Champions league 2014/15 last 16 match previews
NOTE: These predictions were made before the January transfer window opened in order to provide an immediate reaction to the draw.
Paris St-Germain vs Chelsea
Jose Mourinho said he would welcome PSG in the last 16 (most likely because of the win over the French champions in March). The Special One's side is arguably the third most organised (and best) team in Europe this season (behind Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, respectively). Chelsea topped Group G with four wins and two draws and only had their 1-1 draw away to Mairbor to look down on. PSG do boast quality personnel, such as Edison Cavani, Thiago Silva and the mighty Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Although PSG didn't top Group F, thanks to a 3-1 loss at the Nou Camp on the final group stage matchday, they still have talent and are stronger than when they lost to Chelsea in last season's quarter-finals. However, I do think that Chelsea have spent the last two years reaching a point in football were they can confidently and successfully challenge any team, when they need to.
Winner: Chelsea. I think that PSG will be good opponents but will fall at the vital moments over the two games.
Manchester City vs Barcelona
For the second year in a row, Manchester City have been dealt the short straw and will face Barcelona for the second consecutive season in the last 16. The English side clinched second place in Group E by beating Bayern Munich 3-2 (thanks to a superb Aguero hat-trick) and winning for the first time on Italian soil on the final group stage matchday, beating Roma 2-0. Barcelona topped Group F with 15 points and have given promise to their supporters in a quest for fourth European trophy. Although City's progress in the Champions league has been limited when matched up against the money spent on the squad, they feel that will feel that they have nothing to lose and everything to gain when facing the three-time European champions.
Winner: Barcelona. Their team looks poised to go far in the tournament and City doesn't have the players to get past the Catalan club over two legs.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen were tipped for topping Group C but finished second behind Monaco, who finished first despite only scoring four goals in the group stage. Bayer's side is full of a few fine attacking players, such as South Korean forward Son, but lack a side of extreme quality and diversity, which is what you need to sustain a successful Champions league run. As for Atleti, Simeone's men played good, solid and counter-attacking football that lead them to last season's Champions league final against their arch-rivals. They won Group A comfortably and I don't see Bayer being a worthy opponent for them.
Winner: Atletico Madrid. Atleti have a strong unit of players (Koke,Godin and Miranda) and will stroll past Bayer, who aren't knock-out stage quality.
Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund have so far played a very contrasting season on the European and domestic front. They won Group D (even though it was on goal difference) and have drawn one of the less intimating sides in the last 16 draw. However, in the Bundesliga, they are second from bottom before the start of the winter break and could be forced to break the bank to climb back up the table. Juventus played an okay group stage campaign and do actually have a decent pool of players to call upon for a tough game (Pogba,Tevez,Pirlo and Buffon). I think that this will be one of the more evenly contested ties in the last 16.
Winner: Juventus. The two games will be tough but I think that juventus will just edge past Dortmund because of the widespread talent in their squad, which Dortmund are lacking this season.
Schalke vs Real Madrid
Di Matteo's luck in the Champions league has turned sour after drawing the European champions in the last 16. Schalke only just clinched second place in Group G on the final matchday and don't seem to be in a consistent run. Ronaldo and co shouldn't have too much to worry about over the two games.
Winner: Real Madrid. The two teams are very different in both quality and depth and whoever got Real would have an uphill task before a ball was even kicked.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich
Shakhtar played quite well against the other teams in Group H but didn't finish in top spot because of their slip-up on matchday five away to Atletico Bilbao. However, they have drawn one of the giants of the draw and most use all their abilities to learn from games such as when Chelsea beat Bayern on penalties to win the 2012 final for inspiration and motivation. Bayern look efficient and adaptable to every opponent they play and will look to kill the tie quickly to rotate their team for the Bundesliga.
Winner: Bayern Munich. Shouldn't be a close encounter but Shakhtar have nothing to lose so they might has well give it everything they've got.
Arsenal vs Monaco
Arsenal have finally been handed an even tie in the last 16 after getting Bayern for the past few seasons when they got past the group stages. Arsene Wenger returns to the club that he managed between 1987 and 1994. Arsenal have improved in key areas such as defending from last season (and they have finally bought a striker!) and I think that they can go on a decent run if they play smart and don't get carried away in any game, at anytime. Monaco surprised me greatly as they won Group C, which was down to the defensive set-up of the French outfit. They will fancy their chances against Arsenal but will have to find a goal scoring rhythm to advance past the last 16.
Winner: Arsenal. This tie will be quite even but I think Arsenal will go through because of their attacking options, especially in Alexis Sanchez.
Basel vs FC Porto
Basel edged through to the last 16 by the skin of their teeth and at the expense of Liverpool. Usually when that happens, you get a giant in the next round but Basel were matched up against one of the less intimidating group winners. Porto have had a strong campaign so far and will give Basel a good contest.
Winner: Porto. Basel aren't consistent enough and Porto seem to be having a whirl in this season's Champions league.
For the second year in a row, Manchester City have been dealt the short straw and will face Barcelona for the second consecutive season in the last 16. The English side clinched second place in Group E by beating Bayern Munich 3-2 (thanks to a superb Aguero hat-trick) and winning for the first time on Italian soil on the final group stage matchday, beating Roma 2-0. Barcelona topped Group F with 15 points and have given promise to their supporters in a quest for fourth European trophy. Although City's progress in the Champions league has been limited when matched up against the money spent on the squad, they feel that will feel that they have nothing to lose and everything to gain when facing the three-time European champions.
Winner: Barcelona. Their team looks poised to go far in the tournament and City doesn't have the players to get past the Catalan club over two legs.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen were tipped for topping Group C but finished second behind Monaco, who finished first despite only scoring four goals in the group stage. Bayer's side is full of a few fine attacking players, such as South Korean forward Son, but lack a side of extreme quality and diversity, which is what you need to sustain a successful Champions league run. As for Atleti, Simeone's men played good, solid and counter-attacking football that lead them to last season's Champions league final against their arch-rivals. They won Group A comfortably and I don't see Bayer being a worthy opponent for them.
Winner: Atletico Madrid. Atleti have a strong unit of players (Koke,Godin and Miranda) and will stroll past Bayer, who aren't knock-out stage quality.
Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund have so far played a very contrasting season on the European and domestic front. They won Group D (even though it was on goal difference) and have drawn one of the less intimating sides in the last 16 draw. However, in the Bundesliga, they are second from bottom before the start of the winter break and could be forced to break the bank to climb back up the table. Juventus played an okay group stage campaign and do actually have a decent pool of players to call upon for a tough game (Pogba,Tevez,Pirlo and Buffon). I think that this will be one of the more evenly contested ties in the last 16.
Winner: Juventus. The two games will be tough but I think that juventus will just edge past Dortmund because of the widespread talent in their squad, which Dortmund are lacking this season.
Schalke vs Real Madrid
Di Matteo's luck in the Champions league has turned sour after drawing the European champions in the last 16. Schalke only just clinched second place in Group G on the final matchday and don't seem to be in a consistent run. Ronaldo and co shouldn't have too much to worry about over the two games.
Winner: Real Madrid. The two teams are very different in both quality and depth and whoever got Real would have an uphill task before a ball was even kicked.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Bayern Munich
Shakhtar played quite well against the other teams in Group H but didn't finish in top spot because of their slip-up on matchday five away to Atletico Bilbao. However, they have drawn one of the giants of the draw and most use all their abilities to learn from games such as when Chelsea beat Bayern on penalties to win the 2012 final for inspiration and motivation. Bayern look efficient and adaptable to every opponent they play and will look to kill the tie quickly to rotate their team for the Bundesliga.
Winner: Bayern Munich. Shouldn't be a close encounter but Shakhtar have nothing to lose so they might has well give it everything they've got.
Arsenal vs Monaco
Arsenal have finally been handed an even tie in the last 16 after getting Bayern for the past few seasons when they got past the group stages. Arsene Wenger returns to the club that he managed between 1987 and 1994. Arsenal have improved in key areas such as defending from last season (and they have finally bought a striker!) and I think that they can go on a decent run if they play smart and don't get carried away in any game, at anytime. Monaco surprised me greatly as they won Group C, which was down to the defensive set-up of the French outfit. They will fancy their chances against Arsenal but will have to find a goal scoring rhythm to advance past the last 16.
Winner: Arsenal. This tie will be quite even but I think Arsenal will go through because of their attacking options, especially in Alexis Sanchez.
Basel vs FC Porto
Basel edged through to the last 16 by the skin of their teeth and at the expense of Liverpool. Usually when that happens, you get a giant in the next round but Basel were matched up against one of the less intimidating group winners. Porto have had a strong campaign so far and will give Basel a good contest.
Winner: Porto. Basel aren't consistent enough and Porto seem to be having a whirl in this season's Champions league.
Champions league trophy.
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