Some surprises this week in the European Champions League Round of 16, mostly related to the meek exits by English powers Chelsea and defending champs Liverpool, losers at home to Barcelona and Benfica of Lisbon, respectively. Few would’ve guessed that the last Brits standing would be struggling Arsenal – fifth place in the English Premier League, but they sent Real Madrid packing, and perhaps sounded a death knell for the whole “Galacticos” concept. Elsewhere, Italy completed a Teutonic trifecta, as AC Milan and Juventus each ousted German clubs, a week after the Italian national team thoroughly drubbed their German counterparts, 4-1. Also into the Champs League final eight: Villarreal (who beat Glasgow Rangers) and Lyon (over PSV Eindhoven). One match remains to be played next week: Ajax Amsterdam at Inter Milan on Tuesday.

This article appears in March 10 • 2006.

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