JOURNEY OF CHAMPIONS;

 ROUND OF 16 BATTLE.

 

The second round of the 2016/2017 UEFA Champions League is here and with some exciting matches to look forward to. This season’s competition, which is the 62^nd edition of the European Championship has been quite strange as some unique scenarios were seen in the course of the group stages. Notably, Arsenal topped their group which contained French giants, Paris Saint Germain, and have been rewarded as the case may be, with a usual round of 16 duel against FC Bayern Munchen from the Bundesliga. PSG themselves would engage in another familiar contest with Barcelona. There are of course some other interesting games as Real Madrid, the holders, would have to play their first leg  at home against Napoli, haven failed to top their group. As for debutantees Leicester City, the Foxes would be looking for a new lease of life but have a stern test against Sevilla.

With all of these games to come, how would the journey to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, where the final would be staged be and what teams have the best chance of making the next phase? I would give my humble thoughts on the exciting games we have ahead of us in this round of 16.

 Frstly, the matchup between Bayern Munich and Arsenal is one of the most anticipated games of the round and my opinion on this to begin with is that Bayern have not been too good this season. They finished second as they fell short of Atletico Madrid in the group stage and I think Carlo Ancelotti’s men would have a good run for their money this time around. Although it is not a clash the Gunners have fond memories of and would readily embrace, I consider that Arsenal going first to the Allianz Arena would not be easy but, could be an advantage they must seize. Monsieur Wenger’s men are of course the run-to underdogs for this one and the results they have chalked up ahead of this contest have not been impressive. However, I think Bayern Munich cannot afford to take them lightly as I must say that Arsenal must stand up to be counted and to reward their nice start to this edition. I expect them to try to challenge, though progression remains to be seen.

 Another epic match-up that would have millions of eyes watching with keen interest would be between 2013/2014 champions, Barcelona and the money rich PSG. Paris Saint Germain is under all kinds of pressure at the moment after their false start to the season that leaves them adrift of impressive AS Monaco in the race for the Championnat in the Ligue 1 . Unai Emery perhaps has not had the kind of impact that was anticipated upon his appointment and is in dire need of getting tangible results on board. The former Sevilla boss who led the Andulasians to three consecutive Europa League titles was brought in to lift the moneybags who are yet to get past the quarterfinals. However, they have a gargantuan challenge to even meet those standards as they would face Luis Enrique’s Blaugrana , complete with the ever menacing forward combo popularly known as the MSN. Barcelona has succeeded in turning the Parisians backs each time their paths crossed and Unai Emery would want to see his team put up a top performance. They host the first leg and it is very necessary for them to try to keep themselves in the race. I would love to see an upset here but, Barcelona is quite a strong team though, I sincerely doubt if they can win this year’s edition. The odds are so staked up against the French outfit and I think they have a big job ahead of them.

 For Leicester City, the current English champions who took their first UEFA Champions League campaign by storm would have a big fight battling with Spanish outfit, Sevilla.  Claudio Ranieri’s men really surprised people by the way they took care of their group games, setting a record of four consecutive clean sheets. This they did despite enduring a catastrophic start to their title defence in England. Sevilla on the other hand, would want to try their magic in the Champions league. They have picked up three consecutive Europa league titles and are favourites in this match up. They had a good group stage campaign too and would be looking to push for something big this campaign. It would be a tight game as I tip Leicester to make it hard for the Spanish outfit. The Champions League is a new experience for the Foxes, and as Ranieri usually says, they just want to enjoy the moment. They need to find those epic performances that propelled them to the top of the mast in the league last season. However, it is Sevilla who I tip for the next stage.

Real Madrid, the defending champions for me did not really impress in the group stage. They finished second and would face Italian outfit, SSC Napoli. Zinedine Zidane has enjoyed a fine first full season in charge of the los Blancos. The former Real Madrid star took over from the beleaguered Rafael Benitez last January and shockingly led Real Madrid to the Un decimal. Since Ac Milan in the 1989/1990 season, no European champion has successfully defended the “Holy Grail”. Real Madrid need to focus on this tie and try to get as far as possible.  They have gotten to the last four in each of the last five seasons and while Napoli is a team to be careful about, the los blancos should get over the line.

The final game I would comment on is Manchester City and AS Monaco where Pep Guardiola would be seeking to get the Citizens into the quarter finals. The Catalan, who enjoined Champions League successes with Barcelona has had a hard enough time adapting to the rigours of the Premier League and now would need to take City, which exited last year’s edition in the semi - finals, as far as possible. However, it has to be said that the opposition they face could be a potential banana skin.  AS Monaco has been superfluous this season and I believe they could ruffle a few feathers. They succeeded in ousting Tottenham  in their group and are giving PSG a serious catch-me –if-you-can challenge in the Ligue 1. This one can go anywhere.

 In the other games, I see Dortmund putting Portuguese outfit, SL Benfica out, Atletico Madrid going past Bayer Leverkusen, though I have to say that is a tough game that would go down to the wire. Juventus, finalist in 2013, would have too much for FC Porto. I think the Old Lady is one team to watch out for.

What do you think about this epic journey to Cardiff? You can hit me with your thoughts. Let us enjoy the games and as Goal.com says, Let's Champion the Match.