ANGLO-ITALIAN AFFAIR – LAST 16 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW

Christian Adofo December 16, 2011 4
ANGLO-ITALIAN AFFAIR – LAST 16 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW

The draw for the first knockout phase of Europe’s premier
club competition took place this morning at UEFA HQ in Switzerland and threw up
some forthcoming ties to warm the winter cockles. It’s an all Anglo-Italian
affair as the Premier League faces Serie A opposition with Arsenal playing
European giants AC Milan and Chelsea facing dark horses Napoli.

The former is the standout tie of the last 16 draw with both
teams having met at the same stage of the competition in 2008, where the
Gunners famously became the first English team to beat the Rossoneri at the San
Siro. However, the North London outfit are much changed with only four players
(Almunia, Sagna, Diaby and Walcott) involved in that game still plying their
trade at the Emirates. That tie also marked the end of European club football
for one of the game’s most talismanic figures – Paolo Maldini and the demise of
the ‘help the aged’ transfer  policy which the Milan club have since lost affection for.

Fellow London side Chelsea also have the tricky task of travelling
to the hostile confines of Stadio San Paolo in Southern Italy. Napoli have
enjoyed a renaissance in recent years having come back from bankruptcy in 2004
and pipped nouveaux riche Manchester City to the runner’s up spot in their
debut season in the Champions League. Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani hasn’t
enjoyed the same rich vein of domestic form like his first season at the club
but currently has 4 goals in 6 appearances this European campaign.

The other ties of the draw see holders Barcelona play Bayer
Leverkusen, Real Madrid travelling to a frosty Moscow to face CSKA, Bayern
tackle Manchester United conquerors Basel, Benfica come up against Zenit, Inter
meet Marseille and this year’s surprise Group Winners Cypriot side APOEL are
rewarded with a tie against Lyon.

The group winners are away in first legs which are on the
14-15 and 21-22 February, whilst the return matches are on 6-7 and 13-14 March.

Will the Premier League dispel the myth of English football
in Europe dying or are we witnessing a rejuvenated return from the triumvirate
of  Serie A sides who’ve made it to the last 16?

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  • Anonymous

    I predict a win for Chelsea, but arrivederci to Arsenal at the hands of Milan.

    Wonder if we’re gonna have to rewrite the draw to make room for Man Utd…http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/dec/17/sion-manchester-united-champions-league

  • Owusuthomas60

    as much as i am interested in premier league sport this will be exciting for the audience

  • Christian

    Struggling at the DW against relegation shoe-ins..I’m sure Napoli will be a pushover! Utd don’t deserve a reprieve even if it’s offered. FC Sion should give up the ghost and do one.

    Wilshere, Sagna, the imminent return of Gibbs and possible capture of Podolski in Jan should reinforce a rejuvenated squad for the 2nd half of the season,and in the last couple of years we are eternally muted as underdogs. 

    Bring on the San Siro!

  • Finn

    Napoli posses enough attacking talent in players like Hamsik, Cavani and Lavezzi so i reckon Chelsea could struggle if their defensive problems continue.

    I think AC will just be too strong for Arsenal. With a strike force of Ibrahimovic, Pato and Robinho, a defensive partnership of Nesta and Thiago Silva, not to mention experience in abundance from players like Seedorf, Gattuso and Pippo Inzaghi, they are not a team to be underestimated and genuine contenders in my book.