Post by Taxigirl on Mar 12, 2004 10:31:26 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/3501618.stm
By John May
AC Milan are bidding to become the first team to retain the Champions League since the competition's change of format.
But their hopes hinge on who they pull out of the bag in Friday's quarter-final draw (1100 GMT).
At this stage, any of the eight teams could face each other, which inevitably means some big heads will roll.
English hopes Chelsea and Arsenal do not want to be paired together, while nobody will relish playing Real Madrid.
So who will the big guns be keeping their fingers crossed to face?
We run the rule over the eight remaining teams ahead of the draw.
ARSENAL
Why you wouldn't want to play them
Containing them is like trying to pick up spilled mercury. A team choc-full of pace, power and skill. Confident in everything they do.
Why you would want to play them
No reason at all. Rightly now installed as favourites. Full-backs' attacking instincts mean they do leave gaps. Jens Lehmann is not the greatest keeper.
Key players
Striker Thierry Henry, midfielders Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires.
REAL MADRID
Why you wouldn't want to play them
Ronaldo, Beckham, Zidane, Raul, Roberto Carlos - take your pick from a line-up of hugely-talented proportions. Also proved against Bayern that they are artists who are not afraid to dig in and get their hands mucky.
Why you would want to play them
Huge question marks still hang over their defensive frailty. Their attitude that they will always score one more than the opposition could come unstuck against the likes of Milan.
Key men
Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham as playmakers, but often it is keeper Iker Cassilas (right) who keeps Real in games.
CHELSEA
Why you wouldn't want to play them
A big wallet buys world-class players - and Chelsea have plenty of those. Just as importantly, they fancy their chances and have got the bit between their teeth.
Why you would want to play them
They are beginning to enter nose-bleed territory in this competition and their lack of experience might just prove crucial.
Key men
Midfielder Frank Lampard, striker Hernan Crespo, while John Terry is the glue that cements together a solid defence.
AC MILAN
Why you wouldn't want to play them
They are the current champions and will not give up their title lightly. They are probably the best equipped to get a 1-0 aggregate win over two legs in the classic Italian style, although they are capable of scoring lots of goals.
Why you would want to play them
That old Italian mentality of 'We Keep What We've Got' can be their undoing. A tendency to go into a defensive shell could prove their downfall.
Key men
Playmaker Andrea Pirlo, defenders Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini, striker Andriy Shevchenko (both above).
LYON
Why you wouldn't want to play them
Pace a-plenty throughout the team, enabling them to play a high-tempo game. There's never a moment's rest against this bunch.
Why you would want to play them
Their defence is not the tightest. Brazilian Edmilson holds them together but if he can be by-passed, Lyon can be picked apart.
Key men
Defender Edmilson, midfielder Juninho, strikers Pegguy Luyindula and Sidney Govou.
MONACO
Why you wouldn't want to play them
The mere fact that everybody DOES want to play them makes them dangerous. Not to be taken lightly as Didier Deschamps has taken a group of talented individuals and moulded them into a tight-knit team. A good grounding for when he leaves for Juventus!
Why you would want to play them
The side does not exactly bristle with household names and they lack the presence of the big boys. Defence might prove brittle when exposed to intense heat.
Key men
Striker Fernando Morientes, midfielder Ludovic Giuly (if he can regain his fitness), coach Didier Deschamps.
PORTO
Why you wouldn't want to play them
They deserve to be taken seriously after knocking out Man Utd. They have a resilience not always associated with Portuguese teams. They get forward in numbers but are not afraid to throw bodies behind the ball.
Why you would want to play them
They try to organise themselves so that their lack of pace at the back is not exposed, but get behind attack-minded full-backs Paulo Ferreira and Nuno Valente and you are at the soft centre.
Key men
Central defender Ricardo Carvalho, playmaker Deco (above), and striker Carlos Alberto.
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Why you wouldn't want to play them
See 'Porto' above, and for 'Man Utd' read 'Juventus'. A tight-knit, well-drilled team in which every player knows his job.
Why you would want to play them
They lack a combative edge in midfield, which can allow teams to get at the back four. Also can be guilty of over-playing.
Key men
Midfielder Victor, defender Jorge Andrade, striker Walter Pandiani.
By John May
AC Milan are bidding to become the first team to retain the Champions League since the competition's change of format.
But their hopes hinge on who they pull out of the bag in Friday's quarter-final draw (1100 GMT).
At this stage, any of the eight teams could face each other, which inevitably means some big heads will roll.
English hopes Chelsea and Arsenal do not want to be paired together, while nobody will relish playing Real Madrid.
So who will the big guns be keeping their fingers crossed to face?
We run the rule over the eight remaining teams ahead of the draw.
ARSENAL
Why you wouldn't want to play them
Containing them is like trying to pick up spilled mercury. A team choc-full of pace, power and skill. Confident in everything they do.
Why you would want to play them
No reason at all. Rightly now installed as favourites. Full-backs' attacking instincts mean they do leave gaps. Jens Lehmann is not the greatest keeper.
Key players
Striker Thierry Henry, midfielders Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires.
REAL MADRID
Why you wouldn't want to play them
Ronaldo, Beckham, Zidane, Raul, Roberto Carlos - take your pick from a line-up of hugely-talented proportions. Also proved against Bayern that they are artists who are not afraid to dig in and get their hands mucky.
Why you would want to play them
Huge question marks still hang over their defensive frailty. Their attitude that they will always score one more than the opposition could come unstuck against the likes of Milan.
Key men
Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham as playmakers, but often it is keeper Iker Cassilas (right) who keeps Real in games.
CHELSEA
Why you wouldn't want to play them
A big wallet buys world-class players - and Chelsea have plenty of those. Just as importantly, they fancy their chances and have got the bit between their teeth.
Why you would want to play them
They are beginning to enter nose-bleed territory in this competition and their lack of experience might just prove crucial.
Key men
Midfielder Frank Lampard, striker Hernan Crespo, while John Terry is the glue that cements together a solid defence.
AC MILAN
Why you wouldn't want to play them
They are the current champions and will not give up their title lightly. They are probably the best equipped to get a 1-0 aggregate win over two legs in the classic Italian style, although they are capable of scoring lots of goals.
Why you would want to play them
That old Italian mentality of 'We Keep What We've Got' can be their undoing. A tendency to go into a defensive shell could prove their downfall.
Key men
Playmaker Andrea Pirlo, defenders Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini, striker Andriy Shevchenko (both above).
LYON
Why you wouldn't want to play them
Pace a-plenty throughout the team, enabling them to play a high-tempo game. There's never a moment's rest against this bunch.
Why you would want to play them
Their defence is not the tightest. Brazilian Edmilson holds them together but if he can be by-passed, Lyon can be picked apart.
Key men
Defender Edmilson, midfielder Juninho, strikers Pegguy Luyindula and Sidney Govou.
MONACO
Why you wouldn't want to play them
The mere fact that everybody DOES want to play them makes them dangerous. Not to be taken lightly as Didier Deschamps has taken a group of talented individuals and moulded them into a tight-knit team. A good grounding for when he leaves for Juventus!
Why you would want to play them
The side does not exactly bristle with household names and they lack the presence of the big boys. Defence might prove brittle when exposed to intense heat.
Key men
Striker Fernando Morientes, midfielder Ludovic Giuly (if he can regain his fitness), coach Didier Deschamps.
PORTO
Why you wouldn't want to play them
They deserve to be taken seriously after knocking out Man Utd. They have a resilience not always associated with Portuguese teams. They get forward in numbers but are not afraid to throw bodies behind the ball.
Why you would want to play them
They try to organise themselves so that their lack of pace at the back is not exposed, but get behind attack-minded full-backs Paulo Ferreira and Nuno Valente and you are at the soft centre.
Key men
Central defender Ricardo Carvalho, playmaker Deco (above), and striker Carlos Alberto.
DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA
Why you wouldn't want to play them
See 'Porto' above, and for 'Man Utd' read 'Juventus'. A tight-knit, well-drilled team in which every player knows his job.
Why you would want to play them
They lack a combative edge in midfield, which can allow teams to get at the back four. Also can be guilty of over-playing.
Key men
Midfielder Victor, defender Jorge Andrade, striker Walter Pandiani.