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Champions League last 16 fixtures

Jackal Dog

Juniors
Messages
896
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4509282.stm

Chelsea must repeat last season's Champions League win against Barcelona and Arsenal will have to overcome Real Madrid to reach the quarter-finals.


The Premiership duo were drawn to face the Spanish giants in Friday's draw for the last 16 of the Champions League.

Holders Liverpool have been drawn to play Manchester United's conquerors Benfica, while Rangers face a tough test against Villarreal of Spain.

The other big game in the round will be between Bayern Munich and AC Milan.

Chelsea's meeting with Barcelona will evoke memories of last season's controversial encounter in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Jose Mourinho accused Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard of influencing referee Anders Frisk after a 2-1 defeat in the first leg that saw Chelsea striker Didier Drogba sent off.

Chelsea won 4-2 in the second leg at Stamford Bridge to go through, beating Bayern Munich in the last eight before losing to Liverpool in the semi-final.

But Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is confident last season's row will not overshadow the game.

He said: "We want to put that behind us now. We want to look forward. We had two fantastic games against them last year. Memorable.

"Even in rehearsal we got Barcelona so I didn't think lightning would strike twice.

"But at this stage in the competition you expect to get a big team and we have got one. At the moment they are as hot as we are in the UK."

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Real Madrid will present a formidable barrier to Arsenal's hopes of claiming a first Champions League triumph, with England captain David Beckham and possibly Jonathan Woodgate in opposition.

But boss Arsene Wenger will be hoping his side can take advantage of the current turmoil at The Bernabeu after coach Wanderley Luxemburgo's sacking, to send Real crashing out.

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein was jubilant after the draw, saying: "Pure showbusiness. It's fantastic. It's one of the draws of the round.

"We have never played Real Madrid before in Europe but, of course, they are one of the great teams of Europe.

"Never underestimate Real Madrid because they are one of the very best. I suppose it's what everyone dreams of.

"We would have loved to have played them in the final and we would love to get to Paris, as a lot of our boys know the way there very well. But now we'll have to do it the hard way."

Real's former Manchester United star David Beckham was also thrilled by the prospect of facing the Gunners.

He said: "I have been in Spain for two-and-a-half years and I have never played in England with Real Madrid but I have always wanted to.

"I have got enormous respect for their manager Arsene Wenger. He is not only a great person but also an excellent manager and trainer.

"They have got good players and it will be difficult but I'm looking forward to playing in England.

"Arsenal have got really passionate fans and they're right on top of the team and the pitch. It'll be a good atmosphere but a hard game."

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Liverpool will be aiming to fare better against Benfica than Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who went out at the group stage after a 2-1 defeat in The Stadium of Light.

And Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will be delighted to have the second leg at Anfield by virtue of finishing top of their group. Rangers will also be reasonably satisfied to have avoided the big guns, but will face a tough test against Spanish dark horses Villarreal.

Fixtures:

Chelsea v Barcelona
Real Madrid v Arsenal
Werder Bremen v Juventus
Bayern Munich v AC Milan
PSV Eindhoven v Lyon
Ajax v Inter Milan
Benfica v Liverpool
Rangers v Villarreal

Should be some crackers!
 
Messages
33,280
ahhhhhhhhh beautiful, BAYERN v Milan, we brushed past juve once and we shall brush past milan, hopefully no pommy teams in the quarters, too bad bayern arent playing milan now, we'd win for sure!!
 

Jackal Dog

Juniors
Messages
896
Thanks for the heads up RLdan competely forgot about that.

As of now I would go:

Barcelona
Arsenal
Juventus
Bayern Munich
Lyon
Inter Milan
Liverpool
Villarreal

But a lot can change between now and then!
 
Messages
33,280
if bayern dont win (which i dont think we will) i think barca will, and deserve it the most outta the teams (bar bayern ofcourse) looking forward to some world class UCL football next year!
 

RLdan

Juniors
Messages
114
my last 8:
Barcelona
Arsenal
Juventus
Bayern Munich
Lyon
Inter Milan
Liverpool
Villarreal
 

aqua_duck

Coach
Messages
18,502
lol why do Barca and Chelsea always seem to run into each other, should be a cracker too bad its not going to be played later on in the tournament
 

Tyler Durden

Juniors
Messages
2,051
* Chelsea and Barca are flying at the top of their leagues, one of these will die a horrible death
* Arsenal and Real are struggling to keep up in mid-table, one of these will survive

Does not seem quite right
 

Macca_

Coach
Messages
18,629
A team that hasn't won a league title since 1991 also won it last season, that being the 'Champions League'. Now that don't seem right either. :D

Luck of the draw old mate :D
 

Tyler Durden

Juniors
Messages
2,051
Macca_ said:
A team that hasn't won a league title since 1991 also won it last season, that being the 'Champions League'. Now that don't seem right either. :D

Luck of the draw old mate :D

Just don't forget that we knocked off the champions of England and Italy over 2 legs. It was earned the hard way, unlike the easy passage that Real have just been given into the quarters.
 

Macca_

Coach
Messages
18,629
Tyler Durden said:
Just don't forget that we knocked off the champions of England and Italy over 2 legs. It was earned the hard way, unlike the easy passage that Real have just been given into the quarters.
Games are a long way off. Barca and Chelsea may be in slumps by the time they play and the other 2 may be on a roll, who knows.

Good luck with that 15th anniversary.
 

fish eel

Immortal
Messages
42,876
Macca_ said:
Games are a long way off. Barca and Chelsea may be in slumps by the time they play and the other 2 may be on a roll, who knows.

Good luck with that 15th anniversary.

it wont matter, because the Bayern juggernaut will be rolling by then.
 

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