The UEFA Champions League 2004/05 - first knockout stage

Its right around the corner, come February 22nd and the first knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League 2004/05 quite literally kicks off!
Without further ado, let me get the bit between my teeth, so to say.

On Tuesday - 22nd Feb (Wednesday 12am in India), there are four huge matches lined up:

1. Bayern Munich (Germany) vs Arsenal FC (England) ->
The key factor in this game is that its being played in Germany. The return leg will be at Highbury, in a fortnight's time. Both teams are extremely talented, but I see an unstoppable Arsenal steam-rolling their opponents in both legs. Yes, beating Bayern in Munich is very difficult (ask Man U) but having lost out on the premiership this time round, the gunners will be playing for pride. As much as I respect Bayern's play and players, Arsenal's silken play will be too much for the organised play of Bayern. Since Dennis Bergkamp does not travel with the team, it will be a big blow (considering what scintillating form he is in), but he will surely play at Highbury (I can see a 3-0 score line). If Sol Campbell returns thats a great plus. Bayern, playing with a sole striker in both legs will be short on goals, and in fact I do not see them scoring more than 1 goal in both legs. I predict a 1-2 or a 1-1 at Munich and a 3-0 at Highbury. Arsenal to go through.

2. Liverpool FC (England) vs Leverkusen (Germany) ->
There are still a lot of clubs that consider Leverkusen extremely lucky to get where they are. Think again, I say to them. Leverkuesen have come a long way. In the 2001/02 season, they knocked out European giants Manchester United in the semi-finals, only to lose to an amazing Real Madrid in the finals. In the present season, in the group stages they beat Real Madrid (3-0) at home, and managed to draw with them at the Bernebeau. So I would not call them the underdogs. Liverpool have a tough fight in front of them. But the new look Liverpool under Rafael Benetiz is looking good. They might not have a stable defence, but the mid field is packed with quality and Milan Baros is in good form. The only downside is that Morientes will not be elegible to play, which means captain Steven Gerrad would have to play a bigger role. Leverkeusen look stable, and organised in Europe. Its a tough one to judge. A 1-0 or 0-1 at Anfield and a 1-0 at Leverkeusen in favour of the home side. Since the return leg is at Leverkeusen, they have a better chance of progressing.

3. PSV Eindoven (Holland) vs Monaco (France) ->
Another tough one to call. Monaco, last years finalist certainly knows what it takes, but will they be able to compete against PSV? I think they will. I think PSV will be knocked out, but they are very lucky to be facing Monaco. It's their best chance to progress. I see Xavier Saviola taking Monaco through.

4. Real Madrid (Spain) vs Juventus (Italy) ->
Big game, NO, Huge game. Its unfortunate that one of the giants will have to bow out in the round of 16, but thats life. Both teams will be ready for the clash. The first leg is in Spain and a lot depends on the injuries for both teams. Real Madrid, having signed Graveson look the better team on paper but then that does not count in the end. The Real Madrid team is over flowing with stars from across the globe, while Juventus too is right there with its squad. Real Madrid will go for the goals, while Juventus will try to contain the opposition. It will be a street fight, Real will won 2-0 or 3-0 at the Bernebeau. Juventus's inability to score more than a goal in a game will show on the night. The 2nd leg will be less interesting. It might be a 1-1 draw or a 1-0 win for Juventus. I see Real Madrid with its stars progressing. Luxmbargo seems to have a calming effect on his players, and his influence will be telling in this clash.

Thats the line up for 22nd Feb. Now 23rd Feb.
On Wednesday - 23nd Feb (Thursday 12am in India), there are four more huge matches lined up:

1. Barcelona (Spain) vs Chelsea FC (England) ->
Lets not talk about the history, lets not talk about the past. Its the present. These two teams are at the peak of their forms, and at the top of their respective leagues. No mean feat. The new Barcelona, led by Puyol are fighters. The never give up attitude is personified by Ronaldinhio, the maestro. He could just be the difference between the two teams. Barcelona are looking good. The defence is not leaking goals, the mid field is strong with Deco and Guily, and the foward line is skillful with Roladinhio and Eto'o. Chelsea is in prime form too. The question all Chelsea supporters will be asking is whether Arjen Robben will be fit. Without him chelsea will struggle, but still might make it through. His influence on the play is more than even Ronaldinhio's. Chelsea's defence and goal keeper are brilliant. They are breaking record after record in the English premier league. Petr Chek is very tough to get past because of his great reflexes and his defence. He might be the difference between the two teams in the end. The Chelsea mid field too, has shown that it can play football and also play tough. Claude Makelele is another key player. The game at Nou Camp is going to be very difficult for Chelsea, but maybe a 1-2 or a 2-1 in the 1st leg and a 2-0 or 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea to go though.

2. Wederbremen (Germany) vs Lyon (France) ->
Another tough one to call. I think in the end it'll be Lyon to go though. I think a 1-1 draw in the first leg and an easy 2-0 for Lyon in the second leg. I think Lyon's attacking play might just win them this round, but it will be tough going in the next round.

3. Porto (Portugal) vs Inter Milan (Italy) ->
This season Inter Milan are unbeaten in the Italian league, but the number of draws that they have managed to churn out is shocking for a team of their calibre. Adriano is in inspirational form, and Buffon too is helping them draw matches rather than lose them! Porto are not the same team that won the champions league last year. All the players that made a difference last year have left, except Benny McCarthy.It's going to be tough going for them, and I dont see them progressing. Inter Milan, however, are good at making things difficult for themselves. So its a tought one to predict. I think the game at Porto will be a 1-1 or 2-2 draw (yes its Inter Milan!) and the game at Milan will be a 1-0 or 2-0 win for Inter. Inter to go though, but not easily.

4. Manchester United FC (England) vs A.C. Milan (Italy) ->
Ah, the history that these two teams carry. No doubt the biggest giants in Europe, and the biggest game of this round. Both teams are playing well in their respective leagues, althought not at the top. Both teams bring along a lot of talent, and a palace full of trophies. Oh boy, tough one to call, but I'll be practical. Shevchenko, European player of the year is in blinding form, scoring all the goals for the Milan side. The Milan team is well balanced, the defence is brilliant (almost un-penetrable on paper), with Maldini, Staam, Costacurta, Nesta and Cafu (scary, isnt it)! The mid field is very strong too with Brazilian Kaka and Gatuuso showing the way. Brazilian Dida is reliable in goal. Manchester United on the other hand are not as well balanced, and constant chopping and changing by Sir Alex Ferguesen is not helping his players. Keane is still rock solid in mid field, ably assisted by Scholes and Giggs. The defence is in good hands with Rio Ferdinand and Gabriel Heinze. The goal is shaky with neither Tim Howard nor Carrol assured of a place. The forward line of United is impressive, to say the least. Wonder-kid Wayne Rooney is in scintillating form, Cristiano Ronaldo too is doing very very well, and add to that a fit Ruud van Nistelrooij and Alan Smith. The way I see it, its a battle between United's forward line versus Milan Defence. Who will come up on top? The 1st leg at Old Trafford will go United's way 2-0 or 3-0. The 2nd leg at Milan will go Milan's way 1-0. Man United to go through, but just. We're certainly going to miss one of these teams in the next round!