Everyone, or at least the vast majority of people, wants their Valentine’s Day to be filled with a bit of romance, and tenderness – or at least some chocolate. But there isn’t time for such nonsense tonight – because the UEFA Champions League is back!We’re going to be glued to TV screens, but it’s not to say that nobody will be on dates. Stefano Pioli and Antonio Conte, the last two men to win the championship in Italy, will meet at San Siro, as the knockouts begin in Europe’s most fiercely-contested club competition.Associazione Calcio Milan v Tottenham Hotspur Football Club pic.twitter.com/iQ7hpOXxCf— MUNDIAL (@MundialMag) February 14, 2023 Conte is back in Italy for the last 16 first leg tie just two weeks after undergoing gallbladder surgery in his homeland and his return is likely to be just as uncomfortable as his previous visit. The Tottenham boss has looked increasingly unsettled this season and, with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign, it would be little surprise if he decided to quit the Premier League club in May.Already rocked by an injury to France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris that will rule out the Tottenham captain for six weeks, Conte has also had to deal with injuries to Yves Bissouma, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Bentancur in the last seven days.##NAJAVA_MECA_7023743##Fifth in the Premier League at present, Tottenham are facing the champions of Italy – who are also fifth in their respective league. It hasn’t been a stellar season so far for either team.Pioli, who is known in Italy as a quiet man, one who inspires his player with knowledge and calmness. Ironically, he indicated that he would take the approach of his counterpart tonight: be more vocal, show a bit of passion and get their players to be more aggressive than ever. After all, it’s a special night for Milan’s boss – it’t his first knockout game in the Champions League. And although Conte had been in this stage of the competition six times before, he never made it past the quarter-finals.The #UCL is back. pic.twitter.com/MZQv6xJiXo— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 14, 2023 For the Rossoneri, it will be the first knockout game in the UCL since 2014. They waited way to long to compete in the tournament they have won seven times in their history. They’ve also Outside the stadium – it may be a romantic night. But for Milan and Tottenham, just like for the remaining Champions League contenders, it’s all about impressing on your date.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUERound of 16 – first legTuesday23.00: (2.55) Milan (3.30) Tottenham (3.00)23.00: (2.80) PSG (3.50) Bayern (2.60)Wednesday23.00: (4.50) Club Brugge (3.60) Benfica (1.90)23.00: (2.60) Dortmund (3.35) Chelsea (2.90)Tuesday, 21 February23.00: (2.25) Liverpool (3.40) Real Madrid (3.20)23.00: (3.05) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.35) Napoli (2.35)Wednesday, 22 February23.00: (4.60) RB Leipzig (3.60) Man.City (1.80)23.00: (1.85) Inter (3.50) Porto (4.40)***odds are subject to change
