Benzema To Lyon, Beckham Returns,Was The Champions League Predetermined?

Before I start, let me clear the air, I have not and will not say the draws were fixed, I solely believe that the draws were a coincidence, but have found to many links between them, so I just decided to let people know how I feel.

The Group Stages

In my opinion, the group stages produced more drama than we have seen in a long time, more competition since Manchester didn't make it out of their group. This year brought lots of special things to the table, but it was those games that were "juicy" immediately after the draw that I will point out and how mush significance was behind the games.

Champions vs. Champions

In Group B, Manchester were drawn against in form team VFL Wolfsburg in what proved to be an outstanding Champions League game, it did live up to expectation and resurrected Micheal Owen's hopes of going to the World Cup with his three goals in Germany. Although Manchester target Edin Dzeko managed to score in both ties, therefore cementing Ferguson's interest.

In group F, Spanish Champions Barcelona, Italian Champions Inter Milan and Russian Champions Rubin Kazan were drawn together.

Eto'o and Ibrahimovic are Number Nines

The only place these two could have faced their former clubs is in the Champions League, not one season later, but on the opening day of the Champions league. How's that for a start. No one came out on top in both encounters, but Barcelona duly triumphed in Spain.

Kaka returns to Milan

They just couldn't wait, Kaka had to return to the San Siro to feature for the Galacticos II. Kaka didn't have mush impact on both games and was on the losing side in a Milan revival that beat  Real Madrid Pato getting two goals.

Aguero gets to show his suitors what he is made of

We all know Chelsea have been "stalking" Aguero all summer but failed to sign him. During the group stages, Aguero strutted his stuff in Vincente Calderon scoring two goals but couldn't stop Atletico from crashing out of the Champions League.

Knock-Out Stages

If the group stages didn't get us talking about "juicy" games, the second round definitely has us talking.

Benzema Returns To Lyon

Benzema returns to a club where he made his name as one of the most feared youngsters, I bet part of Benzema wishes he didn't leave France because he is battling for a fist team spot, sentiments should be avoided in order to put Real Madrid on course to a Champions League at home.

Ancelotti at Milan/Chelsea vs. Mourinho at Inter/Chelsea

This game might not offer much on the pitch, but what is crucial is past history that the teams share with their respective coaches, Mourinho is arguably the best Chelsea manager ever and built the foundation to the current Chelsea team, Ancelotti managed Inter Milan's rivals Ac Milan before taking over at Chelsea.

Ancelotti was brought to win the Champions League at Chelsea, but he has to go past a team he has rivaled for 13 years, coupled with a coach that has gotten the better of him in the media and trophy-wise in Italy(since Mourinho got there).

The war of words will be epic and reporters will be falling over each other at press conferences before and after both legs,

Here are some of the quotes shared between them

I always make my own formation. It's never told to me. There are many coaches who have won the Champions League a few times. Carlo is one of them. He is also the only won to have lost a final after being 3-0 up.

"If Mourinho is Jesus, then I am certainly not one of his apostles", Ancelotti in response to Mourinho calling himself Special One

"Mourinho? I am not fascinated by his personality when he communicates. Sometimes he says useless things. I focus on work. But if he invites me to Appiano Gentile to see one of his sessions then I will go, regardless of their Champions League exit against Manchester United.

"Ancelotti is the only one who thinks Adriano's goal was a handball. Does he think we are all dumb? Perhaps he is [dumb] when he fails to speak about Ronaldinho's offside goal in the first derby when they won," Mourinho defends Adriano.

Our situation is different to Milan as they no longer have any ambition and we are in March. Ancelotti is 11 points behind us in the league and will end the season with nothing 

We will be expecting more of these soon.

Change is Imminent

Barcelona have the most one-sided game in the draw, playing against Stuttgart, at the end of this fixture Barcelona WILL be through. leaving the defending champions room to be the first team to retain the title since Milan did in '90 season. Messi should have a good day with the team.

With Chelsea playing Inter Milan, Milan playing Manchester, Porto playing Arsenal and Madrid playing Lyon, the "big boys" are pitted against each other leaving room for the "lesser teams" to progress and reduce the concentration of top teams in the last eight.

Like I said before, I don't believe the Champions League was fixed, but these are the games that I believe has people talking and has UEFA talking and I just felt I should share how I feel.