Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) vs FC Girondins de Bordeaux (FRA)

FC Bayern Munchen (GER) vs Manchester United FC (ENG)

Arsenal FC (ENG) vs FC Barcelone (SPA)

FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) vs PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)

Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) vs. FC Girondins de Bordeaux (FRA)

Overview:  It took the French 6 years to see two of their football clubs in the last 8 in the Champions League but unfortunately these two will face each other in the Quarter Finals. Bordeaux were able to defeat the Greek side, Olympiakos, in the second round and currently they are topping the French Ligue 1. On the other side, this year has not been the best year for Lyon in the Ligue 1, where they are underperforming in the 6^th position in the League. But Lyon showed a strong pace and stamina and sent a very aggressive message to all other clubs when they defeated the Galacticos in the second round of the Champions League. The French have the chance to prove that their game still belongs to the elite whereby their national team is failing to do that.

Reactions:  Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud on Eurosport:

 ”We were chatting with (Olympique Lyon president) Jean-Michel (Aulas) before the draw and agreed we did not want to face each other.”Our advantage is that we will play at home for the return leg. Their advantage will be that they have much more experience than us at this level.”

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas told Eurosport:

“It will be a peculiar tie, but it will mean there will be a French side in the last four for the first time since Monaco (2004).”

Prediction: It will be a tight game between the two French sides although Bordeaux remains to be the unbeaten team in the competition and Lyon 2010 is different than Lyon prior 2009 with Juninho and Benzema leaving the club, experience and team spirit are very strong combination for success in European competitions. I predict the same pattern with Real Madrid, with a narrow win at home and a draw away, Lyon will be able to progress.

(1^st Leg: 2-1, 2^nd Leg: 1-1)

FC Bayern Munchen (GER) vs Manchester United FC (ENG)

Overview:  Again the two friends will meet. Last time, the Red devils were able to steal the Champions League title from underneath the Bavarians. Some might say that Manchester United were lucky to get Bayern and to avoid bigger teams, and despite of the controversial qualification against Fiorentina,  Bayern are proving this year that they can compete and reach very long distance in the race with two heavy machine guns, Ribery and Robben. These two and especially Robben have carried Bayern back to the competition of the Bundesliga. On the other side, Manchester United and their Golden MAN, Rooney, are enjoying another successful seasons. With the Red Devils topping the Premier League and defeating AC Milan 7-2 on aggregate in the Quarter Finals, they won’t agree to stop here. Yet, its another Big clash and sure will be another memorable game.

Solsjaer celebrating late winner in 1999 final

Reactions:  Bayern general director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told his club website (www.fcbayern.de).

“This is a very difficult but also attractive draw. “Manchester United are a team that are up there at the very top. We will have to reach our limits and even exceed them if we want to progress. Manchester are the favourites and that is where it is attractive. That we can trip up the favourite.”

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas told Eurosport: “It will be a peculiar tie, but it will mean there will be a French side in the last four for the first time since Monaco (2004).”

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson told the website (www.manutd.com):

“The history of playing Bayern in past European ties tells you it’s going to be a very difficult tie for us.

“It’ll be a fantastic atmosphere in both games. They have a great stadium and a good pitch and we’re up against a good experienced team.

Prediction: Combining the two reactions of Rummenigge and Sir Alex Ferguson, this game will obviously be attractively difficult for both sides. Difficulty will be in the strong defense of both sides although the German side looks more vulnerable and attractiveness will be in the attacking style of both sides with the German side more dangerous in this part. Demichellis and Vidic versus Rooney and Robben, my prediction will be a draw and Manchester will be victorious by Penalties.

(1^st Leg: 1-1, 2^nd Leg: 1-1)

Arsenal FC (ENG) vs. FC Barcelone (SPA)

Overview:  Are Barcelona really insuperable? Is Lionel Messi really non-stoppable?  The answer to both questions is that Arsenal and their Magical, Wenger, are unpredictable. It’s really sad for football fans to see two of the best amusing teams clashing in the quarter finals; it’s very soon for this. There is no much difference between Barcelona 2010 and Barcelona 2009 except that Lionel Messi is getting more insanely amazing each day. He is not creating and scoring goals, rather he is doing that in a very creative way making the game looks so easy between his legs. On the other side, Arsene Wenger’s side has really surprised critics and football fans. At the time when Arsenal where not predicted to compete for the Premier League, they astonishingly grabbed the necks of both Chelsea and Manchester United turning the 2 horse race into a three horse race. Both sides easily qualified to the Quarter finals beating relatively easy sides with Barcelona beating Stuttgart and Arsenal beating Porto.

The Mastermind

Reactions:  Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told the club website (www.arsenal.com):

“I believe we will not be favourites but, for me, it will be a 50-50 game, that’s how we have to take it.

“It will be an interesting, exciting game. We have to make sure we have the belief and focus right.”

Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain told the club website (www.fcbarcelona.cat):

“This will be the most spectacular of all the quarter-finals in terms of football. These are two teams that play open football and the match will be a duel to keep hold of the ball.”

Prediction: Will the defensive Gunners be able to stop the Attacking Catalans? Will Arsene Wenger be able to drop his magical spell to stop the young wizard, Messi? It will be hard to tell but Wenger was so realistic by stating that this is difficult for them but it’s a 50-50 game, but also what is definitive is that the coin toss won’t be decided by luck, but rather by manager’s mind games and players’ creativity. I believe Arsene can prove that his mind games are much smarter than that of Pep.

(1^st Leg: 2-0, 2^nd Leg: 1-2)

FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) vs PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)

Overview:  Inter might be considered to be the most lucky team in this draw although the “Special One” would prefer meeting a BIG one where he can master them tactically. While CSKA Moscow will be away of pressure and stress, Inter are under-pressure which was caused by their recent bad run in the league which led their city rivals to get close and threaten their crown. It might be true that Inter beat a very strong team in the second team which is Chelsea, but the team beaten by CSKA Moscow was not a very easy bite as well, Sevilla is considered one of the most advanced football clubs in Spain.               

Reactions:  Inter ambassador and former player Luis Figo told Sky:

“You cannot pick and choose at this stage, but logically it’s better if you manage to avoid sides like Barcelona and Manchester United.”

Prediction: Mourinho is anticipating the chance to win the second Champions League title in his career and CSKA Moscow won’t be the right team to stop his dreams. Inter will easily proceed

(1^st Leg: 2-0, 2^nd Leg: 0-1)