Champions League
The round of 16 draw held at Nyon, Switzerland threw up some mouthwatering clashes and also a chance for a few clubs to settle scores with teams that knocked them out in the previous seasons. In what will be a repeat of last season’s finale, title holders Inter Milan face runners up Bayern Munich. The first leg will be held at San Siro where Rafael Benitez’s men will look to carry forward the advantage before the trip to Germany.
The English champions and runners up Chelsea and Manchester United were handed relatively easier draws than their North London compatriots Arsenal and Tottenham. While the Blues face Danish side FC Copenhagen, the Red Devils meet the French champions Olympique Marseille, runners up in Group F. Meanwhile Arsenal face a daunting task as they meet the 2009 Champions and favourites for this year Barcelona, the team that knocked them out last season in the quarterfinals. Tottenham, on the other hand after relegating Inter to second place in Group A, face a return trip to the San Siro, as they have been paired to face the seven time champions AC Milan.
9 time champions Real Madrid, who haven’t crossed the Round of 16 in the last six seasons, will face the team that knocked them out last season Olympique Lyonnais, who went on to reach the semifinals. Shakhtar Donetsk, who made it past the group stages for the first time, face Italian outfit AS Roma. Former Spanish captain and Real Madrid legend Raul faces a return trip to Spain as Schalke 04 have been drawn to meet Valencia, the runners up of 2000 and 2001.
Round of 16 draw:
AS Roma (Italy) vs Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
AC Milan (Italy) vs Tottenham (England)
Valencia (Spain) vs FC Schalke 04 (Germany)
Inter Milan (Italy) vs Bayern Munich (Germany)
Lyon (France) vs Real Madrid (Spain)
Arsenal (England) vs Barcelona (Spain)
Marseille (France) vs Manchester United (England)
Copenhagen (Denmark) vs Chelsea (England)
Tags: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Champions League, Chelsea, Football, Inter Milan, Manchester United, UEFA Champions League
