This morning was the draw for the Round of 16 of the Champion's League, and with it came some familiar names (and ties..)
That being said, the complaint about the boredom of the same draws over and over is falling on deaf ears; this is the FFP era. The big clubs have enjoyed their ascent, and pulled the ladder up behind them. Get used to the same 14 or so clubs joining in year in and year out.
That being said, the complaint about the boredom of the same draws over and over is falling on deaf ears; this is the FFP era. The big clubs have enjoyed their ascent, and pulled the ladder up behind them. Get used to the same 14 or so clubs joining in year in and year out.
Who to expect? For the next few years at the very least you'll see these participants almost 100% of the time in the Round of 16:
From Spain; Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid.
From England: Chelsea, Manchester City.
From Italy: Juventus.
From Germany: Bayern Munich.
From France: PSG.
Those that will probably jump in and out on a year in basis are as follows:
From England: Arsenal, Manchester United.
From Spain: Athletic Bilbao, Valencia, Villareal.
From Italy: Roma.
From Germany: Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen.
From France: Olympique Marseille, AS Monaco.
From Portugal: FC Porto.
From Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk.
Such is the shape of modern football, expect to see most of these names year in year out with the rare excursions of FC Basel and the likes of the so called "lower nations" champions sneaking in here or there.
From Spain; Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid.
From England: Chelsea, Manchester City.
From Italy: Juventus.
From Germany: Bayern Munich.
From France: PSG.
Those that will probably jump in and out on a year in basis are as follows:
From England: Arsenal, Manchester United.
From Spain: Athletic Bilbao, Valencia, Villareal.
From Italy: Roma.
From Germany: Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen.
From France: Olympique Marseille, AS Monaco.
From Portugal: FC Porto.
From Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk.
Such is the shape of modern football, expect to see most of these names year in year out with the rare excursions of FC Basel and the likes of the so called "lower nations" champions sneaking in here or there.
But, anyways, on to this year's draw for the Round of 16!
While some of these draws are quite tasty, you'll see a few similarities to last year's draw as well.
Up first is PSG versus Chelsea. Before the draw, Mourinho has said he would love PSG in the draw for a multitude of reasons, but I see this more so as a "please not PSG" plea. Regardless, the two sides will be familiar with each other, and with former Chelsea defender David Luiz suiting up for PSG, there will be no love lost between them either. I don't think Zlatan will turn the tide here, although he provides a great matchup versus Terry (and Costa versus Silva as well), but I really think this could be the chance for Lucas Moura to shine. Moura has provided a nice ability in the 1 v 1 on the right, and it's more likely we'll see Filipe Luis than Cesar Azpilicueta. All in all, I wouldn't be surprised if PSG take this, and they're my pick to advance.
Up first is PSG versus Chelsea. Before the draw, Mourinho has said he would love PSG in the draw for a multitude of reasons, but I see this more so as a "please not PSG" plea. Regardless, the two sides will be familiar with each other, and with former Chelsea defender David Luiz suiting up for PSG, there will be no love lost between them either. I don't think Zlatan will turn the tide here, although he provides a great matchup versus Terry (and Costa versus Silva as well), but I really think this could be the chance for Lucas Moura to shine. Moura has provided a nice ability in the 1 v 1 on the right, and it's more likely we'll see Filipe Luis than Cesar Azpilicueta. All in all, I wouldn't be surprised if PSG take this, and they're my pick to advance.
Manchester City versus Barcelona, another repeat at this stage last year. Barcelona ran out 4-1 aggregate winners, as Dani Alves bagged two of them, and a Martin Demichelis red proved crucial in deciding the first leg. Last year, I lost a lot (a loooot) of respect for Pellegrini with his comments following the first leg, and City seem to struggle immensely without Kun Aguero, who seems constantly plagued by injuries. Barca to take this, by more than a goal margin.
Bayer Leverkusen versus Atletico Madrid. I dislike Bayer for sponsorship reasons, (won't go into that), but I think Atletico's style of play, heralded as brilliant, is a bit overrated. Diego Simeone is a mature version of Jose Mourinho. His teams are setup to get the job done, no matter how nasty; and it's worked. That being said, I think they'll do it again. My last impression of Leverkusen versus a Spanish team in the KO rounds was when Messi scored 5. Atletico through.
Bayer Leverkusen versus Atletico Madrid. I dislike Bayer for sponsorship reasons, (won't go into that), but I think Atletico's style of play, heralded as brilliant, is a bit overrated. Diego Simeone is a mature version of Jose Mourinho. His teams are setup to get the job done, no matter how nasty; and it's worked. That being said, I think they'll do it again. My last impression of Leverkusen versus a Spanish team in the KO rounds was when Messi scored 5. Atletico through.
One of the best draws here is Juventus versus Dortmund, but I don't think it will be that close in reality. Juventus struggle in Europe, while Dortmund are currently in the relegation zone in Germany....but it's December, and we have almost two full months until this match. I expect Dortmund to find form at home (keep in mind, they topped the group while still in crisis in Germany mode) and dismantle Juventus. Arturo Vidal hasn't been himself since his injury last season, and Pogba and Pirlo will be overrun.
Schalke again are drawn with Real Madrid, and though Di Matteo orchestrated (?) a miraculous CL run built on grit, determination, or whatever English attributes you want to give to pure luck, there's no way they advance. In fact, I am not surprised if Madrid advance with a double digit aggregate GD here, to be quite honest.
Schalke again are drawn with Real Madrid, and though Di Matteo orchestrated (?) a miraculous CL run built on grit, determination, or whatever English attributes you want to give to pure luck, there's no way they advance. In fact, I am not surprised if Madrid advance with a double digit aggregate GD here, to be quite honest.
Ah, good old Waxtap, versus Pep's Bayern. Surprising top scorer Luiz Adriano, yes the one with those glaring misses versus Barca years back, but also of the rudest goal in recent CL memory, has 9(!) goals. Everyone loves a tactical battle and Mircea Lucescu versus Pep Guardiola promises just that. But it will come down to much more, and Shakhtar simply don't have the personnel to keep up with Bayern. They're like a robot with guns for arms shooting a plane made out of guns that fires guns? Bayern to advance.
Two ties left, and a somewhat surprise visitor in AS Monaco in the next stage, versus Arsenal. I don't know what much to say for Monaco, who are coming off a win versus Bielsa's OM this weekend which quipped Bielsa to play down Monaco as a challenger, and basically say his team beat themselves. While Arsenal surely aren't in form, playing well, or a hot team, it must be said they are quite better. Monaco will keep it close, maybe only going down on away goals, but they lack the firepower to get the better of Arsenal.
And for me, the most interesting matchup of the round. I have seen neither team play extensively, but always had a soft spot for Basel for obvious reasons. They 'surprised' (not me) many by knocking out Liverpool with a final day draw, but they've become a steady fixture in the later rounds of European competition. Porto themselves, always sneak in around these parts with their revolving door policy of "once you're worth double what we paid, c u l8r m8." Headlined with a Portugese manager in Paulo Sousa, while Porto have famous Spanish youth manager Julen Lopetegui. It should play for a great tie, and I think one of these two will actually make the semis if they can draw Arsenal. Porto, having only lost their first match of the season at the weekend at the hands of Benfica, look good for money but something tells me Basel will pull it out.
Well, there you have it, my predictions for this round, hope you enjoyed, see you all next round.