Although there are probably several million French and Dutch fans who will disagree with me, it has to be said that the more enticing of tonight’s last two Champions League quarters takes place in Turin.

That’s no disrespect to PSV or Lyon, but their own countries aside, most of Europe is eagerly awaiting the finely poised match between Juventus and Liverpool.

By now we will know which two teams from last night’s clashes are already through to the semis with my money on Chelsea and Milan. And I would also put a few quid on Lyon squeezing past their Dutch opponents tonight despite only managing a home draw last week.

But it’s the game at the Stadio delle Alpi which is arguably the tie of the round with Juve still favourites despite Liverpool going into the match with a 2-1 advantage – the loss through injury of Steven Gerrard is a huge and potentially fatal blow to Liverpool’s chances of making it through.

So far this particular tie has probably been most memorable for the fact that it marks the first time the two teams have met competitively since the Heysel tragedy 20 years ago.

Although there have been attempts to heal the wounds created by that nightmarish evening in Belgium, there is no doubt that there are still many Juve fans who are not prepared to forgive and forget.

Before the first leg Liverpool fans presented a banner with the names of the victims on it in a gesture of friendship. But while many Juve fans applauded the move, a large number turned their backs on it.

Fears are that the resentment and anger still felt by those Juve fans with friends and relatives among the victims could boil over during the second leg.

Hopefully tonight will be just about the football and there will be no silliness from either set of fans. It is perfectly right that we remember those who lost their lives doing nothing more dangerous than supporting their club.

But it is just as important that, having apparently learned lessons from the Heysel tragedy, football is allowed to move on in a safer, secure and more sensible environment.

So let’s honour those who lost their lives through a thrilling game of football. Nothing else.

West Brom’s rise

West Brom’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa pulled them clear of the relegation zone on Sunday, the first time in over five months they have not been in the bottom three. With just a handful of games to go it actually looks like Bryan Robson may be able to pull off the great escape.

If he does it will be one of the shrewdest managerial appointments in the entire history of the top flight, not just the Premier League. And it will signal the rebirth of Robson as a genuine quality manager.

Who knows, give it a couple of years and the long-forgotten plan of Robson eventually succeeding Sir Alex at Manchester United might just be dusted off and wheeled out again by the so-called experts.

And that will complete the turn around in fortunes for a man who has spent the last three or four years applying for just about every job available and getting just the crap ones.

Micky Owen

Talking of turn-arounds, young Micky Owen has admitted he wouldn’t rule out a move back to Liverpool come the end of the season, especially if he is still warming the Real bench during the run-in.

Despite having the best goals to games ratio of any of the strikers at Real Madrid, Michael stills seems doomed to play third fiddle behind Raul and Ronaldo at the club and his patience is understandably wearing thin.

Given a rare start on Sunday due to Raul carrying an injury, Owen scored the fourth goal in the side’s 4-2 victory over Barcelona, a match they had to win to have any chance of winning the league.

Yet you can just about guarantee he will be left gathering splinters in his backside as soon as the Spanish striker is back to full fitness.

Speaking last week, Owen admitted he may have to leave Real to get regular football and insisted he still loves Liverpool and never left the club on bad terms.

And just to make sure the rumours gather pace, Reds boss Benitez immediately insisted Owen was exactly the sort of player he is looking for to bolster his beleaguered strike force.

So don’t be at all surprised to see Michael back in a Liverpool shirt next season, suitably tanned and a few million pounds richer for his 12 month Spanish holiday.

Contact James on: [email protected]