Milan can put best foot forward against Bayern

Uefa Champions League round of 16: Bayern Munich v AC Milan Allianz Arena, kick-off 7.45: Is there a Champions League life after Istanbul? AC Milan tonight set out to answer that question when they take on the reigning German champions and league leaders Bayern Munich at their impressive Allianz Arena in Munich in the first leg of their Champions League second round tie.

There is little doubt that, in the wake of that incredible defeat by Liverpool in last May's Champions League final in Istanbul, Milan started off this season determined to wipe out those bitter memories in the only way possible, namely by winning this season's Champions League.

Already eliminated from the Italian Cup and 10 points behind arch rivals Juventus in second place in the Serie A title contest, Milan's eggs are now all in this one Champions League basket.

"From the night we lost in Istanbul, we've been talking about this. The Champions League is our number one objective and we believe we can pull it off, even if you've got to admit that Bayern are pretty formidable opponents", says the team's battling midfielder, Gennaro Gattuso.

However, playmaker Andrea Pirlo and Brazilian goalkeeper Dida have both been less than brilliant whilst the Milan defence tends to look rudderless without peerless Paolo Maldini who, despite his 37 years of age, remains an influential player.

Maldini and Brazilian right back Cafu are both ruled out of tonight's game by injury, but Dida and Pirlo are sure to start.

Before Bayern start counting chickens, however, the Germans should take note of the fact that Milan have won their last three Serie A games, in the process scoring 10 goals and conceding only one. More importantly, there is the sensation that Milan's preparation has been timed to perfection.

Watching Milan's 1-0 win against little Cagliari last Saturday night perhaps made the point. By any standards, it was a less than world-shattering performance in which Milan played well within themselves, with their thoughts clearly on tonight's game. The fact that star striker Ukraine's Andriy Shevchenko was rested tells its own story.

Milan know only too well that they will need to be at their best to see off a Bayern side which is currently cruising on top of the Bundesliga, nine points clear of second-placed Werder Bremen, notwithstanding a 1-1 away draw with Hannover on Saturday.

Furthermore, Bayern have been invincible at home this season, winning three out of three Champions League ties, including a 2-1 defeat of Juventus and 10 out of 10 Bundesliga games in the Allianz Arena.

If Milan look to such as Shevchenko, Pirlo, Brazilian Kaka and striker Alberto Gilardino tonight, Bayern clearly rest much of their hopes on the shoulders of midfielder Michael Ballack, without doubt the outstanding German player of his generation.

At the end of this season, Ballack will have a date with destiny when he captains Germany in a home World Cup campaign.

Four months away from that imposing appointment, though, he has been looking awesomely effective and along with Brazilian Ze Roberto, Peruvian Claudio Pizarro and Dutchman Roy Makaay he is part of a Bayern strike force that is nothing if not skilled and experienced.

As Milan prepared for tonight's game at their Milanello training ground on Sunday, there was widespread expectation that club owner, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi might drop in to wish his team good luck.

Government responsibilities as well as the ongoing Italian election campaign meant that the Prime Minister did not make it to Milanello but neither he nor the Milan management will have forgotten that this month marks the 20th anniversary of Berlusconi purchase of the club back in February, 1986. Another good reason for Milan to put their best foot forward tonight.

Meanwhile, Olympique Lyon will be out for a revenge when they visit PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch side eliminated the French champions in a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals last year after the two sides were level 2-2 on aggregate.