Breaking Down the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal Draw

Hey gang, it's been awhile since I've rapped at ya, taking a line from world-renowned Onion columnsit Jim Anchower, but I'm back and refereshed. I thought I would start by breaking down the Quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) v FC Girondins de Bordeaux (FRA)
Outlook: From the quarterfinals onward, teams from the same nation are not protected. While French Football may or may not be happy that their two remaining sides are drawn together, they at least get a team into the semifinals.

Lyon are conquerers of wallet-burning Real Madrid. I have broken down eloquently to friends that Real Madrid spent over 200 million on Kaka, Ronaldo, Benzema, Raul Albiol, Granero, Xabi Alonso, and about the first three rows of the fans who sit in the Santiago Bernabeu. Lyon spent 40 million or so on Lisandro Lopez, Batefimbi Gomis, Michel Bastos, and Aly Cissokho. Just a study in economics and rock solid evidence that less is indeed more. Additionally, Lyon have wins in this competition over Liverpool and Fiorentina in the group stage, so you know they are battle tested.

Bordeaux also have high profile scalps to their credit in the form of Bayern Munich and Juventus. They had a bit of an easier path from the round of 16 to the quarters in the form of Olympiakos, and did enough to get through.

This may be the least appealing to the casual American fan, who is not as exposed to French football as they are to the other marquee names in this field, but could end up being the most fun. Lyon and Bordeaux are rivals year in and year out for the French Ligue 1 title (Bordeaux last season ended Lyon's 7-year run as champion), and feature a lot of attacking talent. For Lyon, they have Lopez, Gomis, Bastos, and Sidney Govou. Additionally, they have a solid goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris who may become France's #1 if he hasn't won the job yet. Bordeaux boast talent in attack as well with Maourane Chamakh (an Arsenal target this summer) as well as Yoann Gourcuff (who many feel is the next Zidane).

Of the cuff knee-jerk prediction: I give the slight edge to Lyon. While I think Gourcuff will shine over the two matches, I think there is enough organization in Lyon to get through this tie. Particularly, I like the goalkeeping of Lloris over Carrasso in this one.

FC Bayern Munchen (GER) v Manchester United FC (ENG)
Outlook: I joked with some people when this one came out, saying that the groundskeepers at Allianz Arena and Old Trafford won't have to spend a lot of time patching the middle of the pitch after each match. This will be won and lost on the flanks. Both teams boast world class players, and both teams have managers who have won this competition. Sir Alex Ferguson twice (1999 and 2008), and Louis van Gaal (with Ajax in 1995). Van Gaal gets a reunion with United's Van Der Sar, who was Ajax's goalkeeper in that '95 triumph.

Bayern are here on the strength of a wonder goal from Arjen Robben to send the Germans through on away goals over Fiorentina (though the Tuscans will tell you the offside goal by Klose in the first leg made the difference). In their setup, they have two of the world's best wingers in Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery. They'll be sweating over the fitness of Mario Gomez though, who has helped provide the goals, but can look to other players like Miroslav Klose and Ivica Olic. If there is an Achilles heel in this side, it's their backline. Phillip Lahm is a solid outside back, but Badstuber and Van Buyten will have their hands full with Wayne Rooney.

United are here after throttling an under-strength Milan at Old Trafford, but it's easy to say that the tie was won in the first leg. It starts with Wayne Rooney, who is putting this team on his back much like Kaka did with Milan in 2007, Ronaldo for United in 2008, and Messi for Barcelona in 2009. At this stage, you are looking for the player that is emerging from the pack for World Player of the Year, and Rooney is in the discussion. Their flank play will be a daunting challenge for the Germans as well. Park Ji Sung has shined in these matches, and Antonio Valencia is starting to settle in as well. Patrice Evra will be important in this as well, with his runs down the left hand side.

Off the cuff, knee-jerk prediction: United, and solely because of Rooney. I don't see Bayern's backline containing him, whether he finds the perfect spot in the penalty area on crosses, or if he creates his own chances. The German side have the talent to keep this interesting, but in the end their defense will get pulled apart in the 2nd leg, and that will be the difference.

Arsenal FC (ENG) v FC Barcelona (ESP)
Outlook: Call it luck of the draw, or say the balls in the pot for Arsenal and Barcelona were heavier than the rest. Nonetheless, on name-brand this is the marquee tie of the round. The storylines alone are interesting enough, with Henry returning to London and Fabregas heading to where he grew up playing his football. These are the two sides that no matter what the competition, they play attacking football and they stick to it.

Arsenal didn't break a sweat in destroying Porto 5-0 in the 2nd leg of the Round of 16 to get here. There's hope they found a finisher in Nicklas Bendtner in the process. It is never a question of playmaking talent with Arsenal. Arsene Wenger has an embarrassment of riches in that department with Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri, and Theo Walcott to choose from. The challenge for the Gunners is who makes up the spine of this team? They have had injury issues on the backline, and they have never really solved the holding midfield problem since Mathieu Flamini's departure. This tie will be a fight for possession, and Barcelona may not be accustomed to that, and if Arsenal can get superiority, they'll have a chance.

Barcelona also had a walk in the park in the last round after destroying Stuttgart 4-0. Impressive in that result was that they have accomplished it without Xavi, one of their main string-pullers. It helps when you have Lionel Messi in the team, World Player of the Year in 2009 and building his case in 2010. Barcelona make their living by playing expansive, attractive football as we all know. In Yaya Toure and Sergio Busquets, though, they have midfielders who functionally cancel out the opponent's playmaker (Fabregas for Arsenal).

Off the cuff, knee-jerk prediction: Barcelona and it may not be close. This is a bad matchup for Arsenal (it's a bad matchup for anyone who has to play Barca), particularly because of the lack of strength in the center of defense and in the defensive midfield. Pep Guardiola's men are determined to be the first side to repeat as Champions League winners in over 20 years. They'll live with whatever result happens at the Emirates and turn up the style at Camp Nou.

Inter Milan (ITA) v CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Outlook: Not as much a done deal as you think. Inter, despite all their success domestically, are in unchartered waters on the continent. The Nerazzurri are quarterfinalists for the first time in a few years. The Russian side are physically going to be fresher, as their domestic season is just getting started. Stands to reason why Russian and Ukranian sides have made deep runs in the UEFA Cup in recent years.

Inter are here to many's surprise after a 1-0 at Mourinho Bridge against Chelsea (I'm calling it that until Mourinho goes there and loses again, sorry Chelsea fan). They have the players and organization under Jose Mourinho to be able to find ways to win cup ties. Lucio and Walter Samuel are a solid combination at the center of defense, and Maicon is in a two-Brazilian discussion with Daniel Alves over who is the world's best right back. The midfield gives them a backbone with players like Esteban Cambiasso, Dejan Stankovic, and Sully Muntari. The playmaking of Wesley Sneijder has given them more of an attractiveness, and they get their goals from Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito. From an organzation standpoint, they're as good as anyone left in this competition.

CSKA Moscow are here largely thanks to a blunder by Sevilla's goalkeeper, but they have the quality to pull this off. In Akinfeev, they have experience in goal. In their 4-5-1, it's about Honda pulling the strings. Additionally, they have a winger in Milos Krasic, who has gotten the attention of many of the big clubs. This is a side that played it tight with Manchester United in the group stage, and will be full of confidence after knocking off Sevilla. The 2nd leg is in Russia, and the big teams hate making that trip. So any manageable result in Milan, even a 1-0 defeat, they'll take home confidently.

Off the cuff, knee-jerk prediction: It's hard for me to bet against Inter in this one. CSKA will have a more difficult time with Inter's organization and discipline. Krasic may have issues dealing with Zanetti, and Honda may disappear in that holding midfield of the Nerazzurri. Jose Mourinho is on a mission, too. After knocking off his former employer, his side will have a lot more confidence.

The Euro Top 25 as of 10.22.09

Back to the clubs, and another round of Champions League games in the books. Where does everyone fit after the big shake up of games on Matchday 3? Have a read to see where it all plays out.

1. Manchester United
Top of Premier League, top of Group B in Champions League
Okay fine, they are not winning with the style and swagger of 2007-08. That team beats Bolton 4-0 at Old Trafford easily. But the bottom line is with the inconsisency of the other big guns of Europe, Sir Alex's men are getting results. They traditionally start to hit their form just before Christmas.

2. FC Barcelona
Top of La Liga, top of Group F in Champions League (on goal difference)
Is the pressure of defending three titles getting to them? Played out an uneventful draw at Valencia before losing at home to Rubin Kazan at midweek. Puyol and Henry have been out, but there is still plenty in the armory for the Blaugrana to deal with these opponents.

3. Chelsea
2nd in Premier League, top of Group D in Champions League
They might be #1 on this list if Ancelotti took the time with his charges to practice defending corner kicks before playing Aston Villa on Saturday. With the way Atletico Madrid is stuggling, that 4-0 win may not be much to get excited about. Still, in command of a talented group and a real threat for the Premier League title. Will the age and mileage slow them down at some point?

4. Lyon
Top of Ligue 1, top of Group E in Champions League
That win at Liverpool is better than you think. Liverpool's struggles have been against teams with a pulse, yes, but all of those struggles were on the road. Anfield on a European night is usually untouchable for visitors. I forgive the defeat to Sochaux at the weekend as they were extra motivated in playing for Charlie Davies.

5. Sevilla
3rd in La Liga, top of Group G in Champions League
My Champions League dark horse. No shame in losing at the weekend to an in-form Deportivo who have closed up shop and aren't allowing anyone to score. They rebounded nicely winning at a Stuttgart side that was desparate for a win. In firm command of their Champions League group.

6. Real Madrid
2nd in La Liga, 2nd in Group C of the Champions League
They are continually getting exposed in defense, which many expected to happen. 6 goals conceded in their last 3 matches in all competitions. Is it me, or has Kaka not settled in? Don't blame the defeat to Milan on not having Ronaldo, this team is too loaded to be a one man show.

7. Rubin Kazan
Top of Russian Premier League, 3rd in Group F of Champions League
I'm going to get some shtick here. But a team that can stay top of their domestic league, draw Inter Milan and beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp deserves this spot. A poor 45 minutes vs Dynamo Kiev prevent them from topping their Champions League group. Devil's Advocate: how good would they be if they had to play regularly in the Premier League, La Liga, or Serie A?

8. Inter Milan
Top of Serie A, bottom of Group F of Champions League
Very convincing in their 5-1 win at Genoa at the weekend but followed that up with a disappointing 2-2 at home to Dynamo Kiev. I thought Jose Mourinho was brought to Inter to win the Champions League? They are quickly becoming the most inconsistent team on this list, not to mention the most difficult to figure out.

9. Arsenal
4th in Premier League, top of Group H in Champions League
Seconds away from having a 100% record in their group, and they are getting results without Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott. Devil's Advocate: their 4-match winning streak in England are over Fulham, Birmingham, Blackburn, and Wigan. Yippee!

10. Fiorentina
4th in Serie A, 2nd in Group E of Champions League
Followed up a hard-earned point at Juventus with a harder than had to be 3 points at Debrecen to consolidate 2nd spot in their group in Europe. Unbeaten in their last four in Italy with just one goal conceded, and the four they faced were Sampdoria, Livorno, Lazio, and Juventus.

11. Manchester City
5th in Premier League
Back to back draws at Aston Villa and at Wigan aren't going to wow anyone, but they still have that win over Arsenal and that near miss in the Manchester derby.

12. Tottenham Hotspur
3rd in Premier League
Getting goals from so many different sources and seem to be over the back to back defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea. The win over Liverpool suddenly doesn't look as impressive anymore.

13. Leverkusen
Top of German Bundesliga
In a league filled with goals, no one is scoring on Leverkusen at the moment. 4 consecutive clean sheets with Hamburg and Werder Bremen among the teams who couldn't find the net.

14. Bordeaux
3rd in Ligue 1, top of Group A in Champions League
Back to back away defeats domestically keep them from being ranked any higher, topping a Champions League group that has Bayern Munich and Juventus justifies them being here.

15. Juventus
3rd in Serie A, 2nd in Group A of Champions League
Have they already been found out? They needed heroics from Chiellini to beat Maccabi Haifa, and stop a six match winless skid in all competitions. The goals have started to go buh-bye, only finding the net 3 times in their last 5 overall matches.

16. Hamburg
2nd in German Bundesliga, 2nd in Europa League group
Still boasting an impressive resume of wins domestically, and will look to get their European campaign going with a win at Celtic tonight.

17. Aston Villa
6th in Premier League
Drawing Manchester City and beating Chelsea are impressive results indeed. Opponents best be advised to not concede set pieces on corners to them.

18. Sampdoria
2nd in Serie A
The Inter win was nice but if they are to maintain a top 10 ranking, they should beat Parma and Lazio (drew them both).

19. Deportivo
4th in La Liga
4 straight wins, all clean sheets, and 5 shutouts overall. Most recent accomplishment is the win over an in form Sevilla side.

20. Dynamo Kiev
Top of Ukranian league, 2nd in Grouf F of Champions League
If you believe in Rubin Kazan, than Dynamo deserve to be on this list too. Battled hard to draw Inter at the San Siro.

21. Valencia
5th in La Liga, top of Europa League group
Battled Barcelona to a draw at the weekend and can get control of their Europa League group with a win today over Slavia Prague. And yes their players are getting paid.

22. Olympiakos
Joint top of Greek League, 2nd in Group H of Champions League
Finally caught Panathinaikos at the summit of their domestic league and have gotten some separation from AZ Alkmaar and Standard Liege in their efforts to secure a Champions League knockout place.

23. Wolfsburg
5th in German Bundesliga, 2nd in Group B of Champions League
Starting to get it in gear domestically with 4 straight unbeaten. Also holding off Besiktas and CSKA Moscow for a knockout place in the Champions League.

24. AC Milan
8th in Serie A, top of Group C in Champions League
If beating a resurgent Roma and doing the unthinkable by beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu doesn't kick-start their season, nothing will.

25. Schalke 04
3rd in German Bundesliga
Keeping pace with Leverkusen and Hamburg in Germany at the moment, but some of the real tests are coming.

Missing the cut (in no particular order):
Sunderland
Liverpool
Montpellier
Monaco
Marseille
Real Mallorca
Unirea Urziceni
Bayern Munich
Werder Bremen
Genoa
Parma
Fenerbahce
Galatasaray

That's it for now, I'll have the next one in a couple weeks.