UEFA Champions League 2009/10 Drawing

The draw for the Round of 16 of UEFA Champions League 2009/10 was carried out in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday, 18th December 2009.

This draw resulted in some intriguing battles, especially between Italian and English clubs.

The most interesting part of this draw, in my opinion, is the return of The Special One, Jose Mourinho, to Stamford Bridge, to face his former club, Chelsea. Yes, Chelsea vs Inter is the clash of the round. It is worth waiting to see how Carlo Ancelotti, who used to be Inter's arch rival's coach, will prepare The Blues to face the Nerazzurri.

Another Italian vs English battle is between AC Milan, 7 times European champion, against the 2008 winner and last year's runner-up, Manchester United. The Red Devils surely wants revenge for the defeat they suffered from in 2007, right on Milan's path to the eventual final and winner that season. There is also a possibility that United's legend, David Beckham will face his boyhood club, in a red-and-black shirt of Rossonerri.

FC Porto have to face another English club. This time, it's Arsenal. Whereas Fiorentina have a tough opponent in form of Bayern Munchen, who destroyed Juventus 4-1 in Turin back in December. French giant, Olympique Lyon will face a stern test, having European giant, Real Madrid as their opponent, while on the other hand, another French giant have a relatively easier draw, for having Olympiacos to fight against. Another draw is between the Sevilla against CSKA Moscow, a quite even battle.

The last is the defending champion, Barcelona, will take on German team, VfB Stuttgart, on their way to another final this year. Barcelona would gladly reach the final once again, since this year's final will be held in Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid's homeground.

For the first time this year, the fixtures in the last 16 will be held over four weeks with half the ties on 16/17 February and 9/10 March, and the others on 23/24 February and 16/17 March. On Friday, 19th March 2010, 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 2010.

2009/10 UEFA Champions League first knockout round draw

Team named first at home in first leg

AC Milan (ITA) vs Manchester United (ENG): 16 February/10 March

Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) vs Real Madrid CF (ESP): 16 February/10 March

FC Bayern Munchen (GER) vs ACF Fiorentina (ITA): 17 February/9 March

FC Porto (POR) vs Arsenal FC (ENG): 17 February/9 March

Olympiacos FC (GRE) vs FC Girondins de Bordeaux (FRA): 23 February/17 March

VfB Stuttgart (GER) vs FC Barcelona (ESP): 23 February/17 March

FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) vs Chelsea FC (ENG): 24 February/16 March

PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS) vs Sevilla FC (ESP): 24 February/16 March