A Preview and Recap of the Final Eight Champions League Sides

Well after nearly a month of competition, we finally know who the four other sides (besides Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Lyon) are in the quarterfinals.

Those four other clubs are as follows: Inter Milan, CSKA Moscow, FC Barcelona and Bordeaux.

Now that we have seen all four of these teams, here is a recap of what each of these eight sides have done this year in European competition, what we could expect from them, what their main weakness is, and how far I believe they will go in the Champions League this season.

Arsenal

Group Stage: First overall in Group H

Round of 16: Advanced 6-2 on aggregate over Porto

After breezing through Porto by a 5-0 score at the Emirates Stadium during the second leg, Arsenal now find themselves in the Champions League quarterfinals for the third year in a row.

For Arsenal, they have had a solid year as they are in the thick of contention in both the Champions League and the Premier League, and their squad of players such as Cesc Fàbregas and Andrei Arshavin, among others, are extremely capable of beating anyone in their path.

Now that the Gunners are in the quarterfinals, you can definitely watch for Arsenal attempting to move onward in the Champions League as long as they continue their great offensive attack.

The main problem for Arsenal moving forward is the chief problem that they have had over the last several seasons: goalkeeper.

Obviously Manuel Almunia is not one of the best keepers in the Premier League, and his understudy, Łukasz Fabiański, had that terrible match against Porto in the first leg.

But Arsenal, as long as their attack can finish their chances and Almunia is decent in the goal, are a strong enough side to make the Champions League final.

Bayern Munich

Group Stage: Second Overall in Group A

Round of 16: Tied with Fiorentina 4-4 on aggregate (advance with three away goals)

Even though they lost a thrilling 3-2 match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in the second leg to Fiorentina, Bayern Munich will move onto the quarterfinals for the second straight season.

After a disappointing campaign last season, Bayern Munich have come back this season rejuvenated and are currently in first place in the Bundesliga thanks to exceptional play by players such as Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose, and Franck Ribery.

Now that Bayern are in the quarterfinals, it will be extremely interesting to see how well they will play considering the fact that they have scraped through each round to get into the quarterfinals.

Bayern's main problem going forward is how will they stack up against a side such as a Manchester United or Arsenal, who will be able to truly expose how bad they have been in European competition this year.

Right now, I don't see any way that Bayern Munich will be able to advance any further due to their inconsistency.

Manchester United

Group Stage: First overall in Group C

Round of 16: Advanced 7-2 on aggregate over AC Milan

In one of the most heavily billed Champions League matchups in recent memory, Manchester United were able to put away AC Milan with ease on David Beckham's return to Old Trafford resulting in a 4-0 score. The Red Devils have now advanced onto the Champions League quarterfinal for the fourth consecutive season.

The winners of the 2008 Champions League and runners-up in 2009, Man United have overcome their slow start and are now on course to go to the Champions League semifinal for the fourth season in a row, or make another final.

Player such as Edwin Van der Sar, Antonio Valencia, and superstar Wayne Rooney have put United into this incredible position again.

Right now, the only thing that could possibly slow down Manchester United is overly relying on Wayne Rooney. But with Rooney's recent form, it appears that nothing on the planet could stop him.

This is evident with Rooney scoring nine goals in his last nine matches, two of which were against AC Milan, and one was as a substitute in the Carling Cup final in which Rooney supplied the winning goal.

Right now, as long as Manchester United does not slip up in any way, nothing should stop the Red Devils as they move towards a semifinal and possibly another Champions League final.

Lyon

Group Stage: Second in Group E

Round of 16: Advanced 2-1 on aggregate over Real Madrid

In one of the biggest upsets in recent Champions League memory, Lyon were able to stun Real Madrid and its stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, and Iker Casillas, among others, to advance onto the Champions League quarterfinal.

After failing to advance from the Champions League Round of 16 every season since 2006, Lyon took down the hosts of this season's Champions League final and moved forward in the competition.

With players such as Jean Makoun, Hugo Lloris, and Lisandro López, this Lyon team will be extremely difficult to beat.

Right now, Lyon's main weakness could be that they can under perform at times, but that is irrelevant for these giant-killers, who have now defeated Liverpool, Fiorentina, and Real Madrid in the Champions League.

They are mainly able to do this because Lyon is extremely consistent in goal with Lloris, and their main weapon is scoring goals extremely late in matches.

Lyon are a side that could go to the semifinals or the final, but it depends on who they get in the draw and if they stick to their gameplan.

Inter Milan

Group Stage: Second in Group F

Round of 16: Advanced 3-1 on aggregate over Chelsea

In the return match for Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge after leaving Chelsea back in September of 2008, the "Special One" and Inter were able to win 1-0 on a 78th minute goal by Samuel Eto'o.

Eto'o's goal has now helped Inter Milan advance into the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since the 2005-2006 season.

Inter were able to advance at "The Bridge" due to a great defensive effort that was able to stone the Chelsea attack, and thanks to the total team effort put together by the Nerazzurri.

With a roster consisting of players such as Eto'o, Wesley Sneijder, and Julio Cesar, Inter are capable of beating anyone on any given Champions League night.

The only possible weakness that Inter has is that they have been inconsistent so far this season in the Champions League (especially in the group stage). But as long as Inter continues to have performances such as their one against Chelsea, Inter Milan could really make a deep run in the Champions League.

CSKA Moscow

Group Stage: Second in Group C

Round of 16: Advanced 3-2 on aggregate over Sevilla

Definitely the most surprising side left in the Champions League, CSKA Moscow were able to defeat Sevilla in Spain in the second leg by a 2-1 score, sending the Russian side to their first ever Champions League quarterfinal.

In that thrilling 2-1 win against Sevilla, Keisuke Honda really emerged to become the first ever Japanese player to score in the knockout stage with his goal in the 55th minute, allowing the Russian side to advance.

With a game plan far superior than their Spanish foes, CSKA Moscow were able to take advantage and, despite some late chances by Sevilla, CSKA Moscow are now onto the quarterfinals.

But no one should really be surprised about CSKA Moscow's success in the Round of 16 after the great end to their Champions League season in 2009, and now that the new Russian Premier League season has started, CSKA Moscow are more fresh than any other squad left in the tournament.

Right now, many people claimed that CSKA Moscow's weakness would be the fact that they haven't played that much this year with the RPL season ending in November, but that has been proven wrong as CSKA Moscow continue to move forward.

It is extremely hard to say where CSKA Moscow could end up this season in the Champions League. But as long as they get a favorable draw, they will remain a legitimate threat that could make the semifinals.

FC Barcelona

Group Stage: First in Group F

Round of 16: Advanced 5-1 on aggregate over VfB Stuttgart

Most people counted on Barcelona to advance since the draw back in December, and Barcelona has not disappointed us as they have now advanced onto the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season with their 4-0 shellacking of Stuttgart at the Camp Nou.

The main reason why Barcelona were able to win in this round is that the Catalan side has really rediscovered their touch from last season that led them to an unprecedented sextuple.

And with a roster of players such as Andres Iniesta, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and reigning FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, Barcelona is looking to win their second consecutive Champions League title.

Right now Barcelona's only real weakness is themselves, as they are arguably the strongest team left in the tournament. If they are too inconsistent, they could force themselves out of the Champions League.

But despite that, Barcelona is truly one of the best teams in recent memory to play in European competition, and they are a beast that no one wants to face in the quarterfinals.

Bordeaux

Group Stage: First in Group A

Round of 16: Advanced 3-1 on aggregate over Olympiakos

The only remaining undefeated side in the UEFA Champions League, Bordeaux have been able to keep up their incredible Champions League form now that les Girondins have advanced onto the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time since the 1987-1988 European Cup with a 2-1 win over Olympiakos.

The main reason why Bordeaux have been this great in the Champions League this season is the fact that they are not afraid of anyone, and after their great success in the Group Stage and now here against Olympiakos, they will not plead mercy to anyone.

With a roster consisting of players such as Cédric Carrasso, Marouane Chamakh, and Yoann Gourcuff, Bordeaux are a formidable side for anyone to face.

The only weakness that I could think of for the defending French champions is that they could become uninspired, but that is unlikely as they are capable of beating anyone.

But with great play all around and a belief on a total team concept, Bordeaux are a formidable side, and they are the dark horse to win the Champions League this season.

Finally, this Champions League Round of 16 has been fantastic to watch, and now with the draw coming up on Friday, March 19, who knows what upsets or incredible feats could be accomplished as we move toward the Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on May 22.