Rawr!

It all happened today, the draw every football fan's waiting for.

The draw for the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, which has the most coveted trophy that every football club in Europe wants to display on their own trophy room.

So as I looked upon the aftermath of the draw, all I can say is... Jesus Christ. 3 Italian clubs were drawn to face 3 English clubs.

I'll try to analyze and predict the outcome of each of the draw for the round of 16.

-Chelsea vs. Juventus-

* The first of the 3 England-Italy matchups, it's Serie A's current 2nd placers Claudio Ranieri's Old Lady going head to head with EPL's own 2nd placers Luiz Scolari's Chelsea. It's time for Ranieri to come back to Stamford Bridge, because he managed Chelsea.
* I predict this to be a match-up where both Chelsea and Juve would have a hard time scoring.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Stadio Olimpico): 2-0 in favor of Juventus.
-Second leg(Stamford Bridge): 1-0 in favor of Chelsea.
-Juventus would advance via aggregate lead, 2-1.
* Even though Chelsea deserves to go to the next round, I predict Juve would defeat them, but not without a fight from the English club.


-Villareal vs. Panathinaikos-

* One of the less talked about clubs in the Champions League, it's high-flying Villareal vs. the Greek side Panathinaikos.
* I can't comment much about this match-up because I don't know much about both clubs. :D
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Apostolos Nikolaidis): 1-0 in favor of Villareal.
-Second leg(Estadio El Madrigal): 1-0 in favor of Villareal.
-Villareal would advance via aggregate lead, 2-0.
* I do think Panathinaikos won't last long against Villareal, and if ever they do, I'm pretty sure they're getting slayed on the quarter-finals. But I still predict a smooth win for Villareal here.


-Sporting vs. Bayern Munich-

* Another one of the less talked match-ups, even though it's Bayern in here. Most probably because they're up against a less-known Sporting side from Portugal.
* You just have to wonder how Sporting's defense would stop the trio of Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose and Franck Ribery from attacking and scoring.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Allianz Arena): 3-0 in favor of Bayern.
-Second leg(Estadio Jose Alvalade): 2-1 in favor of Bayern.
-Bayern would advance via aggregate lead, 5-1.
* A landslide match-up. I feel sorry for Sporting. :D


-Atletico Madrid vs. Porto-

* Another less talked match-up. It's gonna be the champions of Portugal, Porto, taking on Atletico.
* A tricky match-up, because both of the teams have equal strengths.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Estadio do Dragao): 1-1 draw.
-Second leg(Vicente Calderon): 3-2 in favor of Atletico.
-Atletico would advance via aggregate lead, 4-3.
* A really tight match-up, where I predict Atletico's gonna put a last-minute show at the Calderon.


-Lyon vs. Barcelona-

* One of the easier matches to predict. Don't ask me why.
* Think of a possible way on how Lyon would stop the rampaging Leonel Messi from getting the ball. How to stop the rejuvinated Thierry Henry from scoring goals. How to steal the ball from midfield maestros Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Camp Nou): 3-0 in favor of Barcelona.
-Second leg(Stade Gerland): 3-0 in favor of Barcelona.
-Barcelona would advance via aggregate lead, 5-0.
* Just like Sporting, I feel sorry for Lyon for drawing a European giant at this early stage of the Champions League.


-Real Madrid vs. Liverpool-

* One of the better match-ups in the Champions League, former champions Liverpool were different than their English counterparts because they didn't draw an Italian team, but they were unlucky because they got drawn with Spanish giants Real Madrid. Rafa Benitez would be going back to the club where he got nurtured as a coach and player, while Real manager Juande Ramos should have an idea of how Liverpool plays, because he managed an English team before.
* This is gonna be another match-up that's tough to call. Liverpool knows how to score, but so does Real. Liverpool needs Fernando Torres to be fully fit by the time the legs are played, or else they'll have a hard time scoring. Real, on the other hand, have striker crisis with Ruud van Nistelrooy's season over, so it's Raul and Gonzalo Higuain leading Real's attack line.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Santiago Bernabeu): 1-0 in favor of Real.
-Second leg(Anfield): 1-0 in favor of Liverpool.
-Real would advance via a penalty shootout.
* A tough, hard-tackling match, I think Real could win this one, but not until it's after extra time.


-Arsenal vs. Roma-

* Speaking without bias(because I'm an Arsenal fan :D), Arsenal were the luckiest among the 3 English sides who drew Italian clubs. Roma's offense is mainly dictated by captain Francesco Totti, and if Arsenal were lucky, Totti's injury plague might come back to haunt him in time for the match-up. To be fair with Roma, Arsenal's locker room is in total chaos, and if Arsene Wenger doesn't fix that before the legs arrive, he'll surely be having a hard time. Arsenal's backline is also leaky, so goals for Roma wouldn't be surprising.
* It's former Gunner Julio Baptista that could possibly lead Roma's attack line, with Totti the engine of it's midfield. Arsenal should be lucky if Theo Walcott's fit, because he's the wheel of the Arsenal midfield. His fascinating pace could beat any wing backs if they're not careful. Captain Francesc Fabregas would be the engine of the midfield, so his presence is a must for Arsenal.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Stadio Olimpico): 1-0 in favor of Roma.
-Second leg(Emirates Stadium): 3-1 in favor of Arsenal.
-Arsenal would advance via aggregate lead, 3-2.
* I'm predicting this without bias, but I still think Arsenal are the better side here. Roma would be unlucky if Arsenal's passing play would be wonderfully executed. I still predict Arsenal giving Roma a hard time at the Emirates, and in the end, winning this match-up.


-Internazionale Milan vs. Manchester United-

* The icing on the cake for the round of 16, the Italian champions Inter Milan go head-to-head with the English, European and possibly World champions Manchester United. It's the good 'ol Jose Mourinho-Sir Alex Ferguson match-up once again, and comparing their head-to-head records, Jose's the better manager.
* Jose actually wished that he'll draw ManU, and his wish got granted. Fergie, on the other hand, is delighted with the fact that he'll be facing former EPL rival Jose. This match-up's one of the hardest to predict, with both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney capable of scoring goals for their respective clubs, and Julio Cesar and Edwin van der Sar capable of saving just about any shot unleashed to them.
* Score predictions:
-First leg(Old Trafford): 2-1 in favor of ManU.
-Second leg(San Siro): 2-1 in favor of Inter.
-Inter would advance via a penalty shootout.
* It's gonna be a really tough match, and I do think Inter could only edge ManU via a penalty shootout here.



Call me stupid for making Arsenal the only English club to advance, but speaking without bias, they were the luckiest team among the big 4 of England. Liverpool's the unluckiest because they drew Real, who could be rejuvinated by the time they lock horns. Chelsea and ManU, meanwhile, would really have a hard time with their respective opponents, but I could be wrong on my predictions for these 2 clubs.