The Giant Champions League Round of 8 Preview

By: Rob | March 13th, 2008

So, tomorrow at Noon GMT, we’ll find out who is going to play who in this years Champions League QF’s, or if you will, Round of 8. Right now, we’ll have a look at all the sides still left in the competetion, and see how dangerous they are, who they’ll want to draw in the next round, and who they will desperately want to avoid.

The CL trophy on the Pitch

AS Roma

Philou stands around

How did they get this far? - Getting drawn in a group against Man United may have drawn a collective grown from Romans everywhere, but they equipped themselves better than last years QF, though losing 1-0 in a very tight game at OT, its the closet Man United have really looked to dropping points at OT in the CL this year. They drew in Rome, and Roma also overcame a talented Sporting side, and a dissapointing Kiev side to advance, before knocking out Real Madrid in the Round of 16.

Who are thier dangermen? - Francesco Totti, last years golden boot winner can still be devestating in front of goal. Future Italy captain Danielle De Rossi is building a reputation as the best defensive midfielder around, and defensively Phillippe Mexes is one of the best defenders around

What are thier weaknesses - Doni is still a worry. In goal the Brazillian can be a behemoth, but he can also make some absolutely crazy errors. There’s also a problem with depth - the first XI looks impressive, but injuries and suspension would rock the side more than most.

Who do they want? - Like everyone, they’ll want to draw Fenerbace or Schalke really, as tough as it is on the Turks and Germans, they are the weakest side on paper left in the tournament. However, they shouldn’t despair if they draw Liverpool, Their quick passing style could cause problems for the reds.

Who will they want to avoid? - Man United. They may have equipped themselves better in the group stages, but they still only came away with a point. The side will not really want to relive last years nightmare again just yet.

Can they go all the way? - On thier day, Roma can beat anybody. If they can keep confidence high (which it is at the moment - though it is sometimes a cause for concern) and injury free, they are a great dark horse.

Arsenal

Cesc slides to glory

How Did They Get This Far? They came second in a group with Sevilla, cruising past Slavia Prague and Steaua as well, including putting seven goals past the latter. They cemented thier position as geniune challengers when they knocked out an aged Milan side in the round of 16.

Who Are thier Dangermen? - They have a few - Cesc Fabregas has finnaly come of age this season, and started the season the most dangerous player in the EPL. Hleb has linked up with him brilliantly, and Flamini is keeping Brazil international Giberto Silva on the Emirates bench.

What Are Thier Weaknesses? - Youth. They proved they could mix it with the big boys in the San Siro though, so it’ll be intriguing to see how far that fearlessness takes them.

Who Do They Want? Again, Fener or Schalke, but no doubt they don’t really fear anyone. The neutral in me would like to see them draw Barca - what a game that could be.

Who Do They Want to Avoid? Barca probably, at least on paper they are the strongest side left.

Can They Go All The Way? Wenger’s team all seems to have come of age at the same time, and what is noticible is that without Henry’s influence, they seem to be real big game players. Notice that they stuttered to draws against Wigan, Villa and Birmingham, but beat Milan in the San Siro. They aren’t favourites, but its plausable if Arsene can iron out the inconsistancy.

Barcelona

The Dhino and Eto celebrate ANOTHER goal

How Did They Get This Far? The dominated a group with Lyon, Rangers and Stuttgart, managing to win all but two games, drawing against Lyon and the ‘anti-football’ Rangers. They dispatched Celtic after a minor wobble in the round of 16.

Who Are thier Dangermen? - Where do you start? They will be missing CL top scorer Leo Messi, so they will have to settle for out-of-favour Ronaldhino to support a front line of Eto’o and Henry. They also have Deco sat in midfield.

What Are Thier Weaknesses - Good question. The weak link probably still is Valdes, the goalkeepr, especially now the defense has been sharpened.

Who Do They Want? They won’t really fear anyone. Thier league form hasn’t been as astounding as it possibly should be, but a team with this many superstars is going to be able to mix it with anyone.

Who Do They Want to Avoid? Having said that, they probably would rather a trip to Schalke than a trip to Old Trafford, or Stamford Bridge.

Can They Go All The Way? They are strong favourites to go all the way this year. As long as thier key names perform they are going to be impossible to stop.

Chelsea

Lampard in black scores

How Did They Get This Far? They topped a group with Shalke, Valencia and Rosenberg, before dispatching Olympiacos in the round of 16. They stuttered to begin with, but have looked steady most of the way.

Who Are thier Dangermen? - Love him or loathe him, but Frank Lampard has hit some hot form after coming back from injury, he can’t stop scoring at the moment. Opponents will have to be wary of Ballack, who has finnaly settled at the Bridge, and of course Capatain John Terry and unhappy marksman Drogba.

What Are Thier Weaknesses - Sometimes they just don’t get enough goals. This might be because they play long ball, one up front football, something that Avram Grant has promised to fix.

Who Do They Want? They got an easier draw last time, so they will just be hoping thier luck continues. They shouldn’t have too much to fear from any side really.

Who Do They Want to Avoid? According to John Terry, who could barely disguise his glee at Arsenal beating Milan, they just want to avoid the English sides this time out.

Can They Go All The Way? They can. It depends on Grant as much as anyone, but this is the only tournament left for Chelsea realistically, and Red Rom is unlikely to settle for nothing.

Fenerbahce

Kezman from behind

How Did They Get This Far? They finished second in Inter Milan’s group, ahead of PSV and CSKA Moscow. They beat Sevilla in a thrilling match that went all the way to the wire in the round of 16

Who Are thier Dangermen? - Kezman, who a few years ago was one of the most feared strikers in Europe, and Alex one of the most creative midfield players around

What Are Thier Weaknesses? - They’ve never been to this stage before, so there’s a worry about pressure, though it could be argued this also makes them fearless. Squad depth is a big issue.

Who Do They Want? Schalke would give them the best chance of making the semi finals.

Who Do They Want to Avoid? Any of the really big sides if they want to advance, but in a year of crazy cup upsets, maybe they would fearlessly fancy thier chances against a Barca or a Man United.

Can They Go All The Way? It seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened. Porto made it afterall.

Liverpool

Torres celebrates vs Chelski

How Did They Get This Far? in a mirror of 05 they lost thier first few games, before rallying in spectacular fashion to get through a group with Porto, Marsellies and Besiktas. They dispatched Inter in the Round of 16.

Who Are thier Dangermen? Fernando Torres is on extraordinary form in every competetion this year, and of course despite having the touch of a demented rapist gorrilla, Steven Gerrard is always, always a threat.

What Are Thier Weaknesses - They play very negatively at times, long balls, and packed out defensive midfield. They also have absolutely no width.

Who Do They Want? Liverpool being Liverpool they probably aren’t too worried. I’m sure they’d take Fener or Schalke though.

Who Do They Want to Avoid? After knocking out Inter, they probably don’t fear anybody, but we would want to avoid another Chelsea/Liverpool borefest as neutrals.

Can They Go All The Way? You would usually think not, but Liverpool are well trained for the Champions League and Rafa’s job could depend on it.

Manchester United

Rio fists

How Did They Get This Far? They won the group that Roma came out of, before doing enough to get past Lyon in the round of 16.

Who Are thier Dangermen? Ronaldo is clearly a danger as joint top scorer in this years tournament. Man United are a better team when Rooney plays (they haven’t lost with him in this season) and the defensive pairing of Vidic and Ferdinand is immense.

What Are Thier Weaknesses? - Like, Barca its difficult to say. It could be argued that a couple of players - Giggs and Scholes - while absolute class, don’t always do it at this level anymore, while Nani and Anderson, thier replacements might not be ready yet.

Who Do They Want? - I’m sure they would be wise enough to wary of anyone, but would probably enjoy the psychological advantage of having Roma again.

Who Do They Want to Avoid? Obviously if they don’t get Barca it will be a plus, but how fantastic would that be for the rest of us?

Can They Go All The Way? They can. They probably are as well equipped as they were in 99 and if Rooney and Ronaldo are firing on all cylinders, they are going to be very hard to beat.

Schalke

Kuranyiiiiiii

How Did They Get This Far? They came second in Chelsea’s group, before knocking out Porto

Who Are thier Dangermen? - Beardy Kevin Kuranyi is the obvious dangerman, when he pulls the strings it all works nicely. Ze Roberto’s not bad either.

What Are Thier Weaknesses? - They just don’t look as strong thoughout the starting XI as the rest of the sides, and I think they will admit, they probably didn’t expect to get this far

Who Do They Want? Fenerbahce. Anyone else is going to be really tough.

Who Do They Want to Avoid? Barca, Man United or Chelsea are probably the big ones. It would be an upset for them to beat Arsenal, Roma or Liverpool though.

Can They Go All The Way? It would be a bit like Cardiff winning the FA Cup….

Join me, right here tomorrow, where i may have a hilarious attempt at trying to liveblog to draw. It’ll be posted right after if not, so should be an exciting time for one and all. see you there.
Untill then, then.