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Champions League 2008-09


Shane

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Wenger: Arsenal And Roma Will Be Evenly Matched Arsenal will face Roma in the last 16 of the Champions League in the New Year. The Italian giants are having a dismal season - trying to play their way out of the mid-table Serie A mire - while Arsenal's form has been similarly patchy in the Premier League. Thus, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger can't see much between the sides. "It is a 50:50 draw," he said after watching the Euro elite being paired off. "Roma are back to form now, though, and maybe are the best team in Italy at the moment, so it will be interesting. "It looks a well-balanced tie, as Roma are a very balanced team. They have playmaker [Francesco] Totti and around him they have great players, such as Julio Baptista, who we had here. They have very technical players who are comfortable in a small space." Asked about the teams Arsenal avoided, Wenger added: "It would have been a bit the same to have drawn Barcelona, because they play the same type of football as Roma. "Overall, there are some great ties with some great names and tradition. The fact so many big teams finished second in the group stage made that inevitable. "Anyway, the Champions League now becomes a different competition. “Until now, if you had one bad game, you could catch up. Now, you go out." The final is in Rome this term, so Luciano Spalletti's Giallorossi would relish a European run in 2009. Roma have drawn Arsenal in the next round of the UEFA Champions League in a match that will surely be a crowd-pleaser, with both sides playing an entertaining brand of attacking football. The Giallorossi captain reacted well to the news of English opposition, and he is looking forward to a difficult game. “It will certainly be a tough game, but also very exciting. At this level they are all great teams. We are expecting a difficult encounter,” Totti told the press after the draw. The captain has been credited with his side's resurgence in Europe and in the league after Roma made a terrible start to the campaign while Totti was out injured. The last 16 draw has pitted all the Italian clubs against English sides considering the fact that Juventus will be facing Chelsea, while Inter have been paired with Manchester United. Former Arsenal hit-man Julio Baptista is ready to go back to north London and get one over his former employers when Roma clash with them in the last 16 of the Champions League. The two clubs were drawn together for the next round and the Giallorossi are in confident mood, as they have already beaten English opposition - Chelsea - in the group stages. Roma and Baptista have been outstanding in Europe this term and the 'Beast' cant wait to rumble with his old side. "All the games are difficult," Baptista told Roma Channel. "Arsenal are a great team but we will do everything we can to get past them and move into the next round." Luciano Spalletti is also keen on the game and he has warned Arsenal that his side will be in London to show their true value on the continent. "We like big games and we will go there to play without any fear," the coach added. "The draw has been good and we have not been unlucky. We have a strong opponent and we will show who we are. "My compliments go to Arsenal for the good work they have done with their youngsters, who will be champions in future," he said. The last 16 draw has been described as England against Italy with Juventus facing Chelsea and Inter being paired alongside Manchester United. Roma sporting director Bruno Conti is ready to rumble with Arsenal and he believes his side have every chance of beating them in the last-16 Champions League tie. I Lupi will meet the Gunners for the second time in this competition and, having already beaten Chelsea in the group stage, the Italians fancy their chances against another Premier League side. "It's a good draw for us. Arsenal are a good side and they have plenty of good youngsters," Conti told Sky Sport Italia. "Both teams play great football and Roma's style will mean it will be a beautiful game. "With all respect to Arsenal they are a great team but we will be going there to play our own game. "It's clear that we have the will to get to the final even though we know there are great clubs out there. "However, we have all the right ingredients to get there and we want to think about doing that. "It's important for us and the team knows this." Roma are keen on reaching the final as they will have the chance to play in their own back yard, just like they did in 1984 against Liverpool when they lost.

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