After two months hiatus, the crème-de-la-crème of European club football competition is back. With bated breath, fans are waiting to see the clubs that will surmount the hurdles of the Round of 16 to progress to the quarter finals in the ever engaging football drama.
Like in past seasons, the parings have been both favourable and heartbreaking for some clubs depending on the side of the fence one is sitting. For instance, Arsenal drew Bayern Munich in this round and I could imagine Arsene Wenger whispering to himself ‘oh not again’ with flashes of misadventures against the German giants flowing past his eyes!
There had been quite a few surprises up-to this stage. A very significant one was the almost sweat less qualification of new comers, Leicester FC as Group G leaders. They managed to get one more point than FC Porto (a past winner) to top the group and book an encounter against Europa League perennial champions, Sevilla.
Secondly, Borussia Dortmund’s masterful performance to deny 10 times champions Real Madrid the top position in Group F. They fought gallantly at the Bernabeu to earn a point late into the game to stay op of the group. Not a few people had thought that with the exit of Jurgen Klopps, Dortmund may no longer be able to compete at the highest levels of European and domestic football. But they proved otherwise and sometimes during the tournament; they played like they were on a mission and surprised many in the act.
Now the Round of 16 is here and European football punditry will be at its best to unravel the mysteries of who goes on and who gets out. I can’t wait to see who gets what right or wrong…that’s the joy of the game and we will be treated to some exciting times. You can take that to the bank!
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