It's that time of May again when fans of Barcelona and one of the big four English clubs get ready to support their team in the biggest match on the European club football calendar.

Only this time, they won't be playing. But that doesn't make the UEFA Champions League final any less exciting or historic.

It's that time of May again when fans of Barcelona and one of the big four English clubs get ready to support their team in the biggest match on the European club football calendar.

Only this time, they won't be playing. But that doesn't make the UEFA Champions League final any less exciting or historic.

On July 30 2009, Fulham began their epic UEFA Europa League journey with a qualifying match against Lithuanian side FK Vetra.

If you had put money on them reaching the final back then, you'd be a very rich person now, but not as wealthy as Fulham chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Along the way, the Cottagers have brushed past the likes of Roma, holders Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, German champions Wolfsburg and finally, Hamburg in the semi-final, also the host city of Fulham's first major final since the 1975 FA Cup clincher.

Bayern Munich booked a place in club football's biggest match after brushing aside Lyon by four goals over two aberrantly one-sided legs.

Ivica Olic's hat-trick in the second leg was the first at the UEFA Champions League semi-final stage since Alessandro Del Piero pulled off the feat for Juventus back in 1998.

It goes without saying that this is a big weekend in the Barclays Premier League.

Chelsea could extend its lead at the top to seven points, or see it cut to just one. Arsenal may find its way back into the title race. Liverpool could draw another game and no one would care.

There's also the battle for the fourth and final Champions League spot with the prospect of millions of dollars in television revenue as well as the opportunity to serve as whipping boys for Barcelona.

Like a gambler in a casino, Sir Alex Ferguson went through a full range of emotions as he watched his side crash out of the Champions League last night.

There was the initial euphoria of seeing his bets pay off as two surprise starters, Wayne Rooney and Darron Gibson, were key to Manchester United storming to a three-goal lead against Bayern Munich.

Few people get a second chance in life. Even lesser possess the raw skill and technical ability of Dimitar Berbatov,

Put two and two together, it means that against Bayern Munich tonight, the Bulgarian striker has yet another opportunity to shine on the big stage.

Manchester United fans, at least the rational ones, know not to expect a Lionel Messi-esque four-goal salvo from a man who looks more suited to be in a Godfather movie than on a football pitch.

Few people get a second chance in life. Even lesser possess the raw skill and technical ability of Dimitar Berbatov,

Putting two and two together, it means that against Bayern Munich tonight, the Bulgarian striker has yet another opportunity to shine on the big stage.

Manchester United fans, at least the rational ones, know not to expect a Lionel Messi-esque four-goal salvo from a man who looks more suited to be in a Godfather movie than on a football pitch.

Sir Alex Ferguson can have no complaints after Manchester United's insipid performance in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

The Germans' deflected equaliser and subsequent injury time winner may seem cruel on paper but were just rewards for keeping Edwin Van der Sar busy throughout the ninety minutes.

Imagine you were in Louis van Gaal's shoes.

Your team has lost two successive league matches. Your key midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger, is suspended and talismanic forward, Arjen Robben, is struggling with injury.

You now have to deal with the visit of the English champions who are coming off their seventh consecutive win in all competitions.

The UEFA Champions League has entered its ‘big boys' stage. Apologies to Chelsea your team is too old to be playing with these ‘kids'.

John Terry blames German referee Markus Stark for ignoring penalty claims that saw Jose Mourinho and his Inter side leave Stamford Bridge with a bigger smug than they came with.

Capitulation. I find this word most apt to describe AC Milan's performance at Old Trafford last night.

If Juventus is the Old Lady of Italian football, then the Rossoneri deserve the title of Old Man. A lacklustre display saw Manchester United brush past them to ease into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Capitulation. I find this word most apt to describe AC Milan's performance at Old Trafford last night.

If Juventus is the Old Lady of Italian football, then the Rossoneri deserve the title of Old Man. A lacklustre display saw Manchester United brush past them to ease into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Seven years since he left Manchester United, the club's most famous number seven returns to Old Trafford. David Beckham will deservedly be given a rapturous reception for his service to a club that he could have stayed for life had he not married a Spice Girl.

"Golden Balls" and his AC Milan side enter the second leg with renewed hope in overcoming their one-goal deficit as Wayne Rooney struggles to be fit in time for the Wednesday evening kick-off.

In the 27th cup final of Sir Alex Ferguson's career, he picked up his 34th trophy since taking over at Old Trafford. Most managers will not even win half as much silverware in their lifetime.

And here we have a 68-year-old legend who celebrates every trophy as if it were his first and last.