This is when UEFA Champions League football gets really good.
Now that we’re in the round of 16 we get to see the best of the best battle it out. No more minnows. Getting to see the best clubs from the best leagues around the world battle it out is what makes Champions League football so enthralling. So even though we might not have picked every group perfectly in our first round picks, that’s not going to stop us from picking the winners from this round.
As always, feel free to let us know how wrong, or right, we are with our picks. Enjoy!
Liverpool vs. Inter Milan
Recent Champions League history, two finals in the last three years, seems to favor Liverpool, but the club’s recent form is what is more disturbing as it sits in fifth-place in the Premier League, 19 points out of first.
Meanwhile Inter has continued its run atop Serie A and with Zlatan Ibrahimovic filling the net, it is a strong contender to take the entire tournament.
As good as the Reds are in the Champions League, Inter should move on.
Olympiacos vs. Chelsea
Here is a case of big versus small, but don’t sleep on Olympiacos (like we did). Olympiacos finished second in its group, ahead of Werder Bremen and Lazio, so it knows how to play against big clubs.
However, Chelsea has played extremely well and consistent under Avram Grant and it would be a shock not to see it move into the quarterfinals.
Roma vs. Real Madrid
A wonderful match up of two sides that can play amazing football.
Roma may play the prettiest football in Europe, but it lacks a traditional striker to poach goals in front of goal. However, never underestimate the magic Francesco Totti can inspire.
Real Madrid leads La Liga by eight points and looks to be hitting on all cylinders after a 7-0 thrashing of Valladolid. Robinho is beginning to look like one of the best players in Europe and the goal-scoring prowess of Raul and Ruud Van Nistelrooy is hard to match.
While this is a pairing I would have like to seen a round or two later I will enjoy it while it lasts, with Real Madrid earning the trip to the next round.
Schalke 04 vs. FC Porto
Porto is running away with the Portuguese Liga currently. With an attack boasting Ricardo Quaresma, Lisandro Lopez and Lucho Gonzalez it is hard to stop.
Schalke meanwhile are within striking distance in the Bundesliga, but have eight draws. Forward Kevin Kuranyi is dangerous, but the pick is Porto.
Fenerbahce vs. FC Sevilla
I wouldn’t mind picking Fenerbahce, really, but Roberto Carlos is old, Stephan Appiah is injured and Mateja Kezman was a Premier League washout.
Go with Daniel Alves and Fredi Kanoute and don’t think too hard about this one: Sevilla.
Lyon vs. Manchester United
After its display against Manchester City, the Red Devils are not inspiring a lot of confidence at the moment. Also, the squad’s increasing reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo to save it game after game is a concern, especially if it is a rare night when he cannot produce brilliance.
Lyon seem like a great side for the upset. It has a playmaker in Juninho and dangerous young attackers Karim Benzema, Hatem Ben Arfa and Fred. Add in Kim Kallstrom and Jérémy Toulalan, and Lyon presents a dangerous match up.
Lyon has been due for a Champions League breakthrough and while Man U is incredibly strong and deep, the pick is Lyon in an upset.
Celtic vs. Barcelona
Artur Boruc get ready for a workout in goal.
Even though Barca has struggled this year, on talent alone it should get past Celtic. Barcelona got served a lucky draw with the form its been showing so far.
Arsenal vs. AC Milan
Age vs. youth.
I’m going with the youth of Arsenal despite Milan’s recent accomplishments in Europe. While it won it all last year with an aging squad, Milan is playing nowhere near as well as it was last season. The loss of Alexandre Pato and Ronaldo’s continued injury woes will hurt no matter how good Kaka is.
Arsenal meanwhile are playing superbly and Emmanuel Adebayor has turned into a goal-scoring machine.
Give this round to the Gunners.
