Champions League is back...

2 months. That’s how long we’ve been waiting for the glorious Champions League (CL) to come back into our lives. This means midweek football and everyone’s favourite Heineken ad’s back on TV! Considering everyone says this is the pinnacle of club football (who cares about the world club challenge), most of the big boys on show will have been itching at the bit to get the elimination rounds started. The likes of PSG and Bayern Munich are cruising through their respective leagues and it's welcome motivation for teams to put out their best performances with the whole world watching, minus a couple of million of course. Some have ‘easy’ draws such as Real Madrid and Chelsea but then there are others which make you realise why you’ve been waiting so long for the CL to start back up. There are some absolute pearlers to look forward to next week and I can’t wait to see how some of these ties pan out.

Manchester City vs Barcelona:

The big mama. Perennial powerhouses Barcelona look to get through to the next round by putting away the Premier league’s most feared side Man City in a two way face off. With Lionel Messi coming back from injury and Neymar still on the injured list, this Barcelona side can look a tad exposed. Then you remember the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta and you realise they have some depth of truly world class players. Man City can boast the same sort of depth but injuries have curtailed their progress in the last fortnight. A draw against Norwich and a loss against Chelsea have personified this. No Samir Nasri, Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho have exposed the lack of real creativity and steel in the side. Sure they can still smash most teams on an off night, but to do it against Barcelona? Highly unlikely. With the first leg at home City will need to at the bare minimum record a win if they are to have any chance back at the Nou Camp.
Prediction:
This is the battle of the crap defences. Whoever defends best, will win this match up, because we know full well that both teams can attack and score goals. I think City might shock people with the way they come out in this tie. They have nothing to lose here and if they can get a good result in Manchester and shut Messi down then they have a slight chance going into the Nou Camp. However in the end class should prevail and Barcelona will go through 5-3 on aggregate.

Bayern Munich vs Arsenal:

Just like last year these two teams do battle again in the CL. Having lost 3-1 at home, everyone thought Arsenal were long gone but they nearly pulled off the impossible winning 2-0 in Germany, but losing on away goals. This time round both teams would feel they are stronger and more prepared, which is scary from an Arsenal perspective as Bayern are of course defending champions! All the optimists are crying out that you have to beat the best to win the CL anyways so might as well play them early. It could be a blessing in disguise for the Gunners as there will be less pressure on them as no one expects them to go through. With Walcott, Ramsey and Rosicky out, the midfield options have been reduced but there is more than enough talent to fill the void. This match could be the turning point in Alex Oxlade Chamberlein’s career. I have a sneaky suspicion that if he starts he could be the catalyst for something special. Never the less in front of a solid and consistent back 4 the Gunners can dare to believe they can catch the defending champs napping. Considering Bayern are 45 games undefeated in the league, you’re probably thinking I’m a one eyed Arsenal supporter. And to be honest, even I’m slightly pessimistic about their chances. Even with Frank Ribery, top 3 contender for world player of the year, out with injury in the first leg, Bayern have more than enough fire power to blow away a World XI, let alone Arsenal. Thomas Muller, Mario Madzukic and Arjen Robben will lead the attack, and boy is it one hell of an attack. With the likes of Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger filling the hole behind them and the reliable Manuel Neuer in goal, you can understand why teams are afraid.
Prediction:
Although this looks like a one way ticket to the next round for Bayern, I think Arsenal will definitely give it a good nudge. Like City, a win at home in the first leg is crucial otherwise they might as well not travel to Germany. Revenge could be on the Gunners minds, but don’t know how much that will help here... Bayern to win on Aggregate 4-2.

AC Milan vs Atletico Madrid:

This has to be one of the most even ties out of all the match ups. AC Milan are sitting mid table in the Serie A and have just hired a new manager in club icon and legend Clarence Seedorf. With names such as Mario Ballotelli, Kaka and Robinho you would be right in thinking they should be higher up the table. But they’re not. Luckily for them the CL is a new slate and gives them a chance to take their mind off the league. Signing Adel Taarabt in the transfer window is a big coup for them as he is not cup tied and gives them a player who likes to run at defences and on his day is a deadly attacking marksman. I would be surprised if he didn’t have a role to play at some time in the tie and his ability to link with the likes of Kaka and Ballotelli will be key, because you can be sure they will definitely concede a goal or two.

Atletico Madrid are having one hell of a season, fighting a 3 way battle with Real Madrid and Barcelona for the La Liga title. It’s finally nice to see the duopoly of Madrid and Barca be slightly upset and the competition is becoming more interesting because of it. The star for them this season has no doubt been Diego Costa. The Spanish/Brazilian has been in sensational form with 25 goals in all competitions, including 20 in 23 games in the league. Without him this side would once again be looking at the ‘Big 2’ from the outside and struggling to lay their claim to be included in Spain’s elite. His ability to not only create space for himself but hold the ball up under pressure sees him as a very valuable asset to this line-up. If AC Milan can’t stop him, then they can kiss good bye their dreams of CL glory.

Prediction:
Even with the more content atmosphere at the San Siro after Seedorf took over, I can see the honeymoon period being well and truly over and AC Milan being put in their place by the dark horse of the competition. AC Milan is defensively not strong enough and when up against a red hot strike force that Atletico can bring to the table, it should be far too much. Atletico Madrid to progress 4-1.

Further predictions:

Bayer Leverkusen vs PSG – PSG
Zenit St Petersburg vs Borussia Dortmund – Borussia Dortmund
Olympiakos vs Manchester United - United
Galatasary vs Chelsea - Chelsea
Schalke 04 vs Real Madrid – Real Madrid