United and Chelsea eye next phase
Compared to the domestic and European woes of five-times European
kings Liverpool, life is bliss for Manchester United and Chelsea as
Premier League glory and the knockout phase of the Champions League
beckon.
Liverpool, six defeats in seven games, have run into a brick wall in
the Premier League where a first title in 20 years already looks beyond
them. Failure to win at Lyon on Wednesday could derail their Champions
League ambitions after defeats to the French side and also Fiorentina.
Meanwhile it's been relatively plain sailing for United and Chelsea,
both at home and abroad.
Sir Alex Ferguson's 2008 European champions are just two points off
the Blues in the league while in Europe both sides have posted three
wins already.
Despite veterans Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand both being ruled out of
Tuesday's game United will expect to polish off rivals CSKA Moscow at
Old Trafford having already secured full points in Moscow.
Chelsea, having already humiliated Atletico Madrid at Stamford
Bridge, will be confident they can get the point they need to advance
from Group D, particularly with Didier Drogba having completed the
three-match ban imposed for an on-pitch outburst after last season's
semifinal loss to Barcelona.
Frank Lampard says the Ivorian is the true ace in the pack.
"Having Didier back in the Champions League this week will be great
for us. It's a big boost, he's a top-class player in great form," the
England midfielder said, dubbing Drogba the best striker in the world.
"He's neck and neck with Fernando Torres in the goals chart, but for
me Didier is the best in the world because of his all-round game."
Nine-times champions Real Madrid should ultimately emerge from Group C
even if AC Milan, with seven titles, complete the double Tuesday over
the expensively reconstituted 'Meringues' at the San Siro.
Both sides have six points from three games but Real will again be
without the world's most expensive player Cristiano Ronaldo as he has
not recovered from a nagging right ankle injury. Veteran midfielder Guti
will also miss the game after falling out with coach Manuel Pellegrini
during last week's humiliating 4-0 Spanish Cup defeat at third division
Alcorcon.
Assuming Milan - already shocked at home to Zurich before redeeming
themselves in Madrid - qualify along with the Spanish giants, whose last
crown came in 2002, that would mean the end of the road for Marseille,
the 1993 champions, who should nonetheless beat Zurich at the Stade
Velodrome. Also teetering on the brink are four-times winners Bayern
Munich, who are labouring to make an impression in Group A where
Bordeaux are setting the pace after beating the Bavarians in France.
With Italian former champions Juventus unbeaten in the same group and
a point clear of Bayern, the latter cannot afford to drop points against
Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux as Juve will expect to pinch full points at
Israel's Maccabi Haifa.
Bayern team manager Uli Hoeness admits the struggle will be an uphill
one if neither of their playmakers, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, can
shrug off injuries in time.
"Bayern without Franck Ribery or Arjen Robben is not the same team.
When they return, we will return very quickly to a higher level."
Ribery will miss out with a knee injury though Robben may make thew
date at the Allianz Arena as he has recovered largely from a knee
operation at the start of last month.
PARIS, Monday AFP |