Last 16 of the Champions League: Barcelona Against Manchester City

In what is believed to be the most anticipated game in the European Champions League competition, Manchester City and Barcelona will grapple in the final 16 of this year’s event. Barcelona was drawn on Monday to meet Manchester and its Spanish internationals support circle.

Unperturbed Manchester City

In the competition held at the English Premier League, Manchester City was at its best form since the competition took place in the team’s home venue. It won over defending titlist Bayern Munich last week. However in the last two events, Man City did not succeed in attaining the same level of performance. Consequently, it will have to stand up to the Barcelona aided group, which has enjoyed the League’s championship cup four times already. Nonetheless, despite the predicted odds, according to Txixi Beguiristain, Manchester City is not afraid to face its upcoming opponent.

Onward to Etihad Stadium

First to go to Etihad Stadium are the champions from the Spanish camps where Manchester United and Arsenal are already lodged since the Premier League event. A touching reunion is expected between Chelsea and Didier Drogba, one-time striker when it takes part in Galatasaray. Incidentally, Bayern Munich, the defending champion, has teamed up with Arsenal in the last 16 for two consecutive years. Manchester and Arsenal finished in grueling draws after both camps ended up in second spot in their respective groups at the League.

Luis Figo, Barcelona lead player said nobody wanted to see Manchester or Arsenal in the draw. Figo who assisted in managing the draw, said the draw result is not good for Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

On with the game

At the last 16 round, Real Madrid who held the championship nine times, will compete with Schalke. On the other hand Manchester United will also face Olympiakos, while Borussia Dortmund will play against Zenit St. Petersburg. AC Milan will be feted against Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen will face Saint-Germain. The first matches will be held on February 18 and 19 and again on 26 and 27. There will be second round of matches on March 11 to 12 and 18 to 19. To open the program will be the  Man City against Barcelona match with average scores set at four goals per game.

Best players

Barcelona director Amador Bernabeu said that Manuel Pelligrini is a very good coach and has been known for his remarkable coaching performances in Spain. Pelligrini’s style has successfully pushed players to their limits that helped them cultivate their optimum strengths. He also helps his team in their trainings and endurance preparations to make sure the players do not encounter problems in the actual games. Last week, Jose Mourinho, Chelsea coach said that Drogba must go back to Stamford Bridge inasmuch as the athlete’s forward kick when he was still with Chelsea won him the penalty shootout award against Bayern in the finals in 2012.

A rematch between the German champions versus Arsenal is also awaited. The Arsenal garnered a 2-0 win in Munich during the last season while Bayern captured a 3-1 victory in London. Bayern Jerome Boateng who plays on the defense said Arsenal could be their strongest rival this season. Nine-time champion Madrid hopes to win its 10th Champions League title when it plays against Schalke.

Photo Credit: Champions League