Chasing the ultimate prize

Quite a bit of French interest in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the first legs of which are played today and tomorrow.

Lyon are at home to AC Milan tomorrow tonight and are trying to go against history and became only the second French team to be European champions. They’re flying at the moment and even though Milan have a lot of star names I think a lot of people fancy Lyon to be the dark horses of the knockout stages.

Ludovic Guily will be hoping Barcelona get a good result at Benfica tonight. He lost in the final with Monaco two years ago so would love to win it with Barca. He played on the weekend so I’m not sure he’ll start the game tonight.

The biggest French contingent will be at Highbury for the return of Patrick Vieira for the first time with Juventus against Arsenal. Thuram, Zebina, Vieira and Trezeguet should all start for Juve and Henry, Pires and Flamini should do the same for the Gunners.

A very interesting game, Juve’s more experienced crew against Arsenal’s younger team, the bookies make Arsenal fractional favourites for tonights game. Hope Patrick gets the reception he deserves for nine great years.