Champions League: guide to the last 16

10 December 2009 09:02
AC MILAN Milan qualified thanks to Tuesday's 1-1 draw in Zurich, as Group C runners-up behind Real Madrid. Their passage was sometimes nervous but the seven-times winners will be one of the teams to beat. Player to watch: RonaldinhoVerdict: Possible quarter-finalists. [LNB]ARSENAL As usual, Arsenal had few problems in reaching the knockout stages following the controversial qualifying victory over Celtic. Injuries, particularly the absence of Robin van Persie, continue to threaten the possibility of a second final in four years. Player to watch: Andrei Arshavin Verdict: Depending on draw, may struggle to make last eight. [LNB] Related ArticlesChampions League actionChelsea: Champions League verdictLiverpool: Champions League verdictManchester United: Champions League verdictOlympiakos 1 Arsenal 0Arsène Wenger puts trust in Tom CruiseBARCELONA The reigning champions took until matchday six to qualify but the 2-0 win over Inter Milan, following the goalless draw in Italy, suggests Pep Guardiola's team is one most others will want to avoid. Player to watch: Lionel Messi Verdict: Still the team to beat in Spain; possible winners. [LNB]BAYERN MUNICH Not since they beat Valencia on penalties, in 2001, have Bayern reached the final and though they were runners up in Group A, the manner of their 4-1 win over Juventus after going a goal down was impressive. Player to watch: Anatoliy Tymoshchuk Verdict: Possible dark horses, but no more than the last eight. [LNB]BORDEAUX Relatively inexperienced, but expectations in France are high that they could become the first French finalists since Monaco in 2004. The Group A winners are in the knockout phase for the first time. Player to watch: Marouane Chamakh Verdict: Non. Will be lucky to get to the last eight. [LNB]CHELSEA Carlo Ancelotti has won it four times, twice as a player and twice in charge of Milan. And his side, so close in the past, believe they are on course for another crack, particularly if their strikers avoid injury. Player to watch: Didier Drogba Verdict: They have the potential to win it and are sure to reach at least the semi-finals. [LNB]CSKA MOSCOW The failed drug tests aside, CSKA have shown their strengths, no more so than at Old Trafford where they led 3-1. But Russia's World Cup demise hints at a fall in standards in the country's game. Player to watch: Alan Dzagoev Verdict: Some feel they should be out of the competition. That should be resolved in the first knockout stage. [LNB]FIORENTINA Liverpool learned to their detriment in Florence how strong the Italians can be, but they remain the poor cousins of Serie A. In Cesare Prandelli they have one of Italy's longest serving coaches. Player to watch: Adrian Mutu Verdict: Not one of the stronger sides remaining; they could reach the last eight but are unlikely to progress further. [LNB]LYON The pressure is on coach Claude Puyel amid high expectations. The victory at Anfield showed their strengths and many believe they could be dark horses, particularly as they have been hard to score against. Player to watch: Lisandro Verdict: Quarter-finalists and, possibly, the last four. [LNB]INTER MILAN Inter took until last night to qualify for the final 32, having drawn their first three games in the group, but with Jose Mourinho in charge anything can happen. Player to watch: Samuel Eto'o Verdict: The Champions League is Inter's mission but are they good enough? Last eight. [LNB]MANCHESTER UNITED Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 14 Champions League away matches, discounting the 2008 and 2009 finals, at neutral venues. Player to watch: Wayne RooneyVerdict: At least the semi-finals and very possibly a third successive final. [LNB]OLYMPIACOS Their energetic fans will believe they can go finally conquer Europe, particularly with Zico in charge, but while they are on course for a sixth successive Greek title, few outside the country expect them to go further. Player to watch: Antonios Nikopolidis Verdict: No chance, out at the next hurdle. [LNB]PORTO The 2004 winners got to the last eight last season, losing to Manchester United, and their consistency suggests they will be a side to be avoided in the first knockout stage. Player to watch: Raul Meireles Verdict: Could repeat last season's quarter-finals. [LNB]REAL MADRID Nothing short of success in Europe will be tolerated after the remarkable expenditure, and a tenth success remains the aim after winning their group. Given the final is in Madrid only adds to the pressure. Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo Verdict: Semi-finals certain, and potential winners. [LNB]SEVILLA The Spaniards were through before last night's tie in Spain but injuries need to improve if they are to progress in the New Year. They failed to get this far last year, having won the Uefa Cup in 2006 and 2007. Player to watch: Luis Fabiano Verdict: Could be worth avoiding in the first knockout stage, but unlikely to get past the last eight. [LNB]STUTTGART Christian Gross, once of Spurs, is the new coach, replacing Markus Babbel on Sunday, and he has inherited a side that qualified for the last 16 on Wednesday. They took five games to get their first win at Rangers. Player to watch: Thomas Hitzlsperger Verdict: Too much for Gross; out at the first hurdle. [LNB]The Champions League draw will see the winners from one group facing the runners-up from another group, with the runners-up playing the first leg at home. The winners and runners-up of the same group cannot be drawn against each other. And clubs from the same association must not been drawn against each other, so Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United will be kept apart. [LNB]The draws for the quarter-final and semi-finals is also in Nyon, on March 19, 2010. [LNB]DATES: Feb 16/17: First knockout round, first leg. Feb 23/24: second leg. Mar 9/10: second knockout round, first leg. Mar 16/17: second leg. Mar 20/31: quarter-finals, first leg. Apr 6/7: quarter-finals, second leg. Apr 20/21: semi-finals, first leg. Apr 27/28: semi-finals, second leg. May 22: final (Madrid). [LNB]

Source: Telegraph