GiantKiller
New member
Hmm, looks like we've got some fascinating ties in Round of 16, eh?
Alright, here are my picks for the teams to proceed to the next round :
Arsenal - Bayern : I'll make this one as brief as possible. Of all the teams with a realistic chance of winning the UCL this season, Bayern probably have got the easiest match up in the form of Arsenal. With the German team being clearly superior to their English opponents in every area of the pitch, I full expect Bayern to win and win quite easily.
PSG- Valencia : I haven't watched much of either of these two teams this season. PSG have some quality players from defense to offense and their manager is someone who's highly accomplished in European football. Also, Valencia have had a underwhelming season so far but that's not to say that their domestic troubles will affect their UCL campaign. If I had to pick on though, I'd go for the French outfit.
Shakhtar - Dormtund : Ah, the battle of the dark horses. Obviously, I've been very impressed with Shakhtar as they are a very capable team that is able to use the ball in very contrasting styles. However, I have a feeling that they may be lacking somewhat in some aspects of their game. They weren't so successful in breaking down the Juve defense in the final matchday of the Group stage. So, with Dortmund having a defense that is probably as strong Juves' ( they were really organised in their two games against Madrid ) along with being to able to launch deadly counters, Shakhtar could be in for some trouble really. Sure, a game in Ukraine may be very tough, but hey, never underestimate German mentality. Hence, after an EXTREMELY tight contest, I expect Dortmund to go through.
Barca - Milan : The gap between these two sides has obviously widened from last season but one of the things I've learnt quite a few times as a football enthusiast is to never underestimate Milan who're possibly the ultimate game raisers. Specially when up against Barca
. Titos' Barcelona aren't as fixated to one style as Peps' team was, so it'll be interesting to see how they play against Allegris' Milan, but since I'm a cule, I refuse to predict who the winner will be in this tie simply because I don't want to jinx anything. :O So yeah, it'll be interesting. 
United - Madrid : Obviously the pick of the ties in this round. Frankly, Madrids' two key men in their title challenge, Ronaldo and Mourinho, couldn't have more at stake at this stage given who they're up against. Modric has been settling in nicely so far and I'm fairly certain that Mourinho will start a midfield of Alonso-Khedira-Modric. The Croat has the experience of playing against United and since the style of the two teams indicate that there'll be a lot of end-to-end action, I doubt Ozil will have more influnce on this game than Modric would. Also, the midfield three mentioned will give them much more balance, something they lack against Bayern in last seaons' SF. In the wide areas, I don't think there'll be much debate about who comes out on top in the Ronaldo/Evra , Di Maria/Rafael battles and I believe a quick, technical player in Benzema will give their CBs some trouble.
United, however, have world class strike duo of Rooney-RVP and if I were SAF, I'd play Valencia and preferably Nani ( how's he doing ? ) to exploit any any weaknesses Madrids' defense might have in the wide areas. That'll be the more effective way instead of having a midfield battle, I think. Also, let's hope we see a repeat of THAT Scholes' screamer.
My prediction : Madrid to proceed further.
Schalke- Galatasaray ; Malaga - Porto : Now I've barely watched any of these four teams but I'll go ahead and say that Schalke and Malaga will progress ( Malagas' tie is MUCH more tricky than it appears )
As for Celtic - Juventus : This
Best prediction ever.
Alright, here are my picks for the teams to proceed to the next round :
Arsenal - Bayern : I'll make this one as brief as possible. Of all the teams with a realistic chance of winning the UCL this season, Bayern probably have got the easiest match up in the form of Arsenal. With the German team being clearly superior to their English opponents in every area of the pitch, I full expect Bayern to win and win quite easily.
PSG- Valencia : I haven't watched much of either of these two teams this season. PSG have some quality players from defense to offense and their manager is someone who's highly accomplished in European football. Also, Valencia have had a underwhelming season so far but that's not to say that their domestic troubles will affect their UCL campaign. If I had to pick on though, I'd go for the French outfit.
Shakhtar - Dormtund : Ah, the battle of the dark horses. Obviously, I've been very impressed with Shakhtar as they are a very capable team that is able to use the ball in very contrasting styles. However, I have a feeling that they may be lacking somewhat in some aspects of their game. They weren't so successful in breaking down the Juve defense in the final matchday of the Group stage. So, with Dortmund having a defense that is probably as strong Juves' ( they were really organised in their two games against Madrid ) along with being to able to launch deadly counters, Shakhtar could be in for some trouble really. Sure, a game in Ukraine may be very tough, but hey, never underestimate German mentality. Hence, after an EXTREMELY tight contest, I expect Dortmund to go through.
Barca - Milan : The gap between these two sides has obviously widened from last season but one of the things I've learnt quite a few times as a football enthusiast is to never underestimate Milan who're possibly the ultimate game raisers. Specially when up against Barca
. Titos' Barcelona aren't as fixated to one style as Peps' team was, so it'll be interesting to see how they play against Allegris' Milan, but since I'm a cule, I refuse to predict who the winner will be in this tie simply because I don't want to jinx anything. :O So yeah, it'll be interesting. United - Madrid : Obviously the pick of the ties in this round. Frankly, Madrids' two key men in their title challenge, Ronaldo and Mourinho, couldn't have more at stake at this stage given who they're up against. Modric has been settling in nicely so far and I'm fairly certain that Mourinho will start a midfield of Alonso-Khedira-Modric. The Croat has the experience of playing against United and since the style of the two teams indicate that there'll be a lot of end-to-end action, I doubt Ozil will have more influnce on this game than Modric would. Also, the midfield three mentioned will give them much more balance, something they lack against Bayern in last seaons' SF. In the wide areas, I don't think there'll be much debate about who comes out on top in the Ronaldo/Evra , Di Maria/Rafael battles and I believe a quick, technical player in Benzema will give their CBs some trouble.
United, however, have world class strike duo of Rooney-RVP and if I were SAF, I'd play Valencia and preferably Nani ( how's he doing ? ) to exploit any any weaknesses Madrids' defense might have in the wide areas. That'll be the more effective way instead of having a midfield battle, I think. Also, let's hope we see a repeat of THAT Scholes' screamer.
My prediction : Madrid to proceed further.
Schalke- Galatasaray ; Malaga - Porto : Now I've barely watched any of these four teams but I'll go ahead and say that Schalke and Malaga will progress ( Malagas' tie is MUCH more tricky than it appears )
As for Celtic - Juventus : This
Best prediction ever.
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