Champions League Preview: Tottenham's Second Chance at San Siro

AC Milan vs Tottenham

The Champions League finally returns and it will get underway with the clash of two teams at the opposite end of the Champions League spectrum. AC Milan have won the illustrious trophy seven times in their history, and only Real Madrid can boast of a better record than Milan.

Tottenham, on the other hand, are appearing in the knockout round of the Champions League for the very first time. In fact, this is their first-ever season in the competition. Harry Redknapp has been dealt a major blow ahead of this huge game with the news that Gareth Bale will not be available for Spurs.

However, this is not the first time that Tottenham will be visiting the San Siro, as they  already came close to securing an unlikely point against Inter Milan in the group stages. Gareth Bale was the star that night but tomorrow will be in the sidelines.

AC Milan will be missing all the players that they signed in January. Therefore, the likes of Mark van Bommel and Antonio Cassano will not be available for the Rossoneri. However, they will be having the services of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been in sensational form in his debut season for the Italian team.

Valencia vs Schalke

Valencia's form in the last few weeks has been nothing short of spectacular, as they have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions. Hence, Unai Emery's men will be quietly confident about their chance of victory in the match. It is a match that will see the return of Raul to Spain since his departure from Real Madrid.

Schalke 04 have a formidable lineup in the striking department that boasts of Raul and Klaas Jan Huntelaar. However, despite that strong lineup, Schalke's form in the German Bundesliga has been average to say the least, as they have won just two matches out of their last five.

The form of Valencia in the La Liga has seen them rise to third position in the table, and this is in sharp contrast to Schalke's 10th position in the German Bundesliga.

David Albelda will be the biggest miss for Valencia, but they could be welcoming the return of Juan Mata. The Spaniard has been struggling with a knee injury but is expected to return to the starting lineup. Schalke 04 do not have any new injury worries ahead of the match and are expected to field a full strength squad.

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