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The UEFA Champions League last 16 draw takes place on Friday in Nyon with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and Napoli awaiting their fate in the knockout round.
Two seeding pots have been formed, one consisting of group winners and the others of runners-up as follows:
Group winners: Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Benfica, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal, APOEL and Barcelona.
Group runners-up: Napoli, CSKA Moscow, Basel, Lyon, Bayer Leverkusen, Marseille, Zenit St Petersburg and AC Milan.
As typical of the draw, seeded group winners will be away in the round of 16 first legs which will be played on February 14/15 and 21/22, with the return matches taking place on March 6/7 and 13/14.
No team can play a club which have emerged from their group nor can they be drawn against any side from the same country until at least the quarter-finals.
The remainder of the draw will be held on March 16 with the final taking place in Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 19.
We at In The Stands have little patience and so decided to play God and make our very own UEFA Champions League Last 16 draw to savour. It includes matchups to make your eyes widen in excitement and your lips quiver in joy!
Bayern Munich vs AC Milan
With AC Milan being the number 1 team to avoid in the runners-up pot, what better way to reward European football lovers by pairing the Rossoneri alongside none other than final hosts Bayern Munich in a knockout round blockbuster!
The pair have history and between them have bagged 11 European Cups. Such a tie will be filled with unpredictability, intrigue, suspense and best of all…goals!
Chelsea vs CSKA Moscow
Picture the scene. CSKA Moscow are leading Chelsea 1-0 the infamous Luzhniki Stadium in the Russian capital.
Then at the death, Chelsea win a penalty and with Frank Lampard off injured and Didier Drogba having been substituted (forget Fernando Torres), captain John Terry places the ball on the spot in the hope of netting that priceless away goal.
Remember 2008 anybody? Well, that is why we hope Chelsea draw CSKA Moscow who lest we forget beat Inter Milan away from home to get here.
Arsenal vs Napoli
It is an artistic attack (and Robin Van Persie) against a robust Italian defence coupled with a frighteningly ambitious midfield line.
That is what you will get if Napoli are paired alongside Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. The Italians overcame Premier League leaders Manchester City to get into the last 16 whilst Arsenal strolled through a relatively easy group.
With the first leg at the 60,000 strong San Paolo in Naples and Edinson Cavani bang in form, believe us when we say a Napoli v Arsenal clash will be almost too tight to call!
Real Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen
It would have been easy pairing Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid side with AC Milan – the names roll off the tongue with ease.
But, how about a repeat of the 2002 final? Sure there is no Zinedine Zidane and that Leverkusen team was way better than the current crop, but did you know, the last time Madrid went to the Bay Arena they were thrashed 3-0?
Here is a reminder. Madrid fans look away now.
Barcelona vs Zenit St Petersburg
Rubin Kazan. Ring any bells? If not just ask any Barca fan and carefully gage the reaction.
It is a well known fact that Pep Guardiola’s team of world beaters do not like to play in icy-cold Russia (who does), so the possibility of slipping on a potential ‘banana skin’ in the form of Zenit St Petersburg is reason enough to get on ones knees and pray for the two to be paired together.
Inter Milan vs Marseille
In 2004 a Didier Drogba-inspired Marseille side took on the mighty Inter Milan in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals at the San Siro.
The hosts had a free-kick which they duly squandered and OM midfielder Camel Meriem picked up the ball. He then proceeded to run, and run, and run, and run and run and run all the way to the Inter goal where he slotted the ball beneath Toldo to seal a historic 1-0 win for the French giants who went on the reach the final.
Just the thought of returning back to the Giuseppe Meazza will fill Marseille fans with nostalgic delight, whilst Inter would have one thing on their mind – revenge!
Benfica vs Olympique Lyon
Two more averagely rated sides can do battle in a clash both are confident they can or will succeed in.
Both are former domestic champions and both harbour a keen eye for goal and as well as some vociferous home support. Worth a shout.
APOEL Nicosia vs FC Basel
Ok maybe we were a little optimistic when we promised that we can deliver a set of last 16 clashes to die for.
APOEL Nicosia vs FC Basel?! Really?! What the heck, at least one of these two teams will exit the competition before the other swiftly does so in the last eight.
Hey, don’t blame us. It is Manchester United and FC Porto’s fault that these two are even here in the first place! Gosh!
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