PREVIEW: Confidence high as Inter and Bayern renew ties

Bayern Munich are hoping to have striker Mario Gomez on board as they seek to avenge their Champions League final defeat to Inter Milan.

   Bayern's visit to the Italians is the pick of this week's last-16 first-leg ties which see old foes Lyon and Real Madrid meet again, while England's hopes Manchester United and Chelsea are at Marseille and Copenhagen respectively.

   Both Inter and Milan go into Wednesday's encounter with form and confidence in the ascendency after indifferent starts to the season.

   Bundesliga top scorer Gomez was a worry for Bayern, but the striker said Monday that an ankle injury suffered in the Bundesliga on Saturday was on the mend.

   "The ankle was a bit thick but it's OK again. It shouldn't be a problem," Gomez said.

At least the German champions won't have to face Inter's injured Argentinian striker Diego Milito, whose brace in the Madrid final sank their hopes to clinch a fifth continental title.

   While Inter also have defender Walter Samuel sidelined with injury, Bayern's Franck Ribery, who was suspended for the May final, can look forward this time to tackling the title-holders.

   A 2-0 win in Madrid gave Inter, then under Jose Mourinho, their third top European trophy after two triumphs in the 1960s. After winning the European, Serie A and national cup titles, Inter struggled early in the current season, but seem to have regained form since January under new coach Leonardo.

   "We are almost the same, apart from Diego (Milito), and we want to qualify," Serb midfielder Dejan Stankovic said. "It will be very difficult. It will be a very tactical, balanced game. But we believe in it."

   Inter at the weekend edged Cagliari 1-0 when Leonardo made part-time use of Esteban Cambiasso, Stankovic and Samuel Eto'o, giving a full rest to Wesley Sneijder and Brazil defender Lucio, who is fit from injury for the game against his former team.

   "Bayern are a great team. They are coming back," Leonardo said. "But we are feeling well, too, and I will do my best to get the best line-up for the game. It is crucial."

   Bayern are in fine fettle after a two good wins in the Bundesliga, but Saturday's 3-1 defeat of Mainz saw keeper Thomas Kraft depart early with a head injury while Gomez aggravated an old ankle injury.

   Van Gaal, who gave the players a day off from training Monday, had rated Gomez a doubt, but the striker was more sanguine two days before the game, while Kraft said he had fully recovered.

   Lyon are aiming to continue their good record against Real Madrid when the two old enemies meet again in the Stade de Gerland on Tuesday.

   Lyon have not lost once to Real in their six clashes with the Spaniards since 2005, and have beaten Real on all three occasions when they have visited Lyon. A year ago Lyon eliminated Real on a 2-1 aggregate, making it a seventh consecutive round of 16 elimination for the Spanish giants.

   Spain striker Fernando Torres will return to the Chelsea side for Tuesday's match at FC Copenhagen.

   The Spaniard was cup-tied for the weekend FA Cup defeat by Everton and manager Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping his 50-million-pound signing can lift his flagging team against the Danes.

   "Chelsea won't go out against Copenhagen," Ancelotti said. "The Champions League is not easy but it will bring a lot of motivation for every one of us. We have to have the right pressure. We have to play against Copenhagen. We have 180 minutes to win this game."

   Sir Alex Ferguson's only real problem for Manchester United's trip to Marseille Wednesday will be who to use at centre back in the continued injury absence of Rio Ferdinand.

   Chris Smalling, who impressed in the recent Manchester derby, is favourite to start the match alongside Nemanja Vidic.

    Ferguson said he had plenty of respect for Marseille but believes United are playing well enough to get a result in France.

   "Their manager, Didier Deschamps, has put together a strong team - a very big, powerful side," Ferguson said.

   "I watched them play at home against Chelsea in the group stage and they won 1-0. But Chelsea managed to create quite a few chances in the match so we hope we can do the same. It won't be easy going over there but I think we have a good chance of qualifying."