UEFA Champions League Last 16: Key Storylines to Watch
The draw for the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 has taken place and, as usual, has thrown up some intriguing storylines to look forward to ahead of the competition's resumption early next year.
With Arsenal, AC Milan and Manchester City in particular entering the draw as non-seeded sides after finishing second in their respective groups, the chance was there for mouth-watering ties to emerge. Ultimately, we were not disappointed.
Let's take a look at the biggest storylines of the Round of 16 draw this Monday lunchtime.
The complete Round of 16 draw:
Manchester City vs. Barcelona
Olympiakos vs. Manchester United
AC Milan vs. Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Galatasaray vs. Chelsea
Schalke vs. Real Madrid
Zenit St Petersburg vs. Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich
Sergio Aguero vs. Lionel Messi
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The paths of Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi have long been entwined, with both players rising to the top of world football at a similar time as major stars of Argentine football.
The pair will now lock horns in the Champions League for the first time, in a game that will reveal much about the current state of development of both Manchester City and Barcelona.
City, having progressed from the group stages for the first time, have looked impressive in fixtures with rivals this season and have secured wins over Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Arsenal, among others.
Barcelona, though, have been at the top of the European game for some time now, but must dispel doubts over a perceived drop in level over the past 18 months. A win over City would go a long way toward doing that.
David Moyes' First UCL Knockout Appearance
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It's not easy taking over from a successful manager, but it is difficult not to feel for David Moyes as he continues to face up to the challenge of replacing Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson.
While league form has been mixed, the Champions League has been a saving grace for the former Everton manager thus far, with the group stage negotiated with unexpected ease.
In facing Olympiakos, he will also be content with the draw that his side face in the next stage.
It remains to be seen whether the Greek side can retain top scorer Kostas Mitroglou in January. If they do, though, he will be the biggest threat to United's hopes of a place in the Champions League quarterfinal.
Are Diego Simeone's Atletico Real Contenders?
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After 16 games of the season, Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid side sit joint top of La Liga after a sensational start to the present campaign.
They are, though, newcomers to the Champions League knockout stages and the level of competition that presents, and it will be intriguing to see how they stand up to the tests ahead. However, the club have an excellent track record in the Europa League over recent years.
Per Goal.com, AC Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari described Atletico as the "weakest" of the seeded teams to Milan news channel and will be feeling content to face them in February.
Simeone's side, though, are in excellent fettle and will be determined to show Muntari, as well as any other doubters, that Atletico are a real force to be reckoned with in European football.
Can PSG Continue Their March to the Top of Football?
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PSG almost produced the major shock of last year's Champions League tournament when they gave Barcelona quite a fright at the quarterfinal stage.
To reach that stage, they had overcome Valencia in the Round of 16, but they will face the challenge of Bayer Leverkusen on this occasion.
Bayer will not be easy opponents and are performing well in Germany at present. However, they also have much to prove after disappointing in both fixtures with Manchester United in the group stages.
PSG are now considered by many to belong among the contenders for major European titles, but must prove themselves worthy of that status with a convincing showing against well-regarded opponents.
The Return of Didier Drogba
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In the eyes of Chelsea fans, Didier Drogba can do no wrong. So, it was perhaps inevitable that his Galatasaray side would find themselves paired with the Blues in the Round of 16.
The Turkish side snuck through the group stages with success over Juventus in a snow-affected encounter in Istanbul and face another sizable challenge up against Chelsea.
The main focus, though, will inevitably be upon the return of Drogba as he comes up against former mentor Jose Mourinho.
The Ivorian played a major role in the Blues' solitary Champions League success in 2012, scoring the equalizer, then the winning penalty in the final, and he will no doubt be welcomed as a hero upon his return to Stamford Bridge in the second leg.
Just How Good Are Arsenal?
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Arsenal sit atop the Premier League this season, and the club is brimming with confidence after their best start to a season in a decade. However, they face the toughest test possible in the Round of 16, where they will play reigning Champions League winners FC Bayern.
The Gunners have had a couple of setbacks of late, with defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City in the league suggesting that there is still some way to go before the North Londoners can be considered true challengers in Europe.
However, Arsene Wenger's side almost caused a shock in their fixture with Bayern last season, only bowing out on away goals, despite a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg.
While doubts remain about the ability and temperament of the current Gunners side, there are few better tests in world football at present than an encounter with Pep Guardiola's Bayern.
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