Europe's heavyweights converge on Nyon for last 16 draw

Officials of most of the top European clubs will convene in Nyon today for the much-awaited draw of the last 16 of the 2009/10 Champions League, starting at noon.

The teams that have progressed from the group stage are split into two pots - the first containing the eight group winners and the second the eight group runners-up.

The 16 qualifiers are sorted by country and alphabetically, with each winner drawn against a runner-up.

No two teams from the same country can be drawn against each other in the first knockout stage, the geographical restriction being lifted from the quarter-final stages onwards.

The teams concerned with this ruling are French duo Bordeaux and Lyon, and the Italian clubs Milan, Fiorentina and Inter.

Normally group winners - effectively the seeded teams like Manchester United and Chelsea - can expect a more favourable draw but neither side will relish coming up against the two Milan teams - AC having finished second in Group C (to Real Madrid) and Inter in Group F (to Barcelona) respectively.

Barcelona cannot come up against Inter again, as they were in the same first round group.

The first knockout round is scheduled to be held on February 16-17 and 23-25, with the return legs on March 9-10 and 16-17.

The quarter-finals are slated for March 30 and April 7, with the semi-finals on April 20-28 and the final in Madrid on May 22.

David Beckham, who will rejoin Milan on loan from LA Galaxy next month, said he's dreaming of a return to Old Trafford to face his former club Manchester United in the Champions League.

"I would love it if the draw pitted us against my former team, since I left in 2003 I've never returned to play at Old Trafford," Beckham said.

"It's been seven years and I want it to happen. Me against Manchester United would be great, wouldn't it?

"It would be very difficult but also very exciting, I love the big games."

Unlike Beckham Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is keeping his fingers crossed he doesn't have to encounter Beckham's temporary employers and his former one, Milan, the club he guided to two Champions League wins in 2003 and 2007.

"I admit that I would prefer to avoid a head-to-head with (Milan coach) Leonardo in February at Stamford Bridge," Ancelotti told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"But if it happens, it's no problem. Football puts you in this type of situation.

"It already happened to (formerMilan star) Kaka, who faced Milan with Real Madrid in the group stages."

The Italian added: "It's obvious that if we get Milan the emotional aspect would be something special," he said.

"Chelsea vs Milan would be a very particular situation for both of us.

"The only problem if we get Inter is that from a technical standpoint they are a great team.

"I believe that in the runners-up group they (Inter) are the best side.

"To eliminate Italian teams is going to be difficult."

The Europa League KO stage draw will also be held this afternoon.