In the Words of Jean Girard, Come Face Your Destroyer

The Champions League draw with quick thoughts:

Barca-Arsenal - I've made my point about this pairing before. I'll be very interested to see if Wenger changes his approach this time around. He's stubborn, but he also doesn't like getting embarrassed. Barring a spate of key injuries for Barca in the next two months, Arsenal cannot play their normal style with their normal XI and hope for anything other than a hiding.

United-Marseille - A good draw for United. This has first leg draw, second leg United win written all over it.

Chelsea-Copenhagen - This is why it's important to finish first in one's group. That said, Copenhagen were surprisingly frisky in the group stages. If Chelsea are not playing better by February, they'll have a torrid time in the first leg. Watch out for Dame Ndoye.

Spurs-Milan - Possibly the best tie of the round of 16. Lots of attacking talent on both teams, along with suspect defenses.

Shakhtar-Roma - Hard to pick a winner from these two. Roma get the pleasure of a trip to Ukraine in March.

Bayern-Inter - The "how far have we fallen in six months?" tie.

Real-Lyon - Real get a chance to exorcize a very recent demon. Lyon winning this tie would be unbelievably hilarious to me, but it's not going to happen.

Schalke-Valencia - On league form, one would have to take Valencia, but Schalke are showing signs of improvement and Manuel Neuer could be the difference in a close tie. Raul will certainly feel at home in this one.