Italian job for Chelsea, Arsenal in Champions League
England’s surviving representatives in the Champions League, Chelsea and Arsenal, were handed tricky ties against Italian opposition in the draw for the last-16, while holders Barcelona will come up against Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen.
Chelsea will take on Napoli, while Arsenal will meet Serie A champions AC Milan, with both English clubs travelling to Italy first. Chelsea have never faced Napoli but they will know not to take Walter Mazzarri’s side lightly after they qualified for the last-16 at the expense of Manchester City.
“At this stage we can come up with the clichés about it being difficult, and it’ll be difficult because Napoli were in the same group as City, so that reflects their quality,” said Chelsea Secretary David Barnard.
Gunners riding on history
For Arsenal, the clash with Milan is a repeat of their meeting at the same stage in 2007-08. On that occasion the Gunners won 2-0 on aggregate, with Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor scoring late goals in the second-leg.
“It’s going to be a fantastic two games,” said Arsenal Secretary David Miles, before admitting that the team would have probably preferred weaker opposition.
Barca to meet Leverkusen
Meanwhile, Barcelona will go to Germany to face the 2002 runners-up Leverkusen. There is history between the clubs, as Leverkusen beat Barca in the 1987-88 Uefa Cup quarter-finals, on their way to winning their only European trophy to date.
However, the Catalans will fancy their chances of gaining revenge. Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was upbeat after the draws were announced.
“That’s not a bad draw, I’ve always enjoyed playing in Germany,” said Pique. “The atmosphere is always great there.”
Real Madrid will be favourites to beat CSKA Moscow, while Bayern Munich will meet Manchester United’s conquerors Basel.
Fergie welcomes Ajax test
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson is relishing the prospect of his first European meeting with Dutch giants Ajax after Manchester United were handed a tricky last-32 Europa League draw.
“Ajax are a good team and I’ve never faced them in competitive European football,” said Ferguson. “I’m looking forward to it.”
United defender Chris Smalling was also keen to talk up United’s opponents.
“Exiting the Champions League was disappointing, but then you look at the calibre of teams that are in Europa,” he said. “We’ve drawn Ajax, they have a lot of history. This will be a good test.”
Meanwhile, Manchester City were also given a testing tie after being paired with holders FC Porto, while Stoke will be facing Valencia.
‘Tevez should choose
prestige over money’
Meanwhile, AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi believes Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez would win the Ballon d’Or if he moved to the San Siro and urged the Argentine to choose the Rossoneri over Paris Saint Germain.
“Tevez is a player at the top of our list,” said Berlusconi. “At Milan he could gain international prestige, which wouldn’t happen at Paris Saint-Germain.”
Champions League
Lyon v A Nicosia
Napoli v Chelsea
AC Milan v Arsenal
Basel v B Munich
B Leverkusen v Barcelona
CSKA Moscow v R Madrid
Z St-Petersburg v Benfica
Marseille v Inter Milan
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2011.
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