English Clubs Face Tough Test In Champions League

All three English clubs remaining in the Champions League face extremely tough challenges in the first round knockout phase of the competition.

Chelsea have got their early Christmas present- a draw against Barcelona, in a tie where both clubs have insisted they are 'not afraid of each other' and are even 'eager to draw one another'. The footballing gods have been obliging. If the tie is to be anything as exciting as it was in the previous year, the fans are in for a treat.

Arsenal will face off against the traditional giants of Spain, Real Madrid. With both sides struggling in their domestic leagues, European glory may represent both sides' best chance of success this season. An interesting subplot that will run in this tie is that Real had allegedly made a 15 million pound bid for Arsene Wenger without success.

Finally, European Champions Liverpool are up against the formidable giant slayers Benfica, who have already knocked the great champions of 2000 out of the contest. Will Liverpool be their next victim?