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RETURN: Mourinho

WITH THE the group stage phoney war over, the Champions League returns from its winter hiatus with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal facing familiar foreign foes in the last 16.

United meet AC Milan in a repeat of the 2007 semi-final. A rampant Kaka destroyed Alex Ferguson’s side in a 3-0 mauling at the San Siro that year but the momentum is with United.

The Red Devils are showing signs that they are emerging from the trauma of losing Cristiano Ronaldo. Wayne Rooney has come to the fore while Nani has recently added effectiveness to his flamboyancy as United maintain a trophy-tilt on four fronts.

In contrast the pain of Kaka’s departure for Real Madrid has not been assuaged by the arrival of fellow Brazilian Ronaldinho, who has flourished only in fits and starts.

Nani has the pace and trickery to subdue the ageing Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf in the Milan midfield.

The Rossoneri’s case is also weakened by the absence of Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato, who misses out through injury. His absence could prove telling.

The Red Devils possess the tools to make David Beckham’s Old Trafford homecoming a fruitless one.

It is difficult to consider the Chelsea-Inter clash without focusing on Jose Mourinho such is the force of the Portuguese coach’s personality and his influence on Abramovich era Chelsea.

The enmity between Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti resulting from their clashes in Serie A, when Ancelotti faced Inter as coach of Milan, adds to the intrigue.

New Inter signing, forward Goran Pandev, will ask questions of the Chelsea backline alongside Samuel Eto’o, but their supply may be limited by a Nerazzurri midfield noted more for its artisans than artists.

Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder must assume an influential role behind the front line if the likes of Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba are to be halted.

Mourinho’s tactical nous is legendary but the Blues should prevail given their greater inventiveness.

Arsenal lock horns with Porto, a side they have faced four times in their previous three Champions League campaigns.

The Gunners are favourites and there are times when Wenger’s side seem more at home in the European arena. The likes of Cesc Fabregas, Andrey Arshavin and Tomas Rosicky are adroit manipulators of the ball and Porto will be relying on Raul Meireles to stem the red and white flow.

The Portuguese international midfielder faces an arduous task with the Gunners enjoying the luxury of the second-leg at the Emirates.

Yet Arsenal are renowned for giving opponents an opening so the Portuguese champions will look for January recruit, striker Kleber, to have an immediate impact alongside the colourfully-named Hulk.

A shortlist of potential winners, with the addition of Barcelona and Real Madrid, can be compiled from these encounters.

Holders Barca resume their European campaign against Stuttgart while Real face Lyon. The Catalans remain the team to beat despite Real’s renewed largesse and will be the biggest threat to the English contingent in the latter stages of the tournament.

Published: 08 February 2010
Issue: 1409

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