FC Barcelona v Arsenal (first leg Arsenal 2 Barcelona 1)
The two coaches that are masterminding the most engrossing of all the Champions league last-16 ties are each suffering from back trouble. But while Pep Guardiola is afflicted by the physical pain of a slipped disk, Arsene Wenger is tortured by the mental strain of trying to cure his defensive ills.
Lorient Koscielny had a fine game in the first leg against Barcelona and Messi at the Emirates but his and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s gaffe in the Carling Cup final against Birmingham over a week ago was a jarring reminder of Arsenal’s soft centre.
The absence through injury of Alex Song also deprives them of any screener in front of their defence. An early Barca goal could see a repeat of the humbling Arsenal received in Catalonia a year ago.
However, they hold a slender lead and with it a belief that they can mix it with the supposed best side on the planet. This could be a watershed moment for them. Sack the Catalan castle and what fear should any other European battlefield hold for them? They will need luck, defensive discipline, fearless performances and at least one goal. Improbable but not impossible.
Probable teams -
Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Busquets, Abidal, Maxwell, Mascherano, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Villa, Pedro.
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscienly, Djourou, Clichy, Diaby, Wilshere, Fabregas, Eboue, Nasri, Van Persie.
Match Odds: Barcelona: 1/3 Draw: 11/2 Arsenal 8/1
Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma (First leg: Roma 2 Shakhtar 3)
While the eyes of Europe were fixed on Arsenal and Barcelona two weeks ago, a wonderfully bizarre game was taking place in Rome where Ukrainian powerhouses Shakhtar Donetsk stunned the eternal city by plundering three goals and with it a decisive advantage in the tie. Claudio Ranieiri, the original tinkerman has since left Roma and has been replaced by Vincenzo Montella.
The 36-year-old has no previous coaching experience but has steadied the ship with two wins from three games played. In his search for goals tonight he welcomes back Francesco Totti from a domestic suspension but loses Jérémy Menez to a European one.
Should Shakhtar take the lead tonight then that should end any Italian hopes of progressing. Roma face Lazio on Sunday in a derby that defines a season for both clubs. Minds may switch to that if they concede or do not score in the opening half.
This is a culmination of years of hard work for Donetsk. They have emerged from the shadow of Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine and a quarter-final place in the Champions League would emphatically re-establish that.
Probable teams -
Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov, Srna, Chygrynskiy, Rakitskiy, Rat, Hubschman, Stepanenko, Costa, Jadson, Willian, Adriano
Roma: Doni, Burdisso, Juan, Mexes, Riise, Pizarro, De Rossi, Perrotta, Totti, Borriello, Vucinic
Match Odds: Shakhtar: 10/11 Draw: 13/5 Roma: 14/5
