Former Manchester United star Ray Wilkins said: “This is a clash between two of the greatest clubs in European history,..." And I agree! Match days like these come 13th February 2013 at the Santiago Bernabéu and the 5th March 2013 at Old Trafford is why the Uefa Champions League was created.
Though this might be the tie of the round, the tournament organisers will be licking there lips at what the draw has has kicked out. In some media circles its touted as the Dream Draw.
José Mourinho returns to Old Trafford in the Champions League for the first time since he ran down the touchline when his Porto side scored in the last minute in 2004, while Cristiano Ronaldo will return to his beloved Manchester United, its bound to stir emotions. United and their much debated defence is yet to gel or yet to reach full fitness and Real are currently underperforming in La Liga, so neither would want to meet each other right now but February it might be different, a lot can happen in two months. Ronaldo will be the focal point but I would edge United as the favourites just because they play the second leg at home. Can't wait!!
The other English team, Arsenal will face an inform Bayern Munich and this should be two fascinating matches. In Europe's major five leagues this season the average possession stats for Bayern is 63% and Arsenal 60%, does shed light on what lies ahead. Only Bacelona has better stats of 69%. Though Bayern should be to strong for the gunners Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta could swing the tie the Londoners way if they on the top of their game.
Neil Lennon's Celtic face Juventus and will be quietly confident, with the first leg at Parkhead, that they can defeat the Italian giants. Yes they got one over a very strong Barcelona team but they'll have to relook their tactics as playing the way they did against Barca (forcing them wide for crosses) would be playing into the hands of Juventus. Their attack-minded wing-backs, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah, would love to get on the end of Andrea Pirlo's long diagonal balls. Juventus do come short upfront but midfielders Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio will give Celtic a physical test. Juventus for me over the two legs but it'll be close.
Málaga v Porto An intriguing tie between two teams that play with plenty of width and attacking flair and both qualified with impressive ease from their qualification groups. Málaga's Isco is the star player, he has been one of the tournament's finest performers this season and is the catalyst for Málaga's movement and direct dribbling in the final third. Porto are, as always, 4-3-3 with a batch of promising South American attackers. The Portuguese club probably edge out Malaga in terms of quality, and their home record and experience will count heavily in their favour. Added to the fact that they're storming their domestic league and they'll be able to rest players, they should be clear favourites to progress.
Two clubs that have opposite Uefa Champions League pedigree, Valencia are established in this competition yet have sold stars such as David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata in recent years because of financial woes, take on PSG who haven't reached this stage for over a decade, yet their Qatari millions have resulted in the signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Javier Pastore, among others. On paper, PSG are favourites for this tie, but they depend heavily on Ibrahimovic, who aside from a fine double against Arsenal in 2010-11, has a poor record in the knockout stages of the European Cup.
Milan and Barcelona know each other well, having met four times in the Champions League last season. Barcelona triumphed them winning by a total aggregate score of 8-5, but it wasn't plain sailing for the spanish team. Milan are now a very different outfit, with a more positive midfield and a dangerous front three. Barça are clear fovourites even though the position of coach is still under a cloud after the sad news of Tito Vilanova's illness.
Probably the least glamorous tie of the round, is Galatasaray verse Schalke this is a meeting between two ruthless strikers. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored 48 goals in 48 games last season, although he has been linked with a move in January, as his contract expires next summer, while Galatasaray's Burak Yilmaz is the competition's joint-top scorer with Cristiano Ronaldo, having hit six goals – including four headers – in the group stage. Schalke play with flying wingers while Galatasaray like to dominate the centre of the pitch, which should result in an interesting tactical battle.
Though Shakhtar Donetsk and Borussia Dortmund aren't the most successful in the Uefa Champions League but this is in my opinion will be the most exciting fixture of the second round. These are two inherently similar sides, they play 4-2-3-1, remain very compact and are devastating on the break, and feature some outrageously gifted, versatile attacking options. Some would say Shakhtar has an advantage as the Ukrainian league resumes from their Christmas break on the 3rd March, shortly after the first leg in this tie, which should leave Mircea Lucescu's side quite fresh. I am of the opinion that the German side have been the most impressive of this years tournament especially after topping the "Group of Death", and I don't expect that to change.
So let's conclude my prediction of the last 8 : Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Porto, Valencia, Barcelona, Shalke and Borussia Dortmund.
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams @JCBA
Though this might be the tie of the round, the tournament organisers will be licking there lips at what the draw has has kicked out. In some media circles its touted as the Dream Draw.
José Mourinho returns to Old Trafford in the Champions League for the first time since he ran down the touchline when his Porto side scored in the last minute in 2004, while Cristiano Ronaldo will return to his beloved Manchester United, its bound to stir emotions. United and their much debated defence is yet to gel or yet to reach full fitness and Real are currently underperforming in La Liga, so neither would want to meet each other right now but February it might be different, a lot can happen in two months. Ronaldo will be the focal point but I would edge United as the favourites just because they play the second leg at home. Can't wait!!
The other English team, Arsenal will face an inform Bayern Munich and this should be two fascinating matches. In Europe's major five leagues this season the average possession stats for Bayern is 63% and Arsenal 60%, does shed light on what lies ahead. Only Bacelona has better stats of 69%. Though Bayern should be to strong for the gunners Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta could swing the tie the Londoners way if they on the top of their game.
Neil Lennon's Celtic face Juventus and will be quietly confident, with the first leg at Parkhead, that they can defeat the Italian giants. Yes they got one over a very strong Barcelona team but they'll have to relook their tactics as playing the way they did against Barca (forcing them wide for crosses) would be playing into the hands of Juventus. Their attack-minded wing-backs, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Kwadwo Asamoah, would love to get on the end of Andrea Pirlo's long diagonal balls. Juventus do come short upfront but midfielders Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio will give Celtic a physical test. Juventus for me over the two legs but it'll be close.
Málaga v Porto An intriguing tie between two teams that play with plenty of width and attacking flair and both qualified with impressive ease from their qualification groups. Málaga's Isco is the star player, he has been one of the tournament's finest performers this season and is the catalyst for Málaga's movement and direct dribbling in the final third. Porto are, as always, 4-3-3 with a batch of promising South American attackers. The Portuguese club probably edge out Malaga in terms of quality, and their home record and experience will count heavily in their favour. Added to the fact that they're storming their domestic league and they'll be able to rest players, they should be clear favourites to progress.
Two clubs that have opposite Uefa Champions League pedigree, Valencia are established in this competition yet have sold stars such as David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata in recent years because of financial woes, take on PSG who haven't reached this stage for over a decade, yet their Qatari millions have resulted in the signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Javier Pastore, among others. On paper, PSG are favourites for this tie, but they depend heavily on Ibrahimovic, who aside from a fine double against Arsenal in 2010-11, has a poor record in the knockout stages of the European Cup.
Milan and Barcelona know each other well, having met four times in the Champions League last season. Barcelona triumphed them winning by a total aggregate score of 8-5, but it wasn't plain sailing for the spanish team. Milan are now a very different outfit, with a more positive midfield and a dangerous front three. Barça are clear fovourites even though the position of coach is still under a cloud after the sad news of Tito Vilanova's illness.
Probably the least glamorous tie of the round, is Galatasaray verse Schalke this is a meeting between two ruthless strikers. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored 48 goals in 48 games last season, although he has been linked with a move in January, as his contract expires next summer, while Galatasaray's Burak Yilmaz is the competition's joint-top scorer with Cristiano Ronaldo, having hit six goals – including four headers – in the group stage. Schalke play with flying wingers while Galatasaray like to dominate the centre of the pitch, which should result in an interesting tactical battle.
Though Shakhtar Donetsk and Borussia Dortmund aren't the most successful in the Uefa Champions League but this is in my opinion will be the most exciting fixture of the second round. These are two inherently similar sides, they play 4-2-3-1, remain very compact and are devastating on the break, and feature some outrageously gifted, versatile attacking options. Some would say Shakhtar has an advantage as the Ukrainian league resumes from their Christmas break on the 3rd March, shortly after the first leg in this tie, which should leave Mircea Lucescu's side quite fresh. I am of the opinion that the German side have been the most impressive of this years tournament especially after topping the "Group of Death", and I don't expect that to change.
So let's conclude my prediction of the last 8 : Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Porto, Valencia, Barcelona, Shalke and Borussia Dortmund.
Jade Christopher Bentley Adams @JCBA
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