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Hosts Benfica trailed 3-2 on aggregate going into the round-of-16 second leg at Estadio da Luz.

But goals from Maxi Pereira and Nelson Oliveira sealed victory, sending the Liga Sagres side through to the quarter-finals.

"Our tactics and strategy went well tonight," Jesus said.

"We were up against a great team, the best in Russia."

"It was important to score first as we knew they could cause us problems if we didn't. Once we went ahead we were able to hit them on the counterattack."

"In the second half, they had more possession but we could have made it 2-0 earlier. I was pleased that Nelson Oliveira was able to finish the match off."

"If possible we would like to face an English opponent in the next round, maybe Chelsea. I wouldn't like to face Real Madrid, they have many Portuguese - and former Benfica - players."

Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti felt his team were undone by their lack of experience in Europe's elite club competition, particularly away from home.

"We must admit that Benfica deserved the victory," Spalletti said.

"We underperformed and we still lack experience at this level."

"It has been a feature of our away games that our opponents have shown more quality and we have encountered a mental barrier that we need to overcome."

"We did not perform as well as we can tonight. After the break we tried to control the game and created a number of chances that could have earned a result, but Benfica were simply better than us this time."

"Reaching the last 16 is a major achievement for us and we performed solidly all season. Today we weren't so good but we've had great wins during this campaign - against FC Porto, for example."

"When you are in the knockout stages you can't expect opponents to make mistakes that will make life easier for you. You need to be at your peak."

The English Premier League club came into Tuesday's Champions League round-of-16 second leg trailing 4-0 to Serie A title holders Milan.

The hosts netted three times in the first half of the match at Emirates Stadium, but proved unable to force another goal in the second period, allowing their Italian visitors to progress 4-3 on aggregate.

"We had no midfielders at all on the bench and we suffered a bit, when we got tired in the second half, to keep the ball and get them more fatigued," Wenger said.

"We knew we had given a lot and had some players who are not used to playing at that level in midfield, like (Alex) Oxlade-Chamberlain."

"Some players had knocks and we needed to score goals and not concede against a team like that, and I felt our defenders were absolutely outstanding today."

"Otherwise I'm sure we would have scored two or three more goals in the second half, but we put a performance in with fantastic spirit and restored some pride after the first leg."

"We had chances throughout and we can keep our winning run going, and that is important. Unfortunately we have paid the price for the bad first game."

"Overall, we have given everything and that's all you can do at the top level. Give everything, and afterwards you can accept the result even if it's a disappointing one."

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie nearly made it 4-0 just before the hour mark, pouncing on a rebound from Gervinho's initial strike.

Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati gathered van Persie's lofted effort comfortably, and it proved to be one of Arsenal's last real chances in the match.

"I think he (van Persie) wanted to chip the goalkeeper because he was down, but he got up quickly," Wenger said.

"Abbiati did well and unfortunately we couldn't score. I hoped that in the last 10 or 15 minutes we could create some dangerous situations in front of goal but unfortunately that didn't happen."

"We didn't have enough drive anymore and because we played with too many strikers, we needed free kicks and crosses and we didn't get them."

Source: Perform Sports

Serie A side Milan held a commanding 4-0 lead going into Tuesday's second leg of their round-of-16 tie with English Premier League club Arsenal.

The hosts raced 3-0 ahead during a remarkable first half at the Emirates Stadium, but ultimately fell one goal short of completing what would have been a memorable comeback.

After seeing Milan scrape through 4-3 on aggregate, Allegri acknowledged his team's tactical and technical errors during the contest.

"We played with three forwards and certainly suffered too much (as a consequence)," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"We conceded on the first corner and that affected us greatly; then we made too many mistakes in our passing in midfield."

"I'd say we got the game completely wrong from a technical point of view, as we played too deep defensively."

"It's a shame about the defeat, but the objective was to get through. Now we have time to get a few more players back from injury."

Allegri also denied his players had been overcome by fear during a torrid first half for the visitors.

"I did not see the team afraid as such; there are experienced players here," he said.

"But in the dressing room (at half-time) I simply told them we had to wipe the first half from our memories and start from 0-0."

"In any case, I am not too worried. It was a crucial game and it would've been a truly massive psychological blow for the rest of the season if we'd gone out (after leading) 4-0 from the first leg."

Serie A league leaders Milan now turn their attention back to the defence of their Scudetto and a home match with Lecce on Sunday.

They will discover their Champions League quarter-final opponents when the draw for the next stage is held on March 16.

Source: Perform Sports

Fiorentina and Bayern contrived to avoid each other in Europe for decades, but the clubs will now meet for the second time in two years. In the 2008-9 Champions League group double-header, Munich won 3-0 at home and drew 1-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The clubs have were paired again on Friday, this time in the first knockout round of this season’s competition.

The key men for Luca Toni’s former club are strikers Adrian Mutu and Alberto Gilardino, although the pair have not played together all that often this term. Coach Cesare Prandelli favours a 4-5-1 formation with Gilardino as a lone striker, backed by an attacking line of three featuring Mutu, Italy international Marco Marchionni, and Peruvian Juan Vargas.

In characteristic Italian style, Fiorentina are happy to play on the break off a solid defensive platform. Of all the teams through to the last sixteen, the men from Florence had the lowest figure for possession of the ball (46 percent). However, Prandelli’s side scored 14 goals in their six matches, a total beaten only by Real Madrid (15). Fiorentina beat Liverpool twice (2-0 at home and 2-1 away) in winning Group E from Lyon, Liverpool and Debrecen.

“It’s a well-assembled young team with star strikers. We mustn’t underestimate them,“ warned Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. However, Fiorentina lie a disappointing ninth in Serie A after 16 games. A defensive record of just 15 goals conceded is one of the best in the section, but Gilardino, Mutu & Co have mustered a mere 18 goals between them so far, while leaders Inter have struck nearly twice as often (35).

Coach Prandelli’s job looks secure - he has guided his side to three fourth-place finishes and one fifth spot in the last four seasons – but President Andrea Della Valle, who took over when the club were compulsorily relegated to the third tier seven years ago, bore the brunt of fan and media anger early in the season. Caught in a hail of criticism for selling Felipe Melo to Juventus, Della Valle quit in September. Vice-president Mario Cognini currently heads the club in an acting capacity.

Despite their problems in domestic competition, Fiorentina have blazed a trail in the Champions League, qualifying for the last sixteen for the second time in their history. The club’s greatest successes are the European Cup Winners’ Cup (1961), two league titles (1956, 1969), and six cup triumphs (most recently in 2001).

The Italians will be utterly determined to progress to the last eight at Bayern’s expense. Bayern must be sure not to underestimate the Tuscan outfit, as Louis van Gaal warned: “Last season’s results against Fiorentina count for nothing any more.“

Author: Bayern Munich Offical site

It’s not an easy draw because Milan have a lot of experience in the competition. We just need to remember what happened three years ago and make sure we use that experience to win the two games. I think we are ready to play against AC Milan.

I remember it was a very frustrating tie. We won 3-2 at home but we didn’t play very well. In the second game I was suspended and watched it on TV. It was very difficult to see my team lose 3-0 in that way. After that game we had more experience and we won the year after. We want to do the same again by using our experience. Now we are ready for that type of game.

I am happy for Beckham because he did a lot for Manchester United and I know he wanted to play again at Old Trafford. I will say welcome home to him but I will make sure he doesn’t have an easy game! I like him because I have met him and he is a good person, a real gentleman. He’s a professional and that is why Milan wanted him. I like that type of player and he has one of the best right feet in the world. However, I will make sure he has a bad game!

I’m sure all his old team-mates who are still here are looking forward to welcoming him back, but I’m looking forward more to playing against Milan rather than just David Beckham, because Milan are more than just one man. When we played Barcelona everyone was talking to me about Messi, but I was just thinking about their whole team. I’m happy for him but I will concentrate on winning the game.

We are confident that we can reach our third final in a row. Our aim is to win it every year. I remember my target was to win the Champions League at least three times in my career. I’ve already won it once but I’ve also lost two finals. I’m still upset at losing those finals, especially last year. I will try to use my anger to make sure we get there again, but this time go one better and come back with the trophy.

Author: M Nichols, G Thompson

VS


Arsenal will take on Porto in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Porto were runners up to Chelsea in Group D of this season's Group Stage after picking up four wins and just two defeats, both against the Stamford Bridge side.

Arsenal met Porto in last season's Champions League Group Stage and defeated the Portuguese champions 4-0 at Emirates Stadium but with qualification already assured they lost 2-0 at the Estádio do Dragão.

The first leg of the tie will take place in Portugal on February 16, 17, 23 or 24. The second leg at Emirates Stadium will take place on March 9, 10, 16 or 17.
Arsenal.com will bring you further details of the game once the dates have been confirmed.

Author: Arsenal offical website

Stuttgart (Germany) vs Barcelona (Spain)

Olympiacos (Greece) vs Bordeaux (France)

Inter (Italy) vs Chelsea (England)

Bayern Munich (Germany) vs Fiorentina (Italy)

CSKA Moscow (Russia) vs Sevilla (Spain)

Lyon (France) vs Real Madrid (Spain)

Porto (Portugal) vs Arsenal (England)

Milan (Italy) vs Manchester United (England)

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes that the Reds can only blame themselves for their quick-fire elimination from the Champions League.

The Merseyside club needed a win against Debrecen and for Olympique Lyonnais to claim a result at Fiorentina on Tuesday, in order to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stage.

However, a Viola victory saw the Premier League giants dumped into the Europa League, despite a 1-0 win against Debrecen.

Benitez insists that the Anfield outfit can have no complaints about the chain of events that saw them bow out of the biggest club competition in Europe.

"It was our own fault in the end, the late goals we have conceded along the way have cost us," the Spaniard is quoted in The Daily Post as saying.

"We have been so good in the last few years that maybe people think it is easy to qualify in all competitions.

"Because of that, people think we can do it every season. But you cannot always, now we have a massive game on Sunday at Everton and we have to be ready for it.

"We have to be disappointed, we knew we had to win and we did that. You cannot change what happened in Florence, but at least we did our job."

The former Valencia boss attributed the exit to the two injury-time goals - one at home, one away - that Liverpool conceded against OL.

"If you analyse the other group games, losing two late goals in two games with Lyon has been the massive difference," he said.

"It has cost us four points from goals conceded in injury time.

"I am disappointed because of the way we have gone out - those two goals in the last minutes [against Lyon].

"If we had stopped just one of them we would still be in this competition fighting for a place in the next stage.

"We cannot change that now."