chance of a result will depend on them effectively resorting to "British" football.

Lyon will be a tricky test for favourites Man United. A lot will depend on Karim Benzema, who is Europe's most in-form young forward. Juninho will be important as well, with his ability from set pieces, and Lyon will look to keep it tight and work through counter-attacks with Benzema and set plays with Juninho.

Schalke v Porto is a group stage rematch from a few years ago. The teams are quite evenly matched, although Porto have more pedigree. This will probably be one of the really unpredictable and potentially entertaining ties of the round.

Liverpool v Inter Milan has "tactical battle" written all over it. Steven Gerrard will come up aganst his old nemesis/inspiration Patrick Vieira, and Crespo will have a chance to get some revenge for the lost final in which he scored (with AC Milan) from 3 years ago. Ibrahimovic, Cruz, Crespo, Figo, Stankovic, and Crespo make up an attack that will have Rafa Benitez sweating.

Roma v Real Madrid sees two attacking teams go up against each other, and will be another great encounter to watch. Both sides have suspect defences, although Roma are slightly more tight-knit than Real at the moment, but lacking in the talent that the Los Merengues have at their disposal.

Chelsea have the easiest matchup, facing "minnows" Olympiakos, who are the first Greek side in history to make the knockout stages. The Greeks don't have much in terms of personnel, although are a very good team. Players like LuaLua, Djordjevic, Kovacevic and Galetti are capable of brilliant moments, but no consistently so. Chelsea meanwhile will probably have brought in 2 or 3 more stars by this time, although it's possible that Didier Drogba might be gone.

Fenerbahce vs Sevilla will see the Spaniards go through. Fener have some talented Brazilians, but not as talented as Sevilla's, and the Andalusians are looking stronger, and stronger.

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Posted by SM | Comments (4)

4 Comments

jason
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jason Wrote: | 17.19UTC | Dec 21, 2007

Celtic v. Barcelona - Barcelona wins
Lyon v. Man Utd. - United wins
Schalke v. Porto - Porto wins
Liverpewl v. Inter - Liverpewl wins
Roma v. Real Madrid - Real Madrid wins
Arsenal v. AC Milan - game's already over as AC Milan wins
Olympiakos v. Chelsea - game's already over as Chelsea wins
Fenerbahce v.Sevilla - Sevilla wins

forzafutbol
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forzafutbol Wrote: | 21.55UTC | Dec 21, 2007

My choice matchups

Roma v Real Madrid - all attacking tie.

Liverpool v Inter - so tintallating. Inter with some stiff competition.

Arsenal v AC Milan - Good luck to Arsenal, but
I think they will get schooled but the wise, experienced one.

Lyon V Man U. C'mon Lyon! Tricky game!

forzafutbol
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forzafutbol Wrote: | 21.56UTC | Dec 21, 2007

My choice matchups

Roma v Real Madrid - all attacking tie.

Liverpool v Inter - so tintallating. Inter with some stiff competition.

Arsenal v AC Milan - Good luck to Arsenal, but
I think they will get schooled but the wise, experienced one.

Lyon V Man U. C'mon Lyon! Tricky game!

yogoman
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yogoman Wrote: | 22.36UTC | Jan 3, 2008

Predictions:

Celtic v Barcelona - BARCELONA WINS
Lyon v Man Utd - LYON WINS
Schalke v Porto - PORTO WINS
Liverpool v Inter Milan - INTER MILAN WINS
Roma v Real Madrid - REAL MADRID
WINS
Arsenal v AC Milan - ARSENAL WINS
Olympiakos v Chelsea - OLYMPIAKOS WINS
Fenerbahce v Sevilla - FENERBAHCE WINS

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