LONDON, 17 December 2005 — Eight stunning ties emerged from yesterday’s draw for the first knockout round of the Champions League with Chelsea’s clash against Barcelona topping the bill.
In another titanic tie Arsenal meet nine-time European champions Real Madrid, the first competitive European meeting between the clubs. European champions Liverpool will continue their quest for a sixth European champions title against Benfica, who beat Liverpool’s English rivals Manchester United 2-1 last week to clinch their place in the last 16.
Bayern Munich renew their rivalry with AC Milan, Ajax Amsterdam meet old foes Inter Milan while PSV Eindhoven and Olympique Lyon clash again after PSV won their quarterfinal match 4-2 on penalties last spring after the teams drew 2-2 on aggregate.
Juventus face Werder Bremen and Rangers play Villarreal in the other two ties which will be played at the end of February and the beginning of March next year. The final is in Paris on May 17. Barcelona, the 1992 European champions, and Juventus, European Cup winners in 1985 and 1996, were made 5-1 joint favorites to win the competition by British bookmakers William Hill.
Chelsea and Barcelona clashed at the same stage last season when Chelsea won an astonishing tie 5-4 on aggregate despite a virtuoso performance from Ronaldinho who scored a breathtaking goal of individual brilliance in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona won the first leg 2-1 in the Nou Camp on Feb. 23, but Chelsea won the second leg 4-2 in London two weeks later after racing into a 3-0 lead inside 19 minutes.
Barca had pulled the score back to 3-2 on the night to lead on the away goals rule after 38 minutes, before a John Terry goal 14 minutes from the end won a memorable match for Chelsea who went on to beat Bayern Munich before losing to Liverpool in the semifinals.
Arsenal and Real Madrid have never met in European competition before but the tie means David Beckham will return to his hometown to play a rare competitive match in England.
Both teams are currently playing below their usual high standards and if Real managed to knock out Arsenal they would be the last European visitors to Highbury before the London club move to their new ground next season.
“Pure show business” was how Arsenal vice-chairman David Denin described the tie, adding, “It’s fantastic, we have never played Real Madrid before in Europe, they are one of the great teams of Europe. You never underestimate a team like Real Madrid.” European champions Liverpool will face Benfica, who beat English rivals Manchester United last week to clinch their place in the last 16.
Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez, speaking in Liverpool before his side’s World Club Championships final against Sao Paulo tomorrow, told his club’s website: “It is not an easy draw but it is not the worst draw that it could have been either.
“There are only good teams left in the competition at this stage and we could have been paired with Bayern Munich, for example.
“I’m pleased to have avoided certain teams but we will face a very tough match against Benfica. They are a very good team and they proved just what they can do by knocking Manchester United out of the competition.” Liverpool have the upper hand against Benfica winning five of the six matches they played against them in the old European Cup between 1978 and 1984.
