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UEFA Champions League 2015/16 Round of 16 draw in full.The draw for the last 16 of this season’s UEFA Champions League took place at Nyon this evening, and has thrown up some really intriguing ties. While it’s a cakewalk for Manchester City and Wolfsburg, who drew Dynamo Kiev and Gent respectively, Arsenal saw their worst nightmare come alive as they have a date with the defending champions Barcelona.Beleaguered Premier League title-holders Chelsea will renew hostilities with Paris St.Germain once again as they tussle with the French champions for the third year on the bounce, whereas Serie A representatives Juventus and Roma were given the Herculean task of exchanging blows with heavyweights Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively.Whilst there’s still 8 weeks until the teams go mano-a-mano, we first delve through some of the talking points the draws has produced.
#1 Arsenal staring at yet another last 16 exit
The draw was never going to be kind enough for Arsenal, who managed to scrape through their group at the death, riding on the coat-tails of leaders Bayern. A second place finish meant a tough draw was on the cards for the Gunners yet again, and save for Zenit St.Petersburg, or even Wolfsburg, the North Londoners stared down the barrel of facing one of the top three sides from Spain- Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid or Barcelona. But merciful Zeus, they were given the toughest of the lot – the behemoths from Catalonia.
Arsene Wenger must surely have had his face buried in his hands when he saw the draw, wondering whether it was worth the heroics his side showed in getting out of their group. In 7 meetings with the Blaugrana, Arsenal have a terrible record of only 1 win and 4 defeats, and in all likelyhood, are set to bow out in the last 16 for the 6th time in a row.
Arsenal were torn apart in Munich when Bayern capitalised on their inadequacies, so what could possibly happen when the best ever attacking trident of Suarez, Messi and Neymar go head-to-head against them?
It's looking particularly ominous for the Gunners.
#2 PSG relishing yet another Chelsea tussle
When the sides first met in 2014 in the last 8, the Blues from London ousted the Parisians on away goals, but the French champions got their revenge by driving Chelsea out in similar circumstances the following year when they met again in the pre-quarters. This time around, it appears as if it’s going to be a double whammy for Jose Mourinho and his troops, who are down in the dumps this season.
With 8 defeats in the league already, Chelsea’s chances for Champions League football the next season are in deep jeopardy, let alone defending the Premier League crown. Ahead of their game against Leicester, the Blues are currently languishing in 16th place, 18 points off the top and hovering above the drop zone by a single point. Having topped their Champions League group, Chelsea fans would have been forgiven for hoping for a kind, favourable draw in the Champions League, but it seems Chelsea’s stars aren’t shining at all this term.
Les Parisians appear one of the dark horses for the Champions League title this season, as their impresisve form, both domestically and in Europe, has sent an ominous statement to their rivals. Barring an absolute debacle from Laurent Blanc’s side, PSG are heavily touted to stroll through this one.
#3 A breather for Manchester City
Manchester City have always had it tough in the Champions League since the time they stepped back into European territory in 2011. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, AS Roma, Barcelona and Juventus are some of European bigwigs they’ve come across during that period, and had their fare share of humblings.
After topping their group at the 5th time of asking, despite losing to the Bianconeri in both group stage clashes, the Citizens were given a breather when they avoided all the big cheeses of Europe, and now hold a realistic chance of going one better in the continent’s premier club competition.
The blue half of Manchester were shown the door at this stage in the last two seasons by Barcelona, but by drawing Ukrainian minnows Dynamo Kiev, have a bright chance to break the hoodoo and enter the top 8 for the first time in the club’s history.
#4 Italian contingents have choppy waters ahead
The best team in Italy, Juventus, and the second best, AS Roma, were handed a really tough draw as they drew the mighty Bayern Munich, who seem poised to lift the title this year, and 10-time champions Real Madrid, who have been at their best in Europe this season.
The Old Lady from Turin endured a stuttering start to their Serie A campaign this season, but are on an upward spiral currently, rising from 20th in the league to the top four. And although they were admirable in the Champions League, defeating Europa League holders Sevilla and Manchester City (both legs) en route to the last 16, they finished second behind the English outfit and their reward was a daunting clash with a Bayern Munich side that have literally battered their adversaries from pillar to post.
Pep Guardiola is in his last year of Bayern contract, and his side seem determined to give him the best possible farewell by handing him the Ol’ Big Ears, if the former Barcelona coach were to step down next summer.
On the other hand, Roma look like a lamb ready to be slaughtered as Los Blancos have been at their rip-roaring best in the Champions League thus far and would relish the prospect of keeping their magical run going with another emphatic win.
The Spanish giants finished atop Group A ahead of PSG with 5 wins and a draw, and ace forward Cristiano Ronaldo accrued 11 strikes during the process. Although their league form has deteriorated of late, they still remain a hard nut to crack in European games, and the Giallorossi will certainly have their backs to the wall when the sides meet in two months time.
Signs aren’t good for the two Serie A sides in the competition.
