A Harry Pearson article that is worth reading just for the first two paragraphs.

More on Jack Warner’s unsavoury allies.

Graham Hunter has a feature on Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta.

The partial resurrection of a special team – special to me that is!

A healthy potion of Giovanni Trapattoni’s stipend as the Republic of Ireland’s new coach is being funded by a Irish tax exile billionaire.

A Brazilian playing in the Israeli league who might be worth keeping an eye on.

Paul Gardner’s final column for the New York Sun.

A way of harnessing technology in order to benefit small clubs around the world – without getting to vote on the starting eleven.

A great article on two footballing generations of the McGeady family and a wee bit more.

A loss to Inter forty years ago still rankles Liverpool.

Here is a look at the last sixteen of the Champions League and who might make up the last eight.

Schalke vs. Porto
Porto may have lost a couple of games in Portugal over the last two months but they should have enough to qualify against a Schalke side that made it through from a group that turned out to be very poor.
Pick Porto.

Roma vs. Real Madrid
I’m picking this one as my surprise of the round. Real has racked up good results this season without being consistently impressive. Roma has a poor record against Real Madrid but they have enough talent to beat the Spanish Champions. Out on a limb on this one.
Pick Roma

Olympiacos vs. Chelsea
If the Greek side is to have a chance at all then they need to win the first leg. Although two or their three wins in the group stage were away from home the first win (at Werder Bremen) was Olympiacos’ first in 32 attempts. The side is strong on experience but may not be strong enough defensively to win over two legs.
Pick Chelsea

Liverpool vs. Inter
With a FA Cup defeat and a poor league showing hanging over them this is Liverpool’s last chance for silverware this season. The Champions League and the former European Cup has more meaning to Liverpool than most other clubs but they are facing a side that it out to prove that they can be considered amongst Europe’s best. In three of the last four times Inter has made it to the knock out stage they have lost on away goals. Inter was my choice back in August to take Europe's premier title but it was a choice that was made with little conviction.
Pick Inter

Celtic vs. Barcelona
Barcelona is the only side to win in European competition at Parkhead in the last seventeen matches. By the same token Celtic’s away form in Europe continues to be atrocious. A Celtic win in the first leg is very much a possibility but a visit to the Nou Camp will prove to be too much.
Pick Barcelona (They will be happy that Dundee United did not qualify)


Lyon vs. Manchester United
A side with the likes of Karim Benzema in it should not be written off but Lyon’s best chance of European glory may have come and gone. United’s movement in midfield and attack will be more than the French Champion’s defense will be able to cope with.
Pick Manchester United

Fenerbahce vs. Sevilla
Sevilla is finally beginning to generate some real momentum in La Liga after the traumatic experience of the collapse and death of full back Antonio Puerta in September. This is a side that has the benefit of two successful UEFA Cup runs, an outstanding striker pairing of Luis Fabiano and Freddie Kanoute, wide players with real pace and dash (Navas and Capel) as well as quality in almost every other area. Fenerbahce will prove to be a stiff test but Sevilla might be the team that surprises us all this season in the Champions League.
Pick Sevilla

Arsenal vs. Milan
Arsenal’s youth vs. Milan’s experience – that is how articles in newspapers and on the web are bill-boarding this one although I am not sure that is a totally fair reflection. I’ve flipped back and forward between the teams on this one since the draw was made and would not be surprised if Arsenal win's it. However…..
Pick Milan

Here is a link to Jeremy's blog that describes his trip to Barcelona.

Rob Hughes on the next Argentine superstar – this one is only eleven years old!

Paul Gardner on the marked absence of star signings post-Beckham.

David Conn on the paradox of Manchester City and Premiership riches.

Robert Philip on former Ipswich great Kevin Beattie.

Trevor Brocking bemoans the lack of investment by Premiership clubs in English youngsters.

Gabriele Marcotti sees similarities between Helen Mirren and Milan – honestly! You read it right - Helen Mirren not St. Mirren.

And Marcotti again, this time on Ivan Klasnic’s need for a second kidney transplant.

The youtube goal - Yuri Zhirkov’s goal for CSKA Moscow against Hamburg wasn’t bad.

The blog was fizzing last week – thank you Flashman!! It was however, getting a bit personal at times and if we can keep it to opinions it would be appreciated.
 
And seeing that we have the Champions League this week here is something to consider. Since the second group stage was scrapped and replaced by a knock out round only 6 out of 24 ties have been won by the team playing at home first.