Two dream dates for the diary

The UEFA Champions League knockout stages will begin with a bang as FC Bayern München play host to AC Milan and Real Madrid CF take on Arsenal FC.

Explosive comeback
The competition will return from its winter break on 21 February 2006 as Spanish giants Madrid resume their quest for a tenth European Champion Clubs' Cup at home against English challengers Arsenal, while Dutch title-holders PSV Eindhoven welcome French counterparts Olympique Lyonnais.

Champions return
Meanwhile in Munich, four-time European Cup winners Bayern will be up against one of only three sides to have lifted the trophy on more occasions, six-time continental champions Milan. Another of those élite teams, the reigning and five-times European champions Liverpool FC, will face SL Benfica in Lisbon. Of the eight clubs in action that night, only Arsenal and Lyon have never won the European Cup.

Memorable tie
There are only four former champions involved the following night, yet Chelsea FC's meeting with FC Barcelona is regarded by many as the tie of the round. Having lost to the English side 5-4 on aggregate at the same stage last season, Frank Rijkaard's men will be eager for revenge, but with English champions Chelsea riding high at the top of the Premiership, they are unlikely to be overawed, even by the brilliance of Ronaldinho.

Bremen fears
Elsewhere on the Wednesday, Werder Bremen will want to avoid a repeat of their 10-2 aggregate defeat by Lyon last time around, when they encounter two-time trophy holders Juventus, while AFC Ajax, Europe's finest on four occasions, tackle another team with two titles to their name, FC Internazionale Milano.

Virgin territory
In stark contrast, the final tie of the evening brings together two clubs on virgin territory in the knockout stage. Rangers FC have become the first Scottish side to reach the last 16, while opponents Villarreal CF are in their debut UEFA Champions League campaign.

Reverse fixtures
The second legs will take place on 7/8 March with the exception of Inter's home game, to be played on 14 March as Milan also have home advantage in their return match. All the sides in action on 21 February will play second legs on the Wednesday, with teams competing on the first UEFA Champions League Wednesday of 2006 completing their fixtures on the Tuesday.