[GreatBriton]

Times Online December 16, 2005

English duo to face Spanish giants
By Howard Swains, Times Online



The draw for the last 16 of the European Cup in Nyon this morning threw up its usual range of mouthwatering match-ups, none more so than the first two ties decided: Chelsea versus Barcelona and Real Madrid against Arsenal. The champions and runners-up in the English Premiership will each play the corresponding teams in the Spanish league.

Barcelona, featuring the peerless talents of Ronaldinho, were beaten by Chelsea at the same stage in last year's competition in a tie that was overshadowed by an ugly war of words between the teams' managers. Jose Mourinho was forced to serve a two-match ban after he accused Frank Rijkaard of meeting with Anders Frisk, the referee, in the official's dressing room at half-time of the first leg at the Nou Camp.

The first match of this year's two-legged tie will be played at Stamford Bridge, with Barcelona hosting the return leg two weeks later.

Arsenal, who topped group A, have been handed a tie against Real Madrid, arguably the toughest runners-up in the draw. Madrid, whose poor start to the season resulted in the sacking of Wanderley Luxemburgo, the coach, finished second to Lyons in group F. Madrid trail Barcelona by six points in La Liga, but remain formidable opponents in Europe's premier cup competition and feature David Beckham, Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane in their ranks.

Liverpool, the holders, will play Benfica in a tie that is likely to have pleased supporters of the Anfield club. The Portuguese side snuffed out Manchester United's challenge with a 2-1 victory in the final group game between the teams, but the European champions will be confident of progressing to the quarter-final stage.

Rangers, the Scottish champions whose qualification from group H earned a stay of execution for Alex McLeish, their manager, have also been given the best possible chance of further progression. They have been drawn to face Villarreal, who finished third in the Spanish league last year, dodging potential match-ups with Barcelona or Juventus.

Meanwhile AC Milan have been drawn to face Bayern Munich in another attractive tie for the neutral.



Draw in full

CHELSEA v Barcelona
Real Madrid v ARSENAL
Werder Bremen v Juventus
Bayern Munich v AC Milan
PSV Eindhoven v Lyons
Ajax v Inter Milan
Benfica v LIVERPOOL
RANGERS v Villarreal

First-legs will be played February 21-22; second legs on March 7-8



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