Porto vs. Chelsea - A good draw for Chelsea, but perhaps a little more difficult than many of the pundits will have you believe. Jose Mourinho and Porto boss Jesualdo Ferreira are no strangers to each other. Ferreira has a reputation as a shrewd and cunning tactician who gets the most out of his players.
Premiership buffs may turn up their noses when they see Helder Postiga leading the Porto line but under Ferreira Postiga has recaptured the scoring touch that made him one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe.
Porto made a poor start to group play but three successive wins and a draw turned it around. A 2-0 away win in Moscow against CSKA was pivotal. Goals from Argentine midfielder “Lucho” Gonzalez and former Barcelona winger Ricardo Quaresma did the trick that day and both players are enjoying good seasons. Brazilian striker Adriano Vieira has just returned from injury and he should be back to match-fitness by February.
Celtic vs. AC Milan - These two teams have met four times before in European competition and Celtic has yet to record a victory. In 1969 Celtic returned to Parkhead after achieving a scoreless draw at the San Siro. But Prati took advantage of a McNeill error early on in the first half of the return leg and Milan went on to beat reigning champions Manchester United in the semi-final and then to beat Ajax 4-1 in the final at the Bernabeu.
Two seasons ago the teams met again with Celtic losing 3-1 at the San Siro. Two goals in the last two minutes by Inzaghi and Pirlo flattered Milan. The return leg finished in a scoreless draw. Milan fans will have noted that their team again made it to the final that season.
Celtic fans need no reminding of their atrocious away record in the Champions League - one draw and 11 defeats. In his four Champions League away games in charge of Celtic, Gordon Strachan has seen his side concede 14 goals.
However, Celtic's record at Parkhead is quite imposing. Including qualifying games, Celtic has only lost one of the last 19 home games with four draws.
PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal - Arsenal is unbeaten against PSV in their four meetings in the last four years. Although they lost two games - their last two - PSV cruised through as runners up in group C to Liverpool. PSV was unlucky to lose to Milan at the semi-final stage two seasons ago and last season they lost in the round of 16 to Lyon 5-0 on aggregate.
PSV supporters are used to a continual turnover of players but they also saw for their manager Guus Hiddink leave this past summer. However, his replacement Ronald Koeman is an extremely experienced manager when it comes to European competition and he also lifted the European Cup as a player.
The PSV squad is a veritable United Nations with thirteen countries represented in the first-team pool. Gomes (Brazil) provides the Dutch side with consistent goalkeeping while the back four normally comprises of a Dutchman (Jan Kromkamp), a Portuguese (Manuel da Costa), the Brazilian (Alex) and a Mexican (Carlos Salcido). Csaba Feher (Hungary), Tommy Simons (Belgium) and Phillip Cocu are often joined in the midfield by Australian Jason Culina or Edison Mendez (Ecuador). In attack Jefferson Farfan (Peru) and Arouna Kone (Ivory Coast) round things off.
Lille vs. Manchester United - Although Lille beat and drew with Manchester United in the group stage last season neither team qualified for the last 16. In fact the goal Lille scored against Manchester United was their only marker in the Champions League last season.
This season they scored 8 goals, only lost one game and qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League for the very first time. However, they did need to beat Milan in the San Siro in the last game of group play in order to qualify. Goals appear to be coming more freely this season for Lille but much of their strength still resides in defense and particularly midfield. Cameroon international Jean Makoun is an all action figure in midfield and is complemented by the young French attacking midfielder Mathieu Bodmer. Both have been rumoured to be Premiership targets in the past.
Roma vs. Lyon - This is new territory for Roma given that they have never qualified for the knockout stage of the last 16 of the Champions League. Although there are signs that some younger players are successfully breaking into the Roma squad and contributing, it will still come down to the likes of Totti, Chivu, Pizarro, Mancini and De Rossi to do the heavy lifting.
Lyon's ambitions extend beyond the last 16 and by that I do not mean the quarter- final stage at which they have departed the competition in the last three seasons. Domination of the French league is one thing, but it is the Champions League where Lyon needs to succeed. The French champions should have Brazilian striker Fred back in time when the tournament resumes in February and that should provide Lyon with a major boost.
Barcelona vs. Liverpool - Not surprisingly this game is being held heralded as the tie of the round. This match up is intriguing on many levels - the Champions League winners from the past two seasons; Rafa Benitez facing a club that he has triumphed over before; the number of Spanish players plying their trade at Anfield; and two teams with worldwide support and fabled histories.
I suspect that this is not the match up Barcelona would have preferred but there again I doubt Liverpool are overly impressed either. Benitez has been heavily criticized for his rotation policy at Liverpool. With the team now running into form the pay off for Liverpool may not necessarily come in the Premiership but in the Champions League.
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich - These two sides are certainly no strangers to each other having faced each other 16 times in the last 30 years in European competition. And it is Bayern Munich who holds the upper hand with nine wins and two draws over that time.
Neither side was ever in any danger of not qualifying for the knockout stage. Real Madrid finished as runners up to Lyon while Bayern Munich won group B, seven points ahead of third placed Spartak Moscow. Bayern Munich has only failed to make the group stage once in the previous five seasons but have not progressed beyond the quarter-final stage.
It is a far cry from the turn of the century when they reached the semi-final in three successive years, and finished runners up once (to Manchester United) and won the trophy when he beat Valencia two years later. It was of course Real Madrid who knocked them out at the semi-final stage, and Madrid went on to lift their eighth champion European Champions trophy by beating the unfortunate Valencia.
This game might have stirred the blood a few years back, but it is likely to be a dour 180 minutes…. or maybe even more.
Inter Milan vs. Valencia - Valencia must be hoping that the injury hoodoo that they have suffered through during the early part of the season will be long gone by the time February rolls around. During the summer, Valencia was aggressive in the transfer market signing Ferdinando Morientes from Liverpool, Asier Del Horno from Chelsea, Empoli striker Francesco Tavano, speedy winger Joaquin from Real Betis as well as reclaiming David Silva who had been on loan at Celta Vigo.
While the signings encouraged Valencia fans that the team could mount a legitimate challenge to Barcelona in Spain, injuries to a number of key players have taken a toll domestically. However, it did not seem to affect their European form as they finished top of group B three points ahead of Roma and seven points ahead of third place, Shakhtar Donetsk.
With three wins in their first three games Valencia was very much in the driving seat right from the start. A draw away to Donetsk in the fourth game of qualifying was a minor bump in the road and by the time Valencia traveled to Rome qualification was secure and Roma’s 1-0 was largely inconsequential.
Inter's route to the last 16 was very different and after two games the Italian side looked to be odds-on favourite to become a high-profile casualty at the group stage.
Losses to Sporting Lisbon and Bayern Munich (without scoring a goal in either game) placed Inter firmly behind the 8-ball. But the Milan side roared back with three successive wins, and by the time they traveled to Munich progress to the last 16 had been secured.
The ties are to be played on 20/21 February and 6/7 March with the final in Athens in May.
The Money Prize money to be paid out to the 32 group teams-$363 million. Pool money from TV to be shared-$355 million. Estimated prize money for the eventual winner-$29 million. Total sponsorship and TV revenue generated by the Champions League-$986 million.
Bobby l have to agree with you that this year the so called small team will have a lot than what most of our british pundits anticipate, l have a snicky su####ion that they are going to be huge dissapointments.liverpool would be more bothered than barca because l presume eto and messi will be back and to be honest, if they quickly galvanize l can not see anyone stopping barca, not even chelsea, eidur is now coming good and scoring goals , bobby as you say this is a team that if all fit can dominate world soccer for the next two to three years
Barca-Liverpool is undoubtedly the blockbuster of the round. Luis Garcia and Reina will have something to prove against Barca, and Liverpool will have to come out and draw first blood if they expect to qualify.
Celtic and Milan are, ironically, both thrilled with the draw and feel they got their first choice opponent. Chelsea, Lyon and Inter all believe they can finally enjoy European glory this season, yet all face treacherous ties.
I wonder which teams will have changed the most by February. Who will bring in reinforcements in January, whose form will drop, who will find their form, who will have thrown in the towel on the domestic front and who will have wrapped it up?
Man Utd face Liverpool a few days before the return legs, while Barca travel to Sevilla the same weekend, after having to travel to Valencia just before the first leg. EPL teams have the benefit of a Cup weekend prior to the opening legs.
I have to say I'm fairly happy with the draw as an Arsenal fan. But every game in the C.L is a tough game this days. I think people should also stop predicting what will happen because it's too early. You don't know what will happen in the next about 2 months maybe Man U will be losing by then, Ac Milan will be winning again anything can happen in the next few weeks that will change the look of this teams. Remember there is also the Jan. transfer is coming who knows what will happen.
Yes - except you have to take into consideration that the remainder is spread around all the UEFA national associations - I think it is has been around $4m per association per year.
The IOC call these type of payments "solidarity" payments - I am not sure what title UEFA uses.
Arsenal draw again at home. I have to say the boys played hard but just couldn't finish what would have been an amazing comeback. But wenger nees to stop this stupid rotations that he is making.
Disappointing result overall, I really wanted us to win this match to get a wee run going, but after being 2-0 down it could definitely have been worse.
But hats off to Adebayor - he made a hell of a difference when he came on and RvP should have won it - did really well to get through at one point and then hit the side netting.one great qoute"A side that draws 5 games at home in the first half of the season is not going to win the title. This match eptiomised everything about Arsenal this season; unpredicatble, great determinition, lack of motivation, not clinical enough, good heart, lazyness. Have i just contridticted myself? Probably, as this is the most paradoxical Arsenal side i have ever seen!"
You still have to feel that this group of players will eventually come good, but God it is frustrating waiting for it to happen.Bobby do you think that you should rest a player from the start or secure a result first and then change because adebayor is 21 but was in and is still in form then why the hell do you put him on the bench
Last edited by henry14 on December 16th at 10:53 AM.
$986 million?
I'm confused. Just recently we were discussing the fact there is no money in football. Surely some of this finds its way, directly or indirectly, to owners bank account.
The owners are in all likelyhood egocentric but fueling that is their individual ranking in the net worth listings.
Is this a new footballing record?
I was reading today’s Guardian football reports when this caught my eye.
Clyde versus Dundee.
3 red cards to the same player in the same match! http://football.guardian.co.uk/brea kingnews/feedstory/0,,-6285272,00.h tml
McClaren already has a basketful of yellows to compliment this so I think the boy is just a wee bit out of control.
Tho', given his past actions he may be proud of this kind of record.
As usual just my tu’pence worth.
Champions League money - You also have to account for the money that goes to the clubs for points gained during the group stage and money that goes to clubs knocked out during the qualifying stages.
I'll post more details by Monday.
Ray, I don't think Fox will ever show SPL games. That said, there are websites where you can view some live SPL games (like the derby) for free on a live feed.
Tomorrow, of course, is a Madrid derby, Atletico Madrid v Getafe. As Bobby and others may already know, Atleti have an appalling home record. It'll be a tough test. Here's hoping for a home win!
Bobby what do you think of Duncan Edwards?According to what I've read he was one of the best players ever and quite certainly could have been the best end of. Apparently he was the complete player.
Gotta say: Toyota Cup is Brazilian domain. No doubt. After what i 've seen today at Fox sports just now, 7 in the morning here in Canada, I'm astonished. As a proud brazilian I couldn't retain myself screamming many times GOOOOL, after YARLEY did a awesome job against Pujol and then advancing with perfect timing and vision b4 passing the ball to ADRIANO who saw the goal coming before anyone and scored cold blooded. 83rd. minute. BARCA is shaken, the international stars head down. Ten minutes to go including injury time. Barca go for the "all or nothing" now. After composing themselves, Barca is in attack again, COLORADO defense is tough, secure, no mistakes ever..Ouch! foul in Ronaldinho. They argue, but the ref isn't touched. It's in the HALF MOON AREA. The players in white uniform begin to organize an immense blocking wall with the help of CLEMER. They look tense now because they know it might be useless. He takes the ball, hopeful, eyes in the net and in the ball, prepares himself for what can be his highlight as the world's best player. He's not worried he wants to score and that's all. The shot is relatively easy-for him. But by inches he misses it. With it goes the last chance the milionare European team has to tie the game. The COLORADO INTERNACIONAL from PORTO ALEGRE-BRAZIL is the CHAMPION CLUB of the WORLD. Do you have an idea of what that is? Or better, how to get to this last game of the year? against the so called the best team in the world? Just so you know, they had to be one of the top teams in the BRASILEIRO, a 9 months tournament with 20 teams from North
the manu perfomance was a typical arsenal away perfomance which l feel fergi got his tactics all wrong, l felt a game like this needed a battler and someone who is going to do the dirty work for them in oshea and somehow he started carrick, and they clearly lacked ideas, creditto westham they stuck to their task of dening united space but l felt that roony was too much of a midfilder for my liking
Bobby. thanks for the great "cut out and keep" summary.
Meawhile back in the EPL, I have to say how lucky we are to get all the EPL games on three channels.
What great thrills this weekend. the Arsenal game was a cracker. What confidence from Portsmouth and skill from Arsenal! … Sheff Utd getting a hold on their promotion ... Chelsea were Boularouzed out of the title at 6.00am and back in it by 10am! West Ham looked shocked when Reo Coker scored. Now you just have to put your money on Fulham beating West Ham next weekend!. I got to see Cole and Bridge on the pitch at the same time and Lampard's first true strike for a year ... and to finish up Spurs got their first away win against Man city.
This was all Great Stuff!
Last edited by LosAngelesChelseaFan on December 17th at 11:57 AM.
Roseboy64 - Duncan Edwards was a bit before my time so my thoughts are really based on books and listening to those who saw him play. I think anyone who was around at the time of the Munich disaster or who started to take an interest in the game in the 60s was very much affected by the tragedy. The stories of United fans still to this day traveling many miles to visit his grave tells you a lot about the impact he made in such a relatively short time. I think something that is rarely considered is that if he had lived he would certainly have been playing for England in 1966 and what impact that might have had on the team that Alf Ramsey chose - would he have replaced Nobby Stiles or how would Ramsey have accommodated Moore and Edwards? In terms of Edwards greatness Matt Busby said that he was priviliged to work with two genuises Edwards and Best - so that gives you an idea of how good a player he was.
atleti_female - Now is this a case of Real realing not wanting Gago in the same way they didn't want Ronaldo, Beckham etc or really not wanting him? You never quite know with Real. I've seen Gago referred to as the new Redondo - that is high praise. Between Passarella refusing to pick him in 1998 for the WC and his kne problems we never saw enough of him for the world to truly appreciate how good a player he was. Anyway back to Gago - obviously a matter of when rather than if he will move.
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