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Marseille coach Deschamps revels in chance to show his worth

2011-02-21T18:49:00.002+00:00

When Manchester United walk out into the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Wednesday, they will take on not only a vociferous crowd and a talented team, but also be pitting their wits against one of the most impressive young coaches in world football.

   Didier Deschamps, the France midfielder once derided as a "water carrier" by Frenchman Eric Cantona, is the man in the Marseille hot-seat and is already making a name for himself as a coach.

   Hugely decorated as a player with several teams, notably Marseille and Juventus - he won the Champions League with both - Deschamps also won both the European Championships and World Cup with France.

   As a coach, he began at Monaco, where he led them to the French league title and then to the final of the Champions League in 2004, impressing everyone with his tactical nous and man-management along the way.

   "He's still new to coaching but he knows the whole world of football," Spain striker Fernando Morientes said when he played under Deschamps at Monaco. "He has played in Italy, France, England, Spain, and he has won everywhere."

   The clash with United is one of the toughest draws Deschamps could have had but the Frenchman believes his side have the ability to cause an upset.

   "I believe we can beat them and knock them out," he said. If I don't believe it how can I tell my players to believe they can do it? It's a massive ask for us because United's objective is not to beat us but to win the competition.

   "United defend very well and have enormous talent but I've spotted some weaknesses at the back. I won't tell you them but we will not be content with just defending in the two matches."

   Deschamps admitted that it would help his side's cause that they are underdogs. "My Monaco beat Chelsea when nobody gave us a chance. That year we also beat Real Madrid and absolutely no one gave us a chance."

   Deschamps will also be testing himself against Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager who is into his 25th season with the club and whose trophy count outstrips that of everyone else in England.

   Ferguson is experienced enough to know, however, that beating Marseille over two legs will be far from simple.

   "Didier Deschamps has put together a strong team - a very big, powerful side," Ferguson said. "I watched them play at home against Chelsea in the group stage and they won 1-0. But Chelsea managed to create quite a few chances in the match so we hope we can do the same.

   "I have been to watch games at Marseille quite a few times and the atmosphere supporters create at their ground is terrific. It won't be easy going over there but I think we have a good chance of qualifying."

   Should Deschamps and Marseille be successful against United, the Frenchman's stock will rise further. He was asked to be Liverpool manager in August but turned it down because he had given Marseille his word that he would stay on. Win this tie and it might be difficult to stay beyond the summer.

   "If United knock out Marseille it's normal. But what will be unforgettable is if Marseille eliminate United."

   "It's better for us if United are not afraid. It's better they come here certain they will qualify. Better they come to the Velodrome knowing it will be easy and calm - but that will not be the case."

Mourinho desperate to win his third Champions League

2011-02-21T18:48:00.002+00:00

Jose Mourinho has a burning ambition to fulfil this spring.

   The Real Madrid boss is desperate to become the first coach to win three Champions Leagues with three different teams.

   Mourinho rose to prominence in 2004 by guiding rank outsiders FC Porto to Champions glory. Last year he repeated that trick with Inter Milan.

   Now his plan is to complete a unique treble by winning the trophy with Real, the fallen aristocrats of European football.

   He knows that he needs to win at least one trophy this season in order to justify his sky-high salary, the highest ever in the history of football. In the Spanish league, Real are five points behind leaders Barcelona, who will face the whites in the April 20 King's Cup final.

   After Saturday's 2-0 home win over lowly Levante, Mourinho started to turn his attention to Tuesday's Champions round of 16 first leg away to French giants Lyon.

   Mourinho knows full well that he will have to defy recent history in order to reach the quarter-finals.

   Real have not managed to beat Lyon in six matches over the past six years. Last season Claude Puel's side eliminated Real at the round of 16 stage on a 2-1 aggregate.

   Moreover, Real have been unable to reach the quarters since 2004, year after year crashing out in the round of 16 despite being the highest-spending club in world football.

   On Saturday, after the Levante win, Mourinho said: "There are two barriers (the two games against Lyon) for us to surmount in order to reach the quarter-finals. It will not be easy for us."

   However, Mourinho has done his homework, as usual. He started his coaching career - at Barcelona in the later 1990s - by preparing dossiers about the opposition for coach Louis Van Gaal, and is never a man to be taken by surprise by the opposing teams.

   Needless to say, he has studied Lyon well. He went to see them play away to local rivals Saint-Etienne two weeks ago, and has watched countless videos.

   In addition, former France captain Zinedine Zidane - now a special advisor at Real - has written a dossier about Puel's team.

   When asked about Lyon, Mourinho replied: "I am not losing sleep about the game, but right from the day of the draw (in December) I have been working with my people to know all the details about Lyon. We can also count on Zidane, who knows them well."

   Mourinho will have to make two important decisions before Tuesday's game: whether to go with Sergio Ramos or Alvaro Arbeloa at right-back, and whether to opt for Karim Benzema - the former Lyon idol - or new boy Emmanuel Adebayor upfield alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria.

PREVIEW: Lyon aiming to continue good record against Real Madrid

2011-02-21T18:47:00.005+00:00

French giants Lyon are aiming to continue their good record against Real Madrid when the two old enemies meet again in the Stade de Gerland on Tuesday, in an intriguing Champions League round of 16 first leg clash.

   Remarkably, Lyon have not lost once to Real in their six clashes with the Spaniards since 2005. Indeed, they have beaten Real on all three occasions when the madridistas have visited Lyon, and have managed to come from behind to draw three times in Real's Estadio Bernabeu.

   Exactly a year ago Lyon eliminated Real on a 2-1 aggregate, making it a seventh consecutive round of 16 elimination for Europe's fallen aristocrats.

   Lyon will not just have recent form against Real in their favour on Tuesday.

   In addition, their domestic displays have improved markedly in recent weeks. Ten days ago they thrashed local rivals Saint Etienne 4-1, on Friday's they trounced AS Nancy 4-0 at home.

   "We are playing quite well at the moment," said Lyon coach Claude Puel after Friday's win. "You can see that pressure makes us give the best of ourselves," he added.

   France playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, an expensive buy from Bordeaux in August, has finally run into form after a slow start at the club, as he showed on Friday by volleying in the first goal.

   Friday's other star performer in Lyon was young striker Jimmy Briand, who completed the rout with a spectacular bicycle kick goal.

   Puel will be sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and striker Lisandro Lopez.

   Lloris missed the Nancy game with a heavy cold but is expected to be fit by Tuesday. Lopez, in contrast, will probably not make it because of a hamstring problem.

   Real meanwhile have no injury worries. Coach Jose Mourinho rested Xabi Alonso and Emmanuel Adebayor for Saturday's 2-0 home defeat of Levante. This suggests that Adebayor will get the nod over former Lyon idol Karim Benzema, who scored the first goal against Levante.

   After the game Benzema said: "Lyon are a good team, at the same level as the big European sides. They are capable of playing well in front of their fans, soo it will be a difficult game."

   Mourinho will also have to decide between Kaka and Lassana Diarra in midfield, alongside Alonso and Sami Khedira. In addition, he will have to decide whether to go with Sergio Ramos or Alvaro Arbeloa at right-back.

Ferguson delighted as Evra extends Manchester United contract

2011-02-21T18:47:00.002+00:00

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expressed his delight at Patrice Evra's decision to sign a new contract with the club on Monday.

   The 29-year-old France full back signed a new deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until the summer of 2014.

   "(Evra is) unquestionably one of the world's best left backs," Ferguson told United's website.

"Patrice has developed into a key character in the dressing room. It's great that he's committed himself to Manchester United. His experience and talent will be increasingly important to us."

   Evra said the quest for more silverware was the key to his decision to stay on.

   "Ever since I arrived at United, it's been a dream come true playing here," Evra said. "The fans, the players, the manager and the staff all work hard to make this club the best in the world.

   "I've won a lot in the last five years, but I want to win more and I know that's the mentality of everyone here."

   Evra has made 226 appearances for United since joining in January 2006 and had already won three Premier League titles and the Champions League.

PREVIEW: Liverpool, Man City home in on Europa League progress

2011-02-21T18:46:00.004+00:00

Premier League sides Liverpool and Manchester City will be among the Europa League favourites seeking to reach the last 16 this week.

Both City and Liverpool ground out goalless draws in last week's first-leg matches and will be out to complete aggregate victories on home turf.

City take on Aris Thessaloniki while Liverpool host Sparta Prague on Thursday among a number of evenly-poised second-leg encounters.

While FC Twente, Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen and Dynamo Kiev recorded away wins last week by two goals or more, there is little separating most of the rest of the ties - six of which are all square.

   Liverpool will be hopeful captain Steven Gerrard will be fit to return to the starting line-up for their return leg against Sparta Prague.

The midfielder missed the 0-0 draw in Prague last week with a groin problem but is expected to return, while defender Daniel Agger is also set to return from injury, though new striker Luis Suarez is cup-tied.

   Manchester City will welcome back some of the big names who did not start the weekend FA Cup victory over Notts County for the visit of Aris.

   Carlos Tevez and Gareth Barry are sure to start the game having begun on the bench at the weekend while Shaun Wright-Phillips, tipped to leave the club in the summer, is also set to play.

Spanish teams Sevilla and Villarreal are determined to reach the round of 16, partly because it is the only competition that they stand a chance of winning this season.

   Sevilla - who won the old UEFA Cup in 2006 and 2007 - are stranded in seventh place in La Liga, while Villarreal are fourth, 19 points behind record-breaking leaders Barcelona.

   Sevilla have a hard task ahead of them on Wednesday away to FC Porto, who won the away leg 2-1 in Seville last Thursday.

   "It will be difficult to win in Portugal but not impossible, and we will certainly give it our best try," said Sevilla coach Gregorio Manzano.

   Villarreal take on Italian side Napoli after battling out a 0-0 draw in the Stadio San Paolo.

"The tie is still 50-50. We want to continue in the competition but we will have to beat them at home, which will not be easy," Villareal coach Juan Carlos Garrido said.

   Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri said: "We will go (to Spain) to play our game, and we can make it.

Germany's Bayer Leverkusen are well placed after a 4-0 at Metalist Kharkiv but VfB Stuttgart - who were defeated 4-2 at Leverkusen Sunday and are in the middle of a relegation battle - have another fight on their hands as they attempt to overturn a 2-1 defeat in Benfica.

Elsewhere, Polish side Lech Poznan visit Portugal's Sporting Braga with a 1-0 lead, while Swiss outfit Young Boys Berne travel to Russians Zenit St Petersburg with a 2-1 first-leg win.

Zenit's Russian rivals Spartak Moscow are in a better position against Swiss opposition, 3-2 ahead against visiting FC Basel.

CSKA Moscow start the week's action on Tuesday at home to Greek side PAOK with a 1-0 lead, while fourth Russian hope Rubin Kazan travel to FC Twente who are 2-0 up from the first leg.

In ties all square after the first leg, Paris St Germain take on Belarussians BATE Borisov (2-2), Sporting Lisbon entertain Glasgow Rangers (1-1) while PSV Eindhoven host OSC Lille (2-2).

PREVIEW: Champions Inter and Bayern stage Euro final rerun

2011-02-21T18:46:00.003+00:00

A chilly winter evening is forecast Wednesday at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium, where Bayern Munich hope to savour the first course of a cold revenge at Inter Milan.

   The Champions League draw pitted the 2010 finalists against each other in a mouthwatering two-leg tie of the round of 16, nine months after the Nerazzurri's European triumph.

   A good piece of news for the German champions is the absence of Argentine Diego Milito, whose brace in the Madrid final sank their hopes to clinch a fifth continental title.

   Inter also have defender Walter Samuel sidelined with injury, while the guests can count on French play-maker Franck Ribery, who looks forward to tackle the holders after being suspended for the May final.

   A 2-0 win in Madrid gave Inter their third trophy - after two European Cup triumphs in the 1960s - and was considered by many "a perfect game" and a tactical masterpiece from star coach Jose Mourinho.

   After winning the European, Serie A and national cup titles, Inter struggled early in the current season, but seem to have regained a good form since January under new coach Leonardo.

   "We are almost the same, let alone Diego (Milito), and we want to qualify," Serb midfielder Dejan Stankovic said. "It will be very difficult. It will be a very tactical, balanced game. But we believe in it."

   Inter at the weekend barely edged Cagliari 1-0, but remained within five points of Serie A leaders AC Milan while managing to save energies for the mid-week tie.

   Leonardo made part-time use of Esteban Cambiasso, Stankovic and Samuel Eto'o, giving a full rest to Wesley Sneijder and Brazil defender Lucio, who is fit from injury for the game against his former team.

   "Bayern are a great team. They are coming back," Leonardo said. "But we are feeling well, too, and I will do my best to get the best lineup for the game. It is crucial."

   Also the Bavarians had a poor season start after lifting national cup and title, but have improved lately, although they lag 13 points from the top in the Bundesliga.

   Not having to worry about home affairs can be an advantage for them in the continental arena, and having the injury-prone stars Ribery and Dutchman Arjen Robben available against Inter is certainly a plus for coach Louis van Gaal.

However the Dutch coach may have to do without on-form striker Mario Gomez, who has aggravated an old ankle injury.

"We'll have to wait and see whether he can play," said Van Gaal, who has Miroslav Klose waiting in the wings. Klose recently showed he knows how to score against Italian teams with the opening goal in Germany's 1-1 friendly draw with the Squadra Azzurra.

"Miro's in very good shape," said Van Gaal who otherwise expects to have a full-strength squad.

Roma appoint former striker Montella coach

2011-02-21T18:38:00.002+00:00

Serie A side Roma Monday appointed former striker Vincenzo Montella to succeed Claudio Ranieri as coach.

   Montella, 36, ended his playing career in 2009 and remained at the Rome club as coach of the youth team.

   Ranieri resigned late Sunday in the wake of a 4-3 defeat suffered at Genoa despite a three-goal lead secured in the first 50 minutes.

   Roma had lost against Napoli and Serie A champions Inter Milan and drawn the previous two games.

   They lie in eighth place with a 16-point deficit on leaders AC Milan.

   On Wednesday, they lost 3-2 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in a first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

Bayern's Gomez fit for Inter clash

2011-02-21T18:37:00.002+00:00

Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez sounded the all-clear Monday on an ankle injury which had threatened to sideline him for Wednesday's Champions League encounter at Inter Milan.

"The ankle was a bit thick but it's OK again. It shouldn't be a problem," Gomez said.

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal had said the Germany striker was a doubt for the first-leg match in the competition's last 16.

Gomez, the Bundesliga's leading scorer this season, suffered the ankle injury in Bayern's 3-1 win at Mainz on Saturday.

In the same match goalkeeper Thomas Kraft suffered a knock to the head and was replaced by Joerg Butt. However Kraft said he would be fit for the trip to Milan.

Apart from long-term injured striker Ivica Olic, Bayern have a full-strength squad for the match against title-holders Inter who beat the Germans 2-0 in last season's final.

PREVIEW: Confidence high as Inter and Bayern renew ties

2011-02-21T18:35:00.001+00:00

Bayern Munich are hoping to have striker Mario Gomez on board as they seek to avenge their Champions League final defeat to Inter Milan.

   Bayern's visit to the Italians is the pick of this week's last-16 first-leg ties which see old foes Lyon and Real Madrid meet again, while England's hopes Manchester United and Chelsea are at Marseille and Copenhagen respectively.

   Both Inter and Milan go into Wednesday's encounter with form and confidence in the ascendency after indifferent starts to the season.

   Bundesliga top scorer Gomez was a worry for Bayern, but the striker said Monday that an ankle injury suffered in the Bundesliga on Saturday was on the mend.

   "The ankle was a bit thick but it's OK again. It shouldn't be a problem," Gomez said.

At least the German champions won't have to face Inter's injured Argentinian striker Diego Milito, whose brace in the Madrid final sank their hopes to clinch a fifth continental title.

   While Inter also have defender Walter Samuel sidelined with injury, Bayern's Franck Ribery, who was suspended for the May final, can look forward this time to tackling the title-holders.

   A 2-0 win in Madrid gave Inter, then under Jose Mourinho, their third top European trophy after two triumphs in the 1960s. After winning the European, Serie A and national cup titles, Inter struggled early in the current season, but seem to have regained form since January under new coach Leonardo.

   "We are almost the same, apart from Diego (Milito), and we want to qualify," Serb midfielder Dejan Stankovic said. "It will be very difficult. It will be a very tactical, balanced game. But we believe in it."

   Inter at the weekend edged Cagliari 1-0 when Leonardo made part-time use of Esteban Cambiasso, Stankovic and Samuel Eto'o, giving a full rest to Wesley Sneijder and Brazil defender Lucio, who is fit from injury for the game against his former team.

   "Bayern are a great team. They are coming back," Leonardo said. "But we are feeling well, too, and I will do my best to get the best line-up for the game. It is crucial."

   Bayern are in fine fettle after a two good wins in the Bundesliga, but Saturday's 3-1 defeat of Mainz saw keeper Thomas Kraft depart early with a head injury while Gomez aggravated an old ankle injury.

   Van Gaal, who gave the players a day off from training Monday, had rated Gomez a doubt, but the striker was more sanguine two days before the game, while Kraft said he had fully recovered.

   Lyon are aiming to continue their good record against Real Madrid when the two old enemies meet again in the Stade de Gerland on Tuesday.

   Lyon have not lost once to Real in their six clashes with the Spaniards since 2005, and have beaten Real on all three occasions when they have visited Lyon. A year ago Lyon eliminated Real on a 2-1 aggregate, making it a seventh consecutive round of 16 elimination for the Spanish giants.

   Spain striker Fernando Torres will return to the Chelsea side for Tuesday's match at FC Copenhagen.

   The Spaniard was cup-tied for the weekend FA Cup defeat by Everton and manager Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping his 50-million-pound signing can lift his flagging team against the Danes.

   "Chelsea won't go out against Copenhagen," Ancelotti said. "The Champions League is not easy but it will bring a lot of motivation for every one of us. We have to have the right pressure. We have to play against Copenhagen. We have 180 minutes to win this game."

   Sir Alex Ferguson's only real problem for Manchester United's trip to Marseille Wednesday will be who to use at centre back in the continued injury absence of Rio Ferdinand.

   Chris Smalling, who impressed in the recent Manchester derby, is favourite to start the match alongside Nemanja Vidic.

    Ferguson said he had plenty of respect for Marseille but believes United are playing well enough to get a result in France.

   "Their manager, Didier Deschamps, has put together a strong team - a very big, powerful side," Ferguson said.

   "I watched them play at home against Chelsea in the group stage and they won 1-0. But Chelsea managed to create quite a few chances in the match so we hope we can do the same. It won't be easy going over there but I think we have a good chance of qualifying."

Olympique Lyon facts and figures

2011-02-21T13:06:00.000+00:00

Facts and figures regarding Olympique Lyon, who host Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 first-leg match on Tuesday:

* Lyon have won only five of their 11 matches in all competitions since the end of the Champions League group stage but a 4-1 victory at derby rivals St Etienne and Friday's 4-0 thrashing of AS Nancy show they are suddenly in form.
* They are still in the hunt for the French title, which they won seven times in a row between 2002 and 2008, but trail leaders Lille.
* Big close-season purchase Yoann Gourcuff has failed to shine since joining from Bordeaux but on paper Lyon still clearly boast the best team in France.

* They made no significant signings in January but let midfielder Jean Makoun join Aston Villa.

* Lyon beat Real at the same stage of the competition last year having also prevailed against the Merengues in the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons.

Real Madrid facts and figures

2011-02-21T13:05:00.000+00:00

Facts and figures regarding Real Madrid, who play at Olympique Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match on Tuesday:

* Real Madrid's domestic form has been patchy in recent weeks but they enjoyed a 2-0 win over Levante on Saturday and are in second place behind champions and great rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
* Jose Mourinho's side were held to a 1-1 draw at Almeria on Jan. 16 and slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat at Osasuna two weeks later. They did manage to get past city rivals Atletico and holders Sevilla into the final of the King's Cup.

* Reports of a breakdown in the relationship between Mourinho and club director general Jorge Valdano have been an unwanted distraction and the pair also clashed over the need for a replacement striker for the injured Gonzalo Higuain.

* Mourinho eventually got his way and the club brought in Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season.

* The Togo international has been an instant success, scoring in the Cup against Sevilla and in the league in this month's 4-1 home win over Real Sociedad.

Real look to Mourinho magic to end Lyon jinx

2011-02-21T13:03:00.003+00:00

Jose Mourinho ended Chelsea's half a century wait for an English title, he brought European Cup glory back to Inter Milan after 45 years and now he battles Olympique Lyon's mesmeric hold over mighty Real Madrid.

If there was ever a man to conquer a hoodoo it is the Portuguese coach but he has more than one jinx to deal with in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg in France.

Lyon have beaten Real at home three times in a row in the competition including last year where they condemned the Spaniards to their sixth successive last 16 elimination.

Overcoming Claude Puel's team and the mental block of quarter-final progress will be no mean feat but Mourinho, as ever, oozes the confidence that prompted the nine-times winners to appoint him last May.

"No one keeps me awake, neither Lyon nor anyone else," the outspoken Mourinho told reporters after Saturday's comfortable 2-0 La Liga win at home to Levante where he rested several players.

"The night I don't sleep well is after the match. Ever since we drew Lyon we have been following them. (Real consultant Zinedine) Zidane knows them and has been giving me information."

On a personal note, Mourinho is bidding to become the first coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs after stunning the European game with Porto's 2004 triumph and then taking just two seasons to mould a winning side at Inter.

May's victory in the final over Bayern Munich is still fresh in his memory but with the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo and pumped-up striker Karim Benzema returning to face his former team, Mourinho's prospects look as good as with Inter last year.

BICYCLE KICK

Lyon will not just have recent form against Real on their side at the Stade de Gerland.

Their domestic performances have shown a marked improvement of late with a 4-1 derby win at St Etienne and Friday's 4-0 home thumping of AS Nancy boding well.

"You can see that pressure makes us give the best of ourselves," Puel told reporters.

France playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, bought from Girondins Bordeaux in August as a marquee signing, has finally found his verve after a slow start and Jimmy Briand's bicycle kick goal against Nancy was on a par with Wayne Rooney's recent effort.

The only worries for Lyon are goalkeeper Hugo Lloris's bad cold, although he is expected to return against Real, and striker Lisandro Lopez's hamstring problem which is likely to keep the Argentine out of the game.

"Lisandro is slightly injured, his participation against Real is in doubt." added Puel, who has had a series of run-ins with the forward.

Probable teams:

Olympique Lyon: 1-Hugo Lloris; 13-Anthony Reveillere, 3-Cris, 5-Dejan Lovren, 20-Aly Cissokho; 6-Kim Kallstrom, 28-Jeremy Toulalan, 29-Yoann Gourcuff; 11-Michel Bastos, 18-Bafetimbi Gomis, 7-Jimmy Briand

Real Madrid: 1-Iker Casillas; 17-Alvaro Arbeloa, 2-Ricardo Carvalho, 3-Pepe, 4-Sergio Ramos; 14-Xabi Alonso, 24-Sami Khedira; 7-Cristiano Ronaldo, 23-Mesut Ozil, 22-Angel Di Maria; 9-Karim Benzema

FC Copenhagen facts and figures

2011-02-21T13:02:00.002+00:00

Facts and figures regarding FC Copenhagen, who meet Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 match in Copenhagen on Tuesday:

* FC Copenhagen have not played a competitive fixture since Dec. 7, when they beat Panathinaikos 3-1 at home to claim a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
* With the Danish Superligaen taking a winter break until the first week of March, FC Copenhagen have played six friendlies since the turn of the year, all against Nordic opposition. Their only loss came on penalties in the Copa del Sol against IFK Gothenburg of Sweden.
* Copenhagen are unbeaten in the Superligaen this season and lead by 19 points ahead of Odense, with bitter city rivals Brondby two points further back in third place.
* Winger/striker Jesper Gronkjaer spent four seasons at Chelsea, playing 88 games and scoring seven goals for the London side. His goal and assist on the final day of the 2002/03 season ensured that Chelsea finished in fourth place ahead of opponents Liverpool and snatched the final Champions League spot.
* Three of the club's four defeats this season have come away from home in the Champions League -- at Rosenborg (1st leg qualifier, 1-0), Barcelona (group match, 2-0) and Rubin Kazan (group match, 1-0). Their solitary loss at home was to AB Horsens in the Ekstrabladet Cup (4-2).

Chelsea facts and figures

2011-02-21T13:02:00.000+00:00

Facts and figures regarding Chelsea who travel to FC Copenhagen for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match on Tuesday:

* Since the end of the Champions League group stage at the beginning of December, Chelsea have seen their hopes of retaining their league title fade, winning only four of their 10 league matches and failing to score in their last two against Liverpool and Fulham.

* The chance of retaining at least one half of the FA Cup and League double they won last season ended on Saturday when they were beaten 4-3 by Everton on penalties after drawing their fourth-round cup replay 1-1 at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have now won just one of their last five matches in all competitions.

* While their form has been poor on the pitch, the club's owner, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, was busy behind the scenes last month, financing the British record transfer fee of 50 million pounds ($81.27 million) for Fernando Torres from Liverpool with defender David Luiz also arriving from Benfica for 21 million pounds.
* Torres, who has been substituted in his two matches for Chelsea to date and has yet to score, will be hoping to make a better impression on Tuesday, but Luiz is ineligible for the match.
* Chelsea travel to Copenhagen with no major injury worries, although coach Carlo Ancelotti might be worried about his own future unless Chelsea's form starts showing a significant improvement soon.

Faltering Chelsea in need of lift in Copenhagen

2011-02-21T13:01:00.006+00:00

The one positive from Chelsea's FA Cup defeat by Everton on penalties is that Carlo Ancelotti's faltering side can now focus solely on the trophy that has proved agonisingly elusive in recent years.

Not that FC Copenhagen will be concerned with that when the Danes host the Premier League champions in their atmospheric Parken Stadium on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League, last 16 tie.

While there is a huge difference in experience between the two with Copenhagen in uncharted territory up against a club with five Champions League semi-finals in the last seven years, Chelsea's current malaise suggests Ancelotti's side could be in for a testing night in the Danish capital.

Copenhagen have been thorny opponents for some of Europe's big names in recent years. They were undefeated at home in Group D this season, holding Barcelona to a 1-1 draw, while they also enjoyed a victory over Manchester United a few seasons ago.

With Chelsea's Premier League title hopes all but gone and defeat by Everton ending their dream of a third consecutive FA Cup, Ancelotti is now under pressure to deliver Europe's biggest club prize for the first time.

"We wanted to repeat our FA Cup success," the Italian said after penalty misses by Ashley Cole and Nicolas Anelka cost them dear at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

"It is a very important competition for us, but now we have to move forward and use these days to recover energy and prepare for the next games.

"It is not an easy moment because we have to play very important games but sometimes it is good to play tough games because you are more in focus, so we don't have be afraid to play against Copenhagen, it could be a good motivation."

Copenhagen are coached by enigmatic Norwegian Stale Solbakken, who played in midfield for the club before his career was abruptly ended by a heart attack on the training ground.

Solbakken's heart problems have not had any effect on his competitive nature, however, and he and Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola had to be separated following the final whistle of the group game in Denmark.

Though a quintessentially Danish team with a well-organised defence and a quick, technical passing game, Solbakken's side has a distinctly South American flavour going forward.

The Brazilian pairing of box-to-box midfielder Claudemir and striker Cesar Santin are augmented by Christian Bolanos, a technically gifted Costa Rican midfielder who is adept at getting forward and creating chances.

On the wing, former Chelsea player Jesper Gronkjaer is still capable of causing problems, as he showed against Barcelona.

While Chelsea's season has hit the skids during the English winter, Copenhagen have been on their mid-season break and have not played a competitive fixture since early December.

They have kept sharp by playing in Spain but a battle-hardened Chelsea with a point to prove and 50 million- pound ($81.27 million) striker Fernando Torres eager to justify his huge fee will be an entirely more taxing challenge.

Leaders Lille slip up as Rennes and PSG prosper

2011-02-21T13:01:00.001+00:00

French leaders Lille lost 1-0 at Montpellier on Sunday to throw the title race wide open as Stade Rennes and Paris St Germain took advantage with victories.

Lille's game on the south coast was meandering to a goalless draw with neither side fashioning a clear-cut chance, when Younes Belhanda struck a crisp low left-foot shot into the corner of the net on 84 minutes.

Modest Montpellier vaulted up to sixth, inside the Europa League qualifying spots, with a victory they just about deserved having had a first-half penalty appeal turned down.

The defeat, Lille's first in the league since Oct. 24 and third this season, allowed second-placed Rennes to cut the gap to two points after a late penalty sealed a 2-1 victory at Toulouse.

Yann M'Vila's free kick on halftime was too hot to handle for Toulouse goalkeeper Marc Vidal but the hosts levelled in bizarre fashion when Rennes keeper Nicolas Douchez punched the ball against team mate Kevin Theophile-Catherine and it flew in.

A bad night for keepers got worse when Vidal was carried off on a stretcher after a collision which prompted a penalty and Victor Montano converted on 88 minutes.

PSG moved to within four points of Lille in a congested top half of Ligue 1 after Ludovic Giuly, Guillaume Hoarau and Sylvain Armand sealed a 3-0 win at a woeful Nice, who are one place above the relegation zone.

Ex-Barcelona winger Giuly, 34, who is close to agreeing a contract extension, pounced following a corner after 24 minutes before striker Hoarau netted a classy second.

Centre-back Armand, poleaxed by his own goalkeeper in last weekend's disappointing draw with Racing Lens, recovered from head injuries to play and sealed the win midway through the second half following another dangerous Nene corner.

Champions Olympique Marseille and Olympique Lyon, titleholders from 2002-2008, had already put pressure on surprise packages Lille by beating St Etienne and AS Nancy respectively over the weekend.

Messi strikes late to rescue nervous Barcelona

2011-02-21T12:59:00.002+00:00

Lionel Messi rescued a nervy Barcelona with a late goal to earn a 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in a thrilling La Liga match on Sunday.

The World Player of the Year dinked in the winner in the 77th minute as Barca desperately poured forward after Andoni Iraola had cancelled out David Villa's early opener with a 49th-minute penalty.

Barca moved on to 65 points from 24 matches, keeping Real Madrid five points back in second after Jose Mourinho's outfit eased to a 2-0 victory over Levante on Saturday.

In other games, fourth-placed Villarreal's faltering form continued when they were held 1-1 at home by basement side Malaga, and Osasuna's new coach Jose Luis Mendilibar led his team to a stunning 4-0 win over sixth-placed Espanyol.

The goal of the day came from Deportivo Coruna goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia, who headed a last-ditch equaliser for a 1-1 draw at Almeria.

Barca's 16-match winning streak in the league ended with a 1-1 draw at Sporting last weekend and a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday suggested the Spanish champions were suffering a dip in form.

CUSHIONED VOLLEY

Those doubts appeared misplaced when Xavi's diagonal pass over the defence found the overlapping Dani Alves who cushioned a volley inside for Villa to fire first time into the corner after only four minutes.

For all their domination, however, they could not find a second and when Sergio Busquets brought down Fernando Llorente for a penalty, Iraola's spot kick clearly rattled the hosts.

Harried and hustled, Barca threw caution to the wind and just when it looked like the visitors were going to deny them Xavi picked out another Alves run and he crossed low for Messi to score.

Villarreal missed the chance to move above third-placed Valencia, who had drawn 0-0 with Sporting Gijon on Saturday, when they drew at the Madrigal.

Marco Ruben gave the hosts the lead in the 35th minute, bundling in from close range after good work from Giuseppe Rossi, but Sebastian Fernandez levelled on a counter-attack for Malaga eight minutes from time.

A third consecutive game without a win left Villarreal on 46 points, two behind Valencia.

Messi strikes late to rescue nervous Barcelona

2011-02-21T02:07:00.003+00:00

MADRID, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi rescued a nervy Barcelona with a late goal to earn a 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in a thrilling La Liga match on Sunday.

The World Player of the Year dinked in the winner in the 77th minute as Barca desperately poured forward after Andoni Iraola had cancelled out David Villa's early opener with a 49th-minute penalty.
Barca moved on to 65 points from 24 matches, keeping Real Madrid five points back in second after Jose Mourinho's outfit eased to a 2-0 victory over Levante on Saturday.
In other games, fourth-placed Villarreal's faltering form continued when they were held 1-1 at home by basement side Malaga, and Osasuna's new coach Jose Luis Mendilibar led his team to a stunning 4-0 win over sixth-placed Espanyol.
The goal of the day came from Deportivo Coruna goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia, who headed a last-ditch equaliser for a 1-1 draw at Almeria.
Barca's 16-match winning streak in the league ended with a 1-1 draw at Sporting last weekend and a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday suggested the Spanish champions were suffering a dip in form.

CUSHIONED VOLLEY
Those doubts appeared misplaced when Xavi's diagonal pass over the defence found the overlapping Dani Alves who cushioned a volley inside for Villa to fire first time into the corner after only four minutes.
For all their domination, however, they could not find a second and when Sergio Busquets brought down Fernando Llorente for a penalty, Iraola's spot kick clearly rattled the hosts.
Harried and hustled, Barca threw caution to the wind and just when it looked like the visitors were going to deny them Xavi picked out another Alves run and he crossed low for Messi to score.
Villarreal missed the chance to move above third-placed Valencia, who had drawn 0-0 with Sporting Gijon on Saturday, when they drew at the Madrigal.
Marco Ruben gave the hosts the lead in the 35th minute, bundling in from close range after good work from Giuseppe Rossi, but Sebastian Fernandez levelled on a counter-attack for Malaga eight minutes from time.
A third consecutive game without a win left Villarreal on 46 points, two behind Valencia.

Lowly Lleyton Orient hold mighty Arsenal; Man City win

2011-02-20T23:14:00.000+00:00

League Two side Lleyton Orient produced a stunning result as they held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in a pulsating FA Cup fifth-round tie on Sunday.

Tomas Rosicky headed Arsenal ahead early in the second half but Orient substitute Jonathan Tehoue tricked his way between two defenders to score the equalizer in the 89th minute to send the home fans wild.

The two sides must now replay at the Emirates Stadium for a place in the quarter-finals against Manchester United, who won their fifth-round match against non-league Crawley Town on Saturday.

Bolton Wanderers won 1-0 at Fulham to set up a clash at Birmingham City while Manchester City marched into the last 16 with a 5-0 victory over Notts County in a fourth-round replay.

Four days after their outstanding win over Barcelona in the Champions League, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made a host of changes to his starting line-up.

And one of the men brought in, Tomas Rosicky, gave them a deserved lead on 53 minutes with a fine header.

It seemed that Arsenal would just keep the ball in the closing minutes to see out the remaining time but with one minute of the 90 to go, Tehoue beat two defenders before beating Manuel Almunia for power and slamming the ball under the goalkeeper's body.

The scoreline at Eastlands was a little harsh on Notts County, who had the better of much of the first half. But once the floodgates opened, there was no stopping City.

"They played well and they started the game very well," City manager Roberto Mancini said. "They beat Sunderland away before us but our problem was that we played a few days ago in Greece, so maybe some players were tired.

"We have a lot of injuries but I am quite happy for Patrick because he scored two goals and for Dzeko too because it should be good for his confidence.

"Now we play against Aston Villa. It will be a difficult game but I think we have a chance to go through."

County almost took the lead midway through the first half when Karl Hawley curled a brilliant effort onto the far post but the ball rolled across the goal and away to safety.

That seemed to galvanise City into life and eight minutes before half-time they finally scored when Patrick Vieira headed in from a corner.

Country tried to push for an equalizer but once Vieira had headed a second goal on 57 minutes, their resistance was over.

Substitute Carlos Tevez rounded the goalkeeper to score a well-worked third goal six minutes from time; Edin Dzeko headed in Tevez's cross and Micah Richards then finished off the scoring with a well-struck fifth.

City will now play Aston Villa for the right to play either Everton or Reading, while in the last eight, Stoke City will play either West Ham United or Burnley, who meet on Monday night.

And Birmingham City will take on Bolton Wanderers, who won 1-0 at Fulham on Sunday thanks to a 19th-minute goal from Ivan Klasnic.

Moenchengladbach beat Schalke, Leverkusen back to second

2011-02-20T23:07:00.000+00:00

Lucien Favre had the perfect start to his Borussia Moenchengladbach coaching position on Sunday as he took the Bundesliga strugglers to a 2-1 victory against Schalke 04.

   The bottom team, who gave away a lead in their two last matches, this time turned things around as Peer Kluge gave Schalke an early lead before Marco Reus and Mohamadou Idrissou found the goals that gave the home side the victory.

   Earlier Sunday, Bayer Leverkusen moved back into second place after beating struggling VfB Stuttgart 4-2.

   Leverkusen, who are ten points behind runaway leaders Borussia Dortmund, had temporarily lost second place to Bayern Munich, who on Saturday won 3-1 at Mainz 05.

   Schalke had the ideal start in Moenchengladbach as Kluge capitalized from a poor Dante clearance and managed to score the opening goal for his side after just two minutes.

   However, the home side turned things around in the space of 11 minutes early on. Reuss equalized in the 12th minute with a powerful drive that gave Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer no chance.

   Cameroon international Idrissou found the net with a close-range header midway through the first half to give his side the lead - and as it turned out later, the game.

   Schalke pushed forward looking for another goal in the second half, but Moenchengladbach, who remain bottom with 19 points, managed to withstand the pressure.

   Schalke are 10th with 29 points.

   "That was fantastic, super. It was really important to pick up three points and it was deserved. We can still avoid the drop," former Hertha Berlin coach Favre said.

His Schalke counterpart Felix Magath said that his side, which achieved a good 1-1 Champions League draw in Valencia midweek, was disappointing.

"The Champions League obviously takes too much of our concentration and we are then no longer in a position to play to our potential," he said.

"A few of our players were hiding on the pitch," Neuer added.

   In Leverkusen Stefan Kiessling opened for the home side early on with a 6th minute goal, but Austrian international Martin Harnik equalized just ten minutes later.

   Any hopes Stuttgart, who are on a relegation place, had of going into the change rooms all-square were dashed four minutes from the break when Gonzalo Castro was the first to react after Stuttgart goalkeeper Sven Ulreich parried a Castro shot.

   Stuttgart, who are desperate for points to avoid the drop, levelled matters again in 52nd minute through Zdravko Kuzmanovic.

   Somewhat luckily Stefan Reinartz put Leverkusen ahead for the second time nine minutes from time and Kiessling added a fourth in injury time to leave Stuttgart in serious trouble in 17th place with 19 points - four points behind Kaiserslautern.

   Germany goalkeeper Rene Adler, who was at fault for Stuttgart's second goal, said after the match that he was very happy the side still won. "I am extremely releaved."

   For Stuttgart though, there was just disappointment. "That is very, very unfortunate. This defeat is very disappointing and hurts a lot," said coach Bruno Labbadia.

   "This is a tough set-back because we really did a lot right. We were closer to scoring a third goal than Leverkusen after equalizing for the second time," said Kuzmanovic.

   Borussia Dortmund, who beat St Pauli 2-0 on Saturday, top the standings with 55 points.

Barcelona keeper Valdes to miss three weeks of action

2011-02-20T23:05:00.002+00:00

Spanish league leaders Barcelona said on Sunday that goalkeeper Victor Valdes is suffering from a badly twisted left knee.

It is expected that he will be out of action for around three weeks, which means that he might miss the March 8 Champions League showdown at home to Arsenal, who beat Barca 2-1 in the round of 16 first leg on Wednesday.

Valdes, 29, missed Sunday's 2-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao because of the knee injury. In his place was 35 year-old veteran Jose Manuel Pinto, who normally only plays in Spanish cup matches.

The late win kept Barca five points ahead of Real Madrid atop La Liga.

Remarkably, this is Valdes' first injury since becoming Barca's first-choice keeper in 2003, at the age of 21. Hs helped Barca to win four Spanish Ligas and two Champions Leagues, and was third-choice keeper for Spain at the 2010 World Cup.

Barca's other injury victims at present are veteran captain Carles Puyol and young winger Jeffren.

Ranieri quits Roma bench after third straight defeat

2011-02-20T23:04:00.005+00:00

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has resigned in the wake of a third straight defeat in the Serie A suffered Sunday at Genoa in which his side fell behind from a three-goal lead earlier in the match.

"I have always thought about the good of Roma. After a game like that of today, I thought it was fair to give a signal," the ANSA news agency quoted Ranieri as saying.

"After the whistle, I went into the changing rooms to thank the team and I decided to offer my resignation."

Before the incredible 4-3 defeat at Genoa, Roma lost against Napoli and Serie A champions Inter Milan and drew the previous two games.

They lie in eighth place with a 16-point deficit from leaders AC Milan with 12 games left to the end of the season.

On Wednesday, they lost 3-2 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in a first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

The Rome-born Ranieri, 59, had been at Roma since 2009. He steered the team to second place behind Inter in the past season.

Napoli keep leaders AC Milan within reach ahead of showdown

2011-02-20T23:04:00.002+00:00

A 1-0 win against guests Catania late Sunday kept Napoli within three points of Serie A leaders AC Milan a week before a direct clash at the Giuseppe Meazza.

Colombian defender Juan Zuniga scored a first-half winner at the San Paolo, firing to the right of Mariano Andujar after Catania defenders stifled a drive by league top scorer Edinson Cavani.

The Sicily minnows had come close earlier as Ezequiel Schelotto's header shook the woodwork before Uruguayan Cavani fired a penalty against a post to stay rooted on 20 goals.

Slovak Marek Hamsik opened the hosts' second half with a firm shot, but the remainder of the game saw Catania keep Napoli under constant but fruitless pressure.

Earlier Sunday, Milan snatched a controversial 2-1 win at Chievo to move onto 55 points from 26 games.

Brazilian Pato came on halfway through the second half to score a late winner with a devastating run and a soft drive by the first post.

The Devils' opening goal on 25 minutes enraged the home fans, who unlike the game officials, watched Brazilian Robinho lay in after a glaring handball off an aerial feed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Ibra had a smashing shot deflected by Stefano Sorrentino before Milan ran a big risk when Sergio Pellissier misfired from few metres away before the break.

Swiss Gelson Fernandes levelled with a header on 61 minutes, but the Verona hosts lost steam after Pato's 82nd-minute goal due to the dismissal of Slovenian Bostian Cesar for handball.

On Saturday, Inter moved onto 50 points through a 1-0 win snatched with an own goal against visiting Cagliari.

Fourth place remained firmly in the hands of Lazio after Brazilian Hernanes volleyed home a great winner to edge bottom side Bari 1-0 and retain the last available Champions League berth.

A suicidal Roma squandered a three-goal lead in Genoa to suffer a 4-3 defeat as the hosts rallied with braces from Argentine Rodrigo Palacio and Alberto Paloschi. Genoa had Rafinha sent off in injury time.

The side from the capital continued a disastrous run and stayed rooted in eighth place after two draws and a third straight defeat.

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri resigned in the wake of the third straight defeat.

"I have always thought about the good of Roma. After a game like that of today, I thought it was fair to give a signal," the ANSA news agency quoted Ranieri as saying.

"After the whistle, I went into the changing rooms to thank the team and I decided to offer my resignation."

Udinese only drew 0-0 at home with lowly Brescia, Fiorentina and Sampdoria also played out a scoreless draw and Parma drew 2-2 with Cesena in a regional derby.

Struggling giants Juventus crashed to a 2-0 defeat at minnows Lecce earlier Sunday in a game that they played for the most part without the dismissed Gianluigi Buffon.

On Saturday, Bologna beat Palermo 1-0.

Barcelona beat Bilbao to restore five-point lead

2011-02-20T23:03:00.001+00:00

Barcelona restored their five-point lead atop the Spanish Liga on Sunday with a late 2-1 home defeat of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao.

Barca needed a goal 12 minutes from time from FIFA World Player Lionel Messi to break the resistance of Bilbao, for whom Andoni Iraola had equalized after David Villa had given Barca an early lead.

Messi has overtaken Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the scorers' chart with 25 goals to 24.

As humble as ever, Messi said: "The important thing is that we won, not that I have scored...They made things difficult for us from start to finish."

Messi and company now have a record-breaking 65 points from 24 games, five more than second-placed Real, who beat lowly Levante 2-0 at home on Saturday.

Barca can now enjoy a week's rest without any midweek match or national team call-up, for the first time this season. They were desperate to win after Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League defeat away to Arsenal - and after last Saturday's 1-1 draw in Gijon.

It seemed like it would be yet another stroll in the park for Barca - as most of their matches have been this season - when Villa made it 1-0 after just four minutes by turning in a perfect centre from right-back Dani Alves.

Villa and Messi came close to increasing Barca's lead several times in the first half. But five minutes into the second half Iraola made it 1-1 from the penalty spot, after Sergio Busquets had clumsily pulled down Bilbao's star striker Fernando Llorente.

From then on, the hosts lay siege to the Bilbao goal. Barca were furious not to be given a clear penalty when Messi was brought down by Javi Martinez.

But the little Argentine would soon be celebrating his winning goal. Twelve minutes from time Xavi released the tireless Alves down the right and Messi turned in Alves' near-post cross with his right foot.

The only bad news for Barca on Sunday was that goalkeeper Victor Valdes will be out for around three weeks with a twisted left knee.

Real are 12 points ahead of third-placed Valencia, who were held 0-0 on Saturday by Sporting Gijon. In fourth place, two points behind Valencia, are Villarreal, who were held 1-1 by bottom team Malaga on Sunday.

Villarreal are eight points ahead of Bilbao, who stay fifth. In sixth place, with a point fewer than Bilbao, are Espanyol, who crashed 4-0 at Osasuna on Sunday.

It was a dream start on the Osasuna bench for Jose Luis Mendilibar, who took over from former Spain boss Jose Antonio Camacho last Monday.

Espanyol are three points ahead of seventh-placed Sevilla, who beat Hercules 1-0 on a goal from newboy Ivan Rakitic.

At the other end of the table are injury-plagued Malaga, who stay bottom on 20 points despite the draw in Villarreal.

On 21 points are Almeria, who ceded a late 1-1 draw at home to Deportivo Coruna. Five minutes into stoppage time Deportivo goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia desperately went upfield for a corner - and headed in a remarkable equalizer.

Aranzubia is the first keeper to score in La Liga since 2002.

Two points above Almeria, in 18th place, are Zaragoza, who crashed 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Then come Levante and Sporting Gijon on 24.

Also on Sunday, Racing Santander scored a late 1-0 win away to Getafe.

The 24th round of matches was due to finish on Monday with a midtable clash between Real Sociedad and Mallorca.