13.12.2007 14:19
Possible opponents in the last 16
www.fcbarcelona.cat
Barça could face any one of seven teams in the next round of the Champions League, including such powerful clubs as Arsenal, Liverpool and Roma.
The draw for the knockout stage of the Champions League will be held on Friday 21st December and
will pair Barça with one of seven teams, all of which finished second in their groups. The second
leg of the tie will be played at the Camp Nou thanks to Barça’s first-place finish in Group
E.
Arsenal: Despite finishing second behind Sevilla, the side managed by Arsène
Wenger is having a fantastic season in the Premier League, which they lead by a one-point margin
over Manchester. The Arsenal squad is extremely young and features players such as Cesc, Van Persie
and Adabayor, who have made Arsenal one of the sensations of European football.
Celtic: The Scottish side finished second in Group D behind AC
Milan thanks to their 100% home record at Celtic Park. They also top the Scottish Premier League
with a five-point lead over Rangers, who have two games in hand.
Fenerbahçe: Head coach Zico has taken the Turkish outfit to the last 16 of the
Champions League for the first time in the club’s history with a squad that relies heavily on
a nucleus of Brazilian players including Roberto Carlos, Edu and Deivid. Fenerbahçe finished second
in Group G behind Inter Milan and currently top the Turkish league by one point over Galatasaray.
Liverpool: The legendary English club, managed by Spanish coach Rafa Benítez,
recovered from a disastrous start to the competition, in which they took just one point from three
games, to win the last three matches and finish second in their group with 10 points. They are in
fourth position in the Premier League, seven points behind Arsenal with a game in hand. Of the
seven, they are, undoubtedly, the team everyone will want to avoid.
Olympiacos: The Greek club has had an exceptional group stage finishing second
behind Real Madrid but with the same points tally. They have a strong squad including a number of
faces familiar to fans of the Spanish league such as Galletti, Kovacevic and Raúl Bravo. They
occupy second place in the Greek league three points behind AEK Athens.
Roma: The Italian side, coached by Luciano Spalletti, finished second behind a
powerful Manchester United. They have an outstanding squad with players such as Totti, De Rossi and
former Barça winger Giuly. They’re also having a good domestic season and are second in the
table with 32 points, 5 adrift of Inter Milan.
Schalke 04: In a group where Chelsea and Valencia were clear
favourites to take the top two positions, Schalke put together a magnificent run to reach the last
16, clinching qualification with a win over Rosenborg. However, they have not matched their CL
success in the Bundesliga where they are seventh, nine points behind leaders Bayern Munich.