Champions League Countdown: Seven Days To Go

Ewan Macdonald begins to look ahead to the Champions League knockout stages, which start in a week's time...

Just seven 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 are still seething after surrendering a late equaliser to Getafe at the weekend, leading local press source As to lament the state of the Rojiblancos' midfield. Defending from set pieces and deep crosses is also a concern that Abel Resino will be expected to fix in training.

Meanwhile Porto will have to do without the support of Paulo Futre, who has stated that he'll be a Rojiblanco for this tie. The wing legend said to the Atleti website, "My loyalty will not be divided. Atletico de Madrid and Porto were two teams that meant so much to me during my career, but I would like Atletico to win."

Lyon - Barcelona

Lyon isn't the happiest of places right now. As mentioned in yesterday's round-up, John Mensah suffered sickening racial abuse during OL's 2-1 win over Le Havre at the weekend. Lyon have since acted by issuing a statement condemning the bile, which apparently came from a Le Havre supporter visiting the Stade Gerland, while Mensah himself has issued a formal complaint to the police.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have the future of Samuel Eto'o to worry about. While the club is maintaining a poker face, it remains a reality that the Cameroonian is out of contract in the summer, although today's reports indicate that there will be no agreement any time soon. Instead the player (and the team) are to be in limbo until pretty much the end of the season...

Arsenal - Roma

Arsenal returned to action on Monday night with a convincing FA Cup win over Cardiff. But the positive result had to take second billing to the comeback of Eduardo da Silva, making his first competitive appearance for the Gunners almost exactly a year after suffering a horror injury. The Croatian international chipped in with two goals, much to coach Arsene Wenger's delight.

Luciano Spalletti over at Roma has a bit less to smile about after his side's heavy weekend defeat, but nonetheless Julio Baptista has his eyes on the final. The main concerns, though, regard transfers: Christian Panucci is still in exile, Keirrison of Palmeiras is apparently on the shopping list, and AC Milan have been linked with key centre-back Philippe Mexes.

Inter - Manchester United

Inter wish a happy birthday to Adriano. It was less than a year ago that the Emperor's time at Inter seemed to be well and truly over, but his heroics in the Milan derby are emblematic of his extraordinary comeback. So well is he doing that there is talk of a new contract as he turns 27. Certainly the Brazilian feels that he has a debt of gratitude to Jose Mourinho, who seems to be getting the best out of him. United beware!

Manchester United fans will give a wry smile when they hear that interim Real Madrid president Vicente Boluda sees Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Old Trafford for the Blancos in future, but such concerns are secondary at the moment. Instead, 35-year-old Ryan Giggs is looking to further lead the line from the middle, which Inter will have to contend with.

Wednesday February 25 2009

Real Madrid - Liverpool

And so to Real Madrid. Most of the talk at the Santiago Bernabeu is about Raul, who is apparently to earn a Spain testimonial soon. This gives the impression that his international career is over as a contest, which probably won't please him too much. Still, elsewhere in the camp confidence is high, with Rafael van der Vaart stating that Liverpool "fear" the Blancos.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are still beset by transfer drama: in addition to the ongoing uncertainty over coach Rafael Benitez's future, Juventus are said to be in for Daniel Agger, while Hertha Berlin are set to land Andriy Voronin on a permanent basis. Fernando Torres, meanwhile, is itching to get revenge over his former Madrid enemies as he states that his time in the Premier League has improved him as a player.

Chelsea - Juventus

Chelsea's players have been told in no uncertain terms by interim coach Guus Hiddink that they are simply too unfit, at least according to tabloid reports. Elsewhere, Didier Drogba has been linked with a return to Marseille as Nicolas Anelka stakes a claim for the top dog's striking jersey.

Juventus, who must make a first leg journey to London, have been warned by former Manchester United goalkeeper Massimo Taibi that they face a tough challenge. As he exclusively told Goal.com, "Inter and Juventus start worse off as Manchester United and Chelsea are very, very strong and I think they have something extra from a technical point of view."

Villarreal - Panathinaikos

Villarreal return to training today after having Monday off. Well, most players had a holiday: the injured ones were called in for a bit extra. No fewer than seven first teamers were nursing knocks from the weekend, but all are expected to recover in time for the Pana fixture, if not the weekend.

Heading east along the Mediterranean, Panathinaikos trained yesterday as normal after that controversial draw at Iraklis at the weekend, and although the club felt wronged by refereeing decisions it is still thought that they were compelled to train harder than normal. Director of football Costas Antoniou forced the players to look inwards, rather than at the ref, to find the reason for the draw.

Sporting Lisbon - Bayern Munich

Sporting Lisbon are already gearing up for the Champions League, of course, but first of all comes Saturday night's derby clash with Benfica, which will take precedence for the time being. However, the Lions must worry about the fact that Benfica are nine games unbeaten - that could damage Sporting's confidence if Benfica make it 10.

Finally Bayern Munich have striking worries. Luca Toni is apparently angling for a return to Italy - at least when his contract ends - and Lukas Podolski is raging after being left out of the squad that met Hertha Berlin at the weekend. (Given that they lost, that's perhaps no bad thing for the Koeln-bound international.)