CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PROFILES
CELTIC v BARCELONA
CELTIC STAR MAN: Scott McDonald
The 26-year-old Australian striker is in superb form, and has netted 16 goals in 25 games since joining his Celtic - his childhood team - for £700k in the summer from Motherwell.
MANAGER: Gordon Strachan
The Scottish legend won the Cup Winners' Cup with Aberdeen in 1983, but Europe's top prize has always eluded him. In his second season at Celtic Park the 50-year-old took the team to the last 16 last year where they were knocked out by eventual winners AC Milan in extra time.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Celtic have faced Barca six times in Europe, and won once - though that 1-0 victory three seasons ago in the fourth round of the UEFA Cup. The two most recent meetings, in 2004/5, saw the Hoops lose 3-1 at home and draw 1-1 at the Nou Camp.
MEMORABLE MOMENT:
In the 1-0 win at Celtic Park, Alan Thompson's close range goal, coupled by the heroics of rookie goalkeeper David Marshall in the return leg, saw the Hoops advance.
LEAGUE FORM:
Celtic are top of the table with 36 points. They have only lost three games and are the league's top scorers with 45 goals. They have leaked only 16.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY:
The Glaswegian club's proudest moment came in 1967 when they won the European Cup with a 2-1 win over Inter Milan in Lisbon. They have qualified for the quarter-finals or better seven times in 10 years. But it has been 28 years since Celtic last managed that feat.
BARCELONA STAR MAN: Lionel Messi
The talented 20-year-old Argentinean has dragged Barca through the league so far this season, and was rightly named runner-up to Brazilian Kaka in the recent World Player of the Year award. Currently injured, the Catalans will want him back before their trip to Celtic Park.
MANAGER: Frank Rijkaard
Despite winning the Champions League in 2006 the former Dutch midfielder failed to defend the trophy last year. He also missed out on La Liga to rivals Real Madrid, and after talk of dressing room unrest the pressure is on.
LEAGUE FORM: Barcelona are second in La Liga, but that is mostly down to the form of Messi. They have a 100 per cent record at home but have lost four on the road.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY: They may have won the Spanish championship 18 times but they have only been victorious in Europe's top competition twice: in 1992 and against Arsenal at the Stade de France in 2006.
VERDICT:
Strachan's team face an uphill battle, but if history is anything to go by they will score goals. And with Frank Rijkaard under increasing pressure due Barca's poor league form, anything is possible. The fitness of Leo Messi and Samuel Eto'o will be crucial to the Catalans' cause.
OLYMPIQUE LYON v MANCHESTER UNITED
LYON STAR MAN: Karim Benzema
The 20-year-old Frenchman has wowed Europe with his performances this term and United's defence will have to watch the pacy striker. In the league he has impressed, having netted 12 goals in only 18 games. He has also scored three times in eight games for Les Bleus.
MANAGER: Alain Perrin
The 51-year-old former Portsmouth manager is having much more success in Ligue 1 than he ever did on the south coast. He took over from Gerard Houllier in May and Lyon keep on winning, such is the strength of their squad.
LEAGUE FORM: Lyon have won Ligue 1 for the past six years and are on course for a seventh straight title. They are topping the table with 38 point from 18 games, four points ahead of Nancy.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY: This is the French club's ninth appearance in the Champions League, though they have never gone further than the quarter-final. Between 2003/4 and 2005/6 they reached that stage on three consecutive occasions.
MANCHESTER UNITED STAR MAN: Cristiano Ronaldo
The 22-year-old Portuguese wizard will have another chance to prove he can be a match-winner at the top level. Last year he was outclassed by Milan's Kaka in the semi-finals, and the Brazilian edged him as FIFA European Footballer of the Year.
MANAGER: Sir Alex Ferguson
Ferguson, 61, knows what it takes to win the European Cup, having guided United to the title in 1999. The Scot thinks this current squad is his strongest to date, with the attacking talents of Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Nani balanced by the graft of Anderson, Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
The only times United have met the French champions - who are on course for their seventh successive French title - was three seasons ago in the group stages and the Reds beat them 2-1 at home and drew 2-2 in Lyon.
MEMORABLE MOMENT:
The 2-1 victory was Ferguson's 1,000th game in charge of United. But it was Dutch international Ruud van Nistelrooy who was the star - his header was his 36th Champions League goal in only 37 games.
LEAGUE FORM:
The reigning Premier League champions are only one point behind leaders Arsenal after beating Liverpool last Sunday. They have scored 30 times in 17 games and have the Premier League's best goal difference with +22.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY:
In the past 12 seasons United have reached at least the last 16 on 10 occasions. The 1968 winners pulled off a superb Treble in 1999, defeating Bayern Munich in injury time in the Euro final. They have qualified for the semi-finals twice since then.
VERDICT:
Barring injuries Ferguson's team should edge out the French hot shots, though a good result in the first leg in Lyon is essential. United's young guns will have to be fully firing if they are to mix it with Europe's big boys.
LIVERPOOL v INTERNAZIONALE
LIVERPOOL STAR MAN: Fernando Torres
The £26.5m record summer-signing has hit 12 goals in his first 20 games at Liverpool, and as 'El Nino' has never played in the Champions League before, he is raring to make up for lost time.
MANAGER: Rafa Benitez
The Spaniard, 47, is a genus in Europe and has masterminded Liverpool's success in the past three seasons - they beat Milan in the 2005 final, reached the last 16 then lost against AC last season in another final.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Liverpool's tie against Inter is a repeat of a classic 1965 semi-final encounter when the Merseysiders won the first leg 3-1 at Anfield, only to lose 3-0 in Milan amid claims of dodgy refereeing.
MEMORABLE MOMENT:
After winning the "greatest match I have ever seen", then-manager Bill Shankly was appalled by the performance of referee in the second leg, after a number of dubious decisions saw the Italians through. They scored directly from an indirect free-kick, and the goalkeeper also had the ball kicked into the net from his hands.
LEAGUE FORM:
After losing to rivals Manchester United last weekend Liverpool have moved out of the top four and are 10 points off the pace. In their 16 games they have scored 27 and conceded only 10.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY:
Liverpool have won the European Cup five times - the most any British club has managed - and were the last English team to lift the trophy with their famous victory over AC Milan in Istanbul in 2005.
INTER STAR MAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The Swede is one of the most naturally talented players in Europe, with his transfers totalling nearly £40m over a career spanning Malmo, Ajax, Juventus and Inter. His unpredictability and superb technique will trouble Jamie Carragher and co.
MANAGER: Roberto Mancini
Former Leicester City striker had a superb playing career with Sampdoria and Lazio before moving into management, where he has won Inter the last two Scudetti (Italian league titles).
LEAGUE FORM: Unbeaten Inter have dropped only two points at home and six away. They are already seven points ahead of second-placed Roma, and have a goal difference of +27 - easily the best in the league.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY: Inter won the European Cup twice in the mid-60s and - apart from reaching the semi-final in 2002/3 and the quarter-finals in 2004/5 and 2005/6 - Mancini's club have failed to impress.
VERDICT:
If Torres and captain Steven Gerrard are on song anything is possible, though the Italian champions are top of Serie A again, and will be confident they can pile further pressure on Benitez.
ARSENAL v AC MILAN
ARSENAL STAR MAN: Cesc Fabregas
The 20-year-old midfield dynamo has added goals to his repertoire this year. Thierry Henry has not been missed this season thanks to the form of the diminutive Spaniard.
MANAGER: Arsene Wenger
The Frenchman is in his 11th season in charge of Arsenal and is hopeful that his young side can win the trophy that eluded him two years ago when Barcelona defeated them in the final at the Stade de France.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
The north Londoners have never met the reigning European and World champions in the Champions League, though they did play twice in the 1995 Super Cup when they lost 2-0 on aggregate.
MEMORABLE MOMENT:
Fabio Capello managed Milan to victory over two legs in the first Super Cup. Zvonomir Boban and Daniele Massaro scored the crucial goals in the second leg at the San Siro.
LEAGUE FORM:
The Gunners have only lost once in the league and remain top of the table having scored 34 times - the best in the division - and have conceded 14 times.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY:
Arsenal have never been crowned European champions though they have reached the last 16 in each of the past eight seasons, and came close in the final against Barca in 2006.
MILAN STAR MAN: Kaka
The 25-year-old Brazilain has been on superb form this year. Recently named European and World player of the Year, Kaka scored against Liverpool in the final earlier this year. He also netted against Boca Juniors earlier in the month as Milan were crowned World Club champions.
MANAGER: Carlo Ancelotti
The former Milan midfielder has won the European Cup both as a player and a manager. The 48-year old is also the longest-serving coach in Serie A - he has been with the Rossoneri since 2001 - and one of the most successful in their history.
LEAGUE FORM: Despite being champions of Europe and the World, Milan are struggling domestically. They are yet to win at home in Serie A and sit 11th in the table, 22 points behind their city rivals Inter.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY: Milan have won the European Cup seven times: twice in the 60s, twice in the 80s, once in the 90s and in 2002/3 and last year. Since their victory over Juventus on penalties in the 2003 Final, Milan have reached the quarter-finals or better.
VERDICT:
It's a tough one to call. Wenger has moulded his team into a dynamic force and his youngsters could show the age of the AC Milan team. Milan are current World and European champions, however, and - despite their poor Serie A form - will be hard to beat in knockout format as Manchester United found last season.
OLYMPIAKOS v CHELSEA
OLYMPIAKOS STAR MAN: Luciano Galletti
The Argentinean winger scored three goals in Olympiakos' six Champions League group stage ties, and poses a real threat to Ashley Cole with his pace and trickery on the Greek's right-hand side.
MANAGER: Takis Lemonis
The Greek is in his second spell in charge of the charge of the club. He was sacked in 2002 after a poor European campaign despite winning two consecutive Greek titles and, after periods in charge of four other Greek sides, he returned to the club in December last year.
LEAGUE FORM: Olympiakos are second to AEK Athens only on goal difference after 12 rounds of the 16-team Greek Super League. They have won all seven of their home games but have struggled away, picking up only six points from five games.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY: The Greek club have taken part in the last 11 Champions League competitions, though they have only advanced from the group stages on two occasions: they reached the quarter-final in 1998/9 and are in the last 16 this year.
CHELSEA STAR MAN: Didier Drogba
Without the Ivorian the Londoners struggle to score, though a high-profile striker is expected to arrive at Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.
MANAGER: Avram Grant
Jose Mourinho's replacement has begun impressively, but whether we will see the histrionics from the Israeli manager in the Champions League that the Portuguese regularly displayed remains to be seen. This campaign will prove whether or not he is up to the job long-term.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: These two have never met in European competition.
LEAGUE FORM:
Chelsea have recovered after the departure of Mourinho and sit in third - six points off Arsenal - having netted 34 goals and leaked 10 - the fewest in the league.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY:
The Blues reached three semi-finals between 2003 and 2007 - but lost on each occasion including two painful defeats to Liverpool over two legs.
VERDICT:
Grant's charges should have enough firepower to shoot down the Greek champions. Though whether they advance further will be down to Grant's management and tactics.
CELTIC v BARCELONA
CELTIC STAR MAN: Scott McDonald
The 26-year-old Australian striker is in superb form, and has netted 16 goals in 25 games since joining his Celtic - his childhood team - for £700k in the summer from Motherwell.
MANAGER: Gordon Strachan
The Scottish legend won the Cup Winners' Cup with Aberdeen in 1983, but Europe's top prize has always eluded him. In his second season at Celtic Park the 50-year-old took the team to the last 16 last year where they were knocked out by eventual winners AC Milan in extra time.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Celtic have faced Barca six times in Europe, and won once - though that 1-0 victory three seasons ago in the fourth round of the UEFA Cup. The two most recent meetings, in 2004/5, saw the Hoops lose 3-1 at home and draw 1-1 at the Nou Camp.
MEMORABLE MOMENT:
In the 1-0 win at Celtic Park, Alan Thompson's close range goal, coupled by the heroics of rookie goalkeeper David Marshall in the return leg, saw the Hoops advance.
LEAGUE FORM:
Celtic are top of the table with 36 points. They have only lost three games and are the league's top scorers with 45 goals. They have leaked only 16.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY:
The Glaswegian club's proudest moment came in 1967 when they won the European Cup with a 2-1 win over Inter Milan in Lisbon. They have qualified for the quarter-finals or better seven times in 10 years. But it has been 28 years since Celtic last managed that feat.
BARCELONA STAR MAN: Lionel Messi
The talented 20-year-old Argentinean has dragged Barca through the league so far this season, and was rightly named runner-up to Brazilian Kaka in the recent World Player of the Year award. Currently injured, the Catalans will want him back before their trip to Celtic Park.
MANAGER: Frank Rijkaard
Despite winning the Champions League in 2006 the former Dutch midfielder failed to defend the trophy last year. He also missed out on La Liga to rivals Real Madrid, and after talk of dressing room unrest the pressure is on.
LEAGUE FORM: Barcelona are second in La Liga, but that is mostly down to the form of Messi. They have a 100 per cent record at home but have lost four on the road.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY: They may have won the Spanish championship 18 times but they have only been victorious in Europe's top competition twice: in 1992 and against Arsenal at the Stade de France in 2006.
VERDICT:
Strachan's team face an uphill battle, but if history is anything to go by they will score goals. And with Frank Rijkaard under increasing pressure due Barca's poor league form, anything is possible. The fitness of Leo Messi and Samuel Eto'o will be crucial to the Catalans' cause.
OLYMPIQUE LYON v MANCHESTER UNITED
LYON STAR MAN: Karim Benzema
The 20-year-old Frenchman has wowed Europe with his performances this term and United's defence will have to watch the pacy striker. In the league he has impressed, having netted 12 goals in only 18 games. He has also scored three times in eight games for Les Bleus.
MANAGER: Alain Perrin
The 51-year-old former Portsmouth manager is having much more success in Ligue 1 than he ever did on the south coast. He took over from Gerard Houllier in May and Lyon keep on winning, such is the strength of their squad.
LEAGUE FORM: Lyon have won Ligue 1 for the past six years and are on course for a seventh straight title. They are topping the table with 38 point from 18 games, four points ahead of Nancy.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY: This is the French club's ninth appearance in the Champions League, though they have never gone further than the quarter-final. Between 2003/4 and 2005/6 they reached that stage on three consecutive occasions.
MANCHESTER UNITED STAR MAN: Cristiano Ronaldo
The 22-year-old Portuguese wizard will have another chance to prove he can be a match-winner at the top level. Last year he was outclassed by Milan's Kaka in the semi-finals, and the Brazilian edged him as FIFA European Footballer of the Year.
MANAGER: Sir Alex Ferguson
Ferguson, 61, knows what it takes to win the European Cup, having guided United to the title in 1999. The Scot thinks this current squad is his strongest to date, with the attacking talents of Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Nani balanced by the graft of Anderson, Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
The only times United have met the French champions - who are on course for their seventh successive French title - was three seasons ago in the group stages and the Reds beat them 2-1 at home and drew 2-2 in Lyon.
MEMORABLE MOMENT:
The 2-1 victory was Ferguson's 1,000th game in charge of United. But it was Dutch international Ruud van Nistelrooy who was the star - his header was his 36th Champions League goal in only 37 games.
LEAGUE FORM:
The reigning Premier League champions are only one point behind leaders Arsenal after beating Liverpool last Sunday. They have scored 30 times in 17 games and have the Premier League's best goal difference with +22.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY:
In the past 12 seasons United have reached at least the last 16 on 10 occasions. The 1968 winners pulled off a superb Treble in 1999, defeating Bayern Munich in injury time in the Euro final. They have qualified for the semi-finals twice since then.
VERDICT:
Barring injuries Ferguson's team should edge out the French hot shots, though a good result in the first leg in Lyon is essential. United's young guns will have to be fully firing if they are to mix it with Europe's big boys.
LIVERPOOL v INTERNAZIONALE
LIVERPOOL STAR MAN: Fernando Torres
The £26.5m record summer-signing has hit 12 goals in his first 20 games at Liverpool, and as 'El Nino' has never played in the Champions League before, he is raring to make up for lost time.
MANAGER: Rafa Benitez
The Spaniard, 47, is a genus in Europe and has masterminded Liverpool's success in the past three seasons - they beat Milan in the 2005 final, reached the last 16 then lost against AC last season in another final.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Liverpool's tie against Inter is a repeat of a classic 1965 semi-final encounter when the Merseysiders won the first leg 3-1 at Anfield, only to lose 3-0 in Milan amid claims of dodgy refereeing.
MEMORABLE MOMENT:
After winning the "greatest match I have ever seen", then-manager Bill Shankly was appalled by the performance of referee in the second leg, after a number of dubious decisions saw the Italians through. They scored directly from an indirect free-kick, and the goalkeeper also had the ball kicked into the net from his hands.
LEAGUE FORM:
After losing to rivals Manchester United last weekend Liverpool have moved out of the top four and are 10 points off the pace. In their 16 games they have scored 27 and conceded only 10.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY:
Liverpool have won the European Cup five times - the most any British club has managed - and were the last English team to lift the trophy with their famous victory over AC Milan in Istanbul in 2005.
INTER STAR MAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The Swede is one of the most naturally talented players in Europe, with his transfers totalling nearly £40m over a career spanning Malmo, Ajax, Juventus and Inter. His unpredictability and superb technique will trouble Jamie Carragher and co.
MANAGER: Roberto Mancini
Former Leicester City striker had a superb playing career with Sampdoria and Lazio before moving into management, where he has won Inter the last two Scudetti (Italian league titles).
LEAGUE FORM: Unbeaten Inter have dropped only two points at home and six away. They are already seven points ahead of second-placed Roma, and have a goal difference of +27 - easily the best in the league.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY: Inter won the European Cup twice in the mid-60s and - apart from reaching the semi-final in 2002/3 and the quarter-finals in 2004/5 and 2005/6 - Mancini's club have failed to impress.
VERDICT:
If Torres and captain Steven Gerrard are on song anything is possible, though the Italian champions are top of Serie A again, and will be confident they can pile further pressure on Benitez.
ARSENAL v AC MILAN
ARSENAL STAR MAN: Cesc Fabregas
The 20-year-old midfield dynamo has added goals to his repertoire this year. Thierry Henry has not been missed this season thanks to the form of the diminutive Spaniard.
MANAGER: Arsene Wenger
The Frenchman is in his 11th season in charge of Arsenal and is hopeful that his young side can win the trophy that eluded him two years ago when Barcelona defeated them in the final at the Stade de France.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
The north Londoners have never met the reigning European and World champions in the Champions League, though they did play twice in the 1995 Super Cup when they lost 2-0 on aggregate.
MEMORABLE MOMENT:
Fabio Capello managed Milan to victory over two legs in the first Super Cup. Zvonomir Boban and Daniele Massaro scored the crucial goals in the second leg at the San Siro.
LEAGUE FORM:
The Gunners have only lost once in the league and remain top of the table having scored 34 times - the best in the division - and have conceded 14 times.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY:
Arsenal have never been crowned European champions though they have reached the last 16 in each of the past eight seasons, and came close in the final against Barca in 2006.
MILAN STAR MAN: Kaka
The 25-year-old Brazilain has been on superb form this year. Recently named European and World player of the Year, Kaka scored against Liverpool in the final earlier this year. He also netted against Boca Juniors earlier in the month as Milan were crowned World Club champions.
MANAGER: Carlo Ancelotti
The former Milan midfielder has won the European Cup both as a player and a manager. The 48-year old is also the longest-serving coach in Serie A - he has been with the Rossoneri since 2001 - and one of the most successful in their history.
LEAGUE FORM: Despite being champions of Europe and the World, Milan are struggling domestically. They are yet to win at home in Serie A and sit 11th in the table, 22 points behind their city rivals Inter.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY: Milan have won the European Cup seven times: twice in the 60s, twice in the 80s, once in the 90s and in 2002/3 and last year. Since their victory over Juventus on penalties in the 2003 Final, Milan have reached the quarter-finals or better.
VERDICT:
It's a tough one to call. Wenger has moulded his team into a dynamic force and his youngsters could show the age of the AC Milan team. Milan are current World and European champions, however, and - despite their poor Serie A form - will be hard to beat in knockout format as Manchester United found last season.
OLYMPIAKOS v CHELSEA
OLYMPIAKOS STAR MAN: Luciano Galletti
The Argentinean winger scored three goals in Olympiakos' six Champions League group stage ties, and poses a real threat to Ashley Cole with his pace and trickery on the Greek's right-hand side.
MANAGER: Takis Lemonis
The Greek is in his second spell in charge of the charge of the club. He was sacked in 2002 after a poor European campaign despite winning two consecutive Greek titles and, after periods in charge of four other Greek sides, he returned to the club in December last year.
LEAGUE FORM: Olympiakos are second to AEK Athens only on goal difference after 12 rounds of the 16-team Greek Super League. They have won all seven of their home games but have struggled away, picking up only six points from five games.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY: The Greek club have taken part in the last 11 Champions League competitions, though they have only advanced from the group stages on two occasions: they reached the quarter-final in 1998/9 and are in the last 16 this year.
CHELSEA STAR MAN: Didier Drogba
Without the Ivorian the Londoners struggle to score, though a high-profile striker is expected to arrive at Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.
MANAGER: Avram Grant
Jose Mourinho's replacement has begun impressively, but whether we will see the histrionics from the Israeli manager in the Champions League that the Portuguese regularly displayed remains to be seen. This campaign will prove whether or not he is up to the job long-term.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: These two have never met in European competition.
LEAGUE FORM:
Chelsea have recovered after the departure of Mourinho and sit in third - six points off Arsenal - having netted 34 goals and leaked 10 - the fewest in the league.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY:
The Blues reached three semi-finals between 2003 and 2007 - but lost on each occasion including two painful defeats to Liverpool over two legs.
VERDICT:
Grant's charges should have enough firepower to shoot down the Greek champions. Though whether they advance further will be down to Grant's management and tactics.
Labels: AC Milan, Arsenal, Barcelona, Celtic, Champions League, Chelsea, Internationalize Milan, Liverpool, Lyon, Manchester United, Olympiakos
