Hopefully today’s games will be more competitive than yesterday’s slaughter. Today we’ve got Barcelona, the “best team in the world”, taking on Shakhtar Donetsk. Lionel Messi picked up a knock while playing with Argentina and only saw sub action against Villarreal this weekend, but I’d be surprised if he wasn’t in the starting lineup today. While Barca is clearly the favorite, Shakhtar has the ability to surprise. They dominated Roma in the round of 16, winning 6-2 on aggregate.
On the British isles, we have Chelsea hosting Manchester United. Will Chelsea avenge its 2008 Champions League final loss? Will Fernando Torres finally score a goal? Will Wayne Rooney go apeshit? These are all vital questions being asked in the buildup to the game. Chelsea will miss the playmaking ability of their better January transfer, David Luiz, who is cup-tied. Of course, if I were Carlo Ancelotti, I wouldn’t be playing Torres either as he doesn’t exactly deserve it. Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka would start instead since they actually know how to score goals. Stamford Bridge hasn’t exactly been a great place for ManU to play either as they have lost six of nine at the stadium.
TV Schedule
Chelsea vs. Manchester United – 2:30 p.m. ET/Fox Soccer (Live)
Barcelona vs. Shakhtar – 2:30 p.m. ET/Fox Soccer Plus (Live)
The Soccer Wall 