The 2011/12 UEFA Champions League resumes with four round of 16 first legs this week. UEFA.com will bring you all the latest teams news and press conference quotes as we count down to the return of Europe's premier club competition. (All times CET).

Tuesday, 19.38, UEFA.com newsdesk
Have your say on the night's UEFA Champions League action on Twitter using #ChampionsLeague and make sure you follow @UEFAcom for the best post-match reaction and video highlights. In the meantime, keep up to speed with events in France and Germany using the MatchCentre. The blog is now closed until tomorrow morning.

Tuesday 18.47, Ian Holyman at the BayArena
Leverkusen may feel that − if any time is a good time − this is not a bad moment to meet Barcelona. The domestic form of Josep Guardiola's men has not been as awe-inspiring as it has been in the past, and Lionel Messi has not scored in eight of his 12 competitive matches since the turn of the year. With Barcelona's record in Germany only reasonably good (eight wins and five defeats in 21 matches) the hosts will believe there is hope they can pull off a surprise.

Tuesday 17:55, Matthew Spiro in Lyon
Taking in a pre-match café au lait in Lyon's pretty town centre, it would be an exaggeration to say excitement is building in the expansive (and rather expensive) Place de Bellecour. The locals here seem more worried about buying flowers for their loved ones on Valentine's Day than getting to the Stade de Gerland.

Romance will have to wait for many Cypriot couples, however; the APOEL fans have travelled in their droves − about 5000 are expected to attend − to witness this historic occasion. It is the first time a Cypriot team has reached the UEFA Champions League knockout stage, and their supporters − who are easy to pick out in their yellow-and-blue scarves − clearly believe the adventure is only just beginning. Not only have they sacrificed Valentine's Day, they have also traded a relatively warm climate for a freezing, drizzly evening in south-east France.

Lyon have expressed some concern that, for once, the game might not sell out. The opposition may not be deemed as glamorous as the teams OL have faced at this stage in the past eight seasons, but Rémi Garde is making sure his players do not underestimate APOEL. Make no mistake, this is a huge match for the French team − and their young trainer. Like APOEL, Garde is making his debut as a coach in the knockout stage. Lyon are still in contention on four fronts, yet Garde knows the remainder of the campaign could hinge on the outcome of this tie.

Tuesday 17.54, Artem Nefedyev from St Petersburg
Benfica midfielder Axel Witsel is not fazed by the prospect of appearing in sub-zero temperatures against Zenit as the cold snap affecting large swathes of Europe continues to bite. "Playing in these conditions is hard, but Zenit will be in the same position," he said at the Eagles' pre-match press conference. "This is a situation that must be overcome by showing our best qualities."

Meanwhile, Witsel's team-mate, Luisão, celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday. Coach Jorge Jesus said: "The team is like a family and we had to create an atmosphere of support and love from this family, which is Benfica."

Tuesday 17.36, Steffen Potter at the BayArena
Leverkusen goalkeeper René Adler is poised for a return to full training having been out since undergoing surgery last summer on his right knee. "I don't have any problems with the knee anymore, it has not reacted to the recent stress," said the 27-year-old. "I will now undergo the final stages of rehab and then train with the team."

Tuesday 17.16, John Leonidou from Nicosia
Costas Fasouliotis − a former APOEL forward turned football pundit − has given his thoughts on tonight's game against Lyon. "An away goal would be very important for APOEL and would help them a lot, but even a 1-0 defeat wouldn't be too bad a result. APOEL have a chance against Lyon but we also need to be realistic. We know APOEL are a very worthy side but Lyon have incredible experience in this competition."

Asked about the large congregation of supporters travelling to eastern France, he said: "This is unbelievable. It's hard to believe there are 5,000 APOEL fans for an away game. This is a rare sight, especially when one takes into consideration the size of Cyprus. This is the most important game in the history of Cypriot football so it is very fitting that APOEL should have their loyal fans by their side."

Tuesday 17.05, UEFA.com newsdesk
Ahead of tonight's matches in Leverkusen and Lyon, why not download a match press kit, packed with latest domestic news, statistics, background on the teams involved and much, much more.

Tuesday 15.50, Lisbon newsdesk
Benfica have just started training in St Petersburg after deciding to bring forward their session from 17.05 due to the arctic temperatures in Russia. The press conference will begin at 16.30 as scheduled.

Tuesday 15.44, Matthew Spiro, en route to Lyon
APOEL striker Aílton is in confident mood. "There's no reason why our run should stop now," said the fit-again Brazilian. "We're not a better team than FC Porto but we were on the day and we beat them – the same could happen against Lyon." The 27-year-old will also be buoyed by Lyon's defensive record of just one clean sheet in their last 11 fixtures – and that came against amateur opposition in the form of Vendée Luçon Football in the French Cup.

On the plus side for the seven-time French champions, they have been boosted by news that talismanic forward Lisandro intends to stay at the club. "I plan to finish this season, take some holiday in July, then come back to Lyon," the Argentinian told French radio.

Tuesday 15.26, Alessandro Massimo at Milanello
Milan have a long list of injuries at present but the absences have enabled Stephan El Shaarawy to take his first-team chance. The half-Egyptian Italian Under-21 international scored the winner against Udinese Calcio on Saturday but Allegri wants to treat the precocious teenager with kid gloves.

"El Shaarawy is playing very well, he's growing, but is still only 19, so we mustn't give him too much responsibility," he said. "He has great qualities, is a great striker and has become a regular starter in Milan's attack." Quite whether influential midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, will recover in time for tomorrow remains to be seen. "I don't think Boateng will start but tomorrow I could change my opinion about that and Pato. It is very important to have them and [Alessandro] Nesta back, too."

Tuesday 15.03, John Leonidou in Nicosia
APOEL were last night saddened by the news that the father of assistant coach Predrag Erak passed away yesterday. Erak, a former Serbian defender who played alongside APOEL coach Ivan Jovanović during their time together at Iraklis FC, has been at the Nicosia club since 2008. "We just discovered the sad news about 45 minutes ago," Jovanović told reporters last night. "Predrag is a close colleague of mine and we all offer him our condolences. Things are obviously tough for him right now."

Tuesday 15.00, Matthew Spiro, en route to Lyon
Lyon have qualified for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League for nine consecutive seasons, losing in three quarter-finals and one semi-final. Winger Michel Bastos is targeting another long run, saying: "Why not [reach the semis again]? This club has to aim very, very high." Former OL defender and coach Raymond Domenech believes APOEL could unsettle Rémi Garde's charges. "I'm worried for this Lyon side," said the former France coach. "They've lacked stability at the back ever since Dejan Lovren got injured."

Tuesday 14.40, Alessandro Massimo at Milanello
AC Milan have not got past the round of 16 stage of the UEFA Champions League in their last three attempts and on each occasion have succumbed to English opposition, but Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri insists his side are not cowed by their Premier League hoodoo."We are not scared by the defeats of recent years against English teams," the 44-year-old told today's press conference. "Last year we made a big mistake in Milan [against Tottenham Hotspur] but in the return we deserved to win and go through. Arsenal are playing well and are very dangerous in atttack. Conceding a goal at home would be damaging for the second leg in London. We must not concede on the counterattack."

Tuesday 14.20, Matthew Spiro, en route to Lyon
Gloves and tights will be the order of the evening at Stade de Gerland, but Lyon coach Rémi Garde will hope his players don't freeze in the same way they did against SM Caen at the weekend. Even though the kick-off was brought forward to 15.00 on Saturday, temperatures were well below freezing and Les Gones did little on the pitch to warm up the crowd of just over 30,000 supporters, losing 2-1 against a Caen side that had not previously won in over three months.

The UEFA Champions League tends to bring the best out of OL, who, don't let's forget, scored seven goals in their last European outing against GNK Dinamo Zagreb to reach the knockout stage. "After the miraculous qualification in Zagreb, Lyon have the fortune of playing APOEL in the last 16," notes today's edition of L'Equipe newspaper. "This is a chance they mustn't waste."

Tuesday 13.48, Ian Holyman, en route to Leverkusen
The absences of Sydney Sam and Eren Derdiyok are major blows. The hosts are unlikely to see much of the ball, and the absent duo's pace and goal threat will be sorely missed when they do have it. The onus on André Schürrle and Renato Augusto to provide a creative spark will be all the greater.

Tuesday 13.35, Steffen Potter at the BayArena
The Süddeutsche Zeitung alludes to the fact that despite having swept the boards on the trophy front over recent years an air of defeatism is beginning to creep in. "Barcelona have won everything there is to win but now there are consequences to pay. The urge to win silverware is not as excessive as it is at Real Madrid. In the city, a defeatist mood is spreading ahead of the round of 16 ties against Leverkusen.

"Barcelona have been beset by a breeze of defeatism. If a Martian landed on earth he would get the impression that Barça has been in a crisis for years, not that they had just won 13 of the last 16 competitions they have entered. There are many indications to suggest the excessive success of recent times is the foundation for the current downturn. While the team still wants to win silverware, the urgency of past years seems to have waned. After all, their collection is complete. Everything that happens now is but a repeat.

Tuesday 13.19, Ian Holyman, en route to Leverkusen
Despite the fact he's been relegated to a bit-part role since the turn of the year, Michael Ballack, who was injured in training on Sunday, would have been a boon to Leverkusen tonight. He was magnificent in the defeat of Chelsea FC in the group stage, and his big-game know-how would have been welcome in a team lacking UEFA Champions League nous.

Tuesday 13.10, John Leonidou in Nicosia
"We know that Lyon are a fantastic team but all of us want to play in this match," said APOEL's Hélio Pinto, the Algarve-born midfielder who hopeful of receiving a Cypriot passport this month which will render him eligible to play for Cyprus. "We don't want this dream to end here and so we will be looking to do the groundwork tonight ahead of the return leg. They will be two difficult games but we hope to God that we will be the ones to go through." Nuno Morais is also undergoing in the process of applying for Cypriot citizenship.

Tuesday 13.00, London newsdesk
It's goalless at the interval in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 fixture between Rubin Kazan and Olympiacos. To follow the second half as it happens why not wander over to our live Matchcentre? Also, if you haven't already done so, there is still time to update your UEFA Champions League Fantasy Football team ahead of tonight's games.

Tuesday 12.58, Ian Holyman, en route to Leverkusen
Leverkusen have already beaten Spanish opposition at home this season, coming from behind to beat Valencia CF in the group stage. The hosts, though, were mightily fortunate to be only 1-0 down at half-time with the visitors having squandered a host of chances. Surely Barça will not be as generous.

Tuesday 12.35, Steffen Potter at the BayArena
Germany's leading sports daily Bild believes coach Robin Dutt has formulated a masterplan to stop Lionel Messi. Running with the headline "All against Messi" the daily says: "It's the match of the year for Leverkusen. In the league, Dutt's side is only average. In the UEFA Champions League round of 16 a gargantuan duel against Barcelona, the world's best XI, awaits. So the big question is: How do you solve a problem like Messi?

"The plan: En masse against Messi.
The question: Will the centre-backs follow him if he drops deep or will others in the zone take over? The latter seems possible.
The meaning: As soon as the 67 kg wizard drops deep, holding midfielders [Simon] Rolfes (83 kg) and [Stefan] Reinartz (83 kg) will take over duties from central-back Ömer Toprak (83 kg). That amounts to 249 kilos obstructing Messi's path."

The conclusion: Not the most elborate scheme of all time, but it might work.

Tuesday 12.04, José Nuno Pimentel in Lisbon
If Ezequiel Garay's mood is anything to go by Benfica are confident of getting the desired result against Zenit regardless of the weather. The 25-year-old defender tweeted: "Heading to Russia. We are going to experience something beautiful on Wednesday. Big hugs to all." Upon arrival, the Argentinian added: "-15C right now. It's cold."

Meanwhile, the Record newspaper has interviewed FC Lokomotiv Moskva's Portuguese coach José Couceiro, who believes Zenit's chances have been dented by Danny's absence due to torn knee ligaments. "Zenit have a huge disadvantage because of Danny's injury. He is a very influential player. In these type of matches, Zenit are a team that depend on the transition from defence to attack and Danny is a crucial factor in that process."

Tuesday 11.40, London newsdesk
It is also decidedly chilly in Moscow, where FC Rubin Kazan are about to host Olympiacos FC in their UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg at 12.00. Follow the latest in our live Matchcentre. Meanwhile, in slightly warmer Munich, adidas have unveiled the official match ball for the 2012 UEFA Champions League final – the adidas Finale Munich.

Tuesday 11.30, Artem Nefedyev, from St. Petersburg
Tomorrow night in St. Petersburg, the temperature drops to -12C but Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti does not consider this a problem for his team.: "A strong player should be able to adapt to any situation," says the Italian, who recently penned a new deal at the Russian club. "The pitch may not be in the best condition, in which case the team must play play a technical role. Football game can be played in any weather and we will use our strengths and show our character – we want to write a new chapter in the history of Zenit".

Tuesday 11.25, José Nuno Pimentel in Lisbon
The Portuguese media are all talking about the cold weather in Russia, with temperatures expected to plunge to -11C by tomorrow's kick-off. A Bola insists, however that the Stadion Petrovskiy will host an "Ice-proof Benfica". The newspaper adds that: "the team is red-hot despite the cold that greeted them upon their arrival at St Petersburg. The flight was a joy as with [31-year-old] Luisão sung ‘Happy Birthday' by his team-mates.

Tuesday 11.11, Paolo Menicucci, from Milan
Even if the front page of the Gazzetta dello Sport is dominated by the "crisis" of AC Milan's city rivals FC Internazionale Milano, the pink paper also compares and contrasts strikers Zlatan Ibrahimović and Robin van Persie who go head to head when Arsenal take on the Rossoneri at San Siro tomorrow night. "Zlatan is the successor to Marco van Basten, Robin the new Piet Keizer. Zlatan is Milan's leader, Robin the Arsenal captain; their personalities are as complicated like the many goals they both manage to score. Europe, however, will continue to remain just a dream for one of them after this tie."

Tuesday 10.59, Artem Nefedyev, from St. Petersburg
Zenit forward Aleksandr Kerzhakov has shared his thoughts before his side's meeting with Benfica. "We are facing a strong side who won their league championship, but we can go through to the next stage, if we play the football we are capable of. Our main motivation is the fans who are going to fill up the stadium despite the cold weather, this event is just as important for them as it is for us."

Tuesday 10.42, Steffen Potter at the BayArena
If the hosts were hoping for more snow to stop Barcelona, those wishes will not come true. Yes, it's cold and the weather is miserable with thick, grey clouds and cold rain pouring down in temperatures of 2C, but while precipitation will be constant all day, the deluge is forecast to stop by nightfall.

Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt may have insisted yesterday that the match is not about stopping only Lionel Messi, those present here in the hotel inside the BayArena have been talking about almost nothing else during breakfast. Just how will Bayer be able to stop Messi? Who else this season has scored more goals than games he has played both in the Liga and in the UEFA Champions League?

Tuesday 10.29, John Leonidou in Nicosia
Goal's four-page feature inside. entitled 'With St. Valentine's Blessing', gives an in-depth analysis into APOEL's run so far in the competition, what the game potentially means for Cypriot football and of the Nicosia club's opponents. Another leading paper in Cyprus, Politis, features a large picture of the APOEL players celebrating after their draw away to Zenit St. Petersburg over the words 'Do what you do best'.

Tuesday 10.22, Christian Châtelet in Paris
Local newspaper Le Progrès sounds an optimistic note ahead of Lyon's encounter with APOEL. "Of course football is not about stories written in advance, and APOEL's outing tonight in Gerland, is not a mere formality. But at least Lyon, defeated twice by Real Madrid, failing to beat Ajax over two games and ending up second in their group, were lucky enough to draw a club that are virtually a gift from heaven."

Tuesday 10.05, John Leonidou in Nicosia
Two of the island's leading sports papers married Valentine's Day with APOEL's historic match in Lyon tonight. Widespread newspaper euphoria aside, the game is also the top story on the television and radio. Packed cafes, bars and even restaurants all over the Cyprus will be tuned into tonight's game.

"Amour pour les étoiles" reads the front page headline in Sport Day with an animation on the front page showing Hélio Pinto, Nuno Morais, Ailton, Marcinho, Dionisios Chiotis and Constantinos Charalambides appearing on a red heart with the APOEL logo at its centre. "APOEL are ready to experience the greatest night in their history," reads the editorial. "Thousands of Cypriots have made the journey to Lyon and an expected 4,500-5,000 fans are expected to cram into the Stade de Gerland tonight."

Goal splashes the words "Undying love" over pictures of various APOEL players alongside coach Ivan Jovanović. The front page also reads: "As a way to celebrate Valentine's Day, 4,000 fans – in love with APOEL – will make their presence felt tonight at the frozen Stade de Gerland."

On the news front, defender Marcelo Oliveira will definitely miss tonight's game through injury meaning Kaká will step in.

Tuesday 9.50, Paul Bryan in Madrid
Ahead of Barcelona's trip to Bayer Leverkusen, Catalan daily La Vanguardia reminds its readers that the reigning European club champions have never had it easy under current coach Josep Guardiola at this stage of the competition. In three previous attempts against Olympique Lyonnais, VfB Stuttgart and Arsenal FC, the Azulgrana have failed to win the first leg of their round of 16 ties although they have gone on to triumph on aggregate in each of them.

"Barça return to a stage of the Champions League where they have never had it easy under the current coach," the newspaper explains. "For that reason, Guardiola has called for caution and extra focus at the BayArena tonight."

Tuesday 9.45, UEFA.com newsdesk
The UEFA Champions League returns this evening, with holders FC Barcelona in action at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, while Olympique Lyonnais host Cypriot side APOEL FC. Before those matches get under way we will bring you all the latest from our roving correspondents in the field as well as the news from the press conferences on the eve of FC Zenit St Petersburg v SL Benfica and AC Milan v Arsenal FC. Don't forget there are also various ways to win great prizes with UEFA.com, including Predictor, Player Rater, and Classics.