Champions League on the roll

LONDON – British hopes of Champions League glory come up against harsh realities this week when Liverpool visit holders Barcelona and Celtic host AC Milan in the last 16.

The ties form part of a five-pronged British assault on the world’s most coveted club trophy, with Premier League leaders Manchester United at Lille and champions Chelsea in Porto. Arsenal, like England’s other group winners, are also away in their first leg tie – at PSV Eindhoven.Arguably the most prestigious tie is at the Bernabeu, where Real Madrid host Bayern Munich tonight in a game between two clubs who have amassed 13 European Cups between them.French hopefuls Olympique Lyon, one of the competition’s most entertaining sides in recent years, are at AS Roma, while Italy’s runaway league leaders Inter Milan host Valencia.Liverpool’s Spanish manager Rafael Benitez knows Barcelona will be a formidable obstacle for his side and that avoiding defeat at the Nou Camp will be the objective tomorrow.Liverpool’s preparations on a training camp in Portugal have been overshadowed by newspaper reports of late-night drinking by some players – prompting a statement from Benitez.He met the squad on Sunday and “made it absolutely clear to all of them the responsibilities that come with playing for this club and the way they are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch.A bigger problem awaits the 2005 European champions fro Merseyside on the pitch, with Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o expected to be available along with Ronaldinho and now Argentine playmaker Lionel Messi who is back after injury.Messi looked sharp as a second half substitute for the Liga leaders in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Valencia.Milan, six-times European champions, can be expected to keep their cool against a Celtic side who will need to make the most of home advantage and weakened opponents today.Carlo Ancelotti’s side are short of strikers, with the injured Filippo Inzaghi and cup-tied Ronaldo unavailable.Nampa-ReutersArsenal, like England’s other group winners, are also away in their first leg tie – at PSV Eindhoven.Arguably the most prestigious tie is at the Bernabeu, where Real Madrid host Bayern Munich tonight in a game between two clubs who have amassed 13 European Cups between them.French hopefuls Olympique Lyon, one of the competition’s most entertaining sides in recent years, are at AS Roma, while Italy’s runaway league leaders Inter Milan host Valencia.Liverpool’s Spanish manager Rafael Benitez knows Barcelona will be a formidable obstacle for his side and that avoiding defeat at the Nou Camp will be the objective tomorrow.Liverpool’s preparations on a training camp in Portugal have been overshadowed by newspaper reports of late-night drinking by some players – prompting a statement from Benitez.He met the squad on Sunday and “made it absolutely clear to all of them the responsibilities that come with playing for this club and the way they are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch.A bigger problem awaits the 2005 European champions fro Merseyside on the pitch, with Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o expected to be available along with Ronaldinho and now Argentine playmaker Lionel Messi who is back after injury.Messi looked sharp as a second half substitute for the Liga leaders in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Valencia.Milan, six-times European champions, can be expected to keep their cool against a Celtic side who will need to make the most of home advantage and weakened opponents today.Carlo Ancelotti’s side are short of strikers, with the injured Filippo Inzaghi and cup-tied Ronaldo unavailable.Nampa-Reuters