Bayern Munich v Basel (agg 0-1), 7.45pm, Allianz Arena

"The margin of victory does not impress me. I have absolutely no fear that Bayern will score seven goals in one game [against us]." The Basel manager, Heiko Vogel, did his best to play down the impact of Bayern's 7-1 humbling of Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena on Saturday. But never was a win more timely for Jupp Heynckes, Bayern's under-pressure manager.

Having seen his side dominate possession but struggle desperately to pick the lock during the 2-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen, this win was not just necessary to keep within touching distance of the league leaders, Borussia Dortmund, it was needed to prove wrong the critics who, having seen Bayern win only five matches out of 10 since Christmas, wondered aloud if their early-season fizz was gone for good.

His answer was the footballing equivalent of turning a flat bottle of plonk into champagne and shaking it until it exploded in their faces. The goals flowed from Mario Gómez, who scored a hat-trick, from Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry and Toni Kroos too. Luis Gustavo scored for the first time since August – and it didn't matter that it was into his own goal. Bayern were alive again. The Goliath that Vogel had talked about slaying before the first leg was back on its feet and ferocious.

The good news was not just restricted to the number of goals scored. Bastian Schweinsteiger made his first appearance since tearing his ankle ligaments. It is no coincidence that without him Bayern have struggled to control games. The club's win percentage has dipped 17% without his assured presence in midfield. And Heynckes believes his influential midfielder belongs in exalted company.

"It is very important that he has returned to the playing squad," he said. "For me, he is in the same league as the likes of Xavi [Hernández], [Andrés] Iniesta and [Sergio] Busquets. It can give impetus to us on and off the field."

Of the challenge posed by Basel, who are unbeaten now in 17 matches, Heynckes said: "Right now, you do not think what is at stake. That is what makes football so interesting, there are always difficult situations that you face which are extremely demanding. Things aren't as dramatic as they appear, we are confident, we have great belief in ourselves and every player knows what is at stake."

What is at stake is Bayern's credibility in Europe and perhaps his own long-term future as manager. As good as Basel have been domestically and in Europe, they are still a team comprised of promising upstarts and wily old pros. It may be that the rock that struck Goliath in the first leg was just a damn good shot by Valentin Stocker, but after beating Manchester United – and scoring three at Old Trafford – Basel have certainly got their eye in when it comes to striking down the big boys.

"It is not a battle between equals, it is a duel between David and Goliath. And Goliath was supposed to win," said Vogel. "We know we are not hopeless. And we are a very, very self-confident David."

Self-confident and fuelled by ambition. Having agreed to sign for Bayern next season the 20-year-old forward Xheridan Shaqiri will be keen to impress his future employers. While Vogel, who supports Bayern and worked at the club as a coach for nine years, will need no encouragement to show the club the kind of motivational masterclass he could offer them in the future.

If Basel create history again (they did so just by qualifying) by progressing to the quarter-finals at the Allianz Arena, the host stadium for this year's Champions League final, it may be that it is the precursor to future successes there for the 36-year-old – but perhaps he'll be in Goliath's corner, instead of David's.

Internazionale v Marseille (agg 0-1), 7.45pm, San Siro

Didier Deschamps will be relieved to be facing Inter tonight instead of a domestic opponent. Since Marseille's 1-0 win in the first leg thanks to André Ayew's injury-time header, their form has taken a spectacular nosedive. Four defeats in a row and not a single goal speaks for itself. They were third before they beat Inter three weeks ago to extend their unbeaten run to 17 matches. They're now eighth, eight points behind Lille in the third Champions League spot.

The simple truth is that without their coveted forward Loïc Rémy, who injured his right shoulder before the first leg against Inter, Marseille have been impotent. Ayew's headed winner at the Stade Vélodrome was the last time they scored. A lack of any discernible flair and imagination has led to defeats at three of Ligue 1's lesser lights. As bad as Inter have been at times this season, Claudio Ranieri's underperforming side are not comparable with AC Ajaccio, who piled on the misery for Marseille with a late winner at the weekend.

The good news for Marseille is that Rémy came through his 45-minute runout in that defeat without aggravating his shoulder injury. Marseille's biggest hope of success at San Siro may be to nick a goal on the break. And Rémy is the man to do that.

Inter, meanwhile, have put an end to their disastrous run since Marseille's first-leg win. They've scored four goals in two matches, with Diego Milito getting on the scoresheet in the 2-2 draw with Catania and the 2-0 win away at Chievo. Those two results hardly speak of a wholesale turnaround in their fortunes (they are still languishing down in seventh in Serie A) but it may mean Inter have a sliver of confidence to take into the match against Marseille and they certainly have a striker in form. Milito was bizarrely not in the starting lineup at Stade Vélodrome, despite him being the only Inter player who anybody could accuse of looking the slightest bit dangerous. But he is likely to partner either Giampaolo Pazzini or Diego Forlán in attack at San Siro.

Ranieri has looked like a dead man walking since Inter's December meltdown. André Villas-Boas and Fabio Capello have both been linked with his job. A successful Champions League run may not save him, but it may breathe a little life back into the genial manager and allow him to leave with his head held high.