UEFA Champions League Tuesday

Champions League is back! My heart is a flutter! Maybe its because this is the only piece of silverware my Reds are still in contention for; or maybe its bringing the best clubs in Europe, and possibly the world, together for two match play-offs, just makes me happy. I think part of the excitement with leg play is that even if your team wins or looses the first leg, its still not over yet because there’s a second leg, insert dramatic music here.

How important is Champions League to this guy? Well, He went home on his lunch break to set his DVR to record his club taking on, Italian giants, Inter Milan. Champions League is the club version of Eurocup, except it happens every year! Sure your domestic cup is important, and winning the league is important, but only Champions League brings together the best of the best. With the first four matches kicking off in just a few hours, lets take a quick look before the excitement begins.

Olympiakos v. Chelsea
Chlesea travel to the Karaiskaki Stadium to face an Olympiakos side that joins FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC as the only unbeaten sides in the 2007-08 Champions League. Chelsea sit third in the Premier League an will welcome the return of Didier Drogba. Sorry Olympiakos, I don't know much about you guys, other than your from Greece.

Liverpool v. Inter Milan
Inter Milan will travel to Anfield, to face a struggling Liverpool side. That will be fighting tooth and nail, to say in the only competition they still have a chance in. Under-fire Manager Rafael Benitez will also be determined to see his side stay afloat in the Champions League. American owners George Gillette and Tom Hicks have already shown they are less than supportive of their manager, crashing out of the FA Cup to Barnsley didn’t help his case with the American ownership. Inter sit on top of Serie A, some 11 points clear of second place Roma and look secure to win their second Scudetto, having won last year. Both clubs could reach 500 European goals in tonights match up, with Inter needing one, and Liverpool needing two.

Schalke 04 v. FC Porto
Porto will travel to the Veltins-Arena, to face Schalke 04 who currently sit in fifth place in the Bundesliga. Lucho González leads Porto’s scoring with three goals in the competition, while Kevin Kuranyi leads Schalke 04 with two. Porto sit ten points clear of second place Benfica in the Portuguese Liga. The Dragoes will certainly look to take advantage of a slumping Schalke 04, who will hope to find some of the magic that found them second in the Bundesliga last year.

Roma v. Real Madrid
Finally, Real Madrid travel to the Stadio Olimpico, to face AS Roma in the Italian capital. Both teams are coming off hard losses over the weekend, while Real remain on top of La Liga, Roma sit in second 11 points away from Inter Milan. Ruud van Nistelrooy, or the amazing flying Dutchman as I like to call him, leads Real’s scoring with four goals. He returned from injury in the clubs loss over the weekend. However, manager Bernd Schuster will be without Robinho, Wesley Sneijder, Marcelo and Christoph Metzelder who all have injuries. Schuster will welcome back Gabriel Heinze, who will play in defense with Fabio Cannavaro. Mirko Vucinic leads Roma’s scoring with three goals, however, Real Madrid will be sure to keep an eye on Francesco Totti, who is always a potient threat.

Sorry if Bloggin’ is short, matches are about to kick-off.