The UEFA Champions League returns at the end of the month, as the strongest 16 teams have advanced to the Knock-Out Round! They’ve had a couple of months to prepare, and, in some cases, they’ve reloaded and restocked their rosters. For many clubs, they’ve staked their entire seasons on success in the Champions League, and it all starts with the Round of 16.
From an aesthetic point of view, a lot of people think that the Round of 16 is the most exciting round in the Champions League. The lottery gods have accommodated us by giving us some truly mouth-watering matchups.
Two pre-tournament favorites will clash as Inter Milan take on Manchester United, all the while two teams whose fortunes have changed considerably since the drawing, Real Madrid and Liverpool, will meet. Elsewhere Chelsea (and their new manager Guus Hiddink) will face their old manager Claudio Ranieri and Juventus, while Arsenal and AS Roma (two teams that are slowly slipping in under the radar) will battle.
Completing the draw we find Atletico Madrid vs. Porto, Lyon vs. Barcelona (boy, do I not want to be a Lyon supporter right now) and Sporting vs. Bayern Munich.
Here’s the detailed preview for each matchup:
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2008/09 UEFA Champions League
Round of 16
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Tuesday February 24 / Wednesday March 11
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| Arsenal | vs. | Roma | ||
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| Atletico Madrid | vs. | Porto | ||
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| Inter Milan | vs. | Manchester United | ||
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| Lyon | vs. | Barcelona | ||
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Wednesday February 25 / Tuesday March 10
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| Chelsea | vs. | Juventus | ||
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| Villarreal | vs. | Panathinaikos | ||
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| Sporting | vs. | Bayern Munich | ||
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| Real Madrid | vs. | Liverpool | ||
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Soccerlens Live Blogs
Real Madrid v. Liverpool – 1st Leg
Inter Milan v Manchester United – 1st Leg
Liverpool v Real Madrid – 2nd Leg
Manchester United v Inter Milan – 2nd Leg
Mouth-watering ties indeed! I actually think all 4 PL teams could go thru….or all 4 could go out!
It will probably be something in between. I’m keeping my money firmly in my pocket for this round. 🙂
I think this year would also like the last year. It’s all english clubs domination once again.. Because of the quality that you should notice from the strikers of the english teams. Look at the deadly 4 of roony, tevez, berbetov, ronaldo from manu and look at torres, drogba, anelka, arshavin, eduardo, adebayor from the rest of the english sides. I think once again this could be manu’s year… No one(barcelona?) can beat them in champions league
I think with a bit of luck it will be United again, but Barca will be the biggest threat.
The next set of ties looks really good!! I cannot wait for next week!!!
Hey Victor, the links for ‘sporting vs. bayern’ and ‘madrid vs. liverpool’ appear to be mixed up.
And it’s not the second round, it’s the second stage. 🙂 The second round was in the group stage.
Anyway, a bit too many strong games for this round for my taste. In particular, I’d have preferred Inter – Man U to be a QF or even a semi. But then, there’s also a bright side – there will be a truly strong match every round.
I think Real Madrid will come out strongest from the round of 16. I have the feeling they will beat Liverpool comprehensively and go on all the way to the finals, and maybe beat Barca. That’ll be something..
I love the blues- whether loss, draw or win. But I would rather they win tonight
I think this time round Man U will take it this time round too and I am a red devil so I’m glad for them.The only team to bundle us out will be only Barcelona.All the best to everyone watching, losers or winners.