2010-11 Champions League Round of 16 Draw

UEFA completed the draw for the Round of 16 in the Knockout round of this years Champions League.  The draw pitted some heavyweights against each other.  This years knockout finalists features 4 teams from England, 3 from Spain, 3 from Italy, 2 from Germany, 2 from France, 1 from Denmark, and 1 from the Ukraine.  As you should know, a group winners are drawn against group runners-up, and no teams from the same group or country can be drawn against each other.  The first leg of the knockout phase starts on February 15.  Checkout out the draw:



1 Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG) vs. AC Milan (ITA)
This might be one of the most interesting matchups.  New kids on the block Tottenham are absolutely on fire under the leadership of Harry Redknapp, Rafael van der Vaart, and Gareth Bale.  However, so is a revamped AC Milan, current Serie A leaders and 7-time Champions League winners.  They boast the likes of Robinho and Ibrahimovic.  Tottenham: Group A Winners. AC Milan: Group G runner-up. First Leg: February 15. Rip City Prediction: Tottenham wins with a shocker at White Hart Lane

2 FC Schallke 04 (GER) vs. Valencia CF (ESP)
Two of the weaker teams in the knockout round look to take advantage of the formidable draw.  Schalke are Group B winners and Valencia is Group C runner-up.  Schalke is led by their very own Spainard veteran Raul, paired with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar up top.  Valencia is not the club it has been in years past due to debt, but no one told its players that.  The pretty meager team has been performing admirably as a collective group.  The first leg is on February 15. Rip City Prediction: Valencia wins the home leg by enough to overcome a second leg loss.

3 Manchester United FC (ENG) vs. Olympique Marseille (FRA)
3-time champions and Group C winners Man U have to like their chances against the only French team to win the Champions League.  Fergie and the boys know how to win big games and there is no way Marseille can compete with the Red Devils.  Despite Rooney's problems, Dimitar Berbatov and Nani have been in breakout form.  On the other side, Marseille advance as Group F runner-up and sit 5th in Ligue 1.  They will need a big result at the Velodrome if there is any hope.  First leg: February 23. Rip City Prediction: Man U advance with ease with a goal from Three-Lung Park.

4 FC Barcelona (ESP) vs. Arsenal FC (ENG)
First matchup of the titans! Who plays prettier football? Where does Fabregas's true heart? Let the build-up begin as Group D winners Barca take on Group H runner-up Arsenal.  Arsenal will need a big, big result at the Emirates if there is any hope, because their is no way they do not give up less than 2 or 3 goals at Camp Nou.  If anything, they will need a big performance from their defense with the goalkeeping situation in disarray.  First leg: February 16. Rip City Prediction: Barca just need to be Barca and they should comfortably advance.

16 teams on the Road to Wembley

5 FC Bayern Munich (GER) vs. FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
This may be the most anticipated tie of the round.  It's a rematch of last year's final.  However, this time around both teams have been struggling as of late.  FC Bayern won Group E and Inter was runner-up in Group A.  By the time this leg plays out on Feb 23, both sides could look significantly different.  Especially on the managerial front.  Key players like Samuel Eto'o, Diego Milito, and Maicon will be needed to get passed Mario Gomez, Philip Lahm, and co.  Rip City Prediction: Redemption for Bayern, turmoil for Inter

6 Chelsea FC (ENG) vs. FC Copenhagen (DEN)
This story has pretty much been already written.  The only formality is how high the aggregate gets.  Chelsea advance by way of winning Group F, and Copenhagen advance as Group D runner-up.  The first leg is Feb. 22.  Rip City Soccer: Chelsea without breaking a sweat

7 Real Madrid CF (ESP) vs. Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
Los Galacticos (Group G winners) face Lyon (Group B Runner-Up) is what should be an entertaining match. Jose Mourinho will try to bring his golden touch to the Bernebeu and lead Real Madrid to advance for the first  time since the 2003-04 campaign, the year Mourinho's Porto won it.  Lyon will look to repeat last year's results as the advanced past Madrid in the same round.  Ronaldo, Higuain, and Benzema will look to battle against Michel Bastos, Lisandro Lopez, and company.  The first leg is on Feb. 22.  Rip city Soccer Prediction: Jose Mourinho will win again!

8 FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) vs. AS Roma (ITA)
Taking advantage of Arsenal's poor away form, the Ukraine side stole Group H.  The UEFA Cup winners from 2009 look to test their chances in the Champions League second phase as they take on AS Roma (Group E runners-up).  Shakhtar's plethora of Brazilians (Luiz Adriano, Fernandinho, Jadson) will be relied on if they look to advance past Totti's men.  First leg is on Feb 16.  Rip City Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk advance!!!