Phew, the Champions League is Back

This week signals the long-awaited return of the greatest club competition in football: the UEFA Champions League. 16 teams remain in contention for this year’s title and 8 of those sides face off on Tuesday and Wednesday hoping to take a giant step towards the quarter-finals.

A few tips on what to look out for…

Tuesday, 16 February 2010

AC Milan v Manchester United

Hot or Not: AC Milan – Currently sit third in Serie A, 9 points behind league leaders Inter but with a game in hand over their city rivals. They’ve won only once in their last 5 matches. Manchester United – Sit one point adrift of Chelsea at the top of the Premiership having scored 9 goals in their last 3 matches and grabbing 7 points from a possible 9.

History: AC Milan crushed Manchester United 3-0 at the San Siro in 2007 on the way to winning the title and laying to rest Liverpool ghosts from 2005.

One to watch: David Beckham. Becks made his name spraying thirty-yarders across Old Trafford‘s hollow turf. But will Golden Balls be able to muster up some of that Red Devil magic and impress on his first return home since his acrimonious departure in 2003.

David Beckham - New look, same old moves.

Lyon v Real Madrid

Hot or Not: Lyon – Having relinquished the Ligue Un title last term for the first time in 8 seasons, the perennial French champions show no signs of returning to those heady heights any time soon. Although Lyon lie in 4th place, 8 points behind leaders Bordeaux, they head into the knockout stage on the back of moral boosting Ligue Un wins over Lens and PSG. Real Madrid – Three convincing La Liga wins on the trot sees Los Blancos biting at the heels of league leaders Barcelona.

History: Lyon and Real met at the group stage of the competition in 2005 and again in 2006. Lyon won both home fixtures, while Real were held to action-packed ties in Madrid.

One to watch: Karim Benzema. The French international and former Lyon goal machine departed for El Bernebeu last summer in a €35 million deal. Although Benzema has notched a respectable 7 goals in 19 appearances, he has yet to justify Madrid‘s hefty outlay often playing second fiddle to Raul, Ronaldo and Kaka. Will the Benzema of old break out in front of familiar faces?

Karim Benzema - Tangled up in Madrid

And on Wednesday…

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