OK, we're at the "business end" of the UEFA Champions League for season 2007/2008. It's now the first knockout round, & we're into the last 16. The line-up are as follows:Schalke (Germany) v FC Porto (Portugal)
AS Roma (Italy) v Real Madrid (Spain)
Olympiakos (Greece) v Chelsea (England)
Liverpool (England) v Internazionale (Italy)
Celtic (Scotland) v Barcelona (Spain)
Lyon (France) v Manchester United (England)
Fenerbahce (Turkey) v Sevilla (Spain)
Arsenal (England) v AC Milan (Italy)
The teams play each other twice, on a home & away basis.
Here is my forecast on how things will pan out over the 2 legs:
Schalke v FC Porto:
This one could go either way. Neither team are favoured to win the competition this year. On the one hand, Schalke are the only German side left in the competition. On the other hand, you have Portugal's strongest club side for at least the last decade. FC Porto have more experience in this competition & over both legs, they will edge it. Verdict: Porto to only just go through.
AS Roma v Real Madrid:
A clash of heavyweights - the team currently second in the Italian Serie A up against the league leaders in Spain's La Liga. The winner of this tie could go a long way in the competition. One would fancy Real to wrap up the tie in Madrid if they manage to avoid defeat in the Italian capital. If I were Roma, I will throw everything at Real & try to gain a lead (however small) to take to the second leg. Verdict: Real Madrid, but not by much.
Olympiakos v Chelsea:
Olympiakos have been Greece's most successful side at least over the past decade. However, I think that will be enough against Chelsea. The Greek side will make life difficult in the first leg. But over both legs, I expect the Londoners to be too strong. If the Greeks are to stand any chance, they will need to win the first leg at home. Chelsea will be strongly favoured to advance if they can get at least a draw in the Greek capital, because I can only see a Chelsea win happening in London in the second leg. Verdict: Chelsea to proceed comfortably.
Liverpool v Internazionale:
Another clash of heavyweights, pretty interesting one. Liverpool are struggling domestically - inconsistent in the Premier League & embarassingly dumped out of FA Cup by Barnsley. They are also beset by all sort of other problems (much of it internal). So they are under even more pressure to do well in the Champions League. Inter don't have such woes - they are once again threatening to run away with the Italian championship. However, they do enter this tie with a question mark over their European pedigree - for all their dominance of the Italian league, they have not yet been able to transfer their domestic form over to this competition. Inter will be keep to show their doubters that they have what it takes to succeed in Europe. And I think they will get past Liverpool, because they do have a stronger squad & probably better morale at present. Verdict: Inter to go through.
Celtic v Barcelona:
The one thing both teams have in common is the fact that each are currently second in their domestic league behind their respective bitter rivals - Celtic trail Rangers by 4 points, & Barcelona trail Real Madrid 5 points. However, in terms of playing styles, both teams are rather different - the direct approach of Celtic against the flamboyant, artistic style of Barcelona. It is Barcelona who will be favourites for this tie. But do not expect Celtic to lie down & die. Quite the opposite. Celtic have done well to reach this stage of the competition, & will enjoy fanatical support at their own Parkhead in the first leg. However, over the 2 legs, Barcelona should be too classy, with players like Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Messi & Henry. Celtic don't seem to travel well, so expect them to lose away to Barcelona. So, Celtic's hopes will hinge on their home leg. Barca will not want a repeat of last season, where they crashed out at the same stage in the Champions League. They should go through. Verdict: Barcelona to overcome Celtic.
Lyon v Manchester United:
Lyon have been making a habit of crashing out "prematurely" in the Champions League. They were knocked out at this stage of last year's competition. Unfortunately for them, I think the same fate await them this year. Man Utd looked very strong in Saturday's FA Cup romp against Arsenal. And I think over both legs, they will prove too strong for Lyon. The French side do have the talents of Ben Arfa, Benzema and Brazil's Fred to trouble Man Utd. But the English side can call on the likes of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentina's Carlos Tevez & England's own Wayne Rooney. It is hard to see Lyon keeping all of them out. Verdict: Manchester United to go through.
Fenerbahce v Sevilla:
Fenerbahce are the only Turkish side left in the competition. They have done so well to get this far. Whether they can go any further is doubtful, as they are up against one of Spain's most impressive outfits. Sevilla play some of Spain's and Europe's best, most entertaining football. And they appear to have too much firepower for Fenerbahce. I cannot see the Turkish side keep out Sevilla's impressive attack - they can choose from Luis Fabiano, Arouna Kone, Frederic Kanoute, Javier Chevanton & Kerzakhov. Verdict: Sevilla to march on.
Arsenal v AC Milan:
Another mouth-watering tie, that sees the English league leaders Arsenal up against the reigning European & World Champions AC Milan. Some see this as a clash of the young & the old - Arsenal's young guns against Milan's ageing stars. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate to see it as being an experience, rather than age, battle - i.e. Arsenal's comparatively inexperienced players against Milan's more experienced squad. Also, it should be noted that Milan now have the young Brazilian teenager Alexandre Pato on their roster. They will hope that he can combine with his majestic countrymen Kaka as well as the likes of Seedorf and Pirlo to get Milan past the London side. But Arsenal do have the talent to match it with the Italian side. They will certainly have to improve considerably on Saturday's abysmal FA Cup showing against Man Utd, so far one of their few blots in an otherwise impressive season. If they can do that (& I think they can), then they have a chance. Anything less will prove easy meat for Milan. Another factor is motivation - I think Arsenal will be very keen to do better than they did last year, when they were eliminated by Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Verdict: It's difficult to predict, but I'd say Arsenal to very narrowly get to the next round.
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