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Champions League Set for Knockout Stage

Four English Teams Advance, Pairings To Be Decided December 19th

Dec 12, 2008 Kevin D. Koeninger

The Champions League group stage concluded this week, with all four English clubs advancing to the round of sixteen. Pairings will be drawn next week in Switzerland.

The winter break of the UEFA Champions League is upon us, as sixteen teams have advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament. Several storylines are already developing, even though the draw for pairings is not until December 19th.

English Clubs Show Impressive Form

As if the world needed any more reminders that England has become the premier home of club football, all four squads from the Premier League have advanced to the round of sixteen. Liverpool and Manchester United advance as the winners of groups D and E, respectively, while Chelsea and Arsenal were forced to settle for second place after group play.

As per the rules of the Champions League, no teams from the same country can be drawn to face each other in the first knockout round, and given the strong form of each club, it is quite possible that half of the quarterfinal stage would be comprised of teams from England.

Group Runners-Up Will Provide Stern Test

Finishing first in the group stage generally allows for an easier road the finals; however, this year's competition provides no such luxury for the group winners. With the likes of Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Arsenal advancing as runners-up, group winners will face a much more intense first round match up than they may have anticipated.

However, the group winners do have a definite advantage in regards to the site of the matches. Each contest will feature two matches, one at each team's home venue, with the aggregate score determining the winner. The group winners play the second of these matches at home, giving their side a distinct advantage.

Luck of the Draw

Speculation about the draw for the knockout stage of the Champions League can provide interesting food for thought, and several possible matchups are very intriguing. Barcelona and Chelsea could square off in a match up of club football titans; a match that would be especially interesting given that Barcelona are the last side to defeat Chelsea at home in the Champions League.

There are no easy draws, however, as every team in the knockout stage has made it this far for a reason. Each and every contest will have its own storyline and talking points, which is precisely why the Champions League is the premier competition in club football.

Regardless, the draw is to be held at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland in the coming week, and its results will set the stage for what is sure be another thrilling conclusion to the annual Champions League. The knockout stage will begin in February of 2009.

The copyright of the article Champions League Set for Knockout Stage in Soccer is owned by Kevin D. Koeninger. Permission to republish Champions League Set for Knockout Stage in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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