If you were anywhere as excited as I was in eager anticipation of the UEFA Champions League last 16 knockout round draw on Monday night, then you must agree that we could not have asked for a better outcome in terms of key match-ups.
Yes, it is definitely going to be a feast of football when the four best teams in Europe serve up four great games of football.
The slickest and most fluid of football styles in various tactics and strategies displayed by the best players in Europe. Simply the best in every aspect, and we certainly won't have to worry about the proverbial "parked buses" being involved in any way.
I simply cannot wait for Manchester City to play Barcelona over two legs. Is it going to be the end of an era or will Tata Martino begin a new chapter with a more dynamic Barca?
Has the City finally rediscovered the hunger and desire that made them the best in England only two seasons ago?
And then we have The Arsenal going up against the juggernaut that is Bayern Munich, now under the “Pep-py” nous of Guardiola?
Why the hell did this line-up come up in the Round of 16 of the Champions League is anybody's guess, when rightfully, these four teams are worthy of meeting in the semi-finals.
Can the other ties even come close to these two? No way Jose!
Speaking of whom, the now Boring One has only Galatasaray of Turkey to contend with and the obvious cuddles and winks for old boys Didier Drogba (from Chelsea) and Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan).
I dare say the Drog could very likely serve up two stinkers in this knockout round, in anticipation of a return to Stamford Bridge next season.
Maybe, just maybe, the AC Milan versus Atletico Madrid tie could bring some excitement but expect Diego Simeone to strangle the Milan attack and nick a place in the quarters.
The celebrations have not stopped at Old Trafford since Monday night’s draw. However, even as Olympiakos may feel confident after what has been displayed by the Red Devils this season, over the two-leg tie, there can only be one winner!
We can also be assured that Borussia Dortmund will be the one German team guaranteed to survive the Round of 16 as Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke 04 are simply not good enough to trouble Paris St Germain and Real Madrid, respectively.
The hope of Zenit St Petersburg building up a big lead in the first leg to go through despite facing the Yellow Wall in the return is but only that, hope.
Coming back to the "semi-finals", err, I mean the two gigantic clashes, I have got to pick Bayern over Arsenal and a shock win for Manchester City over Barcelona.
It is a long way away from the 18th of February though, and anything can happen in football... not! I am sticking with my picks! – December 19, 2013.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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