Juventus: La Vecchia Signora

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ATLETICO FACE JUVE

Juventus will have to face Spanish opposition for the second time this season after being paired up against Atletico Madrid in the Last 16 of the UEFA Champions’ League.

The Serie A holders cruised past Barcelona, AS Monaco and Sporting Lisbon to top Group B meanwhile Atletico finished second in Group G, nine points behind Manchester United

Atletico Madrid – Juventus

Despite being second in Serie A behind Napoli, Juve has been in sizzling form of late whereas Atletico are also flying high in second place ahead of rivals Real Madrid.

One of the ties of the round comes at the Westfalenstadion as the Champions’ League draw reproduces last season’s meeting between Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.

Borussia Dortmund – Manchester City

Dortmund sneaked through level on points with Real Madrid and one point ahead of Paris-Saint Germain whereas City piped Porto to top spot in Group D.

Real Madrid will face AC Milan in a more traditional Champions’ League game as two of the most decorated clubs in the world clash.

AC Milan – Real Madrid

With Milan stalling in Serie A and failing to top their group ahead of Benfica, the ‘Rossoneri’ and new manager Andre Villas-Boas will have their work cut-out versus Cristiano Ronaldo and co.

Benfica will face four of their ex-rivals when they face an AS Monaco side with Joao Moutinho, Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Ricardo Carvalho.

AS Monaco – SL Benfica

Despite the gulf in financial power between the two sides, Monaco, who have already faced Sporting Lisbon in the group stage, may find it tricky against a Benfica side that has impressed many so far.

Benfica’s eternal rivals FC Porto will face off against the last man to deliver Champions’ League glory to the Estadio do Dragao as they host Chelsea.

FC Porto – Chelsea

With Jose Mourinho's men also firmly in the Barclays Premier League title race, they’ll be favourites to eliminate the Liga Zon Sagres holders who are currently third in the league.

Also favourites in their tie are the Champions’ League holders Bayern Munich as they travel to Ukraine to play Metalist Kharkiv

Metalist Kharkiv – FC Bayern Munich

Often involved in the UEFA Europa League Last 16 round, Metalist will have to count on more than a bit of fortune if they hope to stop Pep Guardiola’s men in their hunt for a third consecutive title.

Premier League champions Manchester United aren’t having as much joy domestically this season but look to be a different beast in Europe as they gear up to face Sampdoria.

Sampdoria – Manchester United

Although Man United are clear favourites to progress, they’ll have to be wary of a Sampdoria side picking up form with the likes of Guiseppe Bellusci, Eduardo Vargas and Eder.

The final clash of the Last 16 delivers the much anticipated ‘Battle of Britain’ as Arsenal travel north of the border to face Celtic.

Celtic – Arsenal

Along with Man United, Arsenal were the only team to earn maximum points in the group stage, meanwhile Celtic surprised a few by finishing in second place ahead of Schalke 04.

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REAL MADRID KEEN ON JUVE DUO

Real Madrid has added to the speculation that they are ready to launch bids for Juventus stars Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba after scouting the pair.

‘Los Merengues’ boss Carlo Ancelotti, Director of Football Miguel Pardeza and new assistant manager Zinedine Zidane all travelled to Genoa to watch Vidal and Pogba face Sampdoria on the 21st December.

The trio are thought to have travelled to see their targets in action in time for a bid to be made for the two in the winter transfer window.

It is unclear whether either of the three sat down to speak to Juve’s board but Antonio Conte has reiterated his desire to keep both of them at the club.

“We are growing as a club and I think it would be foolish of us to even think of letting Vidal and Pogba go.

“In Vidal and Pogba we have two of the best midfielders in the world who are at the centre of every Juve fan’s hearts and I can’t see why they would want to leave.

“I have no doubts whatsoever that both will stay. Everyone is fighting for both of them to remain at the club and I personally wouldn’t accept any incoming offer, however high it may be.”

Meanwhile speculation continues to grow, Madrid centre half and Pogba’s compatriot Raphael Varane has welcomed the rumour of the Frenchman’s arrival.

“I prefer to remain reserved about the news with all respect due to Juventus but naturally I’m very happy to see Pogba impressing.

“Pogba is a very complete midfielder and one that deserves the very best. He’s the type of player that would excel here at Madrid so as a fellow Frenchman; I’d be delighted to see him arrive.”

If Madrid are to have any hopes of signing the duo, they may have to battle it out with other major clubs in Europe as Manchester United look into the possibility of signing Vidal and Bayern Munich look to reignite their interest in Pogba.

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MESSI BAGS FIFTH BALLON D’OR

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has regained the World Player of the Year title back from Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo to win his fifth FIFA Ballon d’Or.

With Cristiano Ronaldo shockingly excluded from the three man shortlist, Messi took top spot ahead of Chelsea’s Juan Manuel Mata in second and Santi Cazorla from Arsenal in third.

Despite Barcelona ending the 2013/2014 season without any silverware, Messi’s staggering 52 goals in 61 appearances seemed to be more than enough to steer the award his way.

Former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, New York Red Bulls skipper Thierry Henry and Juventus manager Antonio Conte are just three of the high profile names believed to have voted for the Argentine.

In the younger category, Romanian wonderkid Nicusor Stanciu was awarded with the European Golden Boy gong after a sensational season with Steaua Bucharest.



The 21-year-old scored a handy 14 goals in 30 appearances for the Romanian champions which quickly earned him a £7 million move to Stuttgart where he has since scored three goals in 12 Bundesliga games.

On the topic of goals, Ronaldo triumphed after beating Juventus’ revelation Luciano Vietto and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.



Ronaldo continued his immaculate goal scoring record for Real Madrid by adding 27 goals in 34 La Liga games to win his first Golden Shoe since 2011.

The Portuguese captain also managed to miss out on the official FIFA Team of the Year for 2014 which was selected by his fellow peers and journalists.



The team includes the likes of Messi and Mata, however, also includes a few surprises such as the inclusion of Southampton striker Pablo Osvaldo, PSG whizz kid Marco Verratti and Juve shot stopper Gianluigi Buffon in a team that includes none other than four Italians.

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