Michael Owen reacts to Chelsea v Barcelona in Champions League draw
Michael Owen has his say after Chelsea were drawn against Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League
Michael Owen has admitted that it was close to being a perfect draw for English sides in the Champions League last 16 before Chelsea were pitted against Barcelona.
The Blues were pitted against the Spanish giants in the first knockout phase of Europe’s elite club competition in Monday’s draw after being made to pay for finishing as runners-up in their group.
Meanwhile, Manchester United were drawn against Spanish side Sevilla, Tottenham were pitted against Juventus, Liverpool FC were drawn with Porto and Manchester City were drawn with FC Basel.
The other standout tie in the last 16 was Paris Saint-Germain being pitted against defending champions Real Madrid.
Speaking to BT Sport immediately after the draw was made, Owen said: “It was so close to being a perfect draw for the English teams, until that Chelsea one at the end!
“It could have been Besiktas and I was thinking it we could have all five teams through possibly.”
Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by West Ham United on Saturday to leave them 14 points behind leaders Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title.
The Blues will look to get back to winning ways in the top flight when they travel to Huddersfield Town in the top flight on Tuesday night.
Chelsea did not have the distraction of European football last season as they were able to concentrate solely on domestic affairs in Antonio Conte’s first campaign at the club.
Champions League draw in full
Chelsea v Barcelona
Porto v Liverpool FC
Sevilla v Manchester United
Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur
Basel v Manchester City
Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain
Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma
Bayern Munich v Besiktas
