The UEFA Champions League is back and the action begins tonight with the first couple of Round of 16 games. Here's a preview to the games on February 12th.
Celtic vs Juventus
Celtic have been the story of the Champions League this season. Their giant killing act where they upstaged Barcelona at Celtic Park in the Group phase has become the stuff of legend and along with their superb performances has lifted them into the Round of 16 of the Champions League as Runners-Up of Group G. They now face Italian champions Juventus, who came through as winners of Group E dumping out defending European champions Chelsea en route. On paper, this looks a David vs Goliath match. But try telling that to the Celtic warriors. Last time they faced a similar predicament, they beat Barcelona 2-1. Celtic will look to keep a solid shape and defend tightly as they will look to combat the Italians' stellar midfield featuring veteran maestro Andrea Pirlo in the company of Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal who has been a terrier and who was one of Juve's players of the Group Phase. Fraser Forster, Celtic's towering 24 year old keeper has been one of the stars of the tournament so far with as his superb saves under the posts has kept Celtic alive in the competition. Celtic may not have the same success with their balls into the box as they did against Barca, as the Juve back line boasts of more accomplished and authoritative central defenders in Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli and with the commanding presence of Gianluigi Buffon to boot. Juve's lack of a proven out and out goal scorer at the top might hurt them in the away game if they struggle to break down Celtic's midfield siege. Celtic striker Giorgios Samaras, meanwhile is set to undergo a late fitness test to assess if he's good to go.The atmosphere at Celtic Park will be feverish as it's heroes step forth. Do Neil Lennon and his boys have one more upset in them ? We'll just have to wait and see.
Valencia vs PSG
PSG back in the Champions League after 8 years came through as Winners of Group A beating Porto in the crucial fixture. Their manager, Carlo Ancelotti is no stranger to this phase of the competition, as he successfully led Milan to 2 UCL titles. And with a squad boasting the mercurial talents of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Javier Pastore & Thiago Silva, the Italian would be confident of progressing to the Quarterfinals. Valencia finished 2nd in their group behind Bayern Munich on goal difference. Though they've struggled domestically, they have put in a good shift on their European nights. Both teams have scored plenty of goals in the Group phase and the 1st leg at the Mestalla promises to be an open affair. Ibrahimovic, though he hasn't scored a glut of goals is the leading assister in the competition with 5 assists to his name. Valencia's front duo of Jonas and Roberto Soldado are both in hot form having scored 4 goals in the group games. Thiago Silva's addition to the defence in the summer has bolstered the back line for the Parisians, but Valencia as they demonstrated against Barca a week ago have the capability to unlock any defence. In the overall scheme of things, Ancelotti's European experience may prove key in guiding PSG through this Spanish pickle.
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