The Champions league Knock Out draw was made today Friday 18th, December in Nyon, Switzerland. The biggest games of the Champions League first round knock out stage is arguably AC Milan (ITA) v Manchester United FC (ENG) and FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v Chelsea FC (ENG).
Inter Milan coach José Mourinho will face old club Chelsea which looks like a game that will be extremely exciting with both teams on top of their domestic leagues. Ac Milan will face English titans Manchester United who they beat in the 2006/07 semi-finals on their way to winning the trophy.
Barcelona’s opponents are German side Stuttgart with the Spaniards looking favourite to go to the quarter finals. Barcelona are on there way to be the first club in the history of the Champions League to win two Champions League cups in a row. Real Madrid have been drawn with Karim Benzema’s former club Olympique Lyonnais. Real Madrid are looking forward to playing in the finals as it will be played at Real Madrid’s home ground the Santiago Bernabéu.
UEFA have organised a new playing fixture for the knock out stages of the Champions League as the games will be played over four weeks. Two first legs each will be played on 16 and 17 February, and the remaining opening encounters split between 23 and 24 February. The second legs will be on 9, 10, 16 and 17 March, with the exact schedule confirmed shortly. At 12.00CET on 19 March the draw for the remaining rounds will be held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, with the quarter-finals on 30/31 March and 6/7 April, the semis on 20/21 and 27/28 April and the final on Saturday 22 May.
2009/10 UEFA Champions League first knockout round draw
Team named first at home in first leg
VfB Stuttgart (GER) v FC Barcelona (ESP)
Olympiacos FC (GRE) v FC Girondins de Bordeaux (FRA)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v Chelsea FC (ENG)
FC Bayern München (GER) v ACF Fiorentina (ITA)
PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS) v Sevilla FC (ESP)
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) v Real Madrid CF (ESP)
FC Porto (POR) v Arsenal FC (ENG)
AC Milan (ITA) v Manchester United FC (ENG)
