Chelsea chase capital gains

Winners curse
Standing in their way tonight are FC Bayern München, a side with a fine Champions League pedigree having made two of the last six finals. However, they have failed to progress past the quarter-finals since winning the competition in 2000/01. Chelsea will hope to maintain Bayern's last eight hoodoo, as they bid to equal their best showing in the Champions League, having reached the semi-finals last season before losing to AS Monaco FC.

Anniversary waltz
The Londoners' centenary year promises to be the greatest in their history, as this is not the only trophy they could have in their possession come the end of the season. Chelsea have already won the English League Cup, and the Premiership title also looks likely to end up at Stamford Bridge as they hold a 13-point lead at the top.

One defeat
AC Milan's six European Cups is the best haul of the eight sides left in the tournament. They will aim to enhance their chances of making it seven when they take on city rivals FC Internazionale Milano, having been the only team to defeat Roberto Mancini's men in Serie A this term. uefa.com examines the form of the four contenders in Wednesday's fixtures.

Chelsea FC (ENG)
Qualified as: Second place in England
Premiership status: First (P31 W25 D5 L1)
Group stage: Group H winners (P6 W4 D1 L1)
Best performance: Semi-finals (2004)
2003/04 Champions League: Semi-finals (lost 5-3 on aggregate to AS Monaco FC)

Chelsea are without key figures for the quarter-finals - and not just on the field. Manager José Mourinho serves a two-match touchline ban imposed by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body, relating to incidents connected with the first knockout round first leg against FC Barcelona. Striker Mateja Kezman is suspended while full-backs Wayne Bridge and Paulo Ferreira as well as winger Arjen Robben are injured. Yet Chelsea's casualty list has not affected their league form. They have won all three games since eliminating Barcelona, scoring eight times in the process. The club have also increased their striking options, with Finnish forward Mikael Forssell ending six months on the sidelines with a knee injury by claiming a place on the bench.

FC Bayern München (GER)
Qualified as: Second place in Germany
Bundesliga status: Joint-top (P27 W17 D5 L5)
Group stage: Group C runners-up (P6 W3 D1 L2)
Best performance: Winners (1974, 1975, 1976, 2001)
2003/04 Champions League: First knockout round (lost 2-1 on aggregate to Real Madrid CF)

Bayern have been boosted by the news that striker Roy Makaay has recovered from a thigh problem as he bids to add to his seven goals so far in the competition. The Dutch international missed the Round of 16 win against Arsenal FC and suffered further complications in the 3-0 weekend victory over VfL Wolfsburg. However, fellow forward Claudio Pizarro, who scored twice at home to Arsenal, is out with a similar injury also sustained at the weekend. Having lost the return to Arsenal at Highbury, Felix Magath's men conceded top spot in the Bundesliga to FC Schalke 04 following a 1-0 defeat by that team. However, two triumphs since for Bayern has seen them regain pole position ahead of Schalke on goal difference.

AC Milan (ITA)
Qualified as: Italian champions
Serie A status: Joint-top (P29 W20 D6 L3)
Group stage: Group F winners (P6 W4 D1 L1)
Best performance: Winners (1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003)
2003/04 Champions League: Quarter-finals (lost 5-4 on aggregate to RC Deportivo La Coruña)

Coach Carlo Ancelotti's squad showed their strength in depth in the last round as they dismissed Manchester United FC without their two main strikers - European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko and Italian international Filippo Inzaghi. Shevchenko returns to spearhead the attack against Inter, but Inzaghi remains doubtful. Alessandro Nesta, Cafu and Vikash Dhorasoo are also in contention after slight knocks in recent weeks. Milan have high hopes of retaining their Serie A crown, sitting at the summit level on points with Juventus but ahead on goal difference. It is at the back where they have particularly impressed, failing to concede a goal in any competition in over a month and letting in just 17 in 29 league matches all season.

FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
Qualified as: Fourth place in Italy
Serie A status: Third (P29 W11 D17 L1)
Group stage: Group G winners (P6 W4 D2 L0)
Best performance: Winners (1964, 1965)

Inter have not been European champions for 40 years - and have been hindered in their bid to break that pattern. Brazilian forward Adriano, a hat-trick hero in the Round of 16 second-leg win against holders FC Porto, is out with a knee injury, while fitness concerns surround Christian Vieri. To compound matters, attacking midfield player Dejan Stankovic is sidelined by a groin injury. Roberto Mancini's men are seeking revenge against Milan following their away goals defeat by the Rossoneri in the 2003 semi-finals. Inter are the only team of the four who do not lead their domestic league. They are 16 points adrift of top spot having drawn 17 of their 28 league games. Yet that kind of resilience could prove decisive in the tough ties ahead.