The German Champions were out to bury the ghosts of the previous campaign. Bayern were thrashed 4-1 in Milan at the last 16 stage of last year’s Champions League. Tuesday’s first leg started badly for Bayern as Andrea Pirlo scored his first ever champions league goal to put Milan ahead just before half time.

Milan looked comfortable but in a sensational end to the game, Daniel Van Buyten equalised for the Germans before Kaka scored a controversial late penalty to give Milan a 2-1 lead. Then in the very last second it was defender Van Buyten who once again made it two-all.

Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld says his team can never be written off. "Bayern Munich’s stock remains high across Europe and the rest of the world and we need to make sure it stays that way. We can make headlines again in Europe and the Bundesliga" Hitzfeld said.

Two away goals put Bayern in a commanding position going into the second leg, and the fans, management and players were jubilant at their last-gasp equaliser. And for one man in particular it was an extra special night. Bayern’s regular goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn was suspended for the match in Milan, and his young understudy, Michael Rensing was making only his second ever Champions League appearance. And Rensing rose to the occasion, making a couple of world-class saves.

After the game, Rensing was on top of the world. "The match is being watched all around the world and that’s certainly special for me," he said, adding that even though he'd played in lots of domestic league and cup games and for the under 21 national side, this game in the Champions League was something special.

In the night’s other game PSV Eindhoven and Liverpool renewed their acquantaince, after having already played each other in the group stages. Liverpool took the honours then, and that proved the case again on Tuesday. Steven Gerrad put the Reds in front with a fine header in the 27th minute. And John Arne Riise doubled the lead with a spectacular long-range effort in the second half. Peter Crouch then wrapped things up with towering header towards the end, to secure a convincing 3-0 away win. Unless PSV can come up with a miracle next week, the result should be enough to see Liverpool go through to the semi-finals.

They’ll have a clearer idea of who they’ll face in the next round after the remaining quarter-final first legs are played out on Wednesday, with Roma hosting Manchester United, and Valencia taking on Chelsea.