A dream draw

THEY say that the Champions League only comes alive when we reach the knock-out phase and that’s surely been truer this campaign than in any season in the past — think back to the dullness and relative lack of importance for the last round of group games.

However, Friday’s draw exploded into life for the four English clubs. It’s come to something when Arsenal versus Roma is properly seen as the least attractive of the bunch!

Of course, Inter Milan against Manchester United is the plum tie and I’m not sure that the current European and now World Champions will exactly be relishing a collision with the Italian league leaders, particularly as it renews hostilities between Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho.

It seems an age ago that we watched the Portuguese coach extravagantly dance down the Old Trafford touchline as Costinha scored Porto’s late equaliser to eliminate United on their way to winning the trophy in 2004.

We didn’t know then how close Mourinho was to rampaging across English football on a semi-permanent basis and I have to say that while I don’t miss his arrogance, I rather miss the headlines.

You can bet he’ll supply plenty of them in February when the Champions League resumes, a veritable feast of taunts and jibes designed to provoke Ferguson’s fury.

Actually, I think Alex rather misses the competition — without Mourinho, he’s in a league of his own in that regard!

Real Madrid against Liverpool is scarcely less appealing. While I still feel that Rafael Benitez remains, despite their elevated position in the table, in the ‘learning process’ in terms of Premier League success, he sure knows how to set up a side in European competition. Liverpool’s group looked awkward beforehand but it turned out to be a bit of a stroll.

And how much will he be looking forward to facing the club he grew up supporting and playing for: one he worked at; one that, on at least two occasions, has tried to procure his services as chief coach?

Of course, Benitez, is far from being the only Spanish connection at Anfield. Spain’s hero last summer in the European Championship was Fernando Torres and, by the New Year, particularly by February, the striker will be fully fit again ravaging defences. Then there’s Reina, Arbeloa, Alonso and Riera. The clashes with Atletico will seem like small beer in comparison.

But Real should be comfortable opposition for Liverpool. They’re performing poorly in La Liga, they might not even qualify for next season’s Champions League and they’re badly missing the injured Ruud van Nistelrooy — it’s a good time to be playing them.

Next up, Chelsea against Juventus. Again, I think back to 2004 when the Londoners really could, perhaps should, have won the Champions League. But I remember all too well the game in Monaco and how Claudio Ranieri botched his substitutions and threw away the semi-final — the same, wholly likeable, Ranieri who’s now in charge in Turin.

Juventus, having been relegated because of the bribes scandal in Italy, quickly won promotion back to Serie A under another Chelsea connection, Didier Deschamps, and, under Ranieri, they’re tucked in behind Inter at the top of the table.

As I say, Arsenal-Roma is the least of the ties!