TGIF: The Champions League Draw

Good morning everybody. No foreign greeting today. I'm sure some of you were growing tired of the different languages so I'll give it a break today.

This morning brought soccer fans one of the most exciting days of the season, the Champions League knockout round draw, and it DID NOT disappoint.

Talk about some delicious and brutal match-ups. Arsenal vs. AC Milan, Liverpool vs Inter Milan, Real Madrid vs. Roma and Manchester United vs. Lyon are all thrilling pairings that will have fans lining up to order Setanta and ESPN Deportes so we can catch them all.

What team came away happiest? It has to be FC Porto, which drew Schalke 04. Sevilla could have done much worse than Fenerbahce as well. And then there is Barcelona, which gets to face Celtic after disposing of the other Scottish giants, Rangers, in the group stage.

What do you think of the match-ups? Which are you most looking forward to? Which player vs. player match-ups already have you drooling? Share your thoughts on the draw below.

Comments

[BK (the artist formerly known as Brad)]

I cried when I saw Arsenal's draw. Seriously. I filled a bucket.

[George]

I’m so excited to see my mighty ARSENAL FC defeat AC Milan.

Milan basically has no chance to win the Serie A, so their only shot to make it into next years Championship League depends on them winning it this year, which could drive a brilliant performance from Kaka who will need to put Milan on his back, again.

To all the ARSENAL doubters, have no doubt, our starting eleven will PREVAIL!!
1) Adebayor
2) Van Persie
3) Hleb
4) Flamini
5) Fabregas
6) Toure
7) Sagna
8) Djourou
9) Galles
10) Clichy
11) Almunia

[BK (the artist formerly known as Brad)]

George, I have confidence as well. Just a crap draw. I'd love to see us knock off Milan.

Ugh, and of course Chelsea got a decent draw. That makes it even worse.

[Jeremy]

I love the match up of the two English clubs and the two Italian clubs.

I wouldn't put the Man U - Lyon in the group of thrilling match-ups.

Barca is going to be dumping another Scottish team from the CL.

[Nick]

I'm just glad Man U didn't get a Milan(AC or Inter). Lyon hasn't been great this year so I don't think it will be much of a problem, especially with the return leg at home. It seems like every time we play AC Milan my heart gets crushed, including the game at Giants Stadium a few years ago and I just couldn't take it again. So as much as this hurts to say, come on Arsenal!

[Gerik]

Liverpool is going to get absolutely demolished by Inter. Milan vs Arsenal I think is the highlight of the round and I could see either going through. Chelsea ended up with an ok draw, and Lyon vs Man U will probably lack in drama unless Juninho carries Lyon through with some amazing free kicks.

[Peter]

I have two horses in this race: Madrid and Roma.

Not the ideal draw.

[doug]

Gotta love Liverpool and Inter. Im not so sure Liverpool wont win this one. The may have nothing left to play for but the CL, and Inter has a bad ahbit of coming up bad a the worst times. They may be able to do it in Serie A, but we still havent seen it in the CL. Liverpool we know is a tried and tested knockout round team. That why I think the have the second best shot in England outside Man U to win in Moscow. This version of Arsenal while good are unproven in Europe and Chelsea might get past Olympiacos but they will ind it hard to get goals against anyone else in this draw

[nathan3e]

As an Inter supporter, I don't think I would say that Liverpool is going to get absolutely demolished by Inter. I will say that Liverpool likely need to win their home leg by at least two goals. It will definitely help Inter that Viera and Figo will be back by then.

[doug]

also the draw set up nicely for Sevilla didnt it. bad luck for Man U they have Inter, Liverpool, Barca in their half of the draw. They might have the toughest road to the final

[Jim]

I'd have preferred an easier draw but Barcelona will do. We played them four times in 04, beating them and losing only once on the way to the UEFA Cup final. We can do it again.

[nathan3e]

Doug -

The Inter habit of coming up bad at the worst times seems to be in the past. The current Inter has lost one match all year. Last year Inter went out on away goals to Valencia, which is something that can han happen to any club in the Champions League.

[Felix]

bye bye Liverpool.

[kpugs]

The only thing that surprises me is that it's not Barca vs. Chelsea and Celtic vs. Olympiacos, maybe UEFA didn't handpick the draw this year like they always do.

[PhantomNJ]

Two teams that I follow closely (Arsenal and Milan) and they end up playing each other first??? Ugh!

Oh well, here's hoping for no injuries and a CL Title for whoever survives the match.

[Dominghosa]

My very-much-just-guessing picks:
Barca, ManU, Porto, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Olympiacos (upset special), and Fenerbache go through.

[Nicholas]

What I think will happen

Barca over Celtic
Manchester United over Lyon
Porto over Shalke
Inter destroys Liverpool
Madrid over Roma
Milan beats Arsenal soundly
Chelsea over Olympiacos
Sevilla over Fenerbahçe

[Collin]

Wow tough draw for my Reds. Pretty much worst-case scenario.

And OF COURSE Chelsea draws well. Makes me sick.

Potential Cinderella: Fenerbache

My pick to win it (at this point): ManU

[JP]

Not a bad draw for Fenerbahçe...

[doug]

do they redraw the teams for the quarters or is this essentially a sweet 16 style bracket

[socmin]

Please, do not stop the different greetings! Me gusta aprender lenguas diferentes.

[Mark]

Liverpool will win against Inter, who are the most overrated side in Europe. They play in a weak league, where Udinese, a team that barely averages a goal a match, is in fourth. Rubbish.

It will probably got to penalties and Pepe will prevail.

[Erinti]

Chelsea?! *duly eats hat, weeps for her beloved team* Here's hoping we can at least make 'em work for it, though of course I'll be crossing my fingers for an upset. (And I know it's mean to say this, but here's hoping St. Petr is out of commission those days.)

[ejs]

I dont think Olympiacos is such an easy game as we think. Lyons Benzema will be eager to prove his abilities in England in hopes to impress Arsene Wenger. I like Liverpool to beat Inter in a high scoring affair. Barcelona/Celtic Can Celtic play Defense for an entire two leg tie? Schalke and Porto doesnt have many interesting pieces to it. Fehnerbache can only hope to contain Sevilla. I think Madrid takes Roma. Arsenal and AC Milan will be the televised first leg and won't be short on Goals

[sg]

I'll be happy to see 2 english teams get knocked out so soon (liverpool and arsenal that is).