Draw knockout League Champion 2010

The Draw :

Stuttgart vs Barcelona ( wednesday, February 24, 2010 )
Olympiakos FC vs Bordeaux ( wednesday, February 24, 2010 )
Inter Milan vs Chelsea ( thursday, February 25, 2010 )
Bayern Munich vs Fiorentina ( thursday, February 18, 2010 )
CSKA Moscow vs Sevilla ( thursday, February 25, 2010 )
Lyon vs Real Madrid ( wednesday, February 17, 2010 )
FC Porto vs Arsenal ( thursday, February 18, 2010 )
AC Milan vs Manchester United ( wednesday, February 17, 2010 )

Each of the remaining English teams managed to win their qualifying group, securing a supposedly easier draw in the knockout round against the runners-up of other groups. Both Chelsea and Manchester United however managed to draw the two giants of Milan, Inter and AC.

David Beckham could be returning to Old Trafford to face-off against former teammates as Manchester United face arguably the toughest draw against AC Milan. The self-appointed “Special One” Jose Mourinho will return to his old stomping ground at Chelsea to pit his wits against Carlo Ancelotti.

Arsenal can be reasonably happy with their draw against FC Porto, who do not command the European presence with their team that they did a few years ago. Eyes will also be on the two Spanish seeds, current champions Barcelona face Stuttgart and Real Madrid will play Lyon.

Barcelona are still in fine form, and should have little problem seeing off the German qualifiers. Having spent over £200 million restructuring their team this year, expectations are high for Real Madrid with the likes of Ronaldo, Kaka and Alonso.

Added pressure is also on Real to perform, as this year’s final will take place in their home stadium at the Bernabeu in Madrid on 22 May 2010.

note :
For the first time in five years, Liverpool failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament, leaving English hopes of Champions League glory to Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.