Champions League Possibilities

AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Lyon all progressed to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League and go into the draw on Friday the 16th of December to decide who plays who in the round of 16 stage of the competition. There are seven former winners of Europe's premier trophy and several teams for who this is the their first time in the knockout stages.

The winners of each group will have home advantage in the crucial 2nd leg of the last 16 stage of the competition.

AC MILAN:

Winners of the trophy 7 times, they finished as runners up to holders Barcelona. They risk being drawn against several or Europe's top sides and performances have not been emphatic so far this year. They could well go out in the last 16 or 1/4 finals depending on who they meet.

Can play: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal or APOEL.

BARCELONA:

Having won the trophy 4 times, 3 of which have been since 2006, they are favourites to retain their prize again this season. Nobody wants to play them as teams know they have to perform to the best of their ability and hope Barcelona have an off day.

Can play: Napoli, CSKA, Basel, Lyon, Leverkusen, Marseille or Zenit.

INTER MILAN:

After a wobble at the start, they progressed as group winners and the Champions League has been a welcome distraction from their pour Serie A form. Most pundits would be surprised to see them reach the semi finals this year, although the squad is almost the same to that which lifted the trophy 18 months ago.

Can play: Basel, Lyon, Leverkusen, Marseille or Zenit.

LYON:

Pulled off the surprise of round 6, when they needed to win and overturn a goal difference of 7 to overtake Ajax and qualify from the group. a 7-1 victory plus a 3-0 defeat for Ajax saw them advance. are they delaying the inevitable, or was that their defining moment?

Can play: Bayern Munich, Inter, Benfica, Chelsea, Arsenal, APOEL or Barcelona