Round of 8 in UEFA Champions League

               A few hours after the eight teams were picked for the Champions League we can see matches that will keep us on the edge of our seats.  We have lucked out so far this year with some of the tight fixtures whether it was AC Milan versus Barcelona or Arsenal verses Bayern Munich.  These two second legs of the round of 16 were intriguing.  Milan held a 2-0 lead in aggregate against Barcelona going into the second meeting at Camp Nou.  Lionel Messi showed the world why he is the best player in the sport today and possible of all time striking for two goals.  This was followed up by goals from David Villa and Jordi Alba that pushed Barcelona to the next round over Milan.
              Bayern Munich in the first leg traveled to London and beat Arsenal 3-1.  The return fixture took place in Munich at the Allianz Arena.  Arsene Wenger and the Gunners struck early in the game with an Olivier Giroud goal in the third minute.  The game went back and forth with Bayern not capitalizing on their chances.  In the eighty fifth minute Laurent Koscielny would make it 2-0 and Arsenal could see a little light at the end of the tunnel but time wouldnt be on their side.  Though the aggregate score read 3-3,  Bayern move on to the next round due to away goals.
            Taking a look at the fixtures picked today all the games look to be close.  La Liga team Malaga will tie up with the Bundesliga Champs Borussia Dortmund.  Malaga have yet to give up a home goal in the Champions League this year.  Dortmund on the other hand have their young guns Robert Lawandowski, Marco Reus, and Mario Gotze playing well.  Sure to be a high energy clash in both of their meetings.
             The next match places Real Madrid against Galatasaray.  Madrid loaded with talent from Cristiano Ronaldo to Mesut Ozil to one of the top goalies in the game Iker Casillas will try and slow down the high pressure offense of the Turkish squad Galatasaray.  With two great transfers Galatasaray score early and often.  Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder have been solid for their team but the goal scorer is Burak Yilmaz.  I expect alot of goals from these two teams.
             The third match consists of probably the top team in the world Barcelona verse French giants Paris Saint Germain.  You can't say enough about Barcelona,  raw talent in all eleven positions on the pitch.  Messi,  Iniesta, and Pique just to name a few will carry this squad.  On the other side you have PSG who made lots of moves in the off season including the signings of Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, and most recently acquired David Beckham who in his thirties still has juice in the tank to provide for his squad.  I expect another action filled high scoring game.
            The final fixture is near and dear to myself and my co blogger Victor.  The match between Bayern Munich and Juventus.  Juventus the Serie A champs with Pirlo and Gigi Buffon play solid defense,  and have a passing game that not many teams can duplicate.  They also have Marchisio and Matri up front and Chiellini and Bonucci in the back defending.  Juventus score early and then put up a defensive wall the takes the hopes away from their opponents.  Victor will have his black and white scarf on cheering them on.
            Juventus' opponents are my favorite team Bayern Munich lead by skipper Phillip Lahm and Goalie Manuel Neuer.  Bayern have set all kinds of records in the Bundesliga this year and have played solid in the Champions League as well.  Up front look for strikers Mario Mandzukic and Mario Gomez to score goals along with Thomas Muller a player who has been unstoppable.  The defense has new comer Dante and young Left Back David Alaba trying to cover their lines.  I can't wait to see Bayern's offense clash with Juve's defense.
             This years Champions League is getting interesting and we'll be following the action here at On The Pitch Soccer Blog right up to the last whistle in Wembley London for the Championship.
                                                                  -Written by Justin Zydor
           

The Rivalry

             When you think soccer rivalries,  what teams come to mind?  There are many rivalries in the world of soccer that range from club to international.  In the past, an international meeting between Argentina and Uruguay was as heated as they come.  Both teams fought tooth and nail for victory and would stop at no expense to get it.  Another international rivalry happens in my country when the United States take on Mexico.  When these two teams step on the pitch you never know what can happen.  There could be good soccer played or the violent side of the sport can come out.  It always seems the clashes between the US and Mexico have important meaning whether its qualifying for the World Cup or just a "friendly fixture".

             In club soccer there are many rivalries.  One of my favorites take place in Italy at the San Siro.  The Milan derby is a great rivalry that pins Inter verse Milan.  The red and black verse the blue and black.  Both of these teams play in the same stadium and the fans are from the same backyards.  Some of the greatest players in the world have been involved making this pairing of  rivals historic.  This rivalry is for bragging rights whether the two teams are at the top or the bottom of the standings in the Serie A.

            Another more recent rivalry pins the "Bavarian Giants" Bayern Munchen against the defending champions Borussia Dortmund.  Bayern have always been the most decorated team in Germany but with the impact of the group in Dortmund a rivalry has been born.  Whether its a Bundesliga game, German Cup game, or any other game these two table toppers in the Bundesliga put on a show not duplicated by many.

            The next rivalry we will speak of is Manchester City and Manchester United.  Arguably the most competitive league in the world the English Premier League have talent from top to bottom.  Among the top of the table are the two Manchester teams.  The Red Devils of United have been the elite for years.  Sir Alex Ferguson and the boys make the UEFA Champions League every year by finishing in the top 4 of the EPL(English Premier League).  In present day the two top names are Rooney and Van Persie.  For the "Light Blues" or Manchester City, it wasn't as easy to reach the top.  For years City lived in the shadow of "ManU".  With the birth of wealth and great transfers the City side of Manchester climbed the tables to the top.  Last year they capitalized on a Premier League Title by triumphing over Manchester United.

          The Final Rivalry may be the top rivalry in the world better known as "El Clasico".  In Spain's La Liga there are two teams to talk about and they are Real Madrid and Barcelona.  The storied rivalry known throughout the world is like watching a piece of artwork come to life.  The white kits of Madrid and Barca's blue and red mesh like paint to a canvas to tell the story of the match.  As if the rivalry wasn't strong enough,  these two teams also have two of the top players in soccer today.  Lionel Messi an Argentine that was taught the soccer trade in Barcelona like most of their talent and Cristiano Ronaldo a Portuguese winger with athletic attributes like no other.  Both venues also setup a great atmosphere.  In Barcelona there is the Camp Nou and in Madrid they have the Santiago Bernabeu.  

         I think the rivalry is the gem in all sports.  Two teams that just don't get along and the fiery chants of their fans can create echoes in stadiums heard round the world.  These rivalries could be from multiple clashes between two teams or a local foe like a derby between two neighboring teams.  I hope we can see more rivalries made in soccer to further enhance the competitive drive.