UEFA Champions League Preview: Carlo Ancelotti's Final Hope

Copenhagen vs Chelsea

The last 16 knockout match featuring the likes of FC Copenhagen and Chelsea will be more about the manager than the football. There is increased speculation that Carlo Ancelotti could be sacked as the Chelsea manager if his team fails to win against Copenhagen.

Ancelotti has seen his side dumped out of the FA Cup by Everton, albeit on penalties. That result puts his position at Stamford Bridge under increasing pressure after poor results in the Premier League mean the title hopes have all but vanished.

Ancelotti has said the Champions League will be motivating his players, and it could also see the return of Fernando Torres to the starting line-up after he was ineligible to play against Everton.

Copenhagen has not played since the winter break, and they will be looking to take advantage of the fact that Chelsea had to play 120 minutes against Everton.

It remains to be seen if Ancelotti will pick Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres in the same line-up.

Jesper Gronkjaer will be looking to impress against his former side, with whom he spent four years in England.

Lyon vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid will be looking to continue their good form from La Liga into the Champions League, which is one area where José Mourinho's side usually excels. Mourinho will also be looking to win the Champions League in successive seasons, which could be extra motivation for Madrid.

They have won every single game following the Osasuna defeat a few weeks ago, and it seems that has motivated Mourinho's side to such an excellent run. Being an away match, Madrid is expected to sit back and soak up the pressure.

They will be looking to nick a goal on the counter-attack using the pace of Cristiano Ronaldo. Lyon, though, has been scoring freely of late and they have eight goals to their credit in the last two matches. Real Madrid has a number of players on a yellow card, and Cristiano Ronaldo is one of them.

Mourinho will be looking to protect him so that they can avoid a booking that will rule him out of the second leg. Hugo Lloris will be returning to the side, which will undoubtedly strengthen Lyon. Karim Benzema will be looking to score against his former side.

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