This week see’s the second phase of Champions League ties in the last 16 of the competition. Last week we saw the likes Manchester United, Lyon and Bayern Munich all claim vital victories to take into their second legs.
This week we see some top ties in Europe’s elite competition. Here is a preview of those ties taking place.
Olympiakos vs Bordeaux
The home side made it through to the knockout stages after finishing in second in Group H to Arsenal. They got the better of Belgian side Standard Liege and Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar. They are currently in decent form and second in the Greek league table.
The Greek champions are regulars on the European scene but are strangers to this stage of the Champions League. They are seen as one of the weakest sides left in the competition and the French champions are expected to progress from this tie.
French champions Bordeaux progressed from a group involving Bayern Munich, Juventus and Maccabi Hafia. They qualified as group winners above Bayern Munich with an impressive record of five victories and one draw from their six group games.
They were the surprise package of the competition topping group A and leaving European giants Bayern and Juventus to battle it out for second place in the group. Bordeaux have been impressive and Gourcuff and co. will expect to progress to the next round.
Stuttgart vs Barcelona
Stuttgart finished second in group G behind Spanish side Sevilla and above Unirea Urziceni and Rangers. The group was pretty weak in truth and Sevilla coasted into the last 16 without much of a challenge.
The German side progress into the knockout stages with just two victories from their six games. They have had an unpredictable season in the Bundesliga and currently sit 9th, 14 points away from the Champions League positions. It would prove a major shock if the Germans overcame the European Champions.
Barcelona’s passage to the knockout stages proved more difficult than expected. Russian side Rubin Kazan managed a shock 2-1 victory in the Nou Camp and Rubin also managed a point in their homeland.
However Pep Guardiola’s side scrapped through into the knockout stages along with Italian champions Inter, who beat Rubin to second place in the group. Barca have also suffered just one away defeat in all competitions this season.
The Spanish champions will welcome back full-back Daniel Alves and midfielder Xavi from injury for this game. However they will be without midfielder Seydou Keita and defender Eric Abidal. Barcelona are one of the favourites for the tournament and should make light work of the Germans.
CSKA Moscow vs Sevilla
Russian side CSKA Moscow qualified for the knockout rounds from group B along with Manchester United. They qualified ahead of German champions Wolfsburg and Turkish side Besiktas. Their qualification was slightly unexpected but the Russians will be hoping to cause a shock against the Spanish side.
Spanish side Sevilla qualified top of group G. The Andalucían’s are considered by many as the dark horses for the competition. However their domestic form has been inconsistent of late after a strong start to the season.
They are still in the hunt for a place in next seasons Champions League. Sevilla will be glad that the first leg is away from home as the trip to Moscow will prove the harder of the two games and they will need a good result from this game to progress.
Inter vs Chelsea
This tie is one of the biggest of the round and is expected to be tightly contested. Two world class managers Inter’s Jose Mourinho and Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti come head to head in what promises to be a test of both their managerial skills.
Mourinho faces his old side Chelsea for the first time but will be doing his former charges no favours in this tie. Inter only just scrapped into the knockout stages after finishing just above Russian side Rubin Kazan in their group.
They are again topping the Serie A table and look set to win yet another title. However Inter have drew the last three games in Serie A and are not looking their usual efficient selves. Inter boss Mourinho also faces a domestic touchline ban.
Inter keeper Julio Cesar was involved in a car accident but is expected to start the game. The Brazilian stopper will be a vital player in this clash as he faces Chelsea’s in-form striker Didier Drogba. The Ivorian has scored 24 goals this season and will offer Inter a huge threat to the Inter defence.
Chelsea will go into this game top of the Premier League table and looking confident despite not playing at their best. They defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers without looking that impressive on Saturday. And even though they’re not in the best of form, I would expect the Blues to be too strong for Mourinho’s stuttering side.
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