Ewan Macdonald begins to look ahead to the Champions League knockout stages, which start in less than a week's time...Less than five days stand between us and the resumption of the Champions League. It's been a long, long wait since December, but it's almost over now, and we here at Goal.com are already suitably excited.
We've already kept you updated with our in-depth examinations of England's and Italy's respective CL contenders, but between now and kick-off on the 24th of February we will inform you each days of the inside scoop at each club to see who's preparing well, and who isn't.
Tuesday February 24 2009
Atletico Madrid - Porto
Atletico Madrid welcome a new member to the family today. Kun Aguero and Gianina Maradona are proud parents after the birth of their first child. Meanwhile Raul Garcia is looking ahead to face Porto, telling his official club site, "It's not as easy a tie as many people are saying, because you know that the opponent has great potential. But we're not inferior."
Porto, staying true to the words of coach Jesualdo Ferreira, are preoccupied with the weekend cup clash against Pacos de Ferreira. Still, they've been boosted by the news that Milan Stepanov, Nelson Benitez, and Freddy Guarin are all fit and ready to play.
Lyon - Barcelona
Lyon, too, are mostly looking at their domestic fixture against Nancy, but Fabio Grosso found time to remark on Barcelona. He said, "We know they're currently the best team in Europe, but we can put them in danger, too, as we want to show them. In any case, we're ready. Lionel Messi? He's one of the world's best players and has been superb this season. With the ball, he can change the game. But it's not just him in that team."
Fabio Grosso is toeing the party line at Lyon, stating that looking at the weekend fixture against Nancy ahead of the Barcelona clash. Nonetheless, he found the time to point out, "Barcelona are tough as they play as a team. We know they're currently Europe's best team but we have our own merits with which we can endanger them... Lionel Messi is one of the best players in the world; he's a powerful presence and has been all season. When he gets the ball, he can change the game. But it's not only him in this team."
Arsenal - Roma
Awful news for Arsenal fans. Eduardo, who had only just returned from his horror injury, is now out once again. This time it's just a hamstring problem that will sideline him for two weeks, but it is nonetheless terribly demoralising for the Gunners.
Roma are in confident mood ahead of the game with Arsenal. Julio Baptista believes the Giallorossi can progress past his old side. There is still confusion over Alberto Aquilani's contract situation, while the midfielder and striker Mirko Vucinic are set to miss the weekend Serie A match against Siena due to injury. Both are expected to be fit to play against Arsenal though.
Inter - Manchester United
Lots of transfer news regarding Inter as the Beneamata have been heavily linked with a summer move for Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero, as well as Lyon's Karim Benzema. A new contract for reborn hitman Adriano is said to be on the horizon. Coach Jose Mourinho is being tipped to rest a number of first teamers this weekend against Bologna ahead of the big Champions League match with Manchester United. Marco Materazzi should start.
Manchester United are gearing up for the trip to the San Siro as they look to defend their recent great run of form. For Dimitar Berbatov, a key influence here is Paul Scholes. "I don’t think there is anybody else in the world like Paul Scholes. He is the only person who can shoot with that accuracy. His passing and the way he changes games is brilliant. Every manager would be happy to have him but it’s our luck that he plays for us," he said.
Wednesday February 25 2009
Real Madrid - Liverpool
Real Madrid are banking on experience as 35-year-old Fabio Cannavaro stands on the verge of a new contract - at least if coach Juande Ramos has his way. He said, "If it were up to me, I would renew his contract as soon as possible. He is healthy and provides the team with solidity and experience."
Liverpool, aren't immune from Juande's influence, as the former Tottenham Hotspur coach criticises the Reds for getting rid of Robbie Keane. "[Keane] is a top player and I don’t think he did badly at Liverpool. He scored goals and showed he’s a team player," he said. "It was a lot of money to lose on Robbie over such a short space of time, especially in this market. Let’s put it this way: I wouldn’t want to lose that amount of money on one player."
Chelsea - Juventus
Chelsea are said to be on the lookout for Yuri Zhirkov of CSKA Moscow, who is admired by interim coach Guus Hiddink. The 25-year-old could prove to be a long-term solution in an attacking, wide sense. Michael Essien, meanwhile, remains out of action but could return just in time for the second leg of this meeting.
Juventus.midfield man Momo Sissoko has warned Chelsea's Frank Lampard that he is out to get him when the teams meet next week. Former Juve striker Fabrizio Ravanelli spoke exclusively to Goal.com and he believes that his old club can topple the Blues. Bench-warmer Vincenzo Iaquinta reportedly wants to leave the club, while Atalanta's Sergio Floccari and Werder Bremen's Diego continue to be linked to the Bianconeri.
Villarreal - Panathinaikos
Diego Godin of Villarreal has his eye on next season's competition, too. He told his teammates today that the Yellow Submarine need to aim for 70 points if they're to return to the Champions League for the 2010-2011 campaign, starting with a win over Sporting at the weekend. After that comes Pana...
45 years ago to the day, Panathinaikos were rocked by the death of George Kalafatis, the founder of the historic club. The current squad, while no doubt touched by this anniversary, trained normally today, with the exception of Orestis Karnezis.
Sporting Lisbon - Bayern Munich
Sporting Lisbon must rely on reserve Tiago to keep goal in the derby against Benfica after Rui Patricio's recovery failed to go as planned: it remains to be seen whether or not Patricio will be back in time for the visit from the Germans, but it's expected that he will just make it. Meanwhile, Adrien Silva remains pretty much out of commission.
Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann isn't too worried about the monster run of matches that will see the Bavarians contest seven games in 22 days. "We’re superbly well prepared physically," he told his official club website. Ahead of the Sporting encounter is a match with Cologne at the weekend. "We know the coming weeks will be critical."
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