Poppa's Picks: Champion's League Edition

Lyon X Bayern Munich - Today 2:45PM ET

Bayern hold a slight advantage on aggregate with the crucial 1-0 win in Germany.  The game will not see key players Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan.  Lyon coach Claude Puel has asked for Lisandro and company to step it up on the attack and take advantage of their home field advantage.  On the other side of the ball, Louis Van Gaal has also claimed Bayern will implement an attacking style of play as to keep Lyon on their heels in order to defend their lead.  Lyon went to Madrid and qualified; look for them to do the same at home.  Lisandro equalizes, Makoun brings them back to Madrid for the Final, 2-0 in France.*


Barcelona X Inter - Wednesday 2:45PM ET

The Nerazurri stunned big, bad Barcelona 3-1 in the first game earning them a clear advantage heading into this leg.  However, Barcelona do not buckle under pressure.  In fact, they usually do just the opposite.  Inter will have to close down the wing threats of Messi and Dani Alves.  I think Mourinho knows "parking the bus" in front of the net probably won't work against the Blaugrana.  Look for a nail-biter here at the Nou Camp, with Barce taking a 2-0 lead with goals from Messi and Iniesta.  But Eto'o will net a 2nd half goal to give Inter a 2-1 Cinderella-type story to head to the Final with.**


*My biased for Lyon does not apply in this decision
**This decision also has nothing to do with a Mourinho biased.  I only want him to win Champions Leagues with Porto.

Olympique Lyonnais 3-1 Girondins de Bordeaux

Lisandro Lopez picked up a brace during Lyon's big home win against their French rivals Bordeaux. Michel Bastos also scored for Lyon. Marouane Chamakh scored the loan goal for the visitors.

Poppa's Picks: Champions League Edition

Lyon X Bordeaux - Tuesday 2:45PM ET
Bordeaux travel east to Lyon in the first leg of the "Bataille de France."  Bordeaux have been in exceptional form, sitting atop the leaderboard domestically.  However Ligue 1 is officially the hottest race in Europe with just 3 points separating the top 6 teams.  Marseille has recently brought down both these powerhouses, eliminating Bordeaux from the League Cup last week and stripping Lyon of some much needed points.  Look for Lyon to try and capitalize at home, with a lot of attacking play.  Bordeaux won't score away. 1-0 Lyon.  Bafetimbe Gomis or Lisandro will score.

Bayern Munich X Manchester United - Tuesday 2:45PM ET
Rooney and company will be relishing the opportunity to return to England with an advantage.  This Manchester team has a chip on its shoulder after being written off with no Cristiano.  They proved this in the last fixture by destroying AC Milan 7-2 on aggregate.  Not to mention a dominate 4-0 win this weekend domestically.  Bayern is still looking for someone to really step up in the Champions League.  Their top scorer is Arjen Robben in the competition with just 2 goals.  Bayern are also coming off a major loss to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, losing their first place standing.  Robben and the Germans will get a decent result in Munich 1-1.  Nani scores for Man United.

Arsenal X Barcelona - Wednesday 2:45PM ET
Forward Nicklas Bendtner has recently stated, "Messi can be stopped."  I beg to differ...Arsene Wenger has already expressed concern over the upcoming tie, and little Arshavin has said the Gunners aren't good enough to challenge Chelsea and Manchester for the title.  Meanwhile Barce seem very focused, and a visit to London shouldn't ruffle their feathers all that much (unless you're Thiery Henry).  Andres Iniesta has already ruled himself out for the match, but I think the Spanish side will still come away with the victory 2-1 over Arsenal.  Messi, Arshavin, Xavi the scorers.

Inter Milan X CSKA Moscow - Wednesday 2:45PM ET
Inter were dazzled by Roma over the weekend, but that shouldn't hurt their confidence all that much.  After eliminating a strong Chelsea, Mourinho's side seem to have the formula down in the late stages of the competition.  With the Russian League just getting underway earlier this month, CSKA are fresh enough to challenge the Italians.  They've won 2 and drawn once thus far domestically.  But a lack of recent competition may hurt their chances.  Inter will take their home leg 2-0 in the Guiseppe Meazza.  Two for Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o.

Lo Siento

What can €300 million buy you? A yacht, a mansion, a couple lambos, ferraris, bentleys, your own water park, a helicopter, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka's services, etc.

But it cannot guarantee a ticket to the Champions League quarterfinals. We saw this after Lyon held the Galacticos to a 1-1 stalemate yesterday at the Santiago Bernabeu. In response to another Real Madrid failure, Kaka has already plead for forgiveness from the Madrid faithful. Well played Kaka, make the fans love you.

Take a look at the highlights, is this as big a choke as its made out to be? I mean Real Madrid do buy the absolute best players in the world, but Lyon is not that far behind as far as talent goes...



Highlights of the AC Milan massacre after the jump

Poppa's Picks: Champions League Edition

Today's Games

Porto X Arsenal 2:45PM ET
Porto head to London up 2-1 on aggregate after a favorable 1st leg.  However the Dragons are struggling, tying their last fixture against Olhanense and dropping a goose egg in a 3-0 loss to Sporting.  Arsenal are in much better form, but they'll miss Cesc Fabregas and Aaron Ramsey along with the players that were out last leg ( RvP, Gallas).  Porto has never won in London, losing 6 times there, including a loss earlier this Champs League season at Stamford Bridge.  Everything seems to favor Arsenal which is why I'm taking Porto today to leave England with a 1-1 tie.  Goal from Falcao, and watch out for little Arshavin.

Bayern Munich X Fiorentina 2:45PM ET
The Germans will be in Florence today after tying 1-1 to a Koln goal by former Bayern forward Lukas Podolski.  Fiorentina on the otherhand just lost a heart breaker 2-1 to Juventus.  Bayern have done very well in Italy as of late, their last result a 4-1 defeat of Juventus last season.  They also tied Fiorentina 1-1 last year in Florence in the group stage.  Not to mention the Germans have 7 wins and 3 draws in their last 13 away fixtures.  I say they hang on 1-1 in Italy, with goals from van Bommel and Gilardino.

Wednesday's Games

Real Madrid X Lyon - Wednesday 2:45PM ET
No away goals for Madrid means they need to score early and often to assure their spot in the next round.  They are definitely capable of putting away 3 or 4, as we saw this past weekend in a thrilling 3-2 win against Sevilla.  But don't underestimate this Lyon squad with the likes of Michel Bastos and Bamatimbe Gomis exploding off the bench.  I believe Real Madrid will win 2-1, but lose in aggregate due to a sneaky goal from the French side.  Scorers: Higuain, Kaka, Lisandro Lopez.

Manchester United X AC Milan - Wednesday 2:45PM ET
All eyes will be on the return leg at Old Trafford.  Will Beckham get the start?  Can Rooney keep scoring?  Will Clarence Seedorf lead another Champions League title run??  Sorry, but no.  Manchester have been solid at home this season as usual.  With a 3-2 lead going into the match, I am going to tip my hat to Sir Alex and take Manchester to hold strong.  However they will lose 2-1 at the hands of Ronaldinho and Thiago Silva goals.  Rio Ferdinand will put one in for the homeside to clinch a spot in the next round.

Lisandro Helps Lyon Past Nice

Lyon 2 Nice 0

Lyon stun Madrid

What a goal from Jean Makoun. Highlights: