Previews

Champions League returns

Author: Brandon Barker

Date: 16/02/2010

The bright European lights will shine once again as the Champions League swings back into action on Tuesday evening.

It has been a long time since December's last round of fixtures with Liverpool being the big fallers as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal progressed with some ease.

English eyes are likely to focus on proceedings at the San Siro as Manchester United get ready to face AC Milan.

As the media frenzy circulates around David Beckham, who could make his first appearance against the Red Devils since leaving them in 2003, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be happy the spotlight is turned away from his side.

The Old Trafford giants will be gunning for revenge after losing their semi-final showdown against the Rossoneri during the 2006-07 season.

United grabbed a first-leg lead in an epic contest thanks to a double from Wayne Rooney and a Cristiano Ronaldo strike. Milan's Kaka struck a brace himself as Fergie's men edge a thrilling clash 3-2.

However, Milan's authority in Italy secured a final berth with Kaka, Clarence Seedorf and Alberto Gilardino doing the damage in the 3-0 win, seeing Carlo Ancelotti's men through 5-3 on aggregate.

Milan went on to beat Liverpool 2-1 in the final to lift the trophy, but United's pain spurred them on the following season as they won the competition for a second time, beating Premier League rivals in Moscow on penalties.

Rooney is expected to be the visitors leading goal threat and Milan, now without Kaka, are not the super-power they once were.

Can Manchester United grab a stunning last-16 first-leg win against AC Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday evening? - Latest Football Betting

In the other last-16 fixture of the evening, Real Madrid travel to France to take on Lyon at the Stade Gerland.

With Madrid boasting a squad that now includes former United star Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso and they are online sportsbook favourites to down Claude Puel's men.

Lyon have fond memories of facing the La Liga side after downing Los Galacticos in their previous meeting in France.

John Carew, Juninho and Sylvain Wiltord goals in the 2005-06 competition secured a fine 3-0 success and Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini will certainly be out to avoid a similar nightmare result this time around.

Karim Benzema made a big-money move from Lyon to Madrid in the summer after making 112 league appearances for his home-town club.

He scored 43 goals in the process and he will make an emotional return to his former stamping ground.

Lyon striker Lisandro Lopez could face fellow Argentinians Gonzalo Higuain and Fernando Gago.

The same goes for the hosts' Brazilian duo Michel Bastos and Cris, with Kaka and Marcelo likely to feature in the opposition line-up.

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