The UEFA Champions League draw has seen the Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich, Arsenal vs Barcelona and Olympique Lyon vs Real Madrid matches repeat themselves for the 2nd time in a row.
Last season, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Olympique Lyon were on the winning side of these fixtures. Internazionale defeated Bayern Munich in the final of the tournament to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy at the Bernabeu, Arsenal suffered a “Messi-lona” attack at the Camp Nou in the quarter-finals and Real Madrid suffered their 6th Round of 16 exit in a row as Olympique Lyon spoiled their party in the Spanish capital.
This season, these 3 fixtures will take place at the same stage. The most interesting side of these draws is that 3 of these 6 big teams will have to endure the agonizing fate of crashing out from the UEFA Champions League that early.
INTER MILAN VS BAYERN MUNICH
This match presents a big test for the two teams involved in the fixture. Internazionale better not rely on past glories when they’ll take on the Germans. Yes, they defeated Bayern in Spain but they don’t possess the Jose Mourinho factor anymore.
Now although Rafael Benitez claimed to be as good as or even better than the “Special One” earlier in the summer, Inter Milan fans may not be totally confident ahead of the Bayern Munich match. Both sides are currently experience tough moments on the domestic front, but when it comes to the Champions League, it is clear that the Germans have had the best run among the two teams so far.
ARSENAL VS BARCELONA
Pep Guardiola wanted to avoid facing a French side and Arsene Wenger predicted that Arsenal will meet Barcelona. Well, both managers got what they eyed. Arsenal vs Barcelona could even become the match of the campaign as the Catalans and the Gunners play formidably.
Wenger has some job to do before earning respect from his critics.
A few days ago, he failed to lead Arsenal to a vital victory against Manchester United in the Premier League. The Frenchman wanted that game to help the Gunners prove that they have the spirit of champions, but his wish couldn’t come to life. In a revenge case in 2011, Arsenal’s task will be to beat Barcelona to show that they are grown up kids.
OLYMPIQUE LYON VS REAL MADRID
Real Madrid cannot fail; such a thing will raise more doubts over Jose Mourinho’s credibility whereas anti-Madrid fans will be glad to call Los Blancos a “football circus”. Too much money has been spent on the reconstruction of the team and too much expectations are there waiting to be fulfilled. 2011 is the year for Real Madrid to write a new page in their history of the Champions League.
This season, these 3 fixtures will take place at the same stage. The most interesting side of these draws is that 3 of these 6 big teams will have to endure the agonizing fate of crashing out from the UEFA Champions League that early.
INTER MILAN VS BAYERN MUNICH
This match presents a big test for the two teams involved in the fixture. Internazionale better not rely on past glories when they’ll take on the Germans. Yes, they defeated Bayern in Spain but they don’t possess the Jose Mourinho factor anymore.
Now although Rafael Benitez claimed to be as good as or even better than the “Special One” earlier in the summer, Inter Milan fans may not be totally confident ahead of the Bayern Munich match. Both sides are currently experience tough moments on the domestic front, but when it comes to the Champions League, it is clear that the Germans have had the best run among the two teams so far.
ARSENAL VS BARCELONA
Pep Guardiola wanted to avoid facing a French side and Arsene Wenger predicted that Arsenal will meet Barcelona. Well, both managers got what they eyed. Arsenal vs Barcelona could even become the match of the campaign as the Catalans and the Gunners play formidably.
Wenger has some job to do before earning respect from his critics.
A few days ago, he failed to lead Arsenal to a vital victory against Manchester United in the Premier League. The Frenchman wanted that game to help the Gunners prove that they have the spirit of champions, but his wish couldn’t come to life. In a revenge case in 2011, Arsenal’s task will be to beat Barcelona to show that they are grown up kids.
OLYMPIQUE LYON VS REAL MADRID
Real Madrid cannot fail; such a thing will raise more doubts over Jose Mourinho’s credibility whereas anti-Madrid fans will be glad to call Los Blancos a “football circus”. Too much money has been spent on the reconstruction of the team and too much expectations are there waiting to be fulfilled. 2011 is the year for Real Madrid to write a new page in their history of the Champions League.
