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Half of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 matches have already been played. Last week, the Europa League presented many unexpected results, which creates an opportunity for speculation on how one or the other favorite will perform in the return match. 2013.02.16, Saturday Italy's "Serie A" 9:45 PM "Roma" (9th place) - Turin "Juventus" (1st place) Results of the last five league matches: "Roma" - 2 draws and 3 losses; "Juventus" - 3 wins and 2 draws. Although the teams are separated by as many as 19 points in the standings, and the results of their recent matches are as different as black and white, in this duel, eternal rivals face each other. It's not a derby, but in the matches between these teams there is never a shortage of emotions and intrigue. "Roma" is currently in a somewhat unexpected 9th place in "Serie A" and points are needed to represent Italy in the Europa League at least next season. Nothing is lost yet, but in order to rise higher in the standings than their competitors, victories are needed, and their club has not won in 6 rounds. The team last celebrated a victory on December 22 last year with a 4-2 win against "Milan". "Juventus" leads "Serie A" and will seek to win another Italian champions title, but "Napoli" is trying with all their might to thwart this goal and, of course, hopes that the Turin club will lose 2, or even all 3 points in Rome. The favorite of the duel is the "old lady", but "Roma" could surprise in this round. UEFA Champions League, round of 16 2013.02.19, Tuesday, 9:45 PM London "Arsenal" - Munich "Bayern" London "Arsenal" faces a very serious challenge - the Bundesliga leader Munich "Bayern". Watching how both teams play this season, it is difficult to predict who will win the first match in London. "Arsenal" can and knows how to play excellently, but can also fail to perform. The favorite of the duel is undoubtedly the Bavarian club, but "Arsenal" has nothing to lose. No one will blame the team too much if they exit the Champions League, having lost to "Bayern", who this season have no rivals in the Bundesliga and seriously aim for the Champions League trophy. Both teams have fast and technical players in their lineups who like to attack and score goals, so these will be matches that will surely appeal to fans at the Emirates Stadium and viewers in front of their television screens. 2013.02.20, Wednesday, 9:45 PM "Milan" - "Barcelona" Like last week, this week, the UEFA Champions League offers football fans an exceptional showdown of European football giants between "Milan" and "Barcelona". "Milan" will seek to improve their results by acquiring the eccentric Mario Balotelli, who has already stood out in the Serie A matches. Former Manchester City striker, along with this season's discovery Stephan El Shaarawy, are already dubbed the future of the Italy national team in the media. Playing on the same team will only have a positive impact if these speculations come true. There is no need to speak much about "Barcelona". The team breaks records that have lasted for many years one after the other and has 2 of the top 3 best footballers in the world among them - Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta. Football fans are waiting for another football spectacle, with the opportunity to watch the best of the best. UEFA Europa League, round of 16 2013.02.21, Thursday, 10:05 PM "Liverpool" - St. Petersburg "Zenit" Last week, "Liverpool" received a painful blow in St. Petersburg when they conceded 2 goals at the end of the match and lost to "Zenit" 0:2. The match was very evenly matched, both teams had opportunities to score, but the first goal was scored by Brazilian Hulk, who beat Pepe Reina with a powerful shot into the far corner of the goal. And after 3 minutes, the crossed ball was 'closed' by Sergei Semak. The season for "Liverpool", one could say, hangs by a thread, as the team has long ceased to fight for the top positions in the English Premier League, and if they drop out of the Europa League, the season would be "lost". It will be interesting to see how "Zenit" will cope with the strong support of the "Liverpool" fans and the tension that will be caused by the possibility of advancing to the next stage. "Lyon Olympique" - London "Tottenham Hotspur" The first meeting between the teams ended with a victory for London's "Tottenham Hotspur" 2:1 and in this pair, there are probably more questions than answers. Will the home win fought by the English be enough? Perhaps crucial will be Samuel Umtiti's goal scored by the visitors and "Olympique" will advance to the next stage thanks to the goal scored away? maybe Gareth Bale will demonstrate one more fantastic performance and lead the team to the Europa League quarterfinals? Answers to these and other questions will come next Thursday.
