Champions League baby. The Uefa Champions League is finally back and Lord knows I've waited on this one for a while. Sweet baby Lord Jesus, all 9lb 5oz of him, knew I wont have a Valentine this year so he decided to make it up to me this year with the round of 16 draw. I thank the gods of the beautiful game for this gift of pure footballing pleasure. Although Man United will not be involved in this year's clash of the titans, it is still just as tasty to me as it is to all of you. I know we have not forgotten the fixture list because when it came out, a lot of us Jacks lost our minds. It's packed full of mad fixtures, elements of unfinished business, hopes for upsets and ultimately games that will not disappoint.
Paris St Germain v Chelsea: Time For Revenge
Repeat of last year's quarter finals, Chelsea stole the result with an away goal victory last year at Stamford Bridge. The men in the ranks of Laurent Blanc's PSG will be itching for revenge to go through to the quarter finals hoping for success, while looking to make good use of the home advantage. However we all know Mourinho's men will be up for the challenge.
Walking into this fixture, form may favour PSG, with Les Parisiens winning 5 out of their last 6 games whilst being on a 9 game unbeaten streak, and the blues winning 4 out of the last 6 games in all competitions. However PSG will have to d without the services of Johan Cabaye, Marquinhos, Serg Aurier and Lucas Moura, loading more responsibility on the other senior players like the ever enigmatic. Ibrahimovic and Cavani; while Chelsea welcome Diego Costa back to the side amped up with new boy Cuarduado.
This looks to be a fantastic game and although Chelsea's away form has been sketchy of late, I feel that they may do enough so as not to leave them with too much work to do in the return fixture.
Manchester City v Barcelona: Taz's Match Of The Day
This is another colossal game.Another repeat. This is one of modern football's dreams. Few could ask for ask for a better fixture. on the one had we have the cash rich, strong and powerful Manchester City against super power of foot ball that is Barcelona. Like I said, you can't ask for a much better fixture. This Exact same fixture from last season's round of 16 fixture saw Barcelona win with a 4-1 aggregate. Man City will want this win desperately.
The Citizens have been terribly out of character and form lately, nowhere near their 100+ plus goals last season, while only winning one in their last 5 games in all competitions, shocking for their standards.then you have the Catalan giants, who have won 11 of their last 11 games.We're lucky that the Champions League is not wholly based on form because if so, we'd tell City not to bother. however, this is not the case. City will be boosted by the return to form of Aguero and the return of the Ivorians Wilfried Bony who will be desperate to make his Champions League Debut and City main man Yaya Toure. On the other hand there is the legend that is Lionel Messi. Although the likes of Kompany, Zabaleta. Fernandinho and keeper Joe hart will be on hand to prevent this guy from doin g what he does best, with the way he's been playing recently, I believe that Messi shine is still gonna shine here. And even if they do prevent this from happening, the blues still have Neymar to contend with. the Brazilian star has more than impressed immensely and his ability can no longer be denied.
City's home form has not been on point recently, even losing to the Gunners at home. Pelligrini has his work cut out for him, but as with Bayern, I know that City won't slack and will relish the challenge ahead.
Bayern Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid
The Spanish Champions against one of the four German teams that made it past the group stage, another show case of Germany's emergence as a footballing power. last time these two faced each other was in 2010, drawing both games, but as we all know, in this case, there must be a winner.
I see Diego Simeone's men takking the spoils here. Recently the only thorn in their flesh has been Barcelona but they have still maintained a decent record in their performances, recently seeing off arch rivals Real Madrid in an emphatic 4-1 display while Leverkusen have been less than impressive, winning only one in their last Five in all competitions. I severely doubt anyone thinks Atletico will drop the ball here.
Juventus v Borussia Dortmund: Opposites Attract
This fixture is another reason why this year's champions league round of 16 was so highly anticipated. Juve vs BVB. Both teams could not be on more opposite end of the the footballing spectrum. Allegri's Juve are flying high, top of the table, seeing of opponents like its nothing cos its nothing, winning four out of their last 5 games. meanwhile, BVB have in all honesty sucked balls. they have only recently come off the bottom of the table and have managed to gather two wins recently to help relieve them of this predicament.
however one must remember that Dortmund topped their group. they have turned out differently and i have them as dark horses in this years European competition. Their morale could not be boosted any sooner or at a better time with Marco Reus signing a five and a half year contract this last weekend. On the other hand Paul Pogba continues to impress, not to mention the other footballing power houses that are in this squad.
Difficult game for me to call but I think Juve will do enough to at least win this repeat of the '97 final, or at the very least, the game in the Juventus Stadium
Schalke v Real Madrid: Quest For Eleventh Win
My apologies to Di Matteo's men, but this game may be seen as an opportunity for Ronaldo and Co to show their stuff. Although Real Madrid seem to have recovered from their devastating loss to Atletico with a 2-0 win against Deportivo, a victory against sSchalke may prove to properly reignite what may prove to be a record-breaking season for Los Blancos; they could extend their Champions League titles wins to eleven and also have the accomplishment of being the first team to win it twice in a row since its inauguration in 1993. This would be Madrid's wet dream as this seems to be the one achievement Barcelona is yet to accomplish
Couples with a league and Copa Del Rey win, this may be a year to remember for Real Madrid.
However Madrid must be wary as not to look past Schalke. Die Königsblauen still have quality in their ranks, with Kevin Prince Boateng, Draxler and Huntelaar capable of providing a surprise in the Veltins-Arena. However their current form is against them, winning two out of their last 5 games, not impressive enough to see off Madrid
That being said, I still think Madrid has the abiltiy to come away with an away win. Destruction lies ahead in this one.
Shaktar Donesk V Bayern Munich: Bayern On A Mission
If I was about to play Bayern after that 8-0 demolition of Hamburg SV, I'd ask for a pass. Despite their slow start after the winter break, I believe Die Roten have bounced back. A win against Shaktar Donesk will only solidify their claim to being this year's King of Europe. Guardiola's men succumbed to over contentment last season when they lost out to Madrid in last season's semi final mostly due to their securing their domestic title long before the end of their season, but Muller and the rest must be itching to right this wrong. The 2012/2013 Champions are powerful contenders, capable of seeing off the best of the best and i won't be surprised if they do. Lets just hope they do not look past Shaktar on their quest to glory.
Arsenal v AS Monaco
In this tie, Arsene Wenger will be facing his former employers, where he discovered the talent that is Thiery Henry, who turned out to be one of the world's best. However, with all sentiments aside, this is perhaps a stepping stone for Arsene Wenger to correct what I consider to be his greatest failure; not winning club footballs greatest competition. Qualifying for the Champions League 16 or so is fair enough, but then again no one gets prizes for showing up. if that were so Everton would be the English top flight football most successful football club. Just saying.
To accomplish this, Arsenal will have to top off Monaco. I believe this team has been underrated so far, especially in this year's Champions League. They Topped their group and only conceded the one goal. on the other hand they did only score four times. That has to be some kind of lame record.
All in all, although the gunners have the ability to see off Les Rouge et Blancos. Then again, I believe Monaco have the ability to make this at the very least, a decent contest. They will not be push overs
Basel v Porto: Last But Not The Least
This game at St Jakobs Park will probably be the least anticipated. However Porto topped their group while Basel qualified from a group with Real Madrid and Liverpool. While they are not the fastest, strongest or most expensive team, they are still in their own rights champions and this fixture should not be ignored.
The Dragons so far have won seven of their last nine games in their domestic competitions while Basel sit on top of their league table. This game might provide something special for the neutrals.
sick
If you ask me, I'd give my vote to Porto to come away with the victory.
This round of 16 promises to be sick This next few weeks will be action packed and i cant wait. the teams will do well for themselves to perform and take fate into their own hands, or if you will, feet.
However, we are forced to wait and see. Till then enjoy.
This looks to be a fantastic game and although Chelsea's away form has been sketchy of late, I feel that they may do enough so as not to leave them with too much work to do in the return fixture.
Manchester City v Barcelona: Taz's Match Of The Day
This is another colossal game.Another repeat. This is one of modern football's dreams. Few could ask for ask for a better fixture. on the one had we have the cash rich, strong and powerful Manchester City against super power of foot ball that is Barcelona. Like I said, you can't ask for a much better fixture. This Exact same fixture from last season's round of 16 fixture saw Barcelona win with a 4-1 aggregate. Man City will want this win desperately.
The Citizens have been terribly out of character and form lately, nowhere near their 100+ plus goals last season, while only winning one in their last 5 games in all competitions, shocking for their standards.then you have the Catalan giants, who have won 11 of their last 11 games.We're lucky that the Champions League is not wholly based on form because if so, we'd tell City not to bother. however, this is not the case. City will be boosted by the return to form of Aguero and the return of the Ivorians Wilfried Bony who will be desperate to make his Champions League Debut and City main man Yaya Toure. On the other hand there is the legend that is Lionel Messi. Although the likes of Kompany, Zabaleta. Fernandinho and keeper Joe hart will be on hand to prevent this guy from doin g what he does best, with the way he's been playing recently, I believe that Messi shine is still gonna shine here. And even if they do prevent this from happening, the blues still have Neymar to contend with. the Brazilian star has more than impressed immensely and his ability can no longer be denied.
City's home form has not been on point recently, even losing to the Gunners at home. Pelligrini has his work cut out for him, but as with Bayern, I know that City won't slack and will relish the challenge ahead.
Bayern Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid
The Spanish Champions against one of the four German teams that made it past the group stage, another show case of Germany's emergence as a footballing power. last time these two faced each other was in 2010, drawing both games, but as we all know, in this case, there must be a winner.
I see Diego Simeone's men takking the spoils here. Recently the only thorn in their flesh has been Barcelona but they have still maintained a decent record in their performances, recently seeing off arch rivals Real Madrid in an emphatic 4-1 display while Leverkusen have been less than impressive, winning only one in their last Five in all competitions. I severely doubt anyone thinks Atletico will drop the ball here.
Juventus v Borussia Dortmund: Opposites Attract
This fixture is another reason why this year's champions league round of 16 was so highly anticipated. Juve vs BVB. Both teams could not be on more opposite end of the the footballing spectrum. Allegri's Juve are flying high, top of the table, seeing of opponents like its nothing cos its nothing, winning four out of their last 5 games. meanwhile, BVB have in all honesty sucked balls. they have only recently come off the bottom of the table and have managed to gather two wins recently to help relieve them of this predicament.
however one must remember that Dortmund topped their group. they have turned out differently and i have them as dark horses in this years European competition. Their morale could not be boosted any sooner or at a better time with Marco Reus signing a five and a half year contract this last weekend. On the other hand Paul Pogba continues to impress, not to mention the other footballing power houses that are in this squad.
Difficult game for me to call but I think Juve will do enough to at least win this repeat of the '97 final, or at the very least, the game in the Juventus Stadium
Schalke v Real Madrid: Quest For Eleventh Win
My apologies to Di Matteo's men, but this game may be seen as an opportunity for Ronaldo and Co to show their stuff. Although Real Madrid seem to have recovered from their devastating loss to Atletico with a 2-0 win against Deportivo, a victory against sSchalke may prove to properly reignite what may prove to be a record-breaking season for Los Blancos; they could extend their Champions League titles wins to eleven and also have the accomplishment of being the first team to win it twice in a row since its inauguration in 1993. This would be Madrid's wet dream as this seems to be the one achievement Barcelona is yet to accomplish
Couples with a league and Copa Del Rey win, this may be a year to remember for Real Madrid.
However Madrid must be wary as not to look past Schalke. Die Königsblauen still have quality in their ranks, with Kevin Prince Boateng, Draxler and Huntelaar capable of providing a surprise in the Veltins-Arena. However their current form is against them, winning two out of their last 5 games, not impressive enough to see off Madrid
That being said, I still think Madrid has the abiltiy to come away with an away win. Destruction lies ahead in this one.
Shaktar Donesk V Bayern Munich: Bayern On A Mission
If I was about to play Bayern after that 8-0 demolition of Hamburg SV, I'd ask for a pass. Despite their slow start after the winter break, I believe Die Roten have bounced back. A win against Shaktar Donesk will only solidify their claim to being this year's King of Europe. Guardiola's men succumbed to over contentment last season when they lost out to Madrid in last season's semi final mostly due to their securing their domestic title long before the end of their season, but Muller and the rest must be itching to right this wrong. The 2012/2013 Champions are powerful contenders, capable of seeing off the best of the best and i won't be surprised if they do. Lets just hope they do not look past Shaktar on their quest to glory.
Arsenal v AS Monaco
In this tie, Arsene Wenger will be facing his former employers, where he discovered the talent that is Thiery Henry, who turned out to be one of the world's best. However, with all sentiments aside, this is perhaps a stepping stone for Arsene Wenger to correct what I consider to be his greatest failure; not winning club footballs greatest competition. Qualifying for the Champions League 16 or so is fair enough, but then again no one gets prizes for showing up. if that were so Everton would be the English top flight football most successful football club. Just saying.
To accomplish this, Arsenal will have to top off Monaco. I believe this team has been underrated so far, especially in this year's Champions League. They Topped their group and only conceded the one goal. on the other hand they did only score four times. That has to be some kind of lame record.
All in all, although the gunners have the ability to see off Les Rouge et Blancos. Then again, I believe Monaco have the ability to make this at the very least, a decent contest. They will not be push overs
Basel v Porto: Last But Not The Least
This game at St Jakobs Park will probably be the least anticipated. However Porto topped their group while Basel qualified from a group with Real Madrid and Liverpool. While they are not the fastest, strongest or most expensive team, they are still in their own rights champions and this fixture should not be ignored.
The Dragons so far have won seven of their last nine games in their domestic competitions while Basel sit on top of their league table. This game might provide something special for the neutrals.
sick
If you ask me, I'd give my vote to Porto to come away with the victory.
This round of 16 promises to be sick This next few weeks will be action packed and i cant wait. the teams will do well for themselves to perform and take fate into their own hands, or if you will, feet.
However, we are forced to wait and see. Till then enjoy.
No comments:
Post a Comment