UEFA Champions League Round Two
Immediately I want to say, as a Chelsea fan, I will attempt to make this the least bitterness filled post I possibly can. The problem is that when you draw the same team this many times in a row — the way Chelsea draws PSG — it becomes a little odd and frustrating. It also makes you think twice about how UEFA operates… Well that part isn’t bitter, it’s just true.
Round two holds some really fascinating matches for soccer fans. The Chelsea vs PSG matchup, Real Madrid against Roma and Totti, Arsenal and Barcelona clash, and Bayern face off against runners-up Juventus. I love looking at the Champions League matchups each round, because this tournament is a dream for an American sports fans. The best teams from different leagues all mashed together in a great tournament. It’s truly magical and something to be cherished as a sports fan.
Benefica vs Zenit
There is one second-round match up that hasn’t peaked my interest. It does pose a fascinating matchup of a Russian based team against a Portugal based team. So I guess if you find geographical distinctions between clubs interesting then this is the game for you!
In all seriousness, I like Zenit to advance, Mostly because I want to have another excuse to watch Hulk. I love watching him play, and I love his name.
Arsenal vs Barcelona
The matchup of English and Barcelona giants poses huge implications for both sides are expected to accomplish this season, yet somehow both sides are on opposite sides of the scale. Barcelona is coming off of winning the treble last year and per usual have been looked incredible threatening so far this season. Arsenal are in the midst of a title campaign in the English Premier League, which is the main goal for Arsene’s men. Arsenal are good enough to be lumped into the top 8 teams in the world in my opinion, it just depends what day you choose to watch them on. The matchup is massive for both teams, but probably a bigger deal for Barcelona. Winning La Liga is important to Barca, but not as important as winning the Champions League. For Arsenal, EPL glory is what will define Arsene’s men this year. Advancing a round deeper in a tournament in which they most likely won’t win will not be considered success for Arsenal. Winning the EPL will.
On the pitch, Barcelona have the obvious advantage of talent. However, when both teams are healthy, this matchup could be an absolute speed and counter attacking buffet. I hope for a Walcott, Sanchez, Neymar, and Messi attacking round between Barcelona and Arsenal. What will probably happen is Arsenal will be partially injured, claim they are resting for the EPL, and get routed over two games. Barcelona will advance.
Gent vs Wolfsburg
I had to look up who Gent was before this matchup. Just being honest here. Wolfsburg to (easily) head on to the next round.
Chelsea vs PSG
Yikes. This game will be interesting for a ton of different reasons. I say yikes because on the field it has potential to be a crapfest compared to last year. Mostly because the potential for Chelsea to be a world class team has mostly dwindled down into an impossibility. They look mismanaged, undermanned, and lacking a team core and identity. PSG on the other hand haven’t completely collapsed from their victory over Chelsea last year. In fact they are currently demolishing the competition in Ligue One. Granted, the quality of competition in Ligue One is nothing compared to the EPL, La Liga, and a few other leagues in the world. So this is the problem that we’ve had in gauging PSG every single year. How good are they really? Is it the lack of competition in Ligue One? Or perhaps they are really great! Every year this happens, and every year their performance in the Champions League is underwhelming compared to how they appear in Ligue One.
In a matchup where the opponents know each other well, there isn’t much left to the imagination with the players and gameplan (or lack thereof). I take PSG over Chelsea in this matchup.
1. I think PSG is a better team and should win.
2. I’m hoping to jinx PSG with this prediction so Chelsea can advance.
I believe in you Diego Costa.
PSV vs Atletico Madrid
A real under the radar, fascinating matchup. PSV surprised many by advancing instead of Manchester United, although if you’ve watched Manchester United this year you aren’t surprised PSV advanced ahead of United. Atletico are no surprise to be in another round of 16 in the Champions League.
I’ll let my prediction ride with Diego Simeone’s men. One of the best managers in the world who always seems to plan well, and I expect his gameplan against PSV to be no different.
Roma vs Real Madrid
A flashy matchup in round two between the Italian giants Roma and the Spanish giants Real Madrid. The match-up may not be all that close in skill and talent, but it is close in pizazz and atmosphere. Rome and Madrid will be rocking for these two games between the two storied football clubs. It’ll be the legacy of Totti and Ronaldo overshadowing the teams as they both attempt to advance.
On the field I expect a route in the direction of Madrid. Under Zidane they’ve looked really good up to this point. Of course that could change under some real pressure in the Champions League. I just don’t think that pressure will come from Roma in this matchup.
Dynamo Kyiv vs Manchester City
The team with the most to lose in round two may just be Manchester City. They boast one of the most expensive teams in the world with little to show for it in terms of Champions League success. The Citizens haven’t even made the quarterfinals since the 2008–2009 tournament. That isn’t acceptable for a team with the expectations that Manchester City have placed on themselves. They expect to be a world-class team and without Champions League success they cannot be considered in the realm of the best teams in the world. I don’t even expect City to win, they just need a semi-final appearance in the Champions League to validate themselves as a world-class team. They got a pretty good draw in Kyiv and should advance easily.
Juventus vs Bayern Munich
Arguably the best match-up in round two of the Champions League. Two of the semi-final teams from last year face off and I expect smart world-class soccer to be played between Juventus and Bayern. Juventus of course finished last years tournament in second place after losing in the final to Barcelona. Bayern ended their Champions League campaign by losing to Messi and Barcelona as well in the semi-finals.
This second round match up will be the most closely contested in the round of 16. Both teams have incredibly talented squads, I just happen to like Bayern’s squad better than the lineup Juventus puts on the pitch.
Its going to be an incredibly fascinating round of UEFA Champions League soccer to watch. So many different story lines and fun match-ups to follow. It’s sure to be fun, enjoy the soccer!
