World football went into its holiday break this week, as just about everyone outside Britain takes a midwinter break of two to six weeks; there were key results in several Euro leagues on the last full weekend of 2007. (The Brits, of course, just keep playing – a heavy schedule, in fact, through the holiday season.)
Real Madrid won 1-0 at Barcelona, to open a seven-point lead over their Catalan rivals… Inter Milan came from behind to beat city rival AC Milan, 2-1; Inter remain unbeaten, and have opened a seven-point lead over closest rival Roma… Surprise French contenders Nancy Lorraine got an 87th-minute goal to earn a draw with leaders Lyon, and stay within striking distance of the seven-time defending champs… Little surprise that Glasgow’s Celtic and Rangers have begun to distance themselves from the pack in Scotland; their Jan. 2 derby will establish a frontrunner heading into the second half… Manchester United took over the top spot in England in the traditional slate of Boxing Day games, passing Arsenal, who’ve begun to falter lately after a brilliant start.
Arsenal-Milan is probably the marquee matchup in the European Champions League round of 16 draw, announced last week; play begins Feb. 19; full schedule below.
European Champions League
Round of 16
Ties to be played Feb. 19-20 and March 4-5
Home team for the first game listed first
Celtic vs. Barcelona
Lyon vs. Manchester Utd.
Schalke 04 vs. Porto
Liverpool vs. Inter Milan
Roma vs. Real Madrid
Arsenal vs. AC Milan
Olympiacos vs. Chelsea
Fenerbahce vs. Sevilla
This article appears in December 21 • 2007.