Next month's Champions League round of sixteen will see two mouth-watering ties played out between top clubs from Italy and England. Chelsea, who's hit and miss season and the fate of their under fire manager Andre Villa Boas would now appear to be reliant on success in Europe, face this year's surprise package Napoli, while London rivals Arsenal, who are also looking for Continental success to make up for a shaky domestic campaign, will take on AC Milan.
Though recent seasons have not seen Serie A clubs dominating Europe the way they did in the 1980s and 90s, this year has seen them back with a vengeance and they are the only nation represented by three teams in the final 16 (Internazionale being the third).
With Serie A back on the rise after a fairly miserable decade, characterised by falling attendances and a series of ugly scandals, and the
Premier League's supposed grip on the competition loosening, it seems a good time to look at some of the most memorable Anglo-Italian clashes of the Champions League era.
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Over three successive seasons, 96/97, 97/98 and 98/99, Manchester United would be drawn to face Italian giants Juventus each year. Both clubs were at highpoints in their history during the period. Juventus, under the legendary stewardship of Marcello Lippi, were European champions in 1996 and would defeat United on their way to the final in the first two seasons, though they would eventually be silver medallists on both occasions. Alex Ferguson's United, boasting the talents of Keane, Giggs, Scholes and Beckham, would have the last laugh in 1999 defeating Juventus in a thrilling semi-final before going on to lift the trophy against Bayern Munich in the final.
Perhaps the most famous meeting between English and Italian clubs in Europe, however, may be the extraordinary final of 2005. Liverpool, who had waited since 1984 for their 5th European title, came back from a 3-0 half time deficit against a heavily fancied AC Milan to tie the game 3-3 and take it to penalties. A string of saves from Jerzy Dudek won the trophy in the shootout, prompting wild celebrations from the Liverpudlians in Istanbul.
Recently things have been a little different. Inter's route to their triumphant final of 2010 saw them sweep aside Chelsea in the second round and this year Manchester City's defeat to Napoli helped push them out the door at the group stage.
Will Arsenal and Chelsea be able to restore British pride next month? Or will AC Milan and Napoli prove beyond doubt that the tide is turning back in Serie A's favour? Only time will tell.