07/08 Champions League 2nd Round Preview
Champions League football returns with 16 teams aiming for progress in Europe in the coming weeks (2nd Round fixtures will be played on 19/20 Feb and 4/5 Mar).
Players will have to be careful in how much they flail their elbows, protest decisions and rush to the defense of their teammates as Uefa has given refs strict instructions last week to show straight red cards for dangerous fouls and yellow cards for excessive protesting (which includes running to the ‘crime scene’ from a long distance away).
I wonder why Uefa doesn’t just come out and limit the right of protest to the captain? It’s not as if the ref is going to change his mind if the player threatens him or starts crying. Get rid of this protesting nonsense and let’s get on with the game dammit. If the ref’s that bad then there are solutions for that as well.
In any case, several interesting matchups here, most notably for Italian teams with Milan up against Arsenal, Inter against Liverpool and Roma facing Real Madrid. Here’s are detailed previews for each game:
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07/08 Champions League Round of 16 Previews
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Celtic vs. Barcelona |  |
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Lyon vs. Man Utd |  |
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Schalke vs. Porto |  |
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Liverpool vs. Inter Milan |  |
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Roma vs. Real Madrid |  |
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Arsenal vs. AC Milan |  |
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Olympiakos vs. Chelsea |  |
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Fenerbahce vs. Sevilla |  |
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Also See:
- If you are planning to travel in the coming months to watch your team play across Europe, head over to Match Hotels to check out how you can save money on traveling plus hotels AND have a good time watching football.
- Eddie Griffin made some early predictions for the 2nd round – have a look.
- 07/08 Champions League Fixtures List
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Real Madrid all the way!!!!, what an interesting round in the eufa champions league, who will come on top? Alah Madrid, barcelona is not going to win over celtic, van persie is still out so hello milan, and easy win for chelsea and liverpool, what can i say……..
EASY WIN FOR LIVERPOOL? ok im a liverpool fan and even im not that big headed and theres no way ac will beat Arsenal, Man u will get a scare from Lyon but will make it, Chelsea will win, Barca will lose at celtic park but will cruch them and go through in the 2nd leg and Real will get a coupl of stabbed fans but go through comfortably
The most interesting battle is Arsenal – Milan, as for me. Young talents against very experienced players + Kaka! Who will go to the quarterfinal? I think this depends on managers mostly. If Arsen Wenger can overcome Karlo Anchelotti in tactics and the whole strategy on two matches, then Gunners will break through to the next round. And vice versa
Liverpool have it easy. Inter are chronic underachievers in Europe. Arsenal will progress and so will Chelsea. Celtic have a shot, but it is Lyon I am scared about!! Hope Ronaldo can keep his scoring going in the CL to kick Lyon out, but it will be difficult.
Dream semifinals:
Man Utd – Celtic
Liverpool – Chelsea (again!!)
Liverpool 2-0 Inter
Olympiakos 0-0 Chelsea
Roma 2-1 Real Madrid
Schalke 1-0 Porto
Chelsea are the surest bet to go through now. Liverpool have their goal advantage and Real Madrid have their away goal, so those two games will be quite interesting. I fancy Porto to go through, but Schalke just need a goal to make things go their way and it’ll be tight.
Liverpool has one foot in the 1/4Finals. Hopefully we will see another 7 goals at the Bernabeu! Chelsea are through and I would put my morgage on Schalke beating Porto.