They've just announced the draw for the quarter-finals of the 2008 UEFA Champions League:

Here are the matches and a quick personal analysis:

Game 1: Arsenal X Liverpool

The game that every football fan were dying to see. This match is probably the most interesting match of the four. Last time these two teams played was on October 28th at the Anfield. The score ended 1-1 and some curious facts can be pointed to help us predict this clash:

*Liverpool scored early in the game with a free kick from Gerrard. The equalizer came with Fabregas but only at minute 79.

*Fernando "El Niño" Torres only played the first 45 minutes and left the pitch injured, now he's fully recovered and playing at his best.

*Eduardo was not even on the bench for that match and now he will once again watch the game from his home.

***MY PREDICTION: Arsenal will not be able to stop "El Niño" and Liverpool will move on to the semi-finals.

Game 2: Roma X Manchester United

If the first game is the most interesting this one is possibly the most exciting. Both teams have tremendous capacity of creating offensive plays so we might see many goals in this draw. That's why, even though one might think Man U are the favorites with Cristiano Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney leading the pack, I still believe they should not even think of underestimating Pizarro, Mancini and Totti.

***MY PREDICTION: I'll be cheering for Roma on this one because of my "homeboy" Mancini but I believe Manchester United is indeed a stronger side and will advance.

Game 3: Schalke 04 X Barcelona

Well, well, well... If Ronaldinho plays his best, if Henry forgets about his unhappiness, if Etto scores the necessary goals then Barcelona will have an easy path to the semifinals. The only problems is that a football match is never decided by "IFs". Schalke made this far for a reason so the Catalan Team will have to foccus and play well without their Wonder Kid Lional Messi.

***MY PREDICTION: Ronaldinho is eager to shut up his critics and I'm expecting him to perform his best, with that been said, it's Barcelona in the semifinals.

Game 4: Fenerbahçe X Chelsea FC

This is not gonna be pretty. Chelsea doesn't follow the "play beautifully" slogan. They play to win and that's it. Fenerba'hçe on the other hand plays with heart. They might not have the best team on the paper but their home crowd can make all the difference. It's not gonna be easy for Chelsea playing in Turkey. So we might have a surprise with this one.

***MY PREDICITION: Brazilian Coach Zico will infuse passion in his players hearts and Fenerbahçe will repeat Barnsley achievement and knock Chelsea out of the competition.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO AGREE OR DISAGREE...

POST YOUR PREDICITONS!!! 

After yesterday's and today's games I came to a few personal conclusions (feel free to disagree)

 * Using the home team advantadge is crucial at this point of the competition.

* But a one goal is still a dangerous result for Fenerbahce and Roma. They will both face strong spanish teams that will play for their crowds. And Sevilla and Real Madrid will need a simple victory by 1 x 0 to move to the next round.

* Schalke has a better change to hold up Porto. The tactical discipline of German football can make the difference

* Liverpool is a little bit more confortable to face Internazionale after scoring twice and not allowing a reaction by the leader of Serie A.

* Real Madrid's inefficiency to create trouble to Roma's defense in the second half proved that Robinho is much more important for the team than Robben right now.

* Vitor Valdes needs to improve his game or soon he'll be getting the boot. How couldn't he save that header in Celtic's second goal?

* Olympique Lyon will have a lot of problems to stop Tevez and Ronaldo in the second leg. Lyon can always count on Bezema and Juninho but if Ronaldo, Tevez and Anderson really play at the top of their games it would be improbable to Man Un to be beaten.

* Experience still goes a long way. Of course I'm talking about AC Milan. They bravely held up a 0 x 0 result against a Arsenal that had at least 2 clear chances to score. Arsenal still has a chance but beating the European (and World) Champions will not be a simple task at all.

* Messi is the pulsating heart of Barcelona now! And Ronaldinho finally woke up! And that's excellent for the spectacle of football!!!

Please add your own points of view!

Kevin Kurani (Schalke 04)

Ernesto Farias (FC Porto)

Raul (Real Madrid)

Mancini (Roma)

Kovacevic (Olimpiacos)

Drogba (Chelsea)

Tevez & Rooney (Manchester United)

Karim Benzema (Lyon)

Materazzi (Iternazionale)

Gerrard (Liverpool)

Kezman (Fenerbahçe)

Dani Alves (sevilla) vs. Alex (Fenerbahçe)

Kaka (AC Milan)

Eduardo (Arsenal)

Barry Robson (Celtic)

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

I know 7 teams are missing from the picture (Porto, Olimpiakos, Fenerbahce, Schalke, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United) but I just thought that it was really cool to open my closet and see that I have 9 of the 16 Champions League teams jerseys. Who will take the "Big Ears" trophy this year???

On my pre-game game post I got the line-up for Barcelona without Ronaldinho or Deco in it. That's cause coach Frank Rijkaard kept the mistery until moments before the match today.

I was happy to see that he had chosen to start with the brazilian. I also thought Ronaldinho would do everything possible to win this game and prove how valuable he still is for the team.

Well, that didn't quite happen.

The first half was quite balanced in numbers and also in goal opportunities but since the beginning I could see a more organized Real Madrid.  Los Merengues dictated the rythm of the game with a good passing line and a well controled pace.

At the 7th minute Ruud van Nistelrooy could have scored the opening goal with a shot from the rtop right side of the box that went just wide of the goal.

Only after 28 minutes played in the first half was Barcelona able to really balance things up when Ronaldinho decided to wake up. The brazilian was reaponsible for at least 2 brilliant moments in less than 5 minutes. It was good to see his footwork and amazing skills to take on defenders entertain the crowd and get Barça close to the equalizer. No enough though.

 

It was another brazilian who stole the spotlight on the first half.  A great passing play ended up with van Nistelrooy serving Julio Baptista on the left side of the box. On a perfect strike, "The Beast" scored the winning goal at minute 35.

Baptista proved once again that skills alone can only take a team so far. There's gotta be efficiency if a team wants to win titles.

 

The second half was, what I would call, the reason why this is the greatest sport on earth: NO GOALS but a lot of AMAZING, STUNNING moments. Barecelona kept on searching for the equalizer but Ronaldinho's inspiration was gone. The team bravely - but also too desperately - attacked with shots from outside the box and attempts of through balls, but they almost always hit a wall called Pepe. Real Madrid's defense played extremely well.

Los Merengues on the other hand used the counter attack as their main weapon. Robinho always giving Barça's defense a hard time.

 

Another great game that made very happy for waking up early this sunday.

 

And now some questions for you guys:

Should Barcelona keep Ronaldinho?

Is Messi more important for the team?

This is the game I've been waiting for. And even though Real Madrid cannot be reached at the first position (the difference is 4 points) a Barcelona win would mean a very tough and close championship after the winter break.

I honestly find it very hard to make a prediction because a lot on this match will depend on some individual performances. Robinho, Van Nilsterooy, Messi, Eto'o ... will have this responsibility.

Wait a minute, I didn't mention Ronaldinho?

Well, coach Frank Rijkaard is still keeping it a secret Ronaldinho's presence on the starting eleven. I understand that Barcelona has a great team with many players thast can be replaced by others and still keep the team playing beautiful football but in such an important match I'd take the experience of Ronaldinho over Giovani dos Santos any time.

In my opinion if Ronaldinho plays Barcelona wins 3 x 1 if he doesn't I predict the same score but in favor of "Los merengues"

The debate is open.

Ronaldinho or Giovani? What's your choice?

And who will win this match?

Here are the possible line-ups: