The "resurgence" of Italian football (or whatever you call it) has been fairly meek in the Champions League in the last two years. Granted, AC Milan won it last year, but they were struggling horribly in the league and this year they surrendered quite easily to an Arsenal side not at their best. Inter fizzled out without much of a spark over two legs with Liverpool, although they were punished in both games by harsh, early red cards.

The only remaining Italian side this year is Roma. The giallorossi are paired up in the quarter-finals against Manchester United, whom they lost to at this exact stage last year - 8-3 on aggregate.

They've also already played United twice in the group stage, drawing 1-1 and losing 1-0, so Alex Ferguson's boys will present tried and tested opposition.

The pride at stake will be tremendous, and considering that it's a bigger issue for Romans than most, Roma will be really fired up for next week's ties. The added spice in this tie is that Roma are the only Italian club remaining, and that means that for once they will have the media behind them, as well as the more "neutral" supporters.

As ever, Francesco Totti will be key, but the most important aspect to combating Man United will be the defence, and the addition of Brazil international Juan last summer was very shrewd. Calm and collecte, Juan is easily one of the world's best and most underrated centre-halves. Along with Mexes and assistance from Panucci and De Rossi, he will have to mark and harry Cristiano Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney out of the game.

Unfortunately 'keeper Doni remains as suspect as ever - clearly capable of brilliant shot-stopping, he amazes time and time again with his ability for pure, unbridled sloppiness. 

Carlos Tevez has been confirmed as having agreed to join Manchester United. The transfer fee is rumoured to be £20 million and it is expected that he will be signed and unveiled after Argentina's Copa America campaign is complete. West Ham are trying to do everything in their power to keep him, and will try to challenge this. Legally (technically, rather), they still own the player, but as was exposed by the Premier's League's investigation a few months ago, they really don't own or control him. Tevez has previously been seen showing up at a news conference in a Man United shirt, so it doesn't come as a huge surprise that if he had his choice of clubs, he picked United.

This leaves Manchester United with an army of attacking midfielders/strikers - Anderson, Tevez, Giggs, Scholes, Rooney, Saha, Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo, and it's thought that the last of those will finally be on his way to Real Madrid. All throughout last year Real kept chasing him and releasing statements about how they wanted him, and he in turn was completely non-comittal towards United. But he signed a new 4 year deal, amidst much celebration from the club, fans and the media. However, those with elephant-like memories might remember both his agent and Real Madrid making statements afterwards that went something like "one should never rule out a transfer". Well, this might still happened, or might have even already been agreed. It's possible the new contract was signed because they wanted full focus and as much high morale as possible to maintain their title run. It's possible also that they made an agreement with Ronaldo that he could leave (and maybe even with Real Madrid). Remember also, that Manchester United are financed completely by debt, and that they don't have Roman Abramovich to give them unlimited cash. The Glazers are money-makers, and on Tevez, Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson, they have spent a massive £70 million. Fake Ronaldo going the other way for £30-40 million would make the deficit more reasonable.

And lastly, Christian Chivu, who has been linked with both Barcelona and Real Madrid is quite possibly on his way. Real however are the more likely destination since Barcelona signed powerhouse left-back Eric Abidal (who can also play in the centre when needed). The Madridistas are also more in need of a solid centre-back than any other club, and Chivu would be perfect for them. Roma have spoken of late about how Chivu is not going anywhere, and how they don't want to sell him, but it's gone somewhat unnoticed that they've signed the excellent Brazilian international centre-back Juan from Leverkusen. Juan is not the kind of player that you keep on the bench, so unless they plan to let Philippe Mexes go (unlikely), they have already prepared for Chivu's departure.