Earlier today, the draw for the first knockout round of this season's Champions League took place in Nyon.
With the majority of Europe's biggest clubs still involved in the competition, it was always going to conjure up some interesting encounters.
Here, Sports Mole has picked five of the biggest talking points to have arisen from the eight fixtures.
1. Wenger's Monaco reunion
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There will have been many Arsenal's fans that watched the draw through the cracks in their fingers. After all, in the last two campaigns, the Gunners have been pitted against, and subsequently eliminated by, Bayern Munich. A third recent meeting with the German champions looked a major possibility as the draw progressed, but it was arguably Arsene Wenger's dream opponents that the North Londoners will face.
Prior to making a name for himself in the Premier League, Wenger had a seven-year spell in charge of Monaco during the 1980s and 1990s. His stint at the Stade Louis II included one Ligue 1 title and one Coupe de France, as well as the signing of players such as Glenn Hoddle and George Weah. Under his management, Monaco also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Fast-forward to the present day and while Monaco may have won their group, they scored only four goals and conceded one. It's certainly a winnable tie for Wenger's Arsenal. What's more, going deep in the Champions League could appease some of the Gunners faithful that have called for Wenger to stand down.
2. Luiz back at the Bridge
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Jose Mourinho may not have been the biggest admirer of David Luiz's ability, yet the wild-haired Brazilian was a major favourite at Stamford Bridge. But, despite having helped Chelsea to win the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup, Mourinho discarded the defender during the summer, with Paris Saint-Germain said to have parted with an eye-watering £50m to sign him.
Ironically, when these two sides met in the quarter-finals of the competition last season, Luiz, playing in Chelsea colours, scored an own goal as the home side won the first leg in Paris 3-1. However, Mourinho's charges rallied in the return meeting in West London and went on to advance through to the last four thanks to a late goal from Demba Ba, which sealed a 3-3 aggregate scoreline, meaning that Chelsea won on the away goals rule. Will Luiz be on the winning side again this time around?
3. City looking for Barca revenge
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After two botched attempts, Manchester City reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in their history last term. It was there that they met a Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona, who ran out 4-1 victors over both legs.
Today's draw has provided Manuel Pellegrini's side with an almost immediate opportunity to gain some revenge for that comprehensive defeat. The bookmakers understandably regard Barca as the favourites, but with four group matches played, City looked doomed. However, unanticipated wins over Bayern Munich and Roma saw the English champions through, sparking the theory that this could be the year that City finally make a major impact on Europe's biggest club competition.
While City's progression was not as dramatic, Liverpool benefited greatly from defying the odds to qualify for the knockout stages in December 2004. Of course, to stand any realistic chance of toppling the Catalans, Pellegrini will need the likes of Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure all fit and on top form.
4. 1997 finalists meet again
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When Karl-Heinz Riedle paired Juventus with Borussia Dortmund, a knowing smile occupied his lips. Indeed, the 49-year-old scored twice when the German outfit defeated their Italian counterparts during the 1997 final in Munich. It was a result viewed at the time as an upset, largely because Juve were the holders and included the likes of Alessandro del Piero, Zinedine Zidane and Didier Deschamps within their squad. The teams also contested the 1993 UEFA Cup final, with Juve winning through 6-1 on aggregate.
At present, the clubs are experiencing mixed fortunes. Juventus have won the last three Serie A titles and they lead the way again, but Dortmund are facing up to the prospect of a relegation scrap. By the time that this fixture comes around in February, no doubt Jurgen Klopp, providing that he remains in charges, will be hoping that his side are in much better shape.
5. Holders have one foot in last eight
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None of the sides that finished runners-up wanted to face Real Madrid. Sadly for Schalke 04, it was they who drew the short straw. There would have been an audible groan at the Veltins-Arena as they reflected upon their meeting against the defending champions at the same stage last year. On aggregate, Madrid won 9-2, thanks in part to an emphatic 6-1 victory in Germany. Of those nine goals, Cristiano Ronaldo scored four of them.
Los Blancos will be only too aware that no side has retained the Champions League in its current guise, but they will be confident that this tie against Schalke has provided them with a routine route into the quarter-finals.
Liam Apicella
