Following today's draws in the European club competitions one can't help but feel that there could've been some tastier matches upon the horizon going into the knockout rounds of each competition. Nonetheless the teams that do remain in each tournament will have their eyes firmly focused on the big prize.

The draws for the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 and the Europa League Round of 32 took place in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday. In the Champions League, holders FC Barcelona meet German club Bayer 04 Leverkusen as they continue their title defence. Arguably the round's most competitive series sees seven time winners AC [.

08.12.2011 - Manchester mira la Europa League: después de 6 años, Manchester United vuelve a quedar eliminado de la Champions League en 1º ronda y el City quedó afuera (en su lugar entró Nápoli) de los octavos de final.
Los portugueses con una de cal y una arena: Benfica adentro, Porto afuera.

Bayer are looking to turn Group E on its end tomorrow night in Leverkusen. Current Bayer midfielder and former Chelsea boy Michael Ballack, for visual aid, demonstrates the effect the home side is seeking to have in the splashy photograph below.

Beat Street

But really, nevermind the hosts.

Holders Barcelona and AC Milan are the first two teams through to the UEFA Champions League round of 16, while Arsenal and Chelsea failed to pick up the wins they needed in order to assure progression to the knockout stages.

Milan were held to a 1-1 draw in Minsk by BATE Borisov, with Ibrahimovic getting the all important goal for the Italian champions.

Eren Derdiyok scored a simply sublime goal this past weekend for Bayer Leverkusen against Wolfsburg. It was the type of goal that you'll have to watch more than once to marvel at what the Swiss striker of Kurdish descent actually did.

It's a simply spectacular goal and a great advertisement for the Bundesliga.

Barcelona and Arsenal picked up their first Champions League victories of the season while Marseille made it two wins out of two after thrashing Dortmund.

Winners of the competition in three of the last six seasons, Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw by AC Milan on matchday one, but turned in a clinical performance to win 5-0 at BATE.

Das ist ein Ding der Unmöglichkeit, den Jungen ins Gefängnis zu stecken. So etwas habe ich in unserem Land bislang nicht für möglich gehalten. Zwar ist noch nicht alles bekannt, aber so, wie sich die Staatsanwaltschaft aufführt, das ist Wahnsinn. Wir sind vollkommen vor den Kopf gestoßen.

Das ist ein Ding der Unmöglichkeit, den Jungen ins Gefängnis zu stecken. So etwas habe ich in unserem Land bislang nicht für möglich gehalten. Zwar ist noch nicht alles bekannt, aber so, wie sich die Staatsanwaltschaft aufführt, das ist Wahnsinn. Wir sind vollkommen vor den Kopf gestoßen.

Thiago Silva scored Milan's crucial equalizer in Barcelona on Tuesday

Concerns over FC Barcelona's defence continued after the first of this season's UEFA Champions League matches were played throughout Europe last night.

The defending Spanish and European champions had home advantage in their Group H encounter against AC Milan but were behind after just 25 seconds with Alexandre Pato scoring the fastest goal ever scored in the competition.

AC Milan got the new season off to a dramatic start with a thrilling draw at Barcelona but there were opening victories for Marseille, Chelsea, Porto and APOEL.

Pato struck for AC Milan inside 25 seconds at Camp Nou, the fifth fastest in Champions League history and the earliest on any matchday one.

Tuesday is certain to be a special European night at Stamford Bridge. Whether or not the guest of honor plays a prominent role is up for suggestion.

This has been spoken of at length, but it bears repeating. Michael Ballack is returning to London. The old man the legend will be part of a quite good Bayer Leverkusen side that will be making its first trip to the Bridge since, well, ever.

Hey, it's Michael Ballack. Long time no see.

Welcome back

Michael Ballack was highly admired around these parts during his time at Chelsea. We, like Carlo Ancelotti, felt he deserved a short-term extension with the club. I, for instance, offered the following after learning of the announcement of his departure in early June 2010.

Chelsea welcome the Canaries to Stamford Bridge for their first Premier League fixture on Fulham Road since 2004. Overconfidence should not be problem following a difficult yet somewhat fruitful start to the 2011-12 season but a win is clearly expected ahead of pivotal trips to the Stadium of Light and Old Trafford.

2011/12 UEFA Champions League group stage
Group A
FC Bayern München (GER)
Villarreal CF (ESP)
Manchester City FC (ENG)
SSC Napoli (ITA)
Group B
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)
LOSC Lille Métropole (FRA)
Trabzonspor AÅž (TUR)
Group C
Manchester United FC (ENG)
SL Benfica (POR)
FC Basel 1893 (SUI)
FC Oţelul Galaţi (ROU)
Group D
Real Madrid CF (ESP)
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
AFC Ajax (NED)
GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
Group E
Chelsea FC (ENG)
Valencia CF (ESP)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER)
KRC Genk (BEL)
Group F
Arsenal FC (ENG)
Olympique de Marseille (FRA)
Olympiacos FC (GRE)
Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Group G
FC Porto (POR)
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
FC Zenit St Petersburg (RUS)
APOEL FC (CYP)
Group H
FC Barcelona (ESP)
AC Milan (ITA)
FC BATE Borisov (BLR)
FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)

Hat die Bayern das Losglück verlassen? Mit Villareal, Manchester City und dem SSC Neapel glaubt man, eine verdammt starke Gruppe erwischt zu haben. Aber keine Sorge, stärke als andere Gruppen ist die Gruppe A auch nicht besetzt, nur interessanter! Das sind alles schlagbare Gegner, auch wenn jetzt schon mal vorbeugend gejammert wird.

We'll take Apoel in Group G, please. No, not to win. To take home with us.

Just before you start firing off missives to us about how we promised not to ever cover this proper football news stuff, please note the following: the terms of our geek adoption scheme requires us to release the two crazies occupying the Mayhem & Fruit Beverages Suite for exercise at unannounced times.

The German Bundesliga kicks off MatchDay One of its 2011-2012 campaign Friday with a matchup between reigning champions Borussia Dortmund and Hamburger SV. With former German international Jurgen Klinsmann taking over the reins of the USMNT after Coach Bob Bradley was dismissed, and Bundesliga players Torsten Frings and Frank Rost joining MLS clubs in recent weeks, it's time to look at the league where all these players starred, and where Klinsmann coached Bayern Munich after taking the German national team to a 3rd place finish in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

The German Bundesliga kicks off MatchDay One of its 2011-2012 campaign Friday with a matchup between reigning champions Borussia Dortmund and Hamburger SV. With former German international Jurgen Klinsmann taking over the reins of the USMNT after Coach Bob Bradley was dismissed, and Bundesliga players Torsten Frings and Frank Rost joining MLS clubs in recent weeks, it's time to look at the league where all these players starred, and where Klinsmann coached Bayern Munich after taking the German national team to a 3rd place finish in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Japanese photography giant Fujifilm has announced partnerships with Bundesliga sides Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1899 Hoffenheim.

Sechs Wochen Vorbereitung sind auf einen Schlag kaputt. Wir waren von unserem guten Spiel wohl selbst so überrascht, dass wir das 3:1 nicht als Warnschuss wahrgenommen haben.

Robin Dutt, Trainer von Bayer 04 Leverkusen, nach dem DFB-Pokalspiel gegen Zweitligaaufsteiger Dynamo Dresden, dass die Leverkusener totz 3:0 Führung am Ende noch verloren haben.

Ich habe noch zwei Karten für das Open Air von Matthias Reim in Kamenz ergattert, da will ich hin.

Robert Koch, Doppel-Torschütze von Dynamo Dresden im sensationellen Pokalspiel gegen Bayer 04 Leverkusen, lässt anschließend die Einladung zum ZDF-Sportstudio mit diesen Worten saußen.

If you are not fan of Bayer Leverkusen or a massive disciple of the German Bundesliga, Lars Bender may appear as an obscure name to you and this may be the first time you are also hearing the name ‘Werkself'. ‘Werkself' means "Factory Squad" and is a nickname for TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Ich will nach München. Jetzt. Ich möchte unbedingt, dass sich die Vereine einigen.

Arturo Vidal, Mittelfeldspieler von Bayer 04 Leverkusen, will unbedingt jetzt und sofort zum FC Bayern München wechseln.

In the second part of three, Stoppage Time's look around the European leagues focuses on twelve leagues from Georgia to Montenegro via Germany, Greece and Italy.

GEORGIA

FC Zestaponi are looking forward to their first venture into the UEFA Champions League next season after winning their maiden Umaglesi Liga title with a six point margin over record champions Dinamo Tbilisi.

A draw in their last match of the 2010/11 season will ensure a second place finish for German Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen and an group stage spot in the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League. In anticipation of next season, the Bayer Leverkusen adidas 2011/12 away jersey has been launched by the club.

English speaking BVB fans are on cloud nine. Their German speaking counterparts are on cloud seven. But maybe there's a way to bring the two together for the big party on May 14th. Roman Weidenfeller will volunteer as a translator. A 2-0 victory over Nuremberg clinched Dortmund's seventh German championship and the first title after nine years, thanks to Leverkusen doing, what Leverkusen does best.

Ich will den Frauen nicht zu nahe treten, aber der pfeift wie beim Frauenfußball. Und Glückwunsch an den BVB!

Rudi Völler, Sportdirektor von Vizemeister Bayer 04 Leverkusen, nach dem verlorenen Spiel gegen Borussia Mönchengladbach, in dem in seinen Augen zahlreiche Benachteiligungen durch den Schiedsrichter entstanden sind.

Dortmund need to postpone their lap of honor through the Bundesliga. Manuel Neuer may have made the "next big step" in his career from one Europa League bound club to another. A wild winning spree at the bottom of the table leaves Cologne and St. Pauli as this weekend's biggest losers.

Leverkusen 2-1 Hoffenheim.

• St. Pauli has some soul searching to do. (Twohundredpercent)
• Bundesliga Rewind looks back at one of the most famous 1970's clashes between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayern Munich. (Bundesliga Fanatic)
• Nobody cares about Rot-Weiss Oberhausen, except for Patrick. (ESPN Soccernet)
• The former #1 of Lower Saxony finally returns to the 2.

Wir spielen zuhause und wollen gewinnen. Wir sind der FC Bayern.

Thomas Müller, Mittelfeldspieler des FC Bayern München, ist sich vor dem Spiel gegen Bayer 04 Leverkusen des Sieges ziemlich sicher.

How closely were you paying attention to this week's football? Game Intelligence reveals some titbits that may have slipped under the radar... 1. Ballack causes a shitstorm Bayer Leverkusen's well-endowed midfielder was forced to apologise this week, after video footage ... Continue reading →

Greek side Aris Thessaloniki and English adversaries Manchester City have already got the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 ball rolling after playing out a dull goalless stalemate on Tuesday night. Now attention turns to the rest of the round and Stoppage Time International Football Blog previews the remaining ties.

Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund have had dominated their respective leagues this season, but both were surprised this weekend as Barca saw their record run of victories brought to a halt while Dortmund were held to a draw in the Bundesliga. Elsewhere, AC Milan and Manchester United both recorded morale-boosting results.

(Es bleibt immer eine Hoffnung. Aber sie sind einfach zu weit weg und das muss man akzeptieren. Und dann kann man auch gratulieren.

Arjen Robben, Stürmer des FC Bayern München, nach dem 1:1 im Rückrundenauftakt gegen den VfL Wolfsburg und dem 3:1 Sieg des Spitzenreiters Dortmund über Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

A turgid first half turned into a blistering second half, including a six minute period where Grosskreutz scored twice and Goetze scored a third for the league leaders. A late goal by Stefan Kiessling could not even cosmetically cover up an abject performance from the home side.

• If you want to beat the team with the stingiest defense on the counter, you can't sit back and allow the team with the most proficient attack to come at you all day.