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UEFA Champions League Preview: Round of 16

Arsenal vs Baryen Munich

Arsenal will battle it out with Baryen Munich to secure a spot in the quarter finals of the Champions league. Arsenal has a history of not passing through knock out stages and Wenger is confident to make history. At the same time Baryen would want to continue with their form and to win the match at home and the finish off the job in England. This is the fourth time Bayern and Arsenal have met at this stage of the competition since 2005, with the German side progressing on the past three occasions.

Baryen’s last defence and goal stopper, Manuel Neuer was quoted saying that Arsenal has a great team and are as much as competitive as other teams.

“It’s not always so easy, for example against Ingolstadt at weekend, but Arsenal is a team who want to play,” goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said. “We will get more space.

“We’re a team who like to circulate the ball and take advantage of these spaces. That’s why I think for the fans it will be nice to watch.”

In their quest for victory, the gunners will do without forward Lucas Perez who will miss the game at the Allianz Arena because of a hamstring injury.

Real Madrid vs SSC Napoli

Holders Real Madrid continue the defence of their UEFA Champions League title by welcoming last-16 rivals Napoli, a side with a strong recent away record in Europe. History seem not to favor the Spanish side as they have been eliminated seven of their eight home or away ties with the Italian sides in the European and Champions league, with the exception of Roma in last season’s round of 16. This is Napoli’s second appearance at the Champions league and they are looking forward to reach the quarter-final and all cost. In the league, Napoli has been playing well seeing them on the third position and trailing behind the log leaders Juventas with a gap of 9 points.

In their previous encounter, Leo Beenhakker’s Madrid overcame Napoli 3-1 on aggregate in the sides’ only past encounter, in the first round of the 1987/88 European Champion Clubs’ Cup. Real Madrid will be looking forward to take the tally to two by winning Napoli and defending their title.

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