Champions League glory beckons

Ger McCarthy

WITH Manchester United and Manchester City exiting at the group stage the spotlight fell on Arsenal and Chelsea to fly the Premier League flag in the last 16. Former Bayern Munich and West German international full back Paul Breitner assisted the draw in his role as 'Champions League Final Ambassador' before an expectant audience that included representatives of first time knockout phase qualifiers Zenit St Petersburg and APOEL Nicosia.

Champions League - Round of 16
Olympique Lyonnais v APOEL Nicosia
Lyon's reward for squeaking through on the final night of Group D's fixtures is a second round tie with the tournament's surprise package APOEL Nicosia. The Ligue1 club defeated Dinamo Zagreb 7-1 to overtake Ajax for the runners-up spot behind Real Madrid thanks to four goals from in-form striker Bafétimbi Gomis including the fastest ever Uefa Champions League hat-trick. APOEL came from nowhere to top Group D ahead of Zenit St. Petersburg, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk thanks to three away draws and two home victories. Ivan Jovanovic's side will respect but hold little fear of facing Lyon but the French club's greater experience of Champions League knockout ties should see them through.
Verdict: Olympique Lyonnais


Napoli v Chelsea
Napoli's reward for knocking Manchester City out of the Champions League is a glamour second round tie against Premier League high-flyers Chelsea. Manager Walter Mazzari's potent attack is led by Edinson Cavani who has netted four goals in this season's tournament. Add in the silky skills of Marek Hamsik, Gokhan Inler and Ezequiel Lavezzi and Chelsea will have their hands full attempting to overcome one of Serie A's best sides. Andres Villas-Boas has overseen an upturn in form in recent weeks with the London club recording a morale-boosting 2-1 victory at home to the previously undefeated Manchester City last Monday night. Chelsea topped Group E en route to qualifying for the second round but will need Juan Mata and Didier Drogba firing on an all cylinders to get past Napoli.
Verdict: Chelsea


AC Milan v Arsenal
There is little doubt that the glamour tie of the second round is AC Milan's clash with Arsenal. The Italians finished second in Group H but pushed eventual winners Barcelona all the way in two cracking encounters that finished 2-2 at the Camp Nou and a narrow 3-2 loss at the San Siro. The form of three strikers Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pato will dictate whether or not Milan progress but expect two top quality encounters with their North London based opponents. Robin Van Persie holds the key to Arsenal's qualification for the quarter finals as the Dutch striker is currently in the form of his life and scoring for fun in the Premier League. It is the Gunners defence that will come under the most scrutiny against Milan and Arsene Wenger needs a fit Thomas Vermalaen to have any hop of progressing. It will be close but Arsenal should have enough firepower to squeeze through.
Verdict: Arsenal


FC Basel 1893 vs. Bayern Munich
It is a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire for FC Basel. The Swiss club ended Manchester United's interest in this season's tournament and their reward is a daunting two-legged meeting with Bayern Munich. New Coach Heiko Vogel has been hugely impressive in his short time in charge of Basel with Alexander and Fabian Frei combining for 8 goals to help secure the runners-up berth in Group C. Bayern Munich emerged from a difficult Group A with 13 points from a possible 18 thanks to the efforts of in-form Mario Gomez (6 goals) and the timely return to fitness of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben. The Bundesliga outfit will be anxious to go progress as this year's Champions League final takes place on their home patch of the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Verdict: Bayern Munich


Bayer Leverkusen vs. Barcelona
A 2-1 defeat of Chelsea on Matchday5 enabled Bayer Leverkusen to grab the runners up spot in Group E. A disappointing 1-1 draw with Genk on the final night of group fixtures prevented the Bundesliga side from topping the group and Robin Dutt's talented side will be kicking themselves as the second round draw has pitted Leverkusen against current Champions League holders Barcelona. Pep Guardiola's star-studded squad are still basking in the glow of an impressive El Classico 3-1 victory over bitter rivals Real Madrid and reached the final of the World Club Championship during the week. Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta will anchor the Catalan's midfield against Leverkusen and barring a shock, guide Barcelona safely into the quarter-finals.
Verdict: Barcelona

CSKA Moscow v Real Madrid
Jose Mourinho takes his Real Madrid side to Russia in the second round still licking their wounds from an El Classico defeat to Barcelona. CSKA Moscow stands between the Primera Liga club and a place in the last eight of the competition with the Russians having finished runners-up to Inter in Group B of the opening phase. Seydou Doumbia netted 5 times en-route to CKSA's dramatic qualification including a goal in the 2-1 victory at the San Siro that secured the Muscovites' second round berth. Cristiano Ronaldo has been heavily criticised by the Madrid press since the El Classico defeat and will need to be at his best to help Madrid overcome a talented CSKA outfit.
Verdict: Real Madrid

Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica
A matchday six 0-0 draw away to FC Porto was enough to cement Zenit St. Petersburg's qualification for the second round as Group G runners-up. Coach Luciano Spalletti has taken his side to the top of the Russian Premier League and into the last sixteen of the Champions League on the back of 16 (domestic) goals from ace striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov and 3 (Champions League) from Roman Shirokov. Portuguese side Benfica topped Group C ahead of FC Basel and Manchester United to take their place in the last sixteen. Coach Jorge Jesus will look to striker Oscar Cardozo and midfield maestro Pablo Aimar to inspire his side against Zenit but freezing conditions and the Russians' recent home form should be enough to help Spallaetti's side progress.
Verdict: Zenit St Petersburg

Olympique de Marseille v Inter Milan
A glamour tie between two former European Cup winners sees Marseille clash with Inter Milan for a place in the quarter-finals of this season's Champions League. A change of manager has had the desired effect at the San Siro with Claudio Ranieri safely negotiating a tricky Group B that ended with Inter topping the table. European goals have been evenly spread amongst such attacking luminaries as Giampaolo Pazzini, Mauro Zarate and Ricardo Alvarez as the Serie A side looks to build on their recent upturn in domestic form and secure a place in the last eight. Marseille finished runners-up behind Arsenal in Group F to make the knockout stages but Didier Deschamps will need much more from strikers Lucho Gonzalez, Loic Remy and Andre Ayew to have any hope of defeating Inter.
Verdict: Inter Milan

Follow Ger on Twitter: @offcentrecircle

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/ruopB8hXhqw/post.aspx

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