The draw for the last 16 draw of the Champions League was made at Uefa’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland at the weekend. As usual it dished up some
ADVERTISEMENTThe draw for the last 16 draw of the Champions League was made at Uefa’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland at the weekend.
As usual it dished up some intriguing match-ups.
Defending champions Barcelona and other title-contending powerhouse clubs now know who they will face when Europe’s top club competition resumes towards the end of February.
England’s three representatives will be making trips to Spain, France and Urkaine.
In a repeat of the 2006 final, Arsenal were drawn against holders Barcelona.
For a third consecutive campaign, Chelsea have been drawn against Paris St-Germain, who knocked the Blues out on away goals at the same stage last season.
Manchester City will face Dynamo Kiev with the first leg in Ukraine played in an empty stadium due to Dynamo’s punishment for racist behaviour by their fans in a group game against Chelsea.
Elsewhere surprise package and competition newcomers Gent take on Wolfsburg, as Roma and ten-times champions Real Madrid go toe-to-toe over two legs.
Last season’s beaten finalists Juventus will lock horns with Bayern Munich, PSV Eindhoven take on Atletico Madrid, while Benfica meet Zenit St Petersburg to complete the last 16 lineup.
The first legs take place on 16-17 and 23-24 February.
The official result of the #UCLdrawpic.twitter.com/SZprFs0YMP
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 14, 2015
Up and down
It wasn’t just a week for pulling names out of pots this week, there was also a whole host of on-field action.
From that action we have compiled our up and down list for the week.
Up
Olympiacos make our up list after stretching their winning start to the season to a perfect 14 games.
Their latest victims being Panaitolikos.
Suffice to say the defending champions are run away leaders on 42 points – 15 clear of closest challenger AEK Athens.
Also on the up is Adalberto Peñaranda.
ADVERTISEMENTThe rising star from Venezuela became the youngest player in La Liga history to score twice in the same game.
The historic brace came for the Granada player against Levante.
He was 18 years 195 days beating Lionel Messi by 24 days.
Down
On the down are Manchester United who had a week to forget.
ADVERTISEMENTElimination from the Champions League midweek by Wolfsburg was soon followed by a league defeat by promoted Bournemouth.
A growing wave of supporter discontent is now crashing heavily against Louis Van Gaal’s unsteady ship.
Read reaction from the manager following #mufc's 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth: https://t.co/QvOFxNwXSCpic.twitter.com/Ggg9Vad6It
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 12, 2015
Road to Euro
He was nicknamed ‘‘The Header beast’‘ and he almost never made it to Euro 1980 in Italy.
In a fortunate twist of fate, Horst Hrubesch, was called up at the eleventh hour to play for West Germany.
ADVERTISEMENTHe went on to play a crucial role in the side’s second European title.
Hrubesch – known for his trademark heading skills – was West Germany’s match-winning hero in the Euro 1980 final in Rome against Belgium.
The final was only his fifth international appearance and he was only called into the squad after Klaus Fischer broke his leg.
Hrubesch scored his side’s two goals in the final, the second of them a trademark bullet header in the 89th minute, which gave West Germany a 2-1 victory and the European crown.
West Germany's Horst Hrubesch scoring a late header against Belgium to win the 1980 European Championship. pic.twitter.com/NFF2IG8VNl
— ClassicFootballPics (@ClassicFoot) January 15, 2014
We might be wrong
ADVERTISEMENTNext weekend sees the final matchday in Europe’s domestic leagues before the Christmas break, that is of course except for the relentless Premier League.
Here you have our predictions for these selected matches. Send us yours forecasts using #TheCornerScores.
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City
Inter 2-1 Lazio
Caen 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain
Bloopers
Sometimes the temperature on the pitch overheats and the red mist just descends – the red cards are quick in following as was the case during two matches in Kuwait and Romania.
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