A group of 32 teams have been cut to 16, and what thrilling match-ups they all promise to be. The defending champions Bayern Munich have been drawn against Premier-League contenders Arsenal proving to be an interesting rematch of last year’s fixture. Each fixture has been broken down with the need to know details, their key player and how far the team can go.
Manchester City vs. FC Barcelona
Players to look: Yaya Toure (Man City) and Andres Iniesta (Barcelona).
Verdict: It’s evident to see Pellegrini’s men are playing far greater football compared to the Mancini era at the club. They have no choice but to showcase this style of play if they want to tackle the four time European champions. Yaya Toure will have his hands full of ex-teammates, Xavi and Iniesta. Neymar’s ability to move and beat defenders one-on-one could prove to exploit his opponent’s main weakness in the league. This is arguably the best fixture in the round, but I’m sure Pellegrini has enough primary knowledge of the Catalans from his time at Malaga and Real Madrid. Hard to see City winning the round especially with their away form this season, although the prospect of seeing Messi against Aguero in the return tie is certainly exciting.
Prediction: Barcelona advances 4-2 on aggregate.
How far can they go: This fixture is as big as the Champions League final, it’s simpler to say both teams have the ability of winning the tournament.
Olympiakos vs. Manchester United
Players to look: Javier Saviola (Olympiakos) and Wayne Rooney (Man United).
Verdict: Manchester United have never struggled as badly in the Premier League while under the control of David Moyes, but they surely must be thinking they have an excellent opportunity to make some noise in Europe. The Greeks’ talisman and defender Manolas will need to be on high guard if they want to stand off United’s attack. The Fantastic Four (van Persie, Rooney, Mata and Januzaj) will need to play alongside each other if they want to add to the pressure tallied on the club. Manchester United holds a perfect record against the Greeks they meet in Europe.
Prediction: United advances 3-0 on aggregate.
How far can they go: Either team from this fixture hasn’t got the ability to win the tournament, but Manchester United has got the reputation to go as far as the semi-finals? Olympiakos won’t be able to surpass the quarter-final even if they conquer the English giants.
AC Milan vs. Atletico Madrid
Players to look: Mario Balotelli (Milan) and Diego Costa (Atletico).
Verdict: Milan know they won’t find themselves in this position come next season. Diego Costa hasn’t been highlighted as much as the likes of Suarez and Aguero but he is in form as well. Milan’s midfield of Montolivo and Muntari needs to be able to withstand the pressures of Turkish midfielder Arda Turan. Chelsea’s Courtois is currently on loan to Atletico will have to prepare himself for attempts of Mario Balotelli looking to score goals. This is an interesting fixture that is deeming itself to be a park-the-bus defensive affair. The Italians will be difficult in the first tie at San Siro, even when they’ve started the league in poor fashion; Champions League has always been the clubs main intention. While Atletico will certainly be the favourites for this tie, it might just be enough to see the Italians come mightily close indeed.
Prediction: Atletico draw the tie 2-2 on aggregate but advance by penalty shootout.
How far can they go: A. Madrid have more chance of winning the title than Barcelona and Real Madrid if you were to judge them according to league performance? However Simeone’s men have more work to do if they think they have an easy ride. If Milan were to conquer the Spanish leaders, they would only lose in the next round unfortunately but Atletico have more than enough firepower to reach the semi-finals if not the final.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Players to look: Lars Bender (Leverkusen) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG).
Verdict: Middle Eastern owned French giants, PSG, have come close to knocking out last year’s semi-finalists Barcelona. This will fuel them force their way through this competition as the dark horses. The midfield duo of Bender and Verratti could decide to send PSG to the next round especially when Leverkusen don’t have the defensive ability to hold Ibrahimovic and Cavani from striking on goal. The German side have been very impressive in the league but they’ve failed countless times to replicate this success in Europe. Leverkusen will need to relish the opportunity of posing a real threat given the first tie will be played in Germany.
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain advances 5-2 on aggregate.
How far can they go: Bayer Leverkusen haven’t got the ability to threaten PSG’s tactics, they won’t make it past PSG this round, however the French giants cant pose a threat of reaching the semi-finals. Blanc has got a lot of work to do if he intends on putting PSG back on the European football map.
Galatasaray vs. Chelsea
Players to look: Didier Drogba (Galatasaray) and Eden Hazard (Chelsea).
Verdict: Mourinho received one of the loudest welcomes from a fan base that you can ever imagine when he returned to the Mayfair club for his second spell as manager. It’s pretty easy to guess that Didier Drogba will beat the applause of his old manager. Sneijder will be able to provide some excellent scoring chances to Drogba and Yilmaz after the Dutch midfielder knocked out Italian giants, Juve with his goal. Felipe Melo will battle with Mikel to see who can dominate the middle of the park. Gala are known to possess a shaky defence but when Hazard and Oscar come against them they’ll certainly come out on top. Drogba will be headlining all the newspapers of the world as he returns to the side where he scored the crucial penalty to bring home the Champions League trophy at Chelsea. It’s always useful to remember this is a repeat fixture for Chelsea manager Jose, who beat Gala last year during his spell at Real Madrid. The Blues’ recent struggles to truly put away opponents like they should may lead to another chance of an upset here.
Prediction: Chelsea advances 5-2 on aggregate.
How far can they go: Chelsea won the trophy in 2012 when no one expected them to, who’s to say the same can’t be done under a more advanced manager? Mourinho’s men are more than capable of reaching the final; therefore they’ll join PSG as dark horses. As for Galatasaray, Mancini can only take his men as far the semi-finals.
Schalke 04 vs. Real Madrid
Players to look: Julian Draxler (Schalke) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Madrid).
Verdict: It’s hard to believe the nine times European champions haven’t won the record breaking tenth trophy since their last triumph in 2003. Bale has been added to the ammunition in front alongside Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo. Every year they have entered the squad to be considered as favourites but always suffered a setback. Isco needs to work well with Alonso if they want any chance of dominating the game in possession with Ramos linking the back four up with the rest of the field. Draxsler is currently one of the hottest transfer targets come summer but he needs to dispatch Los Blancos to prove himself. Huntelaar takes on his old club but needs to finish any chances produced by his colleague Farfan who looks hungry for the back of net himself. One of the biggest under-performing clubs in world football this year meets one of the most clinical and devastating squads in Real Madrid history. I don’t see this going any other way than the Spanish soldiers.
Prediction: Madrid advances 7-2 on aggregate.
How far can they go: Madrid are alongside Barcelona and Bayern Munich as favourites to take the cup home, that’s what Ancelotti believes? However Keller will need to drill some desire and passion into his players if he thinks he can advance to the round let alone challenge for the dark horse nickname.
Zenit Saint-Petersburg vs. Borussia Dortmund
Players to look: Hulk (Zenit) and Marco Reus (Dortmund).
Verdict: Dortmund has one of the biggest injury lists in the tournament; five starting players have been sidelined with lengthy injuries. However they still are one of the most dangerous sides in Europe after they knocked out Real Madrid last year to advance to the final against the champions Bayern Munich. Zenit have big-money signings Hulk and Witsel to put Klopp’s signing under pressure. Lewandowski’s days at Dortmund are numbered, but he is still to be feared as Mkhitaryan as advanced into Gotze’s permanent replacement. Zenit have really been hit-and-miss in the Champions League and that isn’t the ideal opponent to face the Germans if you’re wishing to knock them out. Dortmund simply have too much attacking talent to drop out of the Round of 16, however this could be the shock of the tournament when you travel to Russia in February.
Prediction: Dortmund advances 3-1 on aggregate.
How far can they go: Dortmund were considered as dark horses for all the right reasons, they almost won the trophy if they didn’t fluff as many chances in the final. However Zenit could be considered as dark horses for this game alone, but not for the tournament. They stand a really good chance of qualifying through especially if you were to consider Dortmund’s injury list.
Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich
Players to look: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) and Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich).
Verdict: It’s so hard to believe Arsenal’s side last season were only one goal away from ruining the Bayern dream last season, yet they are a much better side than the one that got knocked out. Ozil has added one extra element into the side with his ability to pass through the tightest of gaps for his front men. It will need the help of others too; Carzola and Oxlade-Chamberlain need to assist the German in increasing the level of play. Mario Mandzukic has become one of the best strikers around, being linked with a move to the Emirates in the summer. Robben will be tough to contain and Ribery is out of action from the first tie due to injury. Question marks about the fitness ability of Giroud will certainly be put to the test when he needs to take all his opportunities on goal. The European champions are once again main favourites to take home the trophy with fresh minds assisting them along the way from Guardiola himself. It’s hard to believe Arsenal can progress through to the next round even with Ozil on the pitch.
Prediction: Bayern advances 2-1 on aggregate
How far can they go: Bayern can go as far as winning the trophy and become the only European side to retain the trophy in two consecutive years, however Arsenal haven’t got the fire power to reach the finals, that’s if they manage to overpower the current champions.
Quarter-Final Predictions
Barcelona, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.