A couple of knockout punches dealt in the first leg...

Now that the first leg of the first knockout round in the Champions League is over, we can look back at the fixtures and determine who has a leg up.

Lyon vs. Barcelona
Result: 1-1
"Winner": Barcelona
Analysis: Although much has been made of the fact that Barcelona did not beat Lyon, whom is considered to be a far inferior team, the truth of the matter is Barcelona are still likely to win this tie. Going back to the Nou Camp with an away goal and a tie in France spells victory to me. And as much as I would like to see the favorites drop out early, I just don't think it will happen.

Inter Milan vs. Manchester United
Result: 0-0
"Winner": Tie
Analysis: Although Inter did not get a win at home, Manchester United did not score an all-important away goal against Jose Mourinho's Milan side. This means the tie is wide open. If Mourinho's men can score first at Old Trafford (quite a big if), they will certainly be in the drivers seat and can sit back. This said, I predict a 1-0 win to Manchester United.

Real Madrid vs. Liverpool
Result: 0-1
"Winner": Liverpool
Analysis: Rafa's team once again did not fail to impress in the Champions League. Surely they already have 1 1/2 feet in the next round. Madrid always seem to lack fire power in the Champions League (Raul frequently looks a step too slow), and I just can't see them turning this tie on its head.

Chelsea vs. Juventus
Result: 1-0
"Winner": Chelsea
Analysis: There were many things I was expecting from the Hiddink era, but another Mourinho/ Grant who scrapes out 1-0 wins was not on my list. Chelsea will likely squeek out another decent result in Turin and progress to the next round. I wouldn't normally call Chelsea clear winners in this game seeing as they are only taking a one goal advantage to Turin, but I think this game may have beckoned Drogba's rebirth. Like Mourinho, Hiddink seems to have embraced the Ivorian striker and will likely bring him back to his best.

Arsenal vs. Roma
Result: 1-0
"Winner": Roma
Analysis: Without their recent talisman Arshavin (who is inelligable to play in the CL because he is cup tied on account of playing for Zenit), Arsenal seemed short of ideas and needed a penalty to break the deadlock at home. I expect Roma to come out with thier guns blazing in Rome and win this tie heftily.

Sporting Lisbon vs. Bayern Münich
Result: 0-5
"Winner": Bayern
Analysis: As shocking as the result was, it is not the first time Bayern has done such a thing. Just last year Bayern traveled to Aberdeen in the Uefa Cup and won by the same scoreline. Funny enough when the teams got back to Germany Aberdeen actually pushed Bayern pretty far back (I believe the score was something along the lines of 4-0). I wouldn't be surprised to see a reserve side play the second leg as Bayern are struggling to keep up in the league. But they should be wary of thier history and not take this Sporting side too lightly.

Villareal vs. Panathinaikos
Result: 1-1
"Winner": Panathinaikos
Analysis: Giuseppi Rossi continued his hot streak, but was unable to hand his team victory in the home leg of the tie. I think that Panathinaikos' away goal will be crucial in this tie, and it is more that likely that we will witness an upset between these two teams.

Atletico Madrid vs. Porto
Result: 2-2
"Winner": Porto
Analysis: Lisandro Lopez continued his emaculate form in the Champions Leauge, once again causing the question of "why doesn't a premiership side buy him?" to spring to mind. Porto's two away goals will likely dictate the outcome of this tie, and I expect them to advance on account of Atletico's porous defence.