 | Internazionale | 20:45 | Twente |  |
FC Internazionale Milano go into their UEFA Champions League home game against FC Twente with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Beset by injuries, the European champions are without a win in five competitive games.
However, captain Javier Zanetti is certain the barren spell is not evidence of any deeper troubles for Rafael Benítez's side, explaining: "When most of the players were fit, everybody said we were even better than last season. Now they say we are playing badly, worse than last season, but if you look at our injury list, we are missing a lot of men, most of them key players."
Previous Meetings
Twente 2 2 Internazionale
========================================================================
Group stage (Group A)- White Hart Lane - London
 | Tottenham | 20:45 | Bremen |  |
Jermaine Jenas insists the reputation Tottenham Hotspur FC have been forging as comeback kings is an indication of their blossoming belief as the Group A leaders welcome SV Werder Bremen to White Hart Lane looking to seal a place in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League.
Spurs have triumphed four times in the Premier League after falling behind and raised eyebrows in Europe by scoring three times with ten men at holders FC Internazionale Milano after trailing 4-0. Their latest recovery on Saturday was equally impressive as they transformed a 2-0 half-time deficit into a 3-2 success at north London rivals Arsenal FC.
Previous Meetings
Bremen 2 2 Tottenham
=======================================================================
Group stage (Group B)- Arena AufSchalke - Gelsenkirchen
 | Schalke | 20:45 | Lyon |  |
Until this season the UEFA Champions League was a spectacle Jimmy Briand enjoyed from the comfort of his living room.
The Paris-born striker was first captivated by Europe's leading club competition in the mid-1990s when his home-town side participated on a regular basis. "I used to follow Paris Saint-Germain at the time of George Weah and Raí," the Olympique Lyonnais forward said. "Those games thrilled me."
Previous Meetings
Lyon 1 0 Schalke
=========================================================================
Group stage (Group B)- Bloomfield Stadium - Tel Aviv
 | H. Tel-Aviv | 20:45 | Benfica |  |
Pablo Aimar and Javier Saviola claim a unique understanding on the pitch and the SL Benfica attackers aim to put that to use on Wednesday in their crucial trip to Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC.SL Benfica's Argentinian international duo Pablo Aimar and Javier Saviola claim a near-telepathic connection on the pitch which they hope to put to good use in Wednesday's vital trip to Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC.
A thrilling 4-3 win against UEFA Champions League Group B leaders Olympique Lyonnais on Matchday 4 – in which Benfica were four up before a late rally by the visitors – has moved the Eagles to within three points of the French side and one behind second-placed FC Schalke 04. Victories in Israel and at home to Schalke on 7 December could now take Benfica into the last 16 for the first time in five years.
Previous Meetings
Benfica 2 0 H. Tel-Aviv
=======================================================================
Group stage (Group C)- Ibrox Stadium - Glasgow
Steven Naismith said his coaches' European exploits are inspiring the current Rangers FC side: "It gives you that hunger to go on and emulate some of the things they've done
As a boy, Steven Naismith's collection of Rangers FC shirts included one with the name of Ally McCoist, the club's record goalscorer, on the back. Today Naismith still has McCoist, now Rangers' assistant manager, on his back – albeit this time regaling him with tales of the past.
McCoist and fellow coach Ian Durrant were part of the team that manager Walter Smith, in his first spell at Rangers, led on a memorable unbeaten run in the 1992/93 UEFA Champions League. They finished just a point short of eventual winners Olympique de Marseille in a group stage that led directly to the final.
Previous Meetings
Man.United 0 0 Rangers
=========================================================================
Group stage (Group C)- Estadi de Mestalla - Valencia
Valencia CF defender Hedwiges Maduro could make his second Group C start when Bursaspor visit, with the centre-back "aware of the threat they pose" despite a lack of points or goals.
Hedwiges Maduro has warned of the dangers a Bursaspor side fighting to save their European season will pose when Valencia CF host the UEFA Champions League Group C strugglers on Wednesday.
The Turkish titleholders arrive at Mestalla with no points or goals in the section so far, while Valencia sit second, two points ahead of Rangers FC. Though everything points towards a home win, Maduro knows the outcome is far from a foregone conclusion, particularly with the visitors clinging to the slim hope of UEFA Europa League qualification, not to mention being ten matches unbeaten on the road in domestic football.
"Every game is different but they are the Turkish champions and so they demand our respect," stressed Maduro, who could take the place of injured captain David Navarro in central defence. "We are very aware of the threats they pose."
Previous Meetings
Bursaspor 0 4 Valencia
=======================================================================
Group stage (Group D)- OACA Spiros Louis Stadium - Athens
Kostas Katsouranis wants Panathinaikos FC to be "far more aggressive" in defence against FC Barcelona as they bid to turn over a new leaf in their first game under Jesualdo Ferreira
Kostas Katsouranis said he wants Panathinaikos FC to show a little more backbone in their Group D home game against FC Barcelona after being beaten 5-1 when the sides met at Camp Nou on Matchday 1.
Having led early on through Sidney Govou, the Greens were pulled apart in Spain, leaving Katsouranis rueful. "If I could change one thing from that first match it's the way we defended," said the 31-year-old. "We have to be far more aggressive in the way we defend and not allow them the time and space to do what we know they are capable of."
That opening result set a grim tone for their Group D campaign. FC København promptly beat them 2-0 at home, before back-to-back goalless draws against FC Rubin Kazan left Panathinaikos at the foot of the section. Inconsistent domestic results helped to hurry the departure of coach Nikos Nioplias in the run-up to Matchday 5
A thrilling 4-3 win against UEFA Champions League Group B leaders Olympique Lyonnais on Matchday 4 – in which Benfica were four up before a late rally by the visitors – has moved the Eagles to within three points of the French side and one behind second-placed FC Schalke 04. Victories in Israel and at home to Schalke on 7 December could now take Benfica into the last 16 for the first time in five years.
Previous Meetings
Benfica 2 0 H. Tel-Aviv
=======================================================================
Group stage (Group C)- Ibrox Stadium - Glasgow
 | Rangers | 20:45 | Man. United |  |
As a boy, Steven Naismith's collection of Rangers FC shirts included one with the name of Ally McCoist, the club's record goalscorer, on the back. Today Naismith still has McCoist, now Rangers' assistant manager, on his back – albeit this time regaling him with tales of the past.
McCoist and fellow coach Ian Durrant were part of the team that manager Walter Smith, in his first spell at Rangers, led on a memorable unbeaten run in the 1992/93 UEFA Champions League. They finished just a point short of eventual winners Olympique de Marseille in a group stage that led directly to the final.
Previous Meetings
Man.United 0 0 Rangers
=========================================================================
Group stage (Group C)- Estadi de Mestalla - Valencia
 | Valencia | 20:45 | Bursaspor |  |
Hedwiges Maduro has warned of the dangers a Bursaspor side fighting to save their European season will pose when Valencia CF host the UEFA Champions League Group C strugglers on Wednesday.
The Turkish titleholders arrive at Mestalla with no points or goals in the section so far, while Valencia sit second, two points ahead of Rangers FC. Though everything points towards a home win, Maduro knows the outcome is far from a foregone conclusion, particularly with the visitors clinging to the slim hope of UEFA Europa League qualification, not to mention being ten matches unbeaten on the road in domestic football.
"Every game is different but they are the Turkish champions and so they demand our respect," stressed Maduro, who could take the place of injured captain David Navarro in central defence. "We are very aware of the threats they pose."
Previous Meetings
Bursaspor 0 4 Valencia
=======================================================================
Group stage (Group D)- OACA Spiros Louis Stadium - Athens
 | Panathinaikos | 20:45 | Barcelona |  |
Kostas Katsouranis said he wants Panathinaikos FC to show a little more backbone in their Group D home game against FC Barcelona after being beaten 5-1 when the sides met at Camp Nou on Matchday 1.
Having led early on through Sidney Govou, the Greens were pulled apart in Spain, leaving Katsouranis rueful. "If I could change one thing from that first match it's the way we defended," said the 31-year-old. "We have to be far more aggressive in the way we defend and not allow them the time and space to do what we know they are capable of."
That opening result set a grim tone for their Group D campaign. FC København promptly beat them 2-0 at home, before back-to-back goalless draws against FC Rubin Kazan left Panathinaikos at the foot of the section. Inconsistent domestic results helped to hurry the departure of coach Nikos Nioplias in the run-up to Matchday 5
Previous Meetings
Barcelona 5 1 Panathinaikos
=========================================================================
SOURCE www.uefa.com
No comments:
Post a Comment