Champions League

The holy grail of Champions League football has returned and with it the promise of some exciting and enthralling action of football. Nine times champions Real Madrid lock horns with newcomers and giant killers Tottenham at Madrid where as Inter Milan face High flying Schalke as the countdown to Wembley starts.

Good news is flowing thick and fast for both the teams as injury hit players look certain to be in line for a berth in the squad. Cristiano Ronaldo looks likely to start the match along with teammates Angel Di Maria, Marcelo and Kaka. With Real in desperate situation to salvage some pride at the end, Jose Mourinho will most probably take the risk of fielding Ronaldo in such an important clash. Failing to qualify for the quarters for the last six years has made Real hungry for more and the return of key players is a perfect fillup and the tonic they needed. The 0-1 reverse at the hands of Sporting Gijon needs to be forgotten in order to produce a superlative performance tonight.

There has never been a situation where two teams have almost been on equal footing before a match up. Injury to Gareth Bale and some disappointing results back home has put them in a precarious position of missing out on Champions League football. Hence like Real, Champions Lague 2011 rmains the elusive ticket to provide them a return to next year’s edition. And they are surely counting the chickens as the final would be played none other than at London. Gareth Bale suffering from hamstring like Ronaldo has also provided Harry with a timely boost as he is most certainly is playing tonight. However other injury news is not much encouraging as Steven Piennar, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate most certainly would miss the game.

Inter Milan can be expected to launch a massive backlash against Schalke as they are still hurting from their 0-3 disappointing defeat to A.C Milan thereby almost surrendering the Scudetto. And Inter knows that this is a golden opportunity to reach the semi finals having drawn the least best opponent this round. But expect nothing more than a spirited fightback from the Schalke side who deservedly reached the quarters after demolishing Valencia. And they have some star players who have been in this situation and have done it. Christoph Metzelder looks certain to be named in the squad but Schalke would miss the services of Klass Jan Huntelaar. Diego Milito is also in line to start after a lengthy injury gap.

Expect some high flying and exhilarating soccer at the Bernabeu as well as at San Siro as the business end of the competition unfurls.

Tags: Champions League, Football, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Schalke, Tottenham Hotspur