UCL Round of 16 Draws

[Aquavit]

With the UCL Round of 16 draw coming up on 12/16, two teams (FC Bayern and Manchester City) have qualified as of today. I believe Atletico Madrid could confirm their place in the round of 16 with a win tomorrow, as well. I'll update this thread as the remaining 14 teams punch their tickets to the next round.

In the meantime, though, what do you think of your teams' chances of getting into the knockout stages? Is there a team you want to see them draw once they get to knockouts? On the other hand, is there a team you hope they avoid?

Personally, I am hoping for a Bayern/Barcelona rematch in the first knockout stage. It wasn't a particularly close matchup last year, and I'd love to see if my boys could achieve 7:0 again with a fit Messi.

[Aquavit]

1. Atletico Madrid are indeed through...

They beat Austria Vienna 4:0 today to progress through to the knockout stage. Good on them!

[Aquavit]

2. Barcelona are through as well.

A few other teams are on the cusp of progressing, and I'm nearly already wrong regarding my predicted rematch final. Dortmund now lie third in group F after sustaining a 1:0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal today.

[Ron Obvious]

3. I'm worried about Arsenal missing out...

A three-way draw with Dortmund and Napoli seems likely, which would mean one of them missing out. Despite a fantastic win at Dortmund, it could still all end in tears...

[Aquavit]

4. I have a good feeling about Arsenal

Personally I'd be very surprised if they didn't make it through. Dortmund, on the other hand, really need to get it in gear soon.

[Aquavit]

5. List of qualifiers

ManUre
Leverkusen
Real Madrid
Galatasaray
PSG
Olympiakos
FC Bayern
Man City
Chelsea
Schalke
Dortmund
Arsenal
Atletico Madrid
Zenit
Barcelona
Milan

IMO Group F was the most fun group to watch this year. Dortmund won the group, despite playing with nearly 50% of their starting XI out injured. Napoli beat ten-man Arsenal today 2:0 and would have qualified for the round of 16 had Kevin Großkreutz not netted a winner for Dortmund just 3 minutes from time. Had Napoli found a third goal aganst Arsenal, it would have been the Gunners who would have found themselves outside looking in.

[Ron Obvious]

8. Unlucky Napoli

Out despite having 12 points while Zenit go through with just 6.

All 4 Italian sides should have been out. That was a disgraceful performance by Milan.

Bayern for the title is my guess.

[BKH70041]

6. Spanish teams won with room to spare.

GD was significant with them.

Have to say Bayern Munich is the team to beat. They seem to be able to kick it into an extra gear come game time.

[Aquavit]

7. Depth for Bayern

My boys have almost obscene depth, especially in midfield. How many other teams can lose a Bastian Schweinsteiger and a Javi Martinez at the same time and immediately plug in world class replacements?

Of the Spanish sides, I would like to see Atletico Madrid get the farthest. We shall see...

[Aquavit]

9. The draw has been made...

Man City vs. Barcelona
Olympiakos vs. ManUre
Milan vs. Atletico Madrid
Leverkusen vs. PSG
Galatasaray vs. Chelsea
Schalke vs. Real Madrid
Zenit vs. Dortmund
Arsenal vs. FC Bayern

I think the teams in bold will advance. Should be an exciting round with several very close scores.

[BKH70041]

10. Two Differences

I'll go with Real over Schalke and I think PSG could give Leverkusen a run.