I watched the Barca games with Rangers and the home leg was definately intriguing and very tense, so this should be the same (even though i don't particularly care if Celtic progresses). They'll need a great result at Celtic Park if they're too qualify for the quarters, though.

I was thrilled at this coming out first, as Barcelona was the team i most wished to avoid (the chances of us doing the double over them would be slim, i feel).



The second tie of the draw, as it proceeded perfectly. This was the one i'd of liked United to get, as it'll most likely be the toughest possible (given they couldn't have drawn Roma).

Watching the match away Rangers that the Scottish side lost 3-0, you'd expect the Mancs would have enough to overcome Lyon. And whilst the result probably flattered the French side, this would appear to be true. The reason Rangers went out was their inability to create - something that won't trouble United.



The sole fixture which holds little of interest for me. Although it was pleasing to see it come out as it meant Arsenal would have to face a big club (making for a huge spectacle).

A great chance for both teams to progress, but Porto must be favourates - at home they'll be a very tricky opponent.



Arguably the most intriguing of fixtures, with two giants facing eachother. It'll be very tight and if not a lot of great football, definately a fiery battle on the field and also tactically.

This was okay for me. I wanted to avoid Barcelona and Sevilla mostly, and we did that. Either AC Milan or Real Madrid would have been nice, for revenge - but in that respect, facing Inter poses the least to lose. If we play Barca, Milan or Madrid, there's a case aside from football.. 'bragging rights' if you will. And Sevilla hosts the status of 'underdog', hence the looming fear of going out to them. With Inter Milan, the only thing that is really on offer is the place in the Quarter-Finals (albeit it's the most important, but that accompanies every tie).

We can of course win, but it'll be tough. I don't expect us to go all the way (after doing it last year), so at least we'd be going out to a collosal European side. But we'll obviously provide a damn good two matches before eliminating, if that's the way we go. I'm confident we can overcome the Italian's, nevertheless.



One of the glamour tie's of the round, that is for definite - and i'll eagerly await watching the second leg. Two attacking sides and it shouldn't disappoint - both are beatable, yet both are capable of overcoming anyone.

A victory for Roma in Italy would set the second leg up very nicely indeed.



The tie of the round, as neutral's go. Of the last three years, either one has made the final, which says a lot about this tie. Not to mention the amount Arsenal have come on since their appearance two years prior.

The Gunners are at risk of underestimating the Milano side though, which would be disastrous. They struggled in the Serie A last year yet propelled themselves to the Champions League final - slaughtering Manchester United in the San Siro. After which, they stuttered to a seventh European trophy; they're unpredictable.

If AC turn up, they have enough experience to dispose of Arsenal.. if they don't, the pace and attack of the London side will scythe past an aging back line. I for one both club's establish some sort of peak by February and materialise a pair of mammoth fixtures - which i'm sure they will.

The Champions League is what Milan do best, but Wenger has never won it yet. I for one don't particularly want either to win (as i would Liverpool), nor do i want either to especially lose (as i would United or Chelsea), so i'm just going to wait in anticipation of two mouth-watering games - and enjoy them when they come.



When i said that the Schalke - Porto fixtures was the only which disinterested me, this is a close second.

Unless Chelsea are to go out, i do not care. They under no circumstances should be enlisted amongst the elite names of European Cup winners, as AC Milan, Liverpool, Ajax, Real Madrid, Manchester United etc. That would be something i'd hate to see. Sadly, i can't foresee them falling at this particular hurdle.



I don't know whether it's because the teams are quite evenly matched, or because if Fenerbahce suffer elimination then mrtz has to eat Dave, but this match is quite an interesting one.

Like the Porto - Schalke draw, either side has a fantastic opportunity to reach the latter rounds when they may not have previously expected to. I'd tip Sevilla's daunting stadia Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán to push the Spanish outfit through though, as long as the game is still in-tact after travelling to Turkey.


I do love this competition.. Some incredible ties await us.

Nice post Ben91.

I'm on the same wavelength with what you've been saying there.

Very Interesting draw. I sense some of the English clubs will get found out.

lol ~ maybe he's still in a shock condition
celtic's been very lucky to qualify from a tough group
and now they have barca ~ with the return of eto'o

Scott McDonald says he is ready to 'shock Barcelona' though so i'm hoping they go through at Barcelona's expense

wow Liverpool-inter...
Hope zlatan ibrahimovic will break his leg then...cause then Liverpool can maybe win.

no! I like Ibrahimovic, wish he wasn't playing against Liverpool, he is so talented. Maybe if he just has a cold or picks up a suspension then i'll be happy No broken leg though, he reminds me of myself...except he has tremendous power on his shots and is very tricky with the ball

I'm just after finding out if Liverpool had got Real I could have been going to the second leg in the Bernabeu! Damn!

I think United will beat Lyon just about tho. I think going forward there isnt a whole lot of difference between them but United are much stronger at the back. I've seen Lyon a few times this season & they always look uncomfortable at the back when a team has a go at them. Although they probally will have Cris back by then who has been a rock for them over the last few years.

Liverpool will probally fluke there way past Inter.

Arsenal - Milan will be the tie of this round. It will be an Intersting battle in the midfield between Fabregas & Pirlo. I'm expecting Pirlo to out on top tho thanks to his experience in big games & lead Milan to the next round.

Chelsea should have no problems.

I think Celtic can get something at home against Barcelona but will be blown away at the Nou Camp.

Sevilla will beat Fenerbache with J.Navas & D.Alves given old man R.Carlos a terrible time.

Roma to upset Madrid.

Right, where do I start?!?

Worst possible draw for us BUT, I am quietly confident. Just reading through some of the above posts:

1) Celtic were not lucky to qualify. They won their 3 home games, lost 2 away games narrowly and were totally outplayed in the other. We deserve to be in the last 16.

2) Agree that we need a good result at home, but to say we will be 'blown away' in the Nou Camp is hardly fair. Last 2 occasions they played us there, we drew. Hardly whirlwind hammerings.

The last 4 occasions we played them, we won 1, they won 1 and we drew 2. The one we lost was due to Larsson. Came off the bench for Barca to set up one and score the third. I'm not saying we will beat them, but just don't be so assured that it will be a walk over for Barca. A result at home and we could be going to Spain to defend a lead which we have (successfully) done before.

Try give clubs a bit of respect. We're in the last 16 for the 2nd consecutive year, we couldn't be that bad.

Bring them on!!

Hail Hail

here he pops up with an awesome post XD
it's good to be confident ~ i was quite upset to have lyon T.T

Good post CFC, heres hoping for a Celtic win

It's not a good draw for Lyon, i predict Evra to be the best player of the 2 legs.

I'll personally be watching Benzema and Ben Arfa...they're both favourites of mine

Yes but it will not be easy for them because the defense of MU is good.

Chelsea
Milan
Roma
Liverpool
Porto
Man Utd
Celtic

There's your quarter-finalists.

No offence, If Arsenal cant beat Milan, then theres' more of a chance you finding a funny joke in a Christmas cracker than Celtic beating Barca.

cfcbhoy ~ is that emoticon down below showing ur pray or somethinng -.-?

gunner4ever ~ it's just a prediction by him ~ so you can feel free to have your own too ~ wondering if you think Man Utd would qualify
well ~ there might be some surprise ~ but i hope it isn't going to be lyon defeating my team T.T
milan's the european champion ~ that's why more preferable to win ~ so come on Gunners ~ make some surprise with persie scoring

Do i think Man U will qualify? Yes i do.
Lyon are not to be taken for granted, however with such young talents, and creative geniuses who are the likes of Anderson, Ronaldo, Nani i believe that you will progress through to the next round, without having to lay at your absolute best.Whereas i feel Arsenal will. How do you stop a team with such experience in the later stages of the Champions League and who have arguably the best player in the world.I'm not quite sure.As long as our young guns push them to the very end i'll be happpy

Quater - Finalist's

Chelsea
Arsenal - for bias sake
Roma
Inter
Porto
Man Utd
Barcelona

Couldn't resist the temptation

thanks ~ glad to have your support

i believe we're technically better than lyon ~ as long as we have the complete defenders squad [brown ~ vidic ~ ferdinand ~ evra] heading to france later
lyon however possesses good midfielders too ~ so i think it won't be too easy for us T.T

it's pretty funny to see nobody votes for madrid ~ lol

Yeah, I'm laughing my ass off!

Just think Milan will have that edge on Arsenal due to experience. Milan also look as if they'll need to win the CL so they can qualify for next years tournament whereas Arsenal have the league to keep an eye on too. Milan will be that bit hungrier.

Then again, they are just my predictions. Not intended to wind anyone up. I'm sure the majority of football followers don't give Celtic a chance against Barca, but then again, can never be too confident, especially when they have to come to Glasgow where many of Europe's 'giants' have been put to the sword already.

Yes Flipper, that emoticon was me praying for a win

hahahaha ~ you're from madrid aye? i just checked the whole posts and saw marios vote for your team to go through
i myself think that your team would be able to defeat roma ~ if nothing goes wrong then



it's true ~ better be careful ~ although Gunners squad should be better on a piece of paper

lies ~ if barca comes up with too much confidence and underestimate your team ~ we might just see different result later

oh ~ please keep my team in your prayer too

I suspect that things won't be so hard for Red Devils.That is what I believe in.