“Watching Champions League matches is more exciting than any other European competition because there is the home and away aspect and the fans’ support for their club is so strong, which is very different to football in our country,”

“I am sure Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and [Wayne] Rooney will be the star players of the Champions League this year, they are my favorite footballers,”

“Children, some under 10 years old, buy them as a souvenir. But it is young men, from the age 13 and above, that are the main consumers of the soccer jersey with famous team logo,”

“So my favourite teams are AC Milan and Manchester United. I am thrilled that both have made it to the last 16 in the Champions League. But I want Manchester United win the cup.”

“How good is John Terry at playing football? Let’s put it this way, almost every child in England plays football at some point. But of all of those available he is one of the best two English defenders and captain of his national side. So one in 50 million good,”

“It’s not only the style of the players from Premier League like Christiano Ronaldo that can influence young people, but also the players in the [Italian] Serie A. I’ve seen some young guys imitating the style of the footballers of Roma, especially their hair style. I’ve even had [Roma player, Francesco] Totti’s hairstyle before,”

“Chelsea will again fall short this year because they seem to have no consistency but Barcelona, Real Madrid and Arsenal are all potential champions. Real Madrid is now regaining its rhythm in La Liga and leading the table.”

He will be assisted ably, as always, by influential captain Steven Gerrard (right), who is a potential matchwinner. Last season’s Italian Serie A champions Inter always seem to disappoint in Europe, with two distant European Cup victories in the 1960s their only Champions League success. With Liverpool seemingly out of form and struggling with their controversial American owners, Inter Milan should be able to book their passage to the quarter finals.