The Business End

The UEFA Champions League Knock-Out Round of 16 is out. After the ‘boys’ had been eliminated at the close of the group stage, it’s now time for the ‘men’ of European football to slug it out in the quest for glory. Indeed, we are now at the onset of the business end of Europe’s premier club competition. Let’s see how the eight pairs will fare and try to identify beforehand who will make the cut for the Quarter Finals.

AC Milan v Arsenal

Without a doubt this is the stand-out tie of the draw (how strange that Arsenal manages to get the biggest tie of the draw every year!). The impressive Italian champions were rather unlucky to be drawn in the same group as Barcelona, to whom they were always going to play second fiddle. Arsenal on the other had to navigate a tricky qualifier against another Italian side, Udinese, before being handed one of the toughest group assignments. Surprisingly the London outfit got their act together and topped the group with minimal fuss. This tie pits these giants of the European game who are finally getting their grove back after near-calamitous starts to the season. Key to this tie will be which side manages to keep their defense sane in the two legs as both more than once have been found wanting in that department. Despite the talents of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the almost-world class Kevin Prince Boateng, Arsenal’s youth and the second leg home advantage might hand this to the English. And of course there’s the tie’s X-Factor, Robin van Persie. No need to go on and on about his scintillating form. He might win this for Arsenal.

Napoli v Chelsea

The second installment of the Anglo-Italian showdown, and what a match-up! One can’t help but marvel at how fast the Serie A side has risen to the top echelons of European football. In truth, few Chelsea fans will be pleased with this draw. Napoli managed to condemn the free-scoring Manchester City to Europa League obscurity and that has made the football world take note of Walter Mazzari’s men. Chelsea on their part flattered to deceive and had to rely on a last matchday good fortune to fend of Leverkusen’s challenge to clinch top spot. Though the Blues seem to be rediscovering their form, it remains to be seen whether their often exposed defense can withstand Napoli’s fearsome attack. Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik have struck fear in opposition backlines at will and won’t need any extra incentive to do it again. Chelsea’s main concern would be getting their frontmen to rise to the occasion, because they have the pedigree. It will be as intriguing as it gets but Chelsea should be too strong and too experienced for the Italians.

Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona

With all due respect to the Bundesliga side, this tie has a Barca win inscribed all over it. There is a reason why the European champions and hot favorites were indeed the  team to be avoided in the draw. Leverkusen can only rue not beating Genk and thus not topping their group. That said expect another Lionel Messi show in a rampant Blaugrana performance. There are no fairytales in this one, absolutely no chance. Aufwiedersehen Bayer!

CSKA Moscow v Real Madrid

Another David v Goliath showdown in the offing, only that in football rarely does David triumph. Indeed Real Madrid has been the team of the group stage, dispatching every opposition with ruthless aplomb and panache and finishing with maximum points to boot. CSKA on the other hand squeaked to the knock out round rather fortuitously and will find it tough containing Jose Mourinho’s men. Cristiano Ronaldo should dazzle and put Los Merengues on course for an unprecedented tenth European crown.

Zenit St. Petersburg v Benfica

Benfica did well to top a group that had finalists Manchester United to prove that it is not for nothing they were a force to reckon with in the competition’s infant years. Zenit, guided by Luciano Spaletti, did just enough to lock out Porto and book safe passage to the next round. Still, the fact they finished second behind APOEL leaves many hanging questions. Benfica have produced slick attacking displays and should be too strong for the Russians especially if the likes of Nicolas Gaitan and Oscar Cardozo are on top form.

Lyon v APOEL Nicosia

As tricky a tie as they come. It’s really hard to determine which team to fancy in this one. Lyon, abysmal most of the time, only miraculously pulling off an unbelievable seven goal haul in their last group match in Zagreb to seal a place in the draw. APOEL, a largely unknown entity has been the surprise package of the season, clinching top spot in a group boasting Europa League champions Porto. As always, in such a situation the more experienced side, Lyon, should come out tops…but only just!

Basel v Bayern Munich

Oh, Basel, the neutral’s darlings. The Swiss side pulled off the surprise of the season by effectively knocking the mighty Manchester United out of the competition! Now as a reward they get to taste the turf of the venue of the final, the Allianz Arena. The Bayern Munich faithful really want to appear in their home final and have clearly signaled their intents especially by the manner with which they beat Manchester City at home. With Arjen Robben back and the impending return of midfield maestro Bastian Schweinsteiger, it will take something more special than a Xherdan Shaqiri-inspired virtuoso performance to deny FC Hollywood another step in their match to the final.

Marseille v Inter Milan

This could be a very explosive tie which many people are oblivious of. No one can forget how Marseille grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat in dramatic fashion at Dortmund to secure passage from the group stage. Inter Milan, well, they topped their group alright but truth be told; Nerazzurri’s season has  on it pathetic characterized by few flashes of brilliance (if any). Unless Inter can get their act together (and I mean really get their act together), Marseille might as well start checking out prospective quarter final opponents. The Milan side just haven’t been anywhere as good as they are expected to be and this compounded by their suspect dealings in the transfer market of late, one just can’t see them stepping up and turning up in this tie. If Marseille can sharpen their attack just a little more, Inter Milan obituaries will dominate the footballing world.

That said, I’m tipping myself to be previewing these teams in the Quarter Finals: Arsenal, Napoli, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Benfica, Lyon, Bayern Munich and Marseille. You might want to know that the writer predicted correctly 50% the Round of 16 Draw. You do the math!