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The draw for the first knock-out round of the UEFA Champions League threw up some tantalizing match-ups as expected with reigning champions Barcelona earning what promises to be a tough clash with Bayer Leverkusen, London's footballing aristocrats Arsenal running into the might of AC Milan and the pride of West London Chelsea facing an exciting contest with another Italian side Napoli. The two teams who were easily the most surprising names in the draw, APOEL Nicosia and FC Basel, face contrasting opposition. While the Cypriot side might fancy their chances of pulling off an upset against French powerhouse Lyon, Basel face an uphill task against 4-times champions and German giants Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid will be strong favourites to continue their 100% record in the competition thus far this season as they take on Russian CSKA Moscow. The other Russian side in the competition, Zenith St. Petersburg will feel a lot better about their draw with Portuguese side Benfica standing between them and a place in the last eight. And finally, 2010 Champions Inter Milan take on the other French side still alive in the competition, Marseille.

Arsenal faced off against the Rossoneri at the same stage back in 2007/08, when they prevailed 2-0 on aggregate following a famous win at the San Siro. Arsenal have the advantage of playing the 2nd leg at home against the seven-time winners, who currently sit in 3rd place in Serie A. Chelsea can also look forward to the comforts of their home for the 2nd leg against first-timers Napoli, who made it through to the knockout round at the expense of Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Speaking to Arsenal.com about the draw, Arsene Wenger said, "It is a difficult draw but an exciting one. And they could say exactly the same thing I suppose. It is a 50:50. So let’s make sure we continue to improve until February. Then we can take our chance with full power and belief."

Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri was vary of the threat Arsenal pose to his team. And they should be, Milan have faltered against English opposition in three of the last four seasons. After the defeat to Arsenal in 2007-08, Manchester United thumped them 7-2 on aggregate in 2009-10, while Arsenal's North London neighbours, Tottenham, got the better of them at the San Siro last year.

Allegri shared, "Arsenal are strong and we have to be in our best form in that period hoping not to have many injured players as happened last season in the same round."

Young Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas felt that his team had got one of the most difficult draws available telling Chelsea TV, "Napoli is a club that represents the city and the city has great empathy with the club. It has a tremendous fan base and it is one of the most difficult and exciting games of the last 16, no doubt about it...They are fully motivated and they have a lot of talent coming through like [Marek] Hamsik and [Edinson] Cavani. They have a lot of talent throughout."

Defending champions Barcelona will be fairly confident of negotiating their way past the 2002 finalists Leverkusen, especially with the German's facing the daunting task of a return leg at the Nou Camp.The Catalans are rightly the favourites to recapture the crown this season and their stiffest competitor might be an all too familiar one. Jose Mourinho's revolution at Real Madrid might have taken a slight beating following the loss to Barcelona in El Clasico last week, but they are still a formidable outfit and should ease past CSKA without too much fuss.

Bayern are unsurprisingly the strongest of the two German outfits and despite Basel knocking out giants Manchester United at the group stage, Munich have more than enough in the locker to reach the quarters. Bastian Schweinsteiger should return to action before the 1st leg in February and if they manage to keep the likes of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery fit, Jupp Heynckes' side have a great chance of progressing far into the tournament.

UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Draw:
Lyon vs APOEL Nicosia
Napoli vs Chelsea
AC Milan vs Arsenal
Basel vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Barcelona
CSKA Moscow vs Real Madrid
Zenit St Petersburg vs Benfica
Marseille vs Inter Milan

Schedule

1st Legs

14 February 2012
Lyon vs APOEL
Bayer Leverkusen vs Barcelona

15 February 2012
AC Milan vs Arsenal
Zenit St. Petersburg vs Benfica

21 February 2012
Napoli vs Chelsea
CSKA Moscow vs Real Madrid

22 February 2012
FC Basel vs Bayern Munich
Marseille vs Inter Milan

2nd Legs

6 March 2012
Arsenal vs AC Milan
Benfica vs Zenit St. Petersburg

7 March 2012
APOEL vs Lyon
Barcelona vs Bayer Leverkusen

13 March 2012
Bayern München vs Basel
Inter Milan vs Marseille

14 March 2012
Chelsea vs Napoli
Real Madrid vs CSKA Moscow

File Photograph Copyright:·Ryu Voelkel

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