After a short break, the UEFA Champions League returns this week, and four high-profile matches will determine who will advance into the quarterfinals of Europe's premier club competition.
In London, Arsenal will have to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Porto on Tuesday without skipper Cesc Fabregas (2:45pm, FSE/FSN). The Gunners will be turning to Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner to carry the load. Also on Tuesday, Bavarian giants Bayern Munich head to Florence with a 2-1 lead over Fiorentina (2:45pm, FSC).
Wednesday features the marquee match of the round, as AC Milan make the trip to Manchester to take on the Red Devils. Two goals from Wayne Rooney at the San Siro has United standing firm with a 3-2 lead. In the fourth match, Real Madrid's high-priced lineup will aim to prove their value and advance in the Champions League against Ligue 1 side Lyon, which leads 1-0.
Here's a question for SBI readers: who will advance in this week's matches? Cast your vote after the jump.
Who wins and stays in the mix for a trophy? Who goes home?
Share your thoughts below.
#2 for Bendtner as Arshavin dazzles in the box and finds Big Nick alone!
Good Old Arsenal
We’re proud to say that name!
And while we sing this song
We’ll win the game!
he just put his 1st chance in! 1-0 Arsenal in the 10th minute.
AND BIG NICK IS ON THE SCORE SHEET! GOOOOOOONERS!
Allez Lyonnais!!!!!
gotta disagree, he only lit it up in the weaker leagues. Ibrahimovic is light years more talented. I might even argue that Solskjaer was better, as well.
after how many chances Bendtner had this weekend and missed I feel he is up to it today. If not the goals have gotta come from midfield, maybe “Little Mozart” Rosicky or Nasri.
Gunners get on them 3-0 at the Grove.
Hope La Viola can pull it off today!
Vargas is a beast! Big fan
Ribery likely out for Bayern.
Based on Bendtner’s performance this past weekend and him missing every possible opportunity to score, I’d say that Arsenal is in trouble…
Would like to see a win for Fiorentina, I think they got gypped during the last match…
OT, but who do you guys think is the best current striker in Scandinavia with their club and country?
Ibrahimovic? Elmander? Rosenberg? Berg? Tomasson? Bendtner? John Carew?
in fact who was the best over the 20years?
It would have to be Henrik Larsson. The man is a goal-scoring HERO for his clubs and for Sweden. Zlatan got nothing on him except maybe 7inches in height.
That is awesome. How old are your students?
@Rory. that is so cool and what defines a great teacher 😛
My student’s came in today and were like “It’s soccer day, right?” To which I replied “You better believe it” Games on the projector screen: you gotta love it.
FSN in so. cal. is lame. Arsenal Porto match is delayed for a preseason Angels game. The biggest club competition in the world gets bumped for preseason baseball, bad form.
Good point… but he also said he was the best driver on the team, and we saw for THAT worked out.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01493/nicklas-bendtner-c_1493679c.jpg
C’mon! Bendtner is Arsenal’s best striker! He said so himself!
Does not look good if Arsenal are really “turning to Bendtner to carry the load”. Why hasn’t Wenger brought in a real goal scorer since Henry left?