I realize I did one of these last season, and then never really kept up with it (you know, in the quarter and semi finals), but I figured I had so much fun doing it that I would try it again this season. The title says it all. Let's take a look at the match-ups of the Champions League "Round of 16".
We'll take it by date of game, and according to UEFA's official website (uefa.com), the first pair to play is actually what they call the crowd-pleaser. Manchester City is pitted against Spanish champions Barcelona. City seem to be doing rather well in the Champions League this season, and for them that's a surprise! Despite the fact that they have the talents of Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, David Silva and so many others, they've never made it past the group stage. Will they be able to face tournament veterans Barcelona, who seem to be going through a transition phase, having to play without Messi for a long period of time since who-knows-when, trying to get used to Tata Martino's more offensive style of play and making room for Neymar in the squad? Things seem to be going well for Barca in the La Liga, despite a few bumps here and there.
Next match-up is Leverkusen vs. PSG. There's really not much to say about this one. Leverkusen made it out of Group A as second, but when put up against a strong opponent like Man. United, they were thrashed (4-2 away, 0-5 at home). On the other hand, Paris quickly made it obvious that they were going to be topping Group C, winning on matchday 1 at the "Karaiskakis" 1-4 against Olympiacos. Things did get tough for them at times, but when it really came down to it, their difference in quality made all the difference. The same will be done here as well.
Arsenal will face a tough challenge in the current European champions. Bayern Munich seem literally unstoppable yet again this season, cruising through their Champions League group, topping the Bundesliga and making it obvious that despite the change in the locker rooms, they are favorites this year as well for pretty much every title in their reach. They confirmed it recently by winning the Inter-Continental Cup. Arsenal on the other hand, are currently first at the Premier League for but a few points and have found their new leader on the pitch in the face of Mezut Ezil. Though they have slipped up from time to time, they are in good form. This should be a very good couple of games!
Milan will have Atletico Madrid to deal with. The "rossoneri" look to be constantly plagued by problems (their next coach will be, apparently Clarence Seedorf) and they're having yet another awful season in the Serie A. Diego Simeone's side, on the other hand is becoming the pleasant surprise of the season, topping the La Liga along with Barca and storming through the Champions League group stage. They seem to be a tough group for any opponent to beat and can be capable of many things. Despite Milan's reputation, they are not the favorites in this match up.
Zenit plays last year's runner-ups Dortmund. A lot of people claim Zenit are even lucky to have gotten this far, and they wouldn't be wrong, considering they qualified from their group with barely 6 (!) points to show and losing their last game 4-1 to Austria in Vienna. Dortmund want to have another crack at what they lost at the final minute in last season's dramatic final against their rivals Bayern. If the Russian side are to qualify, they will need to show something completely different than what they've shown so far.
Next match-up, Olympiacos vs Man. Utd. Despite a shakey start, the Greek side performed rather well in the group stage, considering their only loss was against PSG, and that came thanks to Cavani's last minute effort. Manchester, in their first season without Sir Alex Ferguson, seem to be having domestic issues. In the Champions League they dominated their group, with 4 wins and 2 draws. They seem to be finding their form, but even if they do, considering Olympiacos's recent performances, this will be anything but easy for them.
In a bit of a similar (David-vs-Goliath) tie, Galatasaray welcome Chelsea. Before the draw was made, Jose Mourinho stated to the press that the most fantastic thing would be for his team to draw the Turks so that Didier Drogba could return to the "Stamford Bridge" and have his standing ovation. Not a week later, the "special one"'s wish came true. As far as the teams are concerned, Galata knocked out Juventus, so it wouldn't really be the most shocking thing if Chelsea was disqualified by them as well, since the Turks have a squad that is capable of many things. Chelsea are having their ups and downs for another season, and aren't really considered strong contenders for either the Premier League or the Champions League as things stand. Still, they are the favorites in this match up.
In the last of the "Round-Of-16" ties, Schalke will host Real Madrid. The Ruhr-river side squad has traditionally had a strong defense, with the likes of Howedes, Uchida and Papadopoulos. But however strong a defense may be, Cristiano Ronaldo has proven that he knows the way to break them down. Considering both teams' form this season, Madrid are a clear favorite.
And that's it! Some exciting games, others with clear favorites, and of course everyone will be waiting for the upset. Who will it be? Who will qualify to the final "8"? Who will take the trophy hame? Can Bayern be the first team ever to do the repeat? Coming 2014...
We'll take it by date of game, and according to UEFA's official website (uefa.com), the first pair to play is actually what they call the crowd-pleaser. Manchester City is pitted against Spanish champions Barcelona. City seem to be doing rather well in the Champions League this season, and for them that's a surprise! Despite the fact that they have the talents of Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, David Silva and so many others, they've never made it past the group stage. Will they be able to face tournament veterans Barcelona, who seem to be going through a transition phase, having to play without Messi for a long period of time since who-knows-when, trying to get used to Tata Martino's more offensive style of play and making room for Neymar in the squad? Things seem to be going well for Barca in the La Liga, despite a few bumps here and there.
Next match-up is Leverkusen vs. PSG. There's really not much to say about this one. Leverkusen made it out of Group A as second, but when put up against a strong opponent like Man. United, they were thrashed (4-2 away, 0-5 at home). On the other hand, Paris quickly made it obvious that they were going to be topping Group C, winning on matchday 1 at the "Karaiskakis" 1-4 against Olympiacos. Things did get tough for them at times, but when it really came down to it, their difference in quality made all the difference. The same will be done here as well.
Arsenal will face a tough challenge in the current European champions. Bayern Munich seem literally unstoppable yet again this season, cruising through their Champions League group, topping the Bundesliga and making it obvious that despite the change in the locker rooms, they are favorites this year as well for pretty much every title in their reach. They confirmed it recently by winning the Inter-Continental Cup. Arsenal on the other hand, are currently first at the Premier League for but a few points and have found their new leader on the pitch in the face of Mezut Ezil. Though they have slipped up from time to time, they are in good form. This should be a very good couple of games!
Milan will have Atletico Madrid to deal with. The "rossoneri" look to be constantly plagued by problems (their next coach will be, apparently Clarence Seedorf) and they're having yet another awful season in the Serie A. Diego Simeone's side, on the other hand is becoming the pleasant surprise of the season, topping the La Liga along with Barca and storming through the Champions League group stage. They seem to be a tough group for any opponent to beat and can be capable of many things. Despite Milan's reputation, they are not the favorites in this match up.
Zenit plays last year's runner-ups Dortmund. A lot of people claim Zenit are even lucky to have gotten this far, and they wouldn't be wrong, considering they qualified from their group with barely 6 (!) points to show and losing their last game 4-1 to Austria in Vienna. Dortmund want to have another crack at what they lost at the final minute in last season's dramatic final against their rivals Bayern. If the Russian side are to qualify, they will need to show something completely different than what they've shown so far.
Next match-up, Olympiacos vs Man. Utd. Despite a shakey start, the Greek side performed rather well in the group stage, considering their only loss was against PSG, and that came thanks to Cavani's last minute effort. Manchester, in their first season without Sir Alex Ferguson, seem to be having domestic issues. In the Champions League they dominated their group, with 4 wins and 2 draws. They seem to be finding their form, but even if they do, considering Olympiacos's recent performances, this will be anything but easy for them.
In a bit of a similar (David-vs-Goliath) tie, Galatasaray welcome Chelsea. Before the draw was made, Jose Mourinho stated to the press that the most fantastic thing would be for his team to draw the Turks so that Didier Drogba could return to the "Stamford Bridge" and have his standing ovation. Not a week later, the "special one"'s wish came true. As far as the teams are concerned, Galata knocked out Juventus, so it wouldn't really be the most shocking thing if Chelsea was disqualified by them as well, since the Turks have a squad that is capable of many things. Chelsea are having their ups and downs for another season, and aren't really considered strong contenders for either the Premier League or the Champions League as things stand. Still, they are the favorites in this match up.
In the last of the "Round-Of-16" ties, Schalke will host Real Madrid. The Ruhr-river side squad has traditionally had a strong defense, with the likes of Howedes, Uchida and Papadopoulos. But however strong a defense may be, Cristiano Ronaldo has proven that he knows the way to break them down. Considering both teams' form this season, Madrid are a clear favorite.
And that's it! Some exciting games, others with clear favorites, and of course everyone will be waiting for the upset. Who will it be? Who will qualify to the final "8"? Who will take the trophy hame? Can Bayern be the first team ever to do the repeat? Coming 2014...
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