DPA/Berlin

Barcelona, AC Milan and title-holders Bayern Munich are among the clubs gearing up for battle as the knockout phase of the Champions League begins this week.
Today, Barcelona travel to Manchester City in good spirits, after Saturday’s 6-0 destruction of Rayo Vallecano.
For the first time all season the Barcelona squad is free from injuries after Neymar confirmed his return to fitness with a handsome goal against Rayo.
Coach Gerardo Martino may leave the young Brazilian on the bench in Manchester, along with veteran captain Carles Puyol.
“I just want to help Barca in whatever way I can, whether on the field or off it,” said Puyol.
“Now the best part of the season is arriving and we have a lot of confidence. City are a good team, with great players, but we are in a good moment and I think it will be an evenly-balanced tie.”
City manager Manuel Pellegrini is relishing the challenge which awaits his players in taking one of Europe’s most successful sides in recent years.
“It’s impossible to avoid Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich if you want to continue in the Champions League. So in one moment you must play against them. We play them in the last 16, so let’s see what we can do,” he said.
There is a chance midfielder Fernandinho could return, but forward Sergio Aguero is likely - at best - to be on the bench. Samir Nasri could start having made his comeback as a substitute in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Chelsea.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia can recall Sidney Sam for today’s clash with Paris Saint Germain after electing not to play the on-loan attacking midfielder against parent club Schalke Saturday. Stefan Reinartz remains doubtful with injury.
PSG have a five-point lead at the top of the French league having defeated Valenciennes 3-0 Friday but can expect a tougher challenge away to the Bundesliga’s second-placed team.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi should provide the main goal threat for the visitors as Uruguayan Edinson Cavanni is injured.
Defending champions Bayern Munich are looking to rewrite modern history by becoming the first club to successfully defend the Champions League in its current format.
But they face a tricky tie in the last 16 against English high-flyers Arsenal tomorrow, a team they defeated only on the away goals rule at the same stage of last year’s competition.
“We’ll give 100 percent,” Thomas Mueller told the Bayern homepage. “It’ll be a tough game in London. We know we’ve got to go right to the pain barrier.”
“We’re off to London feeling good and with a great run under our belts. There’s no reason why that should end against Arsenal.”
Bayern travel to London without French star Franck Ribery and Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri who picked up an injury against Freiburg Saturday.
Arsenal are without Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott who are injured and Mikel Arteta who is suspended but can strengthen the team which beat Liverpool in Sunday’s FA Cup tie.
“Jack Wilshere had a stiff back,” Arsene Wenger said. “After that (Santi) Cazorla was ill, (Kieran) Gibbs had a little muscular problem, (Bacary) Sagna was tired. I rested (Tomas) Rosicky completely. They will be OK for Wednesday.”
Tomorrow’s other game will see AC Milan hope for a switch of pace in a lacklustre season when they welcome in-form Atletico Madrid to the Giuseppe Meazza.

FIXTURES
Today: Manchester City v Barcelona;
Bayer Leverkusen v Paris St Germain
Tomorrow: AC Milan v Atletico Madrid;
Arsenal v Bayern Munich