( 20 December 2008 )
English Premiership football News
European draws
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been handed a return to Spain to face his former club Real Madrid in the draw in Nyon.
Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri will make an emotional return to Stamford Bridge after Juventus were paired with last season's losers.
Arsenal, like Chelsea, has been happy to have avoided Barcelona and AS Roma will take.
The ties will be played on February 24/25 and 10/11 March of the Champions League knock-out phase begins.
Former manager Mourinho Chelsea made it clear he wanted to draw the English club and he asked a mouth-watering clash with United, with the first step to be played at San Siro.
The link will revive memories of Mourinho's famous dash to the key at Old Trafford in March 2004, when Francisco Costinha last minute equalizer sent United crashing on the Champions League and Porto and has seen through for a possible victory in the final.
"It is interesting to face Jose again," said Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
"It is a character with a good personality and I have always been on well with him.
"It is Pregnancy us out of the competition with Porto, so I hope we are fortunate in that they link this time."
Mourinho was keen to talk about his opponents, who are currently playing in Japan for the FIFA Club World.
"I am satisfied, I wanted the best and I had the European champions who may be in two days will be world champions," said Mourinho.
"This is a team with the current Ballon d'Or winner (Cristiano Ronaldo), a great coach Alex Ferguson and in a stadium with a fantastic atmosphere.
"He will return to Manchester unforgettable. Some say that I have a good record against Alex Ferguson, but the case is not about me, it is Chelsea."
Former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos will be back in England with Real Madrid as they take on Liverpool in the second stage to be played at Anfield.
And Steve McManaman, who played for both sides - Champions League win medals with Real Madrid in 2000 and 2002 - is convinced that all parties English progress to the last eight.
"I think English clubs will go through that I think it (the Premier League) the league is still strong," McManaman told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"If a club is likely to affect the English in the later rounds likely will be in Barcelona.
"The tie will be a test for Rafa Benitez going back to Spain as it is a boy from Madrid to heart. Real are currently decimated by injuries, but another research team in February.
"But I think Liverpool are favorites, especially with the second stage at Anfield."
The guide is a repeat of the 1981 final in Paris, which the English side won 1-0, and Liverpool club secretary Bryce Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We have not played since Real Madrid in Paris to competition.
"I think the current situation is perhaps strongest teams around Madrid, but are probably not satisfied with the situation they find themselves, and they will turn around.
"You can not achieve greater equality and that the fans will enjoy it."
Ramos added: "I know perfectly well that Liverpool. I know how difficult they are and the difficulties they will present us, but I think it will be a link.
"They are a team with many qualities, a team in the image of their coach: hard, with good players in attack, defense, with the aim ... they are removing a full team.
"Real Madrid do not have to fear anyone. We know they are a difficult opponent but we'll have as much chance of winning like them."
Arsenal and Chelsea, both face the possibility of playing favorites in Barcelona, but not in the form Liga leaders.
Arsène Wenger's side will be the first step at home as they play AS Roma, while Chelsea will welcome back former boss Ranieri their clash against Juventus.
"Of course we have a great chance to win the competition, like any team at this level," said Wenger.
"But now the Champions League is another competition, like a cup competition. If you miss five minutes from the 180, you're on the go."
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said: "It did very well. There is no point in talking now, we must simply show what we are doing and how we are prepared to make sacrifices.
"For Arsenal, I wish to congratulate them on their system. They have great young players on their way to becoming major players who are being chased by all the major clubs in Europe."
Ranieri is a popular figure at Stamford Bridge before being replaced by Mourinho in 2004, despite guiding them to the Champions League semi-final where they lost to Monaco.
"The Anglo-Italian triple challenge is fascinating," said Ranieri. "And from our point of view, we will try to keep Chelsea on top of the world where (owner Roman) Abramovich wants to lead.
"Chelsea are focused on winning the Champions League for Abramovich would be a disaster not to win.
"This is a great challenge. I would not say I'm happy but it will be an exciting match, we must be on top of our game. "
Italy added: "You can not forget the four years at a club. I do not think Chelsea or forget."
The confrontation, meanwhile, calls for Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins, who believes that Juventus will present a stiff challenge as the Roma, who played the blues in the group stages.
"Roma are a big test for us but I think Juventus are a better team, they are higher than Roma in the table," said Wilkins.
"Juventus will be well organized, they have some good players, no more than Alessandro Del Piero who seems to have been REBORN this year.
"Pavel Nedved is still at 36 and it can hurt you.
"They are quite play in a small stage, but the atmosphere is fantastic and I am looking forward to it."
And with a tie with leaders of the Spanish league Barcelona, Lyon sporting director Bernard Lacombe admitted: "I am very worried.
"Lyon could not have found a worse opponent. Barca have the best players in Europe in his team.
"It is mission impossible, the equivalent of you asking me to jump over the crossbar with both feet bound."
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW
Chelsea v Juventus
Villarreal v Panathinaikos
Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid v FC Porto
Lyon v Barcelona
Real Madrid v Liverpool
Arsenal v Roma
Inter Milan v Manchester United
by bbcnews.
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