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Chelsea dreaming of Fenerbahce but they'll probably end up in Liverpool
By NEIL ASHTON
Last updated at 18:36pm on 13th March 2008
Manchester United play Roma, Arsenal have drawn Barcelona, Liverpool face Schalke 04 and Chelsea got the plum draw against Fenerbahce. If only.
Fate will play a part when the draw is made for the quarter-finals (and semi-finals) of the Champions League in Nyon at midday. So, too, will statistics.
There is a 43 per cent chance that one of the English teams will be drawn against a familiar set of faces when the balls are plucked from the over-sized perspex bowls at UEFA headquarters on the banks of Lake Geneva.
In others words Chelsea, who have played Liverpool in each of the last three seasons, can probably start planning for a two-legged tie against Rafael Benitez's team.
"Hopefully we can avoid them, but if we are drawn against them we have to beat them," admitted Chelsea captain John Terry.
"We've missed out on this competition on a few occasions, but we want to take the final step and get our hands on the trophy."
So, too, do the favourites Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that only two European Cup triumphs in 30 years is not nearly enough for a club the size of United, but overcoming one of their rivals in the Barclays Premier League in the quarter-finals will be an almighty task.
United swept Roma aside 7-1 on a memorable night at Old Trafford in the quarter-final last season, but Milan were too much for them in the semi-final. History demands that they go one step further.
With a team packed with attacking verve - Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs, Tevez and Nani all inspire - United are the competition's most attractive proposition. While Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea appear intent on crossing the street to avoid playing each other, Ferguson is ready to meet their Premier League rivals head on.
"We will relish the chance to play another English team in the quarter finals if that happens," admitted the United manager.
"It doesn't really matter who you play in the last eight, all that matters is that we are there."
They made it after narrowly beating Lyon, who have won the French league title in each of the last six seasons, in the second round. Fenerbahce, who stunned Sevilla in the first knockout stage, are the preferred opposition for English football's Established Order.
Schalke, who overcame Porto on penalties in the previous round, will be the next best thing, but Barcelona and Roma will be entirely different propositions.
Although Barcelona are clinging to the coat-tails of Real Madrid in La Liga, Frank Rijkaard's all-star cast has European Cup credentials. They beat Arsenal in final two years ago and the prospect of Thierry Henry facing the club he scored 214 goals for in eight seasons is a thrilling prospect.
"It would be hard for me to go back wearing a different shirt,' admitted Henry.
"I spent many happy years there. Arsenal remain in my soul and to play against them would be strange. If it happens, it means I must be professional and confront the situation."
That situation will unfold at lunchtime, but the dark horses are undoubtedly Roma. Second in Serie A, six points behind Inter, Luciano Spalletti's side have an impressive pedigree in this year's Champions League.
Although they were beaten 1-0 at Old Trafford by Manchester United in Group F, the scoreline reverberated around Europe when they beat Real Madrid in both legs.
With Mirko Vucini and Mancini, who both scored against Real, in attack and assisted by Francesco Totti and Ludovic Giuly, Roma will be tough to beat.
Although they remain in the shadows of the Italian powerhouses - Inter, Milan and Juventus - they are punching above their weight in the European Cup.
By NEIL ASHTON
Last updated at 18:36pm on 13th March 2008
Manchester United play Roma, Arsenal have drawn Barcelona, Liverpool face Schalke 04 and Chelsea got the plum draw against Fenerbahce. If only.
Fate will play a part when the draw is made for the quarter-finals (and semi-finals) of the Champions League in Nyon at midday. So, too, will statistics.
There is a 43 per cent chance that one of the English teams will be drawn against a familiar set of faces when the balls are plucked from the over-sized perspex bowls at UEFA headquarters on the banks of Lake Geneva.
In others words Chelsea, who have played Liverpool in each of the last three seasons, can probably start planning for a two-legged tie against Rafael Benitez's team.
"Hopefully we can avoid them, but if we are drawn against them we have to beat them," admitted Chelsea captain John Terry.
"We've missed out on this competition on a few occasions, but we want to take the final step and get our hands on the trophy."
So, too, do the favourites Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that only two European Cup triumphs in 30 years is not nearly enough for a club the size of United, but overcoming one of their rivals in the Barclays Premier League in the quarter-finals will be an almighty task.
United swept Roma aside 7-1 on a memorable night at Old Trafford in the quarter-final last season, but Milan were too much for them in the semi-final. History demands that they go one step further.
With a team packed with attacking verve - Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs, Tevez and Nani all inspire - United are the competition's most attractive proposition. While Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea appear intent on crossing the street to avoid playing each other, Ferguson is ready to meet their Premier League rivals head on.
"We will relish the chance to play another English team in the quarter finals if that happens," admitted the United manager.
"It doesn't really matter who you play in the last eight, all that matters is that we are there."
They made it after narrowly beating Lyon, who have won the French league title in each of the last six seasons, in the second round. Fenerbahce, who stunned Sevilla in the first knockout stage, are the preferred opposition for English football's Established Order.
Schalke, who overcame Porto on penalties in the previous round, will be the next best thing, but Barcelona and Roma will be entirely different propositions.
Although Barcelona are clinging to the coat-tails of Real Madrid in La Liga, Frank Rijkaard's all-star cast has European Cup credentials. They beat Arsenal in final two years ago and the prospect of Thierry Henry facing the club he scored 214 goals for in eight seasons is a thrilling prospect.
"It would be hard for me to go back wearing a different shirt,' admitted Henry.
"I spent many happy years there. Arsenal remain in my soul and to play against them would be strange. If it happens, it means I must be professional and confront the situation."
That situation will unfold at lunchtime, but the dark horses are undoubtedly Roma. Second in Serie A, six points behind Inter, Luciano Spalletti's side have an impressive pedigree in this year's Champions League.
Although they were beaten 1-0 at Old Trafford by Manchester United in Group F, the scoreline reverberated around Europe when they beat Real Madrid in both legs.
With Mirko Vucini and Mancini, who both scored against Real, in attack and assisted by Francesco Totti and Ludovic Giuly, Roma will be tough to beat.
Although they remain in the shadows of the Italian powerhouses - Inter, Milan and Juventus - they are punching above their weight in the European Cup.
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