Champions League action starts next week and the draw for the last 16 has thrown up some mouth-watering encounters.
For the first time in a long time, it is English clubs that are the best represented, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all qualifying for this, the first knock-out round.
As always, the Italian teams have made their presence felt and Juventus, AC Milan and Inter are all looking formidable. Real Madrid and Barcelona are Spain’s only two contributions, as Valencia and Deportivo under-performed in the earlier stages.
The surprise package of the earlier rounds were probably the Germans, who have three teams in the last 16: Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen. The other four places are made up of French teams Lyon and Monaco, Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven and last year’s winners, Porto.
There is little doubt that the 16 teams left in the competition are the best in Europe, but what is interesting is how they’ve been drawn against each other in this two-leg elimination round.
The most eagerly anticipated game is the one between Barcelona and Chelsea. What with Barca being top in Spain at the moment and Chelsea running away with the Premiership, this was many people’s final before the draw for the last 16.
Chelsea won their group without any difficulty and were probably justified in expecting an easier draw for the next round, but it was not to be. In a group where they had to battle with AC Milan, Barca came off second best, and so were drawn against a group-winning side.
But who should be the most confident going into this titanic clash? Two weeks ago most would have put the odds in Chelsea’s favour, but then Arjen Robben injured his ankle. It’s true that Chelsea are hardly a one-man team, but if you look at the performances this season with Robben and without him there is a distinct difference in quality and dominance.
When the Dutchman started playing earlier in the season, Chelsea were unstoppable, winning by huge margins over their English opposition. In the past two weeks though, as in the first few weeks of the season, Chelsea are a different team. They are still winning but, worryingly for some, not scoring nearly enough goals.
And this could be the difference between the two teams next week. Barcelona are an attacking team and will throw everything at Chelsea, but the Londoners have the best defence in England, perhaps even in Europe. Ronaldinho and Co will have to produce something extra special to get past the fortifications of John Terry, William Gallas and Petr Cech.
The Barca defence is good, but has wilted on occasion this season. If Chelsea can find some inspiration up front, perhaps through Damien Duff or Didier Drogba, then they may be able to counter the Barca attacking threat. But, goodness me, it would have been so much easier if Robben were able to play.
To add a little spice to the occasion, there is the head-to-head clash of newly crowned African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto’o and the man he beat out to win the award, Drogba. Both will want to prove that they’re the best, and this can only make for some great attacking football.
Another last-16 clash that had ”final” potential is the one between AC Milan and Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson must be kicking himself for letting Lyon win the group ahead of his side because this is certainly not a favourable draw.
Milan are many people’s favourites to lift the trophy this year and there is a fear, especially in Manchester, that the Red Devils might be just another team beaten on the road to the final.
Milan were brilliant in the group stages, losing only once to Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Their league form is good, too, and they’re closing in on Juventus at the top of Serie A. With the likes of European Footballer of the Year Andrei Shevchenko and Brazilian Kaka up front, and a rock solid defence led by Alessandro Nesta, it is going to be a huge challenge for Manchester United.
United’s form is good, too, though. They’ve climbed to second in the Premiership and are winning consistently. But the most important thing is that Ruud van Nistelrooy will be back for this crucial game. The Dutchman has been out for nearly two months, and while he hasn’t been missed all that much in the Premiership, his Champions League goals will be vital for Fergie’s men.
His record in the Champions League, this season and in the past, is incredible and, if anyone is going to tilt the scales in United’s favour on Wednesday, it’s going to be Ruud.
The other two English clubs, Arsenal and Liverpool, play German opposition in Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen respectively. Liverpool know all about playing Leverkusen. They lost to them in the Champions League a few years ago when the Germans went all the way to the final.
Although they’re not in the best form at the moment, the acquisition of Fernando Morientes has given Liverpool some valuable Champions League insights up front, though the Spaniard will be cup-tied having appeared for Real Madrid in earlier rounds.
Another massive encounter looms between Serie A leaders Juventus and a newly in-form Real Madrid. The styles of play between these two European heavyweights couldn’t be more different and it will be fascinating to see whether the attacking flair of the Spaniards will triumph over the defensive prowess of the Italians.
In the remaining three games, Inter are favourites to win when they take on last year’s winners Porto, and the two French teams, Lyon and Monaco, take on Werder Bremen and PSV respectively.
It’s been a long wait, but at last the Champions League competition is back and next Tuesday and Wednesday night some of the best club sides in the world will do battle with one another in the first leg of the last 16. It promises to be a feast not to be missed.