European footballs showcase tournament, the UEFA Champions League, resumes after the winter break with the eagerly awaited round of 16 matches while the second tier tournament, the Europa League, returns at the round of 32 stage.
There's no need to miss out on the action when you are here on holiday in Alpe d’Huez.
Without doubt the pick of the ties for the neutral is the Arsenal versus the mighty FC Barcelona, which will see the magnificent strike force of Messi, Neymar and Suarez et al up against Arsenal – will Arsenal break their recent hoodoo and get past the round of 16 for the first time since season 2009/10. They do have the impressive record of qualifying for the knock out stages of the UEFA Champions League for the past 15 seasons, but have failed to make it to the quarter finals since 2010.
Meanwhile Manchester United, and under pressure manager Louis Van Gaal, kick off in the Europa League having dropped down from the Champions League, in what has been a hugely disappointing season for the red half of Manchester.
There are plenty of bars to catch the games in - with the highlight for the French football fans being the clash between runaway League1 leaders Paris St German and a domestically under-performing Chelsea team, which will probably be shown in every bar in town given it involves France's top star laden domestic team.
In the old town the games will be shown in the O’Bar, L’Indiana bar and at the Underground Bar all of which are run by ex-pats and will have English coverage and commentary.
Smithys Tavern in the middle of town is always a hugely popular bar to watch the games on its 2 huge TV screens, again in English.
In the main street (Avenue Les Jeux) O’Sharkeys Bar (opposite the ice rink) and Sphere Bar (by the roundabout at the top end of the road), will both be showing the games with English commentary.
Meanwhile the Freeride Bar will have the games on in French and will no doubt be packed with PSG fans for the big game against Chelsea.
Over in the Les Bergers Commercial Centre all the action, in French, will be shown at both Chez Leo and the Tiger Bar.
The dates and times of the selected big games are (all times CET):
Tuesday 16th February – Champions League Round of 16 – First Leg
- Paris St German v Chelsea – 8.45pm
Wednesday 17th February – Champions League Round of 16 – First Leg
- Roma v Real Madrid – 8.45pm
Thursday 18th February – 7pm – Europa League Round of 32 – First Legs
- Midtylland v Manchester United – 7pm
- Fiorentina v Tottenham – 7pm
- St Etienne v FC Basel – 7pm
- FC Augsburg v Liverpool – 9.05pm
- Olympic Marseille v Athletic Bilbao – 9.05pm
Tuesday 23rd February – Champions League Round of 16 – First Leg
- Arsenal v FC Barcelona – 8.45pm
Wednesday 24th February – Champions League Round of 16 – First Leg
- Dynamo Kiev v Manchester City – 8.45pm
Thursday 25th February – Europa League Round of 32 – Seconds Legs
- Liverpool v FC Augsburg – 7pm
- Athletic Bilbao v Olympic Marseille – 7pm
- Manchester United v Midtylland – 9.05pm
- Tottenham v Fiorentina – 9.05pm
- FC Basel v St Etienne – 9.05pm
