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The fixtures for the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League 2010-11 were announced in Nyon today. The competition promises great action this time as well with some interesting matches lined up in the last 16 round which will begin in February.
In what is arguably going to be the most talked about match of the round, Arsenal face off against heavyweights Barcelona. The two teams met last season in the quarter finals which Barcelona won 6-3 on aggregate. Arsenal showed strong resolve to draw the first leg 2-2 at the Emirates but an enthralling display in the second leg by Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou helped Barcelona win the leg 4-1. This is the tie that promises the most amount of fireworks as two sides that are known to play the most attractive football in Europe face each other. Certainly one for the purists to watch.
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Messi will have happy memories of last season's win over Arsenal
Last season’s finalists Inter Milan and Bayern Munich will meet again, only this time in the last 16 round in what will be a tricky fixture for both sides. Inter Milan won last season’s final in Madrid 2-0. Bayern have been in good form in the UCL despite their domestic woes and Inter Milan have had a season to forget so far. Both the sides will be looking to kick off their winning campaign from this key fixture.
Last season's finalists will meet in this season's knockout phase
Tottenham Hotspur will return to the San Siro, the ground where Gareth Bale has happy memories of his group stage exploits, to face AC Milan. Bale scored a second half hat trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro in the group stage and he will be the focal point of attention in this fixture as well. Tottenham had the toughest opponents in the group stages in what is their maiden run in the tournament and their adventure will continue as they will face a Milan side that is currently on top of the Serie A table but not tipped for European glory this season.
All eyes will be on Gareth Bale at San Siro, which is a happy hunting ground for him
Real Madrid will have a rematch of last season’s round of 16 with Lyon who knocked them out of the tournament in that fixture. Real under Jose Mourinho will be hoping to shake off their knockout round jinx which has haunted them for the last 6 years and look to progress without much ado.
Manchester United and Chelsea were handed easy draws as the Red Devils will take on Didier Deschamp’s Marseille and the Blues will face FC Copenhagen who became the first Danish side to progress to the knockout stage of the competition when they beat Panathinaikos in their last group match. The two English sides are tipped to have a fairly easy passage into the quarters. In the other matches in the round, Group H winners Shaktar Donetsk will do battle with AS Roma and Valencia will face Schalke.
Here is the full list of the fixtures.
Arsenal vs Barcelona
AC Milan vs Tottenham
Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich
Lyon vs Real Madrid
Marseille vs Manchester United
Copenhagen vs Chelsea
Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Valencia vs Schalke
