Champions League is Back! Tuesday Preview

So with pretty much all three big domestic leagues already sorted out – Barcelona will have to do something spectacular not to win the league this year, despite losing to rivals Espanyol at the weekend, Man United inched further clear at the top of the EPL after Liverpool managed only a draw against Manchester City, and Inter Milan look unimpeachable at the top of Serie A, where are you going to go for you football excitement this season?

The answer is simple, clear and obvious. The Champions League. Luckily for you, for me and for everyone else, its back, starting tomorrow, with the games that I shall preview after the jump.

Of course you might complain that the CL is Barca’s to loose. Certainly they are currently favourites to take the tournament, with their barnstorming performances in the group stage, as well as wondering away with their domestic title. But in a knockout competition it only takes one bad game, and then you can forget about the final in Rome.

Lyon Vs Barcelona

Lyon, its fair to say, have a tough draw. No-one in the pot will have wanted to draw Group C winners Barcelona, and after coming out of Group F, the obilgitory Group of Death with Bayern Munich, Lyon will be wondering exactly what they did to annoy the football gods.

All that isn’t to say that Lyon are out already. They keep falling at this stage, and will be desperate to put an end to that. They have great players going forward – most notably much wanted hitman Karim Benzema. Defence is a worry, not exactly sure how Boumsong will deal with an in-form Samuel Eto’o.

Inter Milan Vs Manchester United

Arguably the big one, due to the headline making power of Jose Mourinho. He and Sir Alex Ferguson have a history from Mourinho’s time in the EPL, but of course their history goes back further to Porto’s incredible 2005 run, which saw Man United knocked out en-route.

Both sides look comfortable at the summit of their respective leagues, but Inter come off the back of years of underperforming in Europe, while Man United are the defending champions.

Man United’s big strength this season has been at the back, but they may struggle here in the first leg. Vidic is suspended for the first leg, and his heir, Johnny Evans picked up an injury at the weekend. Both Evans and the equally struggling John O’Shea have made the trip to Italy, in the hope that one is fit, but if they aren’t a 100% (and in O’Shea’s case maybe even if they are) they will struggle to deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic - assuming the swede fancies it. If he’s hungry to prove himself as genuinely one of the worlds best, then this is the stage to do it.

The first leg is going to be crucial to Inter. If they want to get through, they have to take advantage of being at home first – expect United to try and close the game out and get a 0-0 away, and then drag it back to Manchester, and more comfortable surroundings.

Arsenal vs Roma

The two biggest underperformers in Europe meet on Tuesday, both hoping to salvage something from a season that might mean a lack of Champions League action for both next season. Roma of course have the extra spice of knowing the final is in Rome.

Both teams love to play free-flowing attacking football, so potentially this could be the most beautiful game of the lot. Both teams have been devestated with injuries all season – part of the reason for both sides unconvincing performances, and although Roma have rallied comparitively in recent weeks, Arsenal are struggling to find the net.

Really the tie could come down to who keeps thier best XI fit. This is a completely unpredictable tie, and either side could go marching through, neither will want to face losing.

Atlético Madrid Vs FC Porto

Porto, who weren’t even supposed to be at this party have managed to make it this far after winning Group G ahead of Arsenal. Atlético Madrid meanwhile have sometimes looked more convincing than their inter-city rivals, as they came through their group behind Liverpool.

Atletico however have struggled in the league recently, and coach Javier Aguirre has been given his marching orders. A certain Sergio Aguero will be back though after becoming a father, which should give his side a massive lift.

Its obviously a clash between two of the “Smaller” Champions League clubs, and both will deseperately want this chance to make the Quarter Finals.

Category: Knockout Rounds