Champions League 2013-14: Top Players Who Will Shine in Round of 16 1st Leg

The Champions League has now been whittled down to Europe's elite 16 sides, all vying for a place in May's final at Lisbon's Estadio da Luz.

Here, we take a look at some of the players likely to prove vital to their teams progressing to the quarter-finals.


Top Players

Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid

The Brazilian striker has struck 26 goals in 35 games for Los Colchoneros this term, and it's difficult to see any hope for AC Milan against Atletico.

Add to that the fact Costa will be facing a Milan side struggling in 10th position in Serie A. I Rossoneri couldn't come at a better time.

Costa is reportedly a target for Chelsea, as mentioned by the Metro.

Having been in formidable form this season, Costa sits only one behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the La Liga scoring charts on 21 goals.

It would be a brave man who bets against him adding to his tally against Milan.


Mario Mandzukic, Bayern Munich

Mandzukic has been in ruthless form for Bayern this term. As per ESPN.com, he has hit 12 goals and two assists in 19 games.

Although they will miss the creative talents of Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben will provide the creative spark needed to feed the goal threat that Mandzukic brings.

Pep Guardiola has long been an advocate of the "false nine" role, a role Mandzukic is not naturally accustomed to. Nevertheless, the former-Wolfsburg man has been in such dependable form this season that Guardiola has been willing to dispense with that philosophy for the goals he brings.

Arsenal's defence, led by Per Mertesacker will have to be on excellent form if they are to nullify the threat Mandzukic poses.


Vincent Kompany, Manchester City

Much has been made of the big-money signings Manchester City have made since the Sheikh Mansour takeover. But it is often forgotten that Vincent Kompany, arguably City's best player in that period, was there before the money rolled in.

Kompany has been at the fulcrum of a City side that has conquered the English game and now will attempt to dominate Europe. If City are to progress, Kompany will be vital to repel the pressure exerted by Barcelona's mesmeric style of play.

Alan Brazil of TalkSport tweeted that Kompany was confident heading into the clash against the Catalan giants:

Kompany has come to represent the virtues the Premier League seeks to extol. He is brave, fast and ferocious in the tackle. But it will be his reading of the game that will be most keenly tested against Barcelona.

Count on Kompany to shepherd City into the quarter-finals.

Source: Bleacherreport
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JR Smith Says It's Hard to Tell If Knicks Players Support Mike Woodson

New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith gave embattled coach Mike Woodson a show of support following New York's 117-90 win over the Denver Nuggets. And he is almost certain his teammates feel the same way.Per ESPN New York's Ian Begley: "Yeah, I believe so. It’s kind of hard to tell. Of course, nobody wants to show their whole hand. I think guys really care about him. I think guys care about this team, care about winning."
Smith is definitely right about one thing: Guys care about winning. It's pretty important to just about every athlete, professional or otherwise.
But the Knicks haven't been doing much winning this season under Woodson—Friday's win raised their record to 20-30. Despite carrying one of the league's highest payrolls, New York is still 1.5 games behind the Charlotte Bobcats for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
As for the other part—caring about Woodson—it is almost guaranteed that there are a few Knicks who flat-out do not like him. Woodson has feuded with multiple players during the 2013-14 season.
His most public critic has been reserve point guard Beno Udrih, who laced into the coach after Woodson blamed him for the Knicks' troubles in late December, per NorthJersey.com's Steve Popper:

Beno doesn't sound thrilled with absorbing blame from Woodson: "Don't just be a coach, be a person."

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Picking a European Best XI of Players Currently Sitting on the Bench

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

When the Spain captain was dropped by Jose Mourinho, most assumed that it was an exercise in political power. That Carlo Ancelotti has stuck with Diego Lopez in his stead perhaps suggests that there was sporting merit to Mourinho’s move. Casillas will hope to go to the World Cup buoyed by triumph in the Champions League, in which he does play.

 

Martin Caceres (Juventus)

The 26-year-old Uruguayan is a very complete footballer for a defender, and he is comfortable as a wing-back as well as in the centre. Unfortunately for him, he is competing with one of the world’s best right wing-backs in Stephan Lichtsteiner, so he must feed on scraps of action.

 

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Newcastle United)

It’s rare for a signing from Ligue 1 to not hit the mark at St James’ Park, but that has been the case for the former Montpellier captain. Yanga-Mbiwa has disappointed but it’s not entirely his fault. He’s never had a decent run in his best position of centre-back, being used all too often at full-back and even in defensive midfield. It’s Newcastle’s loss.

 
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National Signing Day 2014: Best Uncommitted Players Linked to Top Programs

Despite national signing day looming, some of the best high school football players in the country have yet to make up their minds. The upper crust of college football has recruiters diligently in pursuit, and these are the top five players they're after. 

 

Adoree' Jackson, CB

Adoree' Jackson is without a doubt the best uncommitted player in the country. He only stands at 5'10", but he possesses fantastic ability in coverage and great instincts around the ball. 

Jackson has a stack of offers before him, but he has only visited four schools. LSU and Florida State are the front-runners, but he also checked out Oklahoma and Tennessee according to ESPN.

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