UEFA Champions League: How Each Team Can Advance In The Second Leg
Will it be an English domination? Or will teams from Germany, Italy and Spain turn the tables? A couple of French squads are still in the mix.
The first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 is complete. Some home teams held their ground. Some away teams stole the ability to defend results in the home leg.
Now teams have to form strategy to get them through to the quarterfinals. Only a couple of teams look to have a possibly insurmountable road to the next round.
Here is what each team has to do to advance to the quarterfinals.
AC Milan: Come Out Firing
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Peter Crouch stole the aggregate lead for Tottenham with his 80th minute effort set up by Aaron Lenon. Now Milan has to go to London and notch its own shutout win.
To do so, it must perform much the same way it did at San Siro in the first leg. The first half was unimpressive, but Milan put on the pressure the second half.
While that attacking style is what helped set up Spurs rousing counter attack leading to the game-winning goal, Milan has no choice but to take that gamble. Spurs already had 1-0 lead and an away goal to fall back on.
Tottenham Hotspurs: Don't Get Complacent
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Tottenham is very fortunate to be taking a 1-0 result with it back to London for its second leg with AC Milan.
Milan's Mario Yepes was denied twice early in the second half of the first leg by Totthenman keeper Heurelho Gomes. Even after Aaron Lenon and Peter Crouch teamed for a 80th-minute score, Robinho had a goal blocked by Michael Dawson that looked destined to equalize.
While Spurs must be certain to defend, simply protecting the result won't be good enough. Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be rearing to get Milan through.
Valencia: Sieze Control and Hold It
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Oh, Valencia. You were so close to holding a strong lead going into the second leg. Then again, you were so close to being behind, as well.
After Roberto Soldado gave Valencia a 1-0 lead at home, it looked like it only need cruise to the finish for a tight grip on the cup tie heading into the away leg. But Schalke provided rough waters—almost rough enough to turn the tables completely.
Schalke was able to earn a draw and almost netted another score if it weren't for a splendid Vicente Guaita late on.
Valencia must again snatch control of the match early. But this time, it can't afford to let Schalke knot things up.
Schalke: Play Conservatively, Feed Off The Crowd
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Shalke 04 have taken the pressure off themselves by earning a draw away from home. Or have they heaped pressure on themselves?
Suddenly, Schalke are favorites. They have a draw in hand and an away goal to boot, all while heading home for the second leg.
Expect Schalke to pack it in their defensive third. Having Germany's starting national keeper, Manuel Neuer, between the pipes will help Schalke secure its position.
If Schalke is afforded a chance to break forward, it should do so cautiously. Controlling possession and being picky with its offensive efforts are key for the home side.
Arsenal: Put The Ball at Samir Nasri's Feet
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What a furious comeback Arsenal orchestrated in the first leg against Barcelona. It looked like the Spanish giants would cruise to an away result that they would easily fall back on when at home.
But Arsenal stormed ahead for two goals in the second half and snatched the home decision. Now it heads to Barcelona for a crucial away leg.
The Gunners would be wise to keep Samir Nasri as involved as possible. He picked his spots in the first tie and it paid off. His push through Barcelona's defense and lay off to Andrei Arshavin was brilliant.
Barcelona: Continue to Trust in Lionel Messi
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Barcelona could have easily won its away leg 4-0. Lionel Messi had an uncharacteristically poor night of finishing, misplacing at least two tasty chances. It was as he and Arsenal super dud-turned-super sub Andrei Arshavin traded places.
Messi's involvement was still felt on David Villa's slick opener. And he's likely gotten his ghastly misses—ghastly only because he's made us so used to him slotting everything home—out of his system.
Barcelona, however, will have defensive worries on it's hands. Gerard Pique will miss the second leg due to suspension for his yellow card accumulation. Barca is confident it will have defender and captain Carles Puyol back from knee injury in time for the home match.
Roma: Go All Out in Attack
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A.S. Roma has one of the toughest challenges for advancement of all the 16 teams remaining. It's inexcusable 3-2 home loss to Shakhtar Donetsk has left manager Claudio Ranieri and his club on respective shaky grounds. Ranieri resigned and Roma hopes to avoid doing so in UEFA play.
To advance cleanly, Roma must essentially win 2-0 or better. Three Shakhtar away goals is a tough tally to overcome if the sides are to draw on total goals.
In order to do so, it will have to burst forward with a fervent attack. Adriano has returned to the team from arm injury, but it is uncertain whether he will be fit to play for the second leg.
Schakhtar Donetsk: Don't Let the Moment Be Too Big
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The stage is set up for either an epic Shakhtar Donetsk advance or an epic Shakhtar Donetsk collapse.
The Ukrainian side overcame a 1-0 deficit to finish 3-2 at A.S. Roma and set itself up for it's first trip to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. It's already in its first knockout stage.
It would take a grand crumble in the second leg to not achieve its once-lofty goal. Shakhtar will likely play a defensive match, looking for chances to push possession forward and create quality chances.
Can the surprise contender keep its cool under great pressure?
Kobenhavn: Hope For a Miracle
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After Chelsea's relative English Premier League struggles and exit from the FA Cup, it looked like the Blues might be a vulnerable side despite their immense talent.
But as it is, Kobenhavn is heading to Stamford Bridge already two goals to the wrong. There isn't much hope for the Danish side. Every time that the hosts seemed to be pushing their way into the match, Chelsea created separation in quality again.
Maybe if Nicolas Anelka was to go down with injury, Kobenhavn would have a chance. Of course, that would only leave Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres to do the scoring. Oh, and Frank Lampard, Ramires and Yuri Zhirkov. Don't forget Salomon Kalou and John Terry...
Sorry, Kobenhavn. Congratulations on making it this far.
Chelsea: Don't Get Lazy and Bored
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With a two goal advantage heading back to London, Chelsea only need to show up, play a boring, possession-oriented match and cruise into the quarterfinals.
Out-matched Kobenhavn will be forced to push forward incessantly. But Chelsea can stop the Danish side's chances by creating its own. The Blues have one of the world's most potent attacks. If they keep the ball in the attacking third, Kobenhavn can't get it into their own attacking third.
Things would get very nervy for Chelsea if Kobenhavn were to grab a surprise 1-0 lead. If Chelsea stays sharp for 90 minutes, it shouldn't happen.
Lyon: Kiss The Woodwork and Hope For More Of Its Magic
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Well done, Olympique Lyonnais, for notching a draw in the first leg against Real Madrid. Do you have another one in you?
Lyon looked doomed after former member of Les Gones, Karim Benzema, gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 65th minute just one minute after coming on as a sub. It was a goal that came after both Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos banged shots off the woodwork.
Lyon rode is fortune to a draw when Bafetimbi Gomis put home the volley on a set piece in the 83rd minute.
Lyon know heads to Madrid with a task at hand. Drawing 0-0 won't cut it. It must win or draw with goals.
Real Madrid: Break The Pattern
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Believe it or not, Lyon is one of Real Madrid's toughest historical opponent. The Gones have met the Blancos seven times and never lost. Real Madrid must break that record for a simple advance.
If Lyon gets on the board once, Real Madrid must do so twice to avoid a penalty shootout. A scoreless draw would also suffice.
But a win is what would truly satisfy the Real Madrid faithful. Matching up with a team eight times and never getting a victory is unheard of for the Spanish power. If a draw leads to Madrid advancing to the quarterfinals, they will take it.
Marseille: Find an Answer For Nani
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It was anticipated that Manchester United would flow its attack through Nani against Marseille fullback Gabriel Heinze. It was working, but the Red Devils were never able to capitalize with a finish.
Nani beat Heinze easily with his world class pace but Marseille survived his penetrating runs for 90 minutes. It may not be fortunate enough to do so for 180 minutes.
When the two sides meet for their second leg, Les Phoceens had better have a better defense strategized. As the first leg progressed, Marseille noticeably recalled its effective attack to counter Nani's persistent nuisances.
And while Marseille figures out how to slow Nani, it needs to also keep back-to-form Wayne Rooney in check. It's an unenviable task.
Manchester United: Keep Doing What Your Doing With Your Eyes Up
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Nani's influence on the first leg was constant. But as good as the Portuguese winger was, he missed Manchester United's best scoring opportunity while staring at the ball. He burst forward with a defender on him, a defender on a teammate and a streaking Wayne Rooney just outside of the box wide left.
Nani, however, never saw Rooney, who would have had a clear look at goal with a soft lob from Nani.
There was nothing wrong with Man U's attacking idea's in Marseille. But when they return home, Manchester United needs to execute better. It created chances in the first leg but left plenty more on the pitch.
Internazionale: Cash in on Chances
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The rematch of 2010's final was set to be exciting, and the first leg provided drama.
It was already going to be a tough result for Inter Milan, the home side, in the first leg with a 0-0 draw on the horizon. They had played equally well as Bayern Munich—if not better—before Arjen Robben's shot on goal was spilled by Inter keeper Julio Cesar for Mario Gomez to poke into the net in the 90th minute. The last gasp goal took Inter from out of control to clearly out of control of the tie heading into the away leg.
Inter is by no means out of this tie. A 1-0 deficit is surmountable. But it will take a strong and improved effort. Andrea Ranocchia had a chance to put the Nerazzurri just two minutes in and failed. Samuel Eto'o and Esteban Cambiasso both had opportunities.
Inter needs to clean up its finishing to advance.
Bayern Munich: Ride Robben to The Quarterfinals
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Arjen Robben was the most impressive player on either side in the first leg of the round of 16 tie between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich. He's made a habit of that.
The irrepressible winger darted forward time and again to baffle the Inter defense. It was finally a mishandled Robben shot that led to Bayern's late breakthrough.
Bayern has the luxury of not sitting back a bit more in the second leg with the 1-0 result. But it shouldn't—and won't—be so content. Let Robben loose in the second leg and it will mean a quarterfinals berth.
