My favorite Football-Trikot: Cacau Trikot Trikots kaufen
The group games have been completed and the knock-out phase of the tournament begins. The top teams from the 8 groups will be seeded to not face each other in the first knock out stage. Here are the teams that have qualified and their credentials for the remainder of the competition.
From Group A
Roma
Roma lost 2 games in the group stage, the first at home to Romanian champions CFR 1907 Cluj-Napoco and the other away to Chelsea. They amassed 12 goals in 6 games so scoring is not a problem for the Romans.
Their Chances
In the knock-out stages there is no room for an off day, as they had against the Romanians. However, since that defeat, Roma have been dominant and unlucky to loose to Chelsea. They lack the depth of other teams left in the competition to win it I feel. However they have a huge carrot in progressing to the final; the final will played in Rome and that would give them a huge advantage if they get that far. If they focus everything on the Champions League rather than Seria A, then they could do it. It will depend on their draw through the knock out stages.
Chelsea
Last season's runners up in Moscow were solid, but uninspiring this season. They lost 1 and drew 2 in the group stages. Only scoring 9 goals in the 6 matches shows the struggles they had to even get into the last 16. They needed and got a scrappy win against the resilient Romanian's Cluj-Napoco in their last match to clinch it.
Their Chances
Injuries this season have hit the deep squad at Chelsea. Essien, Balack and Carvaliho all having long lay-offs so far this season. It has effected the fluency of their play and the fears of playing they away at Stamford Bridge is no longer a fear the other 15 clubs will hold. It depends who they are drawn in the round of 16, but they will struggle to get to the quarter finals on recent form.
From Group B
Panathinaikos
The Greek outfit surprised a few people by topping the group and getting a ticket into the last 16. Inter Milan and Werder Bremen were the favorites to progress from this group, however Panathinaikos topped the group with 3 wins and a draw. They only scored 8 goals and conceded 7 in the 6 games.
Their Chances
Their level will need to be increased in the knock-out stages if they want to progress past the last 16 however. They do have a strong home record and may sneak into the quarter finals because of this, but they will not win the Champions League this season.
Inter Milan
The big gun from this group finished 2nd just 1 point ahead of Werder Bremen. Also only scoring 8 goals and conceding 7 they will need to improve if they want to go deeper in the competition.
Their Chances
They will face one other group winners, so they will need to fight for their lives just to get to the quarter finals. Something we do not often associate with Italian champions. I do not think they have a chance this season. I think they are in transition at the moment, and will consolidate and come back strong next season.
From Group C
Barcelona
The Catalan footballing powerhouse has been on fire in the group stages. 4 wins and 18 goals from the 6 games shows the power of the Spanish champions. They needed a win over Shakthar Donetsk in the last match however to secure top spot.
Their Chances
With the talent they have at their disposal, Barcelona are one the most likely to win the Champions League this season. They need to keep their level throughout the knock-out stages, but as we saw with Spain in the Euro Championships, this is something they need not fear with experience of Iniesta and Xavi in midfield. If they do not win, they will be very close this season.
Sporting Lisbon
Sporting have been less attractive than Barcelona in the group stage, with only 8 goals form 6 matches. Never the less they pushed their Iberian neighbors all the way in the group.
Their Chances
They have not been tested in the big competitions in recent years, so there are many question marks over their ability against one of the group winners in the last 16. I do not think they will get past the next round.
From Group D
Liverpool
Liverpool are topping the Premier League at the moment and went through the group stage unbeaten. With 11 goals to their tally, they have come through on top of a tough group very well.
Their Chances
I am yet to be convinced with this Liverpool team yet this season. Everyone, apart from Liverpool fans, is waiting for them to start dropping points and loosing the tight games. This has not been coming as yet, so if they can continue getting results, they stand a chance of winning the Champions League. I think they will some unstuck in the semi finals however. If they are still pushing for the Premier League, they may find their depth an issue if they start picking up injuries.
Athletico Madrid
Athletico also went through the group stage unbeaten. Just 1 additional draw saw them finish in second place behind Liverpool. Scoring 9 goals in 6 matches shows they were steady rather than outstanding.
Their Chances
I do not see them getting past the next round if they draw a big team. They could be fortunate and be able to go through the quarter finals, however this is the best they will do this season. They have a solid line-up however and with some more talent and depth they could be more of a force next season.
From Group E
Manchester United
Man U are the holders and managed to get through the group stage unbeaten. They only won 2 games and scored 9 goals in 6 games. They did have a difficult group so they will be happy to be out of ton time.
Their Chances
I think they will get through the next round, however the big games in the quarter and semi finals will test United this season. They have not been creating very many chances this season. That will be a worry with their attacking riches at their disposal. I do not think they will retain the Champions League title with their form this season.
Villarreal
Villarreal were only one point of Man U in the group. They also only won 2 games in the group. They were steady rather than spectacular during the group games.
Their Chances
They will test a lot of teams with their solid defense and quick counter attacking style, however against the big teams they will struggle. They could get lucky with the draw and progress through to the quarter finals, however that is where they will end their campaign this season.
Group F
Bayern Munich
Bayern went through the group stage unbeaten; scoring 12 goals in the process. There were no easy games in the group so their results were indeed impressive.
Their Chances
Bayern are never beaten easily. If they do not have any injuries to key players through the rest of the season, they have a chance to go deep into this tournament. Unless they come up against one of the big teams in the quarter finals, I think they will have a chance to win the Champions League.
Lyon
Lyon finished 3 points behind Bayern in the group. They lost only 1 game, and scored 14 goals in the 6 games. Their issue is with the 10 they conceded in 6 games. Considering they only lost 1 game, this is a huge amount of goals to concede.
Their Chances
I think the leaking defense of Lyon will be exposed in the next round. If they come up against a free flowing attacking force like Barcelona, Athletico or Roma I do not see them getting through. They will not pass the quarter finals in my opinion.
Group G
FC Porto
Porto topped the group with a in the last game again Arsenal. They looked hungry and energetic to beat a depleted Arsenal side. They lost 2 games in the group stages and only scored 9 goals and conceded 8. A 4 -0 mauling by Arsenal contributed to the goals against.
Their Chances
Porto have been steady but not world beaters. Even playing a second placed team in the next round I do not see them getting through. They could surprise, however I do not see them having enough invention and depth to sustain a push to the title.
Arsenal
The group stages proved similar to Arsenal's Premier League experience this season. They were unplayable against Porto a home, and very good against Fenerbahce away. However in between they were very average. Only winning 3 games and drawing 2, with 11 goals scored in the 6 games.
Their Chances
It all depends on which Arsenal show up in the knock-out stages. Their football when on form is good enough to win the competition, however on their bad days any team in the remaining 16 will beat them. Having finished 2nd in the group may actually help them, if they draw a big team like Juventus or Bayern in the next round, they will up their game and perform well. They are too inconsistent to make a prediction on, but I can't see them winning this season.
Group H
Juventus
Juve went through the group stage unbeaten. With Real Madrid in the same group this I a great result for them. They only scored 7 goals in 6 games, but only conceded 3. With 3 draws they seemed able to grind out a lot of results.
Their Chances
With their solid defense Juve are always a chance in the knock-out rounds. Finishing 1st in the group will also help them getting through the next round. In the quarter finals I think they will be over powered. I can't see them winning the Champions League this season.
Real Madrid
Real lost 2 games in the group stage, scoring 9 goals in the 6 games. They seemed to be playing on auto-pilot through many games in the group stages.
Their Chances
Real have been off their game compared to the heights of recent years. They have a new manager in Juade Ramos, who could turn them around with his experience in cup competitions. This will need to take hold very soon if they are to get past the next round. I can't see them turning things around that quickly however. I think they will be eliminated in the next round.
I think, depending on the draw in the knock-out stages, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are the favorites this season. Roma are also a chance if they get a good draw. The only other teams I can see as possible challengers are Liverpool, Arsenal and Juventus. Liverpool need to keep their streak going and Gerrard fit, Arsenal can beat any team when they are playing well, but don't seem to keep that standard up every game, and Juve can grind out results with their strong defense. It is Barca for me this season through!