After getting only 5 points in 4 games, Barcelona have few options in front of them, as a loss would significantly reduce their chances of qualifying into the next stage of the Champions League. Of course, their minds will certainly be set on a victory – more or less comfortable – but in reality, they could settle for at least a draw, if ever their best does not seem to be enough to trample on the Nerazzurri.
On the other hand, Inter will also concentrate on... Read full article »
Liverpool, almost dead and buried. The Europa League to be their ultimate destination?
Four points and only three goals out of four games create Liverpool’s worst record in the UEFA Champions League since decades.
On Wednesday evening, the Merseyside Reds will not only have to beat Debrecen to save their European dreams from fading away.
As things stands, Liverpool’s fate is mostly in the hands of Italy’s Fiorentina and this means that the Reds will need Lyon to complete the double against La Viola.
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Real Madrid v FC Zurich – A Piece of Cake for Los Blancos?
The first leg of this clash produced seven goals, with five going to the Spanish giants and two to the world’s most expensive player – Cristiano Ronaldo.
Will there be more of the same on Wednesday or will FC Zurich convincingly recover from the 6-1 defeat which they suffered in the hands of Marseille on match-day 4?
Statistics putting Real Madrid well on top
Real Madrid are heading Group C on goal difference with seven points ahead of AC Milan. Having scored the biggest amount of goals in the group, Los Blancos have the advantage on the Italians even if they’ve conceded six compared to AC Milan’s five.
Read full article »Barca brilliantly bounced back from a weak form that saw them go two games without a win in the league and the Champions League, but another challenge is still awaiting them away from home.
The First Leg
One could expect this game to be dominated by the Catalans, bearing in mind that Barcelona have successfully regained their shape; yet, it is the first leg’s story which seems to make the excitement ahead of this game huge.
Barcelona were stunned by 2 goals to 1 in their own stadium several days ago by the Russian side Rubin Kazan, and unquestionably, it was a match the home side could clearly have turned into their favor. Nevertheless, mistakes in the defense, as well as lack of precision in front of goal cost them an upset, as they went on to miss another 3 precious points, which could have extended their lead at the top of table with 7 good points.
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Yes, it is Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan who find themselves in such an awkward position.
An early goal from Mikhalik stunned the entire home crowd at the Giuseppe Meazza whereas an own goal from Lucio inflicted more anger than sorrow in the fans’ hearts on the night when Inter Milan could not find their way out against Dynamo Kyiv.
However, Dejan Stankovic felt relief over disappointment concerning his side’s ability to avoid defeat.
He explained:
“It was important not to get beaten because if we had done so, we’d be out of the contest.
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Liverpool red scare
Who would have imagined Liverpool struggling in Group E with only three points after three match-days?
Today, this is the reality as the Reds from the Merseyside have suffered defeats away to Fiorentina and at home to former French league champions Lyon.
Statistics are alarming from a Liverpool point of view; the five-time UEFA Champions League winners have conceded twice as much as they’ve scored compared to Lyon’s seven goals that give them a plus-six goal difference at the top of the table.
Read full article »A point will be enough for the 2008 UEFA Champions League winners to qualify into the last sixteen of this season’s European tournament.
Manchester United are one of the few teams in the competition to possess a perfect record so far. The Red Devils have picked up three victories out of three games and all of those have proven to be real battles.
In the opening game against Besiktas, a lone goal from veteran midfielder Paul Scholes was enough... Read full article »
Both teams are on a tough run in their respective domestic leagues. In the first leg though, it was the Italians who came out victorious of this titanic encounter that was played at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Champions League is getting more exciting than ever as the campaign goes on. In Group C, things look tighter than they were before match-day 3.
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Manchester United will make a trip to Russia next week where they’ll affront CSKA Moscow in match-day three of the UEFA Champions League.
The clash will take place at the Luznikhi stadium, so the Red Devils will hope that things go their way one more time.
Two years back, Manchester United spent a sleepless night celebrating on that ground as they defeated Chelsea to lift the prestigious Champions League trophy.
Read full article »Looking at the two sides presented by the fixture of the match which is set to take place at the Camp Nou on Tuesday, it is easy to think that the encounter will be a matter of favorites and underdogs; yet, the fact that both teams have little knowledge about each other is – in fact – what makes the game unpredictable.
Two sides that have never met beforeBarcelona got the chance to top their table, but with only 4 points though, following their 0-0 draw at the San Siro, and their 2-0 home win against Dynamo Kiev. Eventually, with this achievement already done, the Catalans will surely look to keep their lead at the top of their group by beating their Russian opponents, so as to make sure that contenders Inter Milan and Kiev don’t surpass them in the standings.
The Spanish giants indeed have a lot of chances to humble their fellow-European visitors, but still, they will need to be cautious and take control of the match right from the very start, before Rubin Kazan cause what would be considered as an “upset”.
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