Champions League is true to form
By CNN's Don Riddell
LONDON, England -- They do say that cream always rises to the top, and that's certainly true of this season's Champions League.
Six of the eight teams left are leading, or co-leading their respective domestic leagues back home. To date, Europe's top competition has been an accurate barometer of form.
The most intriguing tie looks like Real Madrid's clash with Monaco.
Only a matter of days ago we were talking about the "Merengues" as serious contenders for a treble.
But within the space of three games they've thrown away an eight-point lead in the Liga, and were surprisingly beaten in the final of the Copa del Rey by Real Zaragoza.
As it happens, that period coincided with Ronaldo's thigh injury. The Brazilian has scored around 40 percent of their goals this season, and they desperately need him back in the side.
Real must be desperately low on morale, but remain confident they can still lift the European Cup for a 10th time.
Monaco are joint leaders in France, and have played well this season. Remember they were the team that thrashed Deportivo -- another of the quarterfinalists -- 8-3 back in November.
Generous defense
They've also got someone who should know how to unlock the traditionally generous Real defense: the on-loan striker Fernando Morientes.
How ironic it would be if he were to help knock his employers out, and he's more than capable, having scored five in the campaign so far.
We could have two French sides in the last four, although Porto's 2-0 win over Lyon in the first leg in Portugal was a hugeblow to the reigning French champions.
Under coach Jose Mourinho, Porto -- the UEFA Cup winners last season -- have proved themselves to be a very useful outfit. Just ask Manchester United.
Holders AC Milan look certain to reach the semifinals after their 4-1 win over Deportivo on Tuesday.
But, while Serie A dominated year's competition with three teams in the last four, the "Rossoneri" are Italy's only hope this time around.
That just leaves the all-London European derby between Chelsea and Arsenal. The Gunners' skipper Patrick Vieira said before the draw that they didn't want Chelsea. I don't believe him.
The Gunners have never made it to the semifinals of the European Cup, and this is a team they know they can beat. They've already done it three times this season, and they've haven't lost to the Blues since 1998.
Add to that the fact that the non-flying Dennis Bergkamp can play in both legs, and this is a very winnable tie for Arsene Wenger.
I can't see them blowing it this time either, so my money's on seeing Arsenal, AC Milan, Porto and Real Madrid in the semifinals next month.
Don Riddell presents World Sport on CNN International at 0930 GMT, 1230 GMT, 1430 GMT, and 2130 GMT daily (also 0030 GMT at weekends and daily in Asia.)
