Steaua B. - Betis (click for latest odds)
Steaua eager to better Betis
FC Steaua Bucuresti are hoping nerves do not get the better of them as Real Betis Balompié make a
UEFA Cup visit to the Romanian capital on Thursday.
Sell-out crowd
With the 42,000 tickets for the match at the Lia Manoliu stadium having sold out on Monday, defender Sorin Paraschiv was eager not to let supporters down. "It's essential not to concede any goals and to score as many as we can," he said. "If we qualify we will need two stadiums to fit all of our fans in."
Radoi concerned
However, team captain Mirel Radoi is still concerned after their last competitive game, the home leg of their last-16 tie against SC Heerenveen, ended in a 1-0 home defeat. "We cannot allow them to create chances like we did in the second leg against Heerenveen, because Betis are a much better team," he said.
Indifferent form
Betis have not been in brilliant form at home, losing 1-0 at Getafe CF in their most recent league game. Their prospects of doing better in Bucharest have been dealt a blow with injuries to defenders Paolo Castellini and Alejandro Lembo in recent days.
Right atmosphere
Italian Castellini will be out for two weeks with a sprained muscle in his right thigh while Lembo has broken his ankle, but coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer hopes a big crowd in Bucharest will help his side get over such setbacks. "Everybody likes playing matches in this kind of atmosphere," he said.
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Palermo - Schalke
Fans hold key to Palermo progress
Mariano Gonzalez believes US Città di Palermo's partisan home support can help the Italian side take the initiative in their
UEFA Cup last-16 tie against FC Schalke 04.
European ambition
Having seen their unbeaten start to life under Giuseppe Papadopulo ended by AC Milan two weekends ago, Palermo slumped to another defeat at struggling US Lecce on Sunday. However, midfielder Gonzalez is confident those losses will simply spur the team on: "We want to go as far as we can in the
UEFA Cup, so I really hope our fans get behind us. Schalke are a very strong side, but Kevin Kuranyi is out and that's good news."
'Dangerous forwards'
There is less positive news from the Palermo camp, though, with Eugenio Corini out with a thigh injury and Massimo Mutarelli doubtful after limping off at the weekend. Paul Codrea and Giovanni Tedesco could come into the side, while Franco Brienza is expected to replace the ineligible David Di Michele in attack. Gonzalez, however, is more concerned with the strength of the Palermo defence, "because Schalke have other dangerous attacking players" aside from Kuranyi.
Midfield threat
Hannover 96 discovered that to their cost on Saturday, as they shut out Schalke's strikers only for midfielders Christian Poulsen and Zlatan Bajramović to register as the visitors won 2-1. An injury to Lincoln will further test their resolve after the Brazilian playmaker damaged a knee ligament in training and stayed behind in Germany. "Ebbe Sand will probably play instead," said Schalke coach Mirko Slomka.
Returnees
Lincoln joins Turkish international Hamit Altıntop on the sidelines, although midfielder Mimoun Azaouagh and defender Darío Rodríguez could start after returning from respective knee and thigh problems at Hannover.
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Lille - Sevilla
Lille ready to raise their game
Coach Claude Puel has high hopes that LOSC Lille Métropole will eliminate Sevilla FC and reach the
UEFA Cup quarter-finals - despite a worrying injury list ahead of Thursday's home leg.
Worrying niggles
With playmaker Milenko Ačimovič already injured and Efstathios Tavlaridis suspended, last weekend's 4-0 win against Le Mans UC 72 came at a cost. Defender Grégory Tafforeau sustained a groin problem, midfielder Mathieu Debuchy complained of back pains, and striker Peter Odemwingie was left with a sore thigh.
Late tests
All three will undergo last-minute tests to see if they can play against Sevilla - whom Lille beat 1-0 in the group stage last season. However, Puel is taking little comfort from that success. "This game cannot be compared with our win last term, because Sevilla are going really well in their league right now," he said. "We are stepping up another level with such opponents and expect a tough game at home and a tougher one away."
Kanouté firing
Sixth in Spain, Sevilla are indeed flying, with striker Frédéric Kanouté in his best form since joining last August. The 28-year-old knows all about Lille from his time with Olympique Lyonnais. "Lille are a humble team but they have been among the best sides in France for the last three or four years," he said of Ligue 1's third-placed club. "They work hard and defend well so they are difficult opponents, especially away from home."
Renato returns
Brazilian midfielder Renato should return from injury to Juande Ramos's side, 2-1 victors against Athletic Club Bilbao on Sunday, and is eager to impress. "I have to make up for lost time," he said. "I hope I can go to the FIFA World Cup with Brazil. The Lille tie will be decided at home but I hope we can get a good result there and make the most of these 90 minutes."
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Rapid B. - Hamburg
Rapid seek second German scalp
Romanian club AFC Rapid Bucuresti are determined to give nothing away as they take on Hamburger SV in the home leg of their
UEFA Cup Round of 16 tie.
Clean sheet
"We must not concede any goals at home," said coach Razvan Lucescu, who will name forward Viorel Moldovan as a substitute following his return from injury. "So far we have had good results away from home in this competition, but we have to be more focused for this tie because Hamburg are very good on their travels too."
Famous victory
However impressive Hamburg's 2-1 weekend victory at FC Bayern München, the Bundesliga side should hold no fears for Rapid. After all, Lucescu's team disposed of Hertha BSC Berlin in the last round. Lucescu, who with midfielder Marius Maldarasanu injured, could recall Lucian Burdujan from suspension, said: "We are not afraid. In fact, I am happy they beat Bayern because my players will know they have to be at their best. All of them dream of playing in matches like this, which can be won with the heart and the soul."
Doll assessment
Hamburg, missing the injured Ailton, the suspended David Jarolím and Thimothée Atouba - who has a knee complaint - are not resting on their laurels either. "The Romanians don't mind that we have beaten Bayern," admitted coach Thomas Doll. "On the contrary, they will take motivation from it."
Scouting assistance
Doll has asked Hertha assistant coach Andreas Thom to give him the lowdown on what to expect from Rapid. "This means we are ideally prepared," said Doll, who should replace Atouba with Guy Demel at left-back. "We certainly won't underestimate Rapid."
Basel - Strasbourg
Basel await second bite at Strasbourg
Wednesday, 8 March 2006
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FC Basel 1893 are hoping a rash of injuries will not stifle their ambitions as they entertain RC Strasbourg in the
UEFA Cup Round of 16.
Missing players
Coach Christian Gross is resigned to being without Murat Yakin and Alexandre Quennoz, both with stomach muscle problems, and Scott Chipperfield who has a kidney complaint. Also in the treatment room is César Carignano, whose groin strain follows recent appendix surgery. Supporters remain optimistic, however - and despite Basel's 2-0 home defeat by the same opponents in the group stage - with 86 per cent of club website users predicting a home win. "We want to play solidly and get a good result," said defender Boris Smiljanic.
Long list
Strasbourg doubtless feel the same way despite a lengthy injury list of their own. Salim Arrache (thigh), Haikel Gmamdia (shoulder), Sidi Yaya Keita and Kevin Gameiro (both knee) were already sidelined before flu and a thigh strain accounted for Pascal Johansen and Jean-Christophe Devaux respectively. Coach Jacky Duguépéroux, whose side remain in the French Ligue 1 relegation zone, now hopes a patched-up forward line will work wonders in Switzerland. "We're ill-equipped in attack, but I think players like Amara Diané and Alexander Farnerud have shown they can do the job," he said.
Previous meeting
Of Strasbourg's victory over Basel in October, Duguépéroux added: "Their team has changed, our team has changed, and this time they won't feel complacent when we arrive. Their coach will look to that result for motivation."
Marseille - Zenit
Marseille refreshed by Riviera break
Wednesday, 8 March 2006
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Olympique de Marseille should be well rested for their
UEFA Cup Round of 16 tie against FC Zenit St. Petersburg after security worries meant many first-choice players remained on the French Riviera last weekend.
Restful weekend
Instead, a side largely comprising players from the club's third team repelled Paris Saint-Germain FC to earn a memorable point in the capital and maintain fifth-placed Marseille's European hopes for next season. The senior players made do with some light training, meaning Sabri Lamouchi remains the only injury absentee, although midfielder Lorik Cana is suspended.
'Not for boys'
Looking forward to Thursday's visit of the Russian club to the Vélodrome, defender Habib Beye expects a physical test similar to the one experienced against Bolton Wanderers FC in the last round. "It will be the same sort of game - for men, not boys," he said. "I don't know Zenit well, but the way they knocked out Rosenborg [BK in the Round of 32] was impressive." Coach Jean Fernandez is more aware of specific threats, highlighting Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Andrei Arshavin as ones to watch. "They're very fast," he said. "They give Zenit offensive power so we need to be very careful."
Čontofalský absent
Arshavin was rested at the weekend, along with the suspended Vladislav Radimov, as Zenit beat FC Terek Chechenskaya Respublika 2-0 in the Russian Cup. Goalkeeper Kamil Čontofalský sustained a hand injury and misses out, but Pavel Mareš and Young-Min Hyun are available again. "Both are healthy and can play in France," said Zenit spokesman Fedor Pogorelov. "The team are in excellent spirits and ready for battle."
Udinese - Levski Sofia
Udinese look to rediscover form
Wednesday, 8 March 2006
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After gaining what proved to be a decisive 3-0 first-leg lead against RC Lens in the last round, Udinese Calcio are hoping to make home advantage count again as they welcome Bulgarian side PFC Levski Sofia to Italy.
European fillip
The former
UEFA Champions League challengers were denied their first win in eleven Serie A outings by an 85th-minute Ascoli Calcio 1898 penalty on Sunday, yet are a different proposition in Europe. Midfielder Fernando Tissone believes the bigger stage suits their style. "We play better in Europe than in our domestic league because teams give us more room to counterattack," he said. "We struggle against more defensive Italian sides, especially at home."
Personnel problems
Udinese have nonetheless lost only to FC Barcelona at their Friuli stadium this term, which should lift confidence levels despite an injury list including Giampiero Pinzi, Salvatore Masiello, Marco Motta and Juarez. The fit-again Cesare Natali and Mirko Pieri will not be risked, while Paulo Barreto and Sulley Ali Muntari could be rested.
Tomašić doubt
Levski have personnel problems too ahead of this Round of 16 first leg. With Milan Koprivarov injured in a car crash last week, 18-year-old forward Nikolay Dimitrov may get his chance. Coach Stanimir Stoilov also faces a dilemma over Igor Tomašić after the defender sustained an ankle injury during Saturday's 4-0 victory against PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1936.
No fear
Levski won away to Slovakia's FC Artmedia to reach the last 16, and captain Elin Topuzakov is bullish. "We respect Udinese but don't fear them," he said. "If we play well, we could get a result that keeps our chances alive for the second leg. We know what we're capable of."
Middlesbrough - Roma
Roma reduced for Middlesbrough trip
Wednesday, 8 March 2006
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Middlesbrough FC and AS Roma have striking differences as they contemplate the opening act of their
UEFA Cup last 16 tie on Thursday night.
Goals aplenty
While first-leg hosts Middlesbrough have strikers Yakubu Ayegbeni, Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink all in goalscoring form, their visitors are without Vicenzo Montella (back), Francesco Totti (leg) and Shabani Nonda (knee). Still Roma can take some comfort from their record-breaking run of eleven straight Serie A wins, which was only ended by a late FC Internazionale Milano equaliser on Sunday night.
Good form
Middlesbrough have taken four wins from their last five – most recently by winning 1-0 at home against Birmingham City FC - to move eleven points clear of the Premiership relegation zone. The English side will hope winger Stewart Downing is fit after a knee injury but defender Stuart Parnaby is out for a month with a hamstring problem. Young understudy Tony McMahon could take his place while there is better news on the defensive front as Ugo Ehiogu returned to reserve team action earlier this week while midfielder Ray Parlour is even closer to first-team action.
Mendieta confident
Middlesbrough's fans are being urged to play their part and Gaizka Mendieta, formerly of Roma's rivals S.S. Lazio, believes his side have every chance against Europe's form team. "They are a very good side and the away leg in Rome will be very difficult," Mendieta said. "But I think we can make it through even though we are playing at home first, especially if we don't concede. We don't fear them."
Mancini move
Roma are set to play Brazilian winger Mancini, who impressed in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Inter, in a lone striking role. Roma are also without goalkeeper Doni Marangon (shoulder), to be replaced by Under-21 international Gianluca Curci, while Italy midfielder Daniel De Rossi is suspended and Rodrigo Taddei is doubtful (thigh). The latter, who scored against Inter, is desperate to play. "The tie against Middlesbrough will be very difficult and we will have to give our very best if we want to achieve a good result. We will have to keep on playing as well as we have done recently in our domestic league."
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UEFA Cup 9th March
