PSV Eindhoven are the only team remaining in the Champions League that are both leading their league and are defending domestic champions.On Tuesday, the 1988 European Cup champions host five-time champions Liverpool in the first leg of the quarter finals. But PSV are struggling with injuries and managed only a 1-1 draw with NAC Breda on Saturday in the Dutch league. The team, who lead Ajax by only three points, have not won a match since defender Alex injured his hamstring on March 11 against Excelsior Rotterdam.“We can’t deny that we’re not the freshest team at the moment,” PSV coach Ronald Koeman said. “Champions League matches are so demanding, especially against Liverpool.”Liverpool, who eliminated defending champions FC Barcelona in the previous round, got Peter Crouch back from injury on Saturday, and the tall England forward scored three goals in a 4-1 win over Arsenal in the English Premier League.In Tuesday’s other game, AC Milan host Bayern Munich. On Wednesday, AS Roma host Manchester United and Chelsea play visiting Valencia.Milan will have to play against Bayern without Ronaldo. The Brazilian forward can’t participate because he has already played for Real Madrid in the Champions League this season. Instead, Milan will have Albert Gilardino, the man who scored the equaliser this weekend against Roma, up front.Also, Alessandro Nesta is back after missing four months with a shoulder injury, but he appeared exhausted after playing against Roma. Paolo Maldini sat out that game and is due to return from a knee injury against Bayern. He’s been out of action since the loss to Inter Milan on March 11.Roma are playing in the quarter finals for the first time since the tournament was renamed the Champions League in 1992. The last time AS Roma advanced to the last eight of the European Cup in 1984 they went all the way to the final.Man United, who are trying to repeat their 1999 feat of winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup, rallied in the second half to beat Blackburn 4-1. But the English leaders will have to play against Roma without defender Nemanja Vidic, who was hurt when he landed awkwardly on his shoulder.Valencia, who beat Espanyol 3-2 on Saturday, may be missing several players for the match at Stamford Bridge, including striker Fernando Morientes.The former Madrid and Liverpool striker dislocated his right shoulder during Spain’s 1-0 win over Iceland on Wednesday. “The players have the desire to give more than they have,” Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores said.-CHRIS LEHOURITES
