Champions League Draw: It’s Getting Serious Now, Bitches.
By: Martha | December 15th, 2006
The draw for the first knockout stages of the Champions League took place earlier today, and all three Italian team had their most fervent prayer answered: None of them will play Barcelona. (That fate, appropriately enough, falls to Liverpool — why not have one of the last two winners knock the other out right away?) Actually, considering the power left in the pool, the Italian teams came out in pretty good shape. Milan face Celtic a team that, as usual, is flying at home and recently beat Man U in a group match. They’re not an easy mark, particularly considering how Milan are playing, but are certainly one of the less dominant teams remaining. Inter, who seem like they would thrash anyone right now, face Valencia, while Roma take on French champions Olympique Lyonnais, a team that has a history of advancing through the first knockout round — Roma, meanwhile, are in the first knockout round ever.
On the non-Italian front, I’m personally fully stoked to see The Special One take Chelsea to Porto, the club that unleashed his infuriating awesomeness unto the football world.
The first matches will be played in late February, with the return legs the first week of March; the full list of matches is after the jump.
FC Porto (POR) v Chelsea FC (ENG)
Celtic FC (SCO) v AC Milan (ITA)
PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Arsenal FC (ENG)
LOSC Lille Métropole (FRA) v Manchester United FC (ENG)
AS Roma (ITA) v Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
FC Barcelona v Liverpool FC (ENG)
Real Madrid CF (ESP) v FC Bayern München (GER)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v Valencia CF (ESP)
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Comments
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But Celtic plays dreadfully away in the Champions League. So Milan should count the home leg a probable win and hope to take as many aggregate points as possible.
But you are right in saying that Celtic flies high at home. I think this could be a very tasty to-do.
Posted from
United States
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Inter always thrash Valencia: they’ve played 6 times and Valencia have never won. Last time they won one of the games 5-1 or something terrible like that. Oh dear.
Posted from
Australia -
Lyon also has a bad record against Italian teams, but i must agree that Roma neither has strong tradition in Champions league nor strong performances lately.
Posted from
Singapore
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