Given the recent history of Chelsea and Barca, the newspapers are hyping Barca facing Chelsea again in the Champions League. However, the two meet in round 1 which means that both can advance to the knock out stages. Barca did have Milan in their group two years back and Barca and Chelsea would rather face each other in round 1 than meeting each other early in the knock out stages like the previous couple of years.

What Barca and Chelsea will not like is the toughie group A is. You have Werer Bremen as the third team. Even if you forget how distracting it can be to face a team wearing orange and green, you cannot discount the quality side that Bremen is. You keep giving Miroslav Klose the ball and he will keep on scoring. Bremen can score a lot of goals in matches given the right setting. Add to this, you have the scenario of facing a Bulgarian club in Levski Sofia. Despite being professionals, I do not believe Barca or Chelsea would be accustomed to playing in Bulgaria.

If Chelsea slips up like they did in their recent premiership game, or Barca are not upto it’s best, or for that matter if Bremen puts on some inspired performances, there is a very real chance of an upset. Compared to the other groups, group A is far more tougher and intriguing. The Champions League always brings across new teams and players you get to know of along with the thrill the competition gives you. If we aren’t satisfied with that, we can always fall back on some juciy quotes from one Mr. Mourinho.

Barca have been drawn to face Portuguese club Benfica in the quarters of the Champions League. They will next face AC Milan or French Champions Lyon should they advance to the semis. In the final, they will face any of Juventus, Arsenal, Inter, Ajax or Villarreal.

A revenge for the 1994 Champions League finals loss to Milan in the semis, victory over the superb Juventus in the final. I can see it right now!

I do hope Arsenal does not do any thing extra ordinary in the first game or even comes up with a draw. They have been struggling domestically and are the only English Club left. Any promise would mean all the English newspapers yelling for Arsenal to do a repeat of Liverpool last year. Well every day is not Sunday and it ain’t gonna happen!

I do hope Arsenal crash out as fast as possible also because it could mean they cannot afford Thierry Henry for long and he might come to Barcelona. Certainly mouth watering prospects for me!