Champions League special - Martin Lipton rates the remaining eight runners and riders gunning for the European Cup

By Mirror Football in

Published 12:01 18/03/10

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So now it's down to eight, a rather different-looking elite to the one we had all expected.

There is no Chelsea and no Real Madrid but there are some mouth-watering ties nonetheless.

Arsenal vs Barcelona is the kind of match-up that will be so eagerly anticipated that it will struggle to live up to it's immense billing.

Bayern Munich vs Manchester United is another clash of European titans who will both have fancied their chances of making it to Madrid on May 22.

But which team is looking most likely to go the distance? The Daily Mirror's chief football writer Martin Lipton gives you his club-by-club guide on all the runners and riders gunning for the biggest prize in Europe.

Manchester United
Strengths: A fusion of power, organisation and individual flair, with Wayne Rooney's full flowering enough to make all their rivals fear the Scouser.

Weaknesses: Defensive injuries have been a major problem this season with Ferdinand and Vidic rarely in harness. A knock for Rooney could be catastrophic.

Key man: Rooney, of course. Already 32 goals this season and looking as if he will find the net every time he goes on the pitch.

Track record: Won over the distance in 2008, beaten by a couple of lengths by Barca last term and with a score to settle.

Chances of success: Look like the most complete unit in the competition and playing with real conviction. Will expect to go all the way to Madrid.

Barcelona
Strengths: Nobody plays the beautiful game with more subtlety and imagination than Pep Guardiola's men and the confidence of being holders makes them tougher to beat.

Weaknesses: Do not have quite the same pace and thrust without Samuel Eto'o and burdened by the knowledge that no side has retained the Champions League.

Key man: Lionel Messi. Back at his sharpest and most incisive in recent weeks and determined to retain his FIFA World Player crown.

Track record: Defending champions and desperate to do it again in the home of their most bitter rivals.

Chances of success: Will back themselves to reach the final again and understandably so but less impressive so far this season.

Arsenal
Strengths: Unstoppable on their day, when they let the ball do the work and are the embodiment of Arsene Wenger's vision of the game

Weaknesses: Can be bullied physically and are vulnerable at the back under pressure and on the counter. Nobody trusts Manuel Almunia.

Key man: Cesc Fabregas. If the captain is fit to orchestrate, it can all seem very harmonious. If not, cacophony.

Track record: Near miss in 2006 was the closest they came but would anticipate making the last four at least.

Chances of success: Hard to make a case for them winning it. A fit Van Persie, goals from Arshavin and a bit of luck might change those predictions.

Inter Milan
Strengths: Jose Mourinho's organisational genius, a rock-solid back line, the vision of Wesley Sneijder and pace up front.

Weaknesses: Mourinho's belief in that genius leaves him open to paying the price if he makes a mistake, as Rafa Benitez kept on showing.

Key man: Wesley Sneijder. Far too good for Chelsea in the last 16 and hard to believe Real Madrid let him go so easily.

Track record: Not great. Last reached the semis in 2003 and have to go back to 1965 for their previous win under Helenio Herrara.

Chances of success: Looked a genuine threat at Stamford Bridge yet maybe that was more about Chelsea's failings. Could be surprise casualties.

Lyons
Strengths: Confidence boost from beating Real Madrid will be immense for a club that is recovering its sense of direction.

Weaknesses: Take out the eight goals they scored against Debrecen and a return of six from as many games suggests they lack a real attacking threat.

Key man: Jeremy Toulalan. Versatile French midfielder could be the Philip Cocu of his generation. Will play anywhere and always well.

Track record: First quarter-final since 2007 but have never been beyond the last eight.

Chances of success: Coach Claude Puel's reaction suggested they surprised themselves in Madrid. Third best in France this year and unlikely to rewrite history.

Bordeaux
Strengths: The best record in the group phase was reward for a team that is exactly that, with coach Laurent Blanc the star asset. The best defensive record in Europe too.

Weaknesses: Blanc's first-choice side is relatively inexperienced at this level and is having a wobble in form as well.

Key man: Yoann Gourcuff. Didin't settle at AC Milan but the creative hub of Blanc's side and makes them tick.

Track record: None to speak of. In their fourth Champions League campaign but first time in the knock-out stage.

Chances of success: Could be the dark horses of the competition and under no pressure to perform. Outstanding home record is a help.

Bayern Munich
Strengths: Goals and plenty of them, with attacking options including Ribery, Robben, Klose and Gomez and a veteran coach in Louis Van Gaal.

Weaknesses: Ropey at the back where keeper Hans Jorg Butt is looking his 35 years and Van Buyten and Demichelis are vulnerable.

Key man: Franck Ribery. Old Scarface is surely on his way in the summer but remains a threat against any defence.

Track record: Back in the spotlight, where "FC Hollywood" should be. Not been real contenders since reaching the last eight in 2005.

Chances of success: A favourable draw will make the Bavarians think it could be their year but hard to see them beating United or Barca.

CSKA Moscow
Strengths: The surprise package who will be the freshest team in the competition after emerging from their long winter break. Physical at the back.

Weaknesses: Overly reliant on midfielders Alan Dzagoev and Milos Krasic for their goals, although Tomas Necid did score in Seville.

Key man: Milos Krasic. Serbian schemer knows where the goal is but can cause problems with his creativity too.

Track record: The Russian Army club were UEFA Cup winners in 2005 but this is their best Champions League run.

Chances of success: If you don't buy a ticket, you can't win the raffle. But all the others will be happy to draw them now the Russian winter is over.

The Champions League draw has turned the competition into a Man United job audition - The Simon Mullock Column  

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