A rematch between Lyon and Madrid; Bayern and Inter
This year, Champions League’s first knockout round will stage a rematch, between last season’s finalist Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. The two sides have been drawn to play against each other in the round of 16, in this year’s tournament. Real Madrid, on
the other hand, will be hoping to overcome Lyon, who knocked the Spanish giants out of the Champions League at this very stage, last year.
Madrid spent millions of dollars last season, to buy world class players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xabi Alonso; but failed to go past the round of 16 for the sixth consecutive time. This season they have brought in ‘the special one’ Jose
Mourinho, to manage the side to champions league glory. The move has worked so far, and the only blemish in Mourinho’s reign at Madrid is the 5-0 humiliation at the hands of rivals Barcelona. Barca will play against the English side Arsenal in the knockout
round.
Madrid’s sporting director Miguel Pardeza has said, “We still have last year's tie fresh in our minds and I hope this year we are the team to go through.
The team is ready and we are now more familiar with Lyon."
Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas stated, “It's hard to pick a favorite. Madrid are better than last year and it makes for an interesting match. It will be intense and hard for them."
Madrid’s current manager Mourniho, took the Italian side Inter to Champions League victory last season; by beating Munich in the final 2-0. The two sides will go head to head again this year but under very different circumstances compared to last season.
On the match, Inter President Massimo Moratti said, "We have faced Bayern many times and it is an historic showdown but it's early days to make a judgment. We will have to wait and see in which conditions physically and psychologically both teams arrive
to the games.''
The Italian side has had a season to forget so far, under new manager Rafa Benitez. They currently lie 7th in the Serie A, with just 6 wins in 15 league games. Benitez will be under immense pressure to repeat Mourinho’s heroics but only time will
tell if the Spaniard succeeds.
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