Soccer: Showdown for the final 16

INTERNAZIONALE VS CHELSEA

The attention will be on the dugout but the tie will be won and lost by the players. The worry for Chelsea is that with so much attention on Inter's controversial coach, Jose Mourinho, Internazionale's highly talented squad will finally relax enough to produce in the Champions League the performances their quality warrants. Samuel Eto'o, twice a Champions League winner, heads a team which is again running away with Serie A but he is far from the only stellar name. Their poor European form is mystifying. Well beaten by Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United in the last six years. Can Chelsea follow suit? 24 February & 16 March.

MILAN vs MAN UNITED

Manchester United may still be coming to terms with Cristiano Ronaldo's departure but Milan are in transition, much weaker than the team which twice dismantled Ferguson's side. United have never won, or even scored, against Milan at San Siro but will fancy their chances of achieving the latter against a defence which, even after Paolo Maldini's retirement, largely consists of 30-somethings. Midfield and attack are also ageing and while Filippo Inzaghi, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Ronaldinho, like Beckham, are to be respected, the feeling is Milan are past their best. Alexandre Pato and former United target Klaas-Jan Huntelaar offer a more youthful threat. 16 February & 10 March.

PORTO vs ARSENAL

Porto, lest it be forgot, have won the European Cup/Champions League twice, as recently as 2004 under Jose Mourinho, which is twice more than Arsenal. They are not to be under-estimated. Constantly re-inventing themselves after selling on players (much like Arsenal, a cynic might say) they are good in possession and firm at the back where Bruno Alves marshals the defence. Striker Hulk is beginning to produce performances to justify his attention-grabbing name while goalkeeper Helton and midfielder Raul Meireles are the other key figures. 17 February & 9 March.

BAYERN MUNICH vs FIORENTINA

No doubting who was happier with this draw. Bayern thumped Fiorentina last season and drubbed their Serie A rivals Juventus 4-1 this month. Louis van Gaal, the Bayern coach, admitted: "I am not dissatisfied; it could have been worse." His counterpart, Cesare Prandelli, moaned: "Maybe it would have been better to finish second in the group". 17 February & 9 March.

CSKA MOSCOW vs SEVILLE

Juande Ramos is the man to consult. He left Seville for Spurs two years ago, and was fired by CSKA after just 47 days in charge. CSKA subsequently reached the knock-out stage for the first time but will struggle to go further, especially as Russian clubs are in the their off-season in February. However, Seville will not enjoy playing on the Luzhniki's plastic pitch. 24 February & 16 March.

STUTTGART vs BARCELONA

Stuttgart's odds shot out to 150-1 after being paired with the holders but some will relish the tie. Jens Lehmann, dismissed early in Arsenal's 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona, should not lack motivation, nor former Arsenal team-mate Alex Hleb, on loan to Stuttgart. Victory would also confirm the post-Tottenham rehabilitation of coach Christian Gross. 23 February & 17 March.

OLYMPIAKOS vs BORDEAUX

Bordeaux's outstanding group-stage performance was rewarded with a winnable tie against a side which scored four goals in six group games. "Bordeaux were one of the most impressive teams," said Zico, the Greek club's coach. Laurent Blanc, his Bordeaux counterpart, was more concerned by the location: "The trip to Athens will be hot to boiling because of the home fans." 23 February & 17 March.

LYONS vs REAL MADRID

Lyons have a good record against Real, so they were respectful, but not fearful. "Madrid are among the best three teams in Europe and feature great players like [ex-Lyons striker Karim] Benzema, Kaka and [Cristiano] Ronaldo," said defender Cris. Then he added: "They are a good draw though. They are an attacking team, rebuilt this season. We could have drawn Barcelona or Chelsea." 16 February & 10 March.

- INDEPENDENT