Whimsical round draw in Champions

The hype European Champions League has been driven by curiosity and has given us for crossing knockout fighting each more rich in nuances. A priori, in sporting terms has been gracious to the three Spanish teams as the three rivals were not the most complicated, and potentially play in luck. The first leg will be played between February 15-16 and 22-23, and return between 8-9 and March 15-16.

Olympique Lyonnais - Real Madrid CF

Old ghosts fly over the Santiago Bernabeu reprinted the second round last year. The matter does not stop there, and that Lyon is without doubt the black sheep of the white team in the last five years Europe: six games divided between mini-leagues and playoffs with three losses result and three draws. With talented and irregular Gourcuff as reference and Bastos, Pjanic and Lisandro as outstanding players, the French club is no longer the team that dominated with an iron hand the French championship for seven consecutive seasons, however, paradoxically it was last year when they reached highest elevation in Europe with the semifinals.

Real Madrid face a psychological barrier and have not exceeded the second round in the last six years. The white team is once again favorite to return back in their own fiefdom, but it goes without saying that every precaution will be small.

Arsenal FC - FC Barcelona

And Barca back to face Gunners after the quarter of last year which gave Wenger's team face the first leg and fell on the turn to the most spectacular Messi after early lead. Barca keeps the two Milan teams and French teams or paint Guardiola wanted to see, so that Rome and Arsenal had a priori as valid.

Cesc will return back to Camp Nou after a summer full of rumors that will surely come back in a few months. The English team is always a threat for the quality of their players, where Nasri, Arshavin, Cesc or Wilshere could have something to say, but the London club play and let play, and that the Barcelona is thankful. Does not seem the ideal opportunity for Wenger finally pay off your account with the highest club competition.

Valencia CF-FC Schalke 04

Perhaps the German club is that the Valencia had in mind as favorites in their pools, and Santa Claus has arrived early on the banks of the Turia. This does not mean that in Mestalla may already uncorking the champagne, but avoid Bayern, Chelsea, Tottenham and Shakhtar is cause for celebration. Raul returns to Spanish soil. Your team can be as dangerous in attack with players like Raul, Huntelaar, Jurado, Rakitic or loosely Farfán as a defense that has more holes than a Uwe Boll movie, yes, well protected by the meta Neuer.

There is no clear favorite and that Valencia has shown irregular in excess in the domestic championship, but in Europe has been coming face to tie a game at Old Trafford he was almost in his pocket. The return will be in Germany, which may be a factor for the team Teutonic. If the coach Magath will this meeting is a mystery to this day.

In the rest of clashes certainly highlights the reissue of the previous final between Inter and Bayern away both the level of last season in which Van Gaal's team will seek revenge. Milan and Tottenham will meet in an attractive favorite duel clear, it is unknown the level that might get two clubs in Europe. Chelsea will face revelation, Copenhagen, not knowing which side will offer the Blues in February. The Manchester United are favorites to the difficult Marseille, whereas Rome would have complicated irregular against Shakhtar, which could give more of a surprise.

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