Quarterfinal Drama

Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten hasn't been having the best season at Bayern, but he came up big at San Siro on Tuesday night, scoring both of Munich's goals. The 2-all draw puts the Bundesliga side in excellent position to qualify for the Champions League semi-finals next week in Munich.

Bayern had lost four straight games against AC in Milan, but this time they hung tough to put a major dent in Milan's title ambitions. Playing without keeper Ollie Kahn and midfielder Mark van Bommel, both suspended, Munich twice came from behind in the match.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 40th minute after Bayern botched an off-side trap -- Alberto Gilardino headed home from 7 meters. Bayern were able to equalize in the 78th minute after the ball landed at van Buyten's feet directly in front of the goal.

The visitors looked to be doomed seven minutes from time, when Milan converted a controversial penalty. But Bayern made the most of the remaining minutes and van Buyten levelled things up just before the final whistle, getting his left foot on a cross by Owen Hargreaves.

With neither side playing brilliantly at the moment, this is a match-up that will be decided by persistence, not genius. That means Bayern still have a lot of work to do when Milan visit Munich for the return leg next Wednesday.

Liverpool on a roll

Liverpool, on the other hand, are all but through to the semis after putting hosts PSV Eindhoven through the soccer equivalent of a meat-grinder in the Tuesday's other quarterfinal.

Captain Steven Gerrard opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a powerful header, and Liverpool sealed the win early in the second half on goals by John Arne Riise and Peter Crouch.

Eindhoven never seriously threatened to stage a comeback, and Liverpool showed why the English Premiership is the dominant league in Europe at the moment.

The quarterfinals continue on with games between AS Rome and Manchester United, and Chelsea and Valencia.