Holders Inter draw Bayern in rematch

Holders Inter will play Bayern Munich in a rematch of last season’s final in the last 16 of the Champions League following the draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, yesterday.

The Italians beat the Bundesliga side 2-0 in last season’s final in Madrid with a brace from Diego Milito.

Bayern Munich sporting director Christian Nerlinger believes his side now have the ideal opportunity to finally bury the heartache of their defeat last May.

“We still dwell a little on the lost final in Madrid and now we have the opportunity with these two new matches against Inter to put things right,” said Nerlinger.

“It’s going to be difficult, but it couldn’t be more interesting for us.”

Arsenal face a tough task against Barcelona, who knocked the Gunners out at the quarter-final stage last season, when Lionel Messi scored all four goals in a 4-1 second leg demolition of the English club at the Nou Camp.

The teams also met in the 2006 Champions League final where Barcelona came from behind to win 2-1 at the Stade de France.

English Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea got easier draws against French club Marseille and Danish champions Copenhagen respectively.

Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier said he was relishing the tie.

“It will be a very beautiful tie because Manchester United, like Real Madrid, are a European legend,” he said.

“It’s not a bad draw, I’m not dissatisfied. We had to avoid Barcelona and even Real Madrid.”

Nine-time winners Real Madrid are also set for a rematch with French club Lyon who knocked them out of the competition in a huge upset at the same stage last year and will be bolstered by former Lyon player Karim Benzema.

Real director of football Emilio Butragueno said: “If you give them the slightest opening they will take advantage like they did last season. We’ll need to be wary. We have confidence in our players but we know that it’s a cruel competition.”

Valencia have been drawn against Schalke, English newcomers Tottenham, who pipped Inter to first place in Group A, travel to Milan as Roma host Shakthar Donetsk, of Ukraine.

Harry Redknapp said Spurs would relish the prospect of a return to the San Siro to face Milan after playing Inter in the group phase.

“It will be a great game. I would have taken Milan before the draw. They are leading the league in Italy but it has the makings of a tight affair over two legs. I’m looking forward to it,” Redknapp said.

“A tough draw but it will be a great game. That’s what you want. Great games.”

Last 16 draw

Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Milan vs Tottenham
Valencia vs Schalke
Inter vs Bayern Munich
Lyon vs Real Madrid
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Marseille vs Man. United
Copenhagen vs Chelsea

First legs: Feb. 15-16/22-23.
Second legs: March 8-9/15-16.