Santiago Solari (left) spent five years at Real Madrid between 2000 and 2005, during which time he won the European Champions League and two Spanish league titles. The Argentine midfielder's brother Esteban will play for Cypriot minnows APOEL Nicosia against Real on Tuesday.
Solari siblings —
Santiago Solari (left) spent five years at Real Madrid between 2000 and 2005, during which time he won the European Champions League and two Spanish league titles. The Argentine midfielder's brother Esteban will play for Cypriot minnows APOEL Nicosia against Real on Tuesday.
Real's main goal threat will be Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored six times in the Champions League this season. By contrast, APOEL's top goalscorer is Gustavo Manduca who has scored three times. The Brazilian will be suspended for Tuesday's first leg in Cyprus.
Goals apart —
Real's main goal threat will be Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored six times in the Champions League this season. By contrast, APOEL's top goalscorer is Gustavo Manduca who has scored three times. The Brazilian will be suspended for Tuesday's first leg in Cyprus.
The contrast between the two teams is obvious when looking at their respective stadiums. Real Madrid play at an 85,000-seater ground in the Spanish capital, which is named after the club's former chairman Santiago Bernabeu.
The Bernabeu Stadium —
The contrast between the two teams is obvious when looking at their respective stadiums. Real Madrid play at an 85,000-seater ground in the Spanish capital, which is named after the club's former chairman Santiago Bernabeu.
APOEL's GSP Stadium in Nicosia is modest by comparison, with a capacity of just 22,859.
The GSP Stadium —
APOEL's GSP Stadium in Nicosia is modest by comparison, with a capacity of just 22,859.
Real's European pedigree is unrivaled, having won the continent's top club competition on a record nine occasions since 1956. Captain Jose Santamaria is pictured here lifting the European Cup after Real's win against French team Stade de Reims in 1959.
Rich history —
Real's European pedigree is unrivaled, having won the continent's top club competition on a record nine occasions since 1956. Captain Jose Santamaria is pictured here lifting the European Cup after Real's win against French team Stade de Reims in 1959.
Real's last European title came in 2002, in the era of FIFA World Player of the Year winners Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Ronaldo. The team were nicknamed the "Galacticos" due to the club's policy of recruiting expensive superstars.
Glory for the 'Galacticos' —
Real's last European title came in 2002, in the era of FIFA World Player of the Year winners Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Ronaldo. The team were nicknamed the "Galacticos" due to the club's policy of recruiting expensive superstars.
APOEL are the first Cypriot team to reach the Champions League knockout stages. They continued their historic run in the round of 16, where they eliminated French side Lyon on penalties after the two-legged tie had finished level at 1-1.
History boys —
APOEL are the first Cypriot team to reach the Champions League knockout stages. They continued their historic run in the round of 16, where they eliminated French side Lyon on penalties after the two-legged tie had finished level at 1-1.
Chelsea defender David Luiz (left) will be reunited with former club Benfica when the two teams square off for their first-leg match on Tuesday. The Portuguese club's main goal threat will be Paraguay hitman Oscar Cardozo.
Friends reunited —
Chelsea defender David Luiz (left) will be reunited with former club Benfica when the two teams square off for their first-leg match on Tuesday. The Portuguese club's main goal threat will be Paraguay hitman Oscar Cardozo.
Reigning champions Barcelona take on seven-time winner AC Milan on Wednesday. The match pits three-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, the leading scorer in this year's competition, against the talented Zlatan Ibrahimovic -- who left Barca for Milan in 2011.
Clash of the titans —
Reigning champions Barcelona take on seven-time winner AC Milan on Wednesday. The match pits three-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, the leading scorer in this year's competition, against the talented Zlatan Ibrahimovic -- who left Barca for Milan in 2011.
Also on Wednesday, the pressure is on four-time European champions Bayern Munich, whose Allianz Arena will host the final in May. Germany striker Mario Gomez (left) has been in lethal form for Bayern, but Marseille upset the odds to eliminate Inter Milan in the last round as Brazilian forward Brandao scored the crucial away goal.
Home comforts —
Also on Wednesday, the pressure is on four-time European champions Bayern Munich, whose Allianz Arena will host the final in May. Germany striker Mario Gomez (left) has been in lethal form for Bayern, but Marseille upset the odds to eliminate Inter Milan in the last round as Brazilian forward Brandao scored the crucial away goal.