Liverpool & Madrid today at 3:30 Est

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  • The General
    SBR Posting Legend
    • 08-10-05
    • 13279

    #1
    Liverpool & Madrid today at 3:30 Est


    Liverpool welcome Real Madrid to Anfield for the first time in their history as they look to defend their one-goal advantage from the first leg.

    A late Yossi Benayoun header secured the Reds that all-important away goal at the Bernabeu two weeks ago but manager Rafa Benitez has injury concerns ahead of the clash.

    Meanwhile the nine-time winners have not progressed past the first knockout round for the last four seasons and the current crop of Real stars will be determined to make sure it does not become five.

    The Spanish champions were ineffective at home in the first leg and must up their game considerably if they are to worry Liverpool on Tuesday.

    Liverpool boss Benitez is not giving his Spanish opponents any hint as to what his starting XI for the match will be.

    Striker Fernando Torres has participated in two light training sessions this week after being sidelined since the first encounter between the sides 14 days ago.

    The former Atletico Madrid star was withdrawn in the second half after injuring his ankle as early as the first minute.

    Fellow Spaniard Alvaro Arbeloa is struggling with a hamstring injury as is match-winner from the first leg Benayoun.

    All three will be given as long as possible to prove their fitness although the Israeli international is considered to be the most likely of the trio to be ruled out.

    Winger Albert Riera is definitely out through suspension after he picked up his second yellow card of the competition at the Bernabeu.


    Patience

    Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro has called for his side to be patient at Anfield and the club have been buoyed by the fact that they have no new injuries for the match.

    Joint top soccer Gonzalo Higuain was left on the bench for the Madrid derby on Saturday in preparation for Tuesday.

    Fellow striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar will step down after scoring the equaliser against Atletico as he is ineligible for the Champions League.

    Defender Michel Salgado and midfielder Royston Drenthe have been left at home.

    Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury ruling him out for the season.



  • The General
    SBR Posting Legend
    • 08-10-05
    • 13279

    #2
    Juventus vs. Chelsea

    Also on the DISH today.

    Sweet




    Guus Hiddink aims to continue his record-breaking start as Chelsea boss as Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri plots his old club's downfall.

    Since replacing the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari in February, Hiddink has won all five games in charge and victory over Juventus on Tuesday night would send Chelsea into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the sixth time in seven attempts.

    Hiddink has been credited with lifting the spirit within the Chelsea camp since his appointment and that has been particularly evident in the form of Didier Drogba.

    The powerful striker appears to have been rejuvenated by Hiddink and scored the only goal at Stamford Bridge in the first leg at fortnight ago.

    Drogba will lead the line for the Blues at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin and Hiddink will make a late decision on who provides the attacking support to the Ivorian.

    Anelka decision

    Nicolas Anelka has missed the last two games with a foot injury and, if he fails to be passed fit, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda will take up the wide positions.

    Michael Essien made his comeback as a substitute after six months on the sidelines in Saturday's FA Cup win at Coventry City and is pushing for a start.

    If Hiddink gambles on the Ghanaian's fitness, Essien is likely to replace John Obi Mikel in midfield, with Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack providing the forward thrust.

    Ricardo Carvalho is also available after injury and will hope to dislodge Alex as John Terry's central defensive partner, while Paulo Ferreira is out for the season.

    A late decision will be made on Deco's availability, although the Portuguese playmaker, and rumoured Juve target, will be on the bench at best and Joe Cole, despite being ahead of schedule, will not return from a knee injury this season.


    Experienced trio back

    Standing in the way of Chelsea's progress to the last eight is former Stamford Bridge chief Ranieri, who insists the only inferiority Italian clubs feel when compared to their English counterparts is when it comes to finances.

    Ranieri will be pressed into at least three changes to the team which lost at Stamford Bridge, with Mohamed Sissoko, Mauro Camoranesi and Nicola Legrottaglie injured.

    Former Liverpool midfielder Sissoko fractured a metatarsal after coming on as a substitute against Torino at the weekend, so Christian Poulsen will likely partner ex-Chelsea man Tiago.

    Camoranesi has a rib injury, and Legrottaglie a knee problem, while Marco Marchionni, Cristiano Zanetti and Paulo De Ceglie are also out.

    Zdenek Grygera is available to Ranieri, who is likely to restore Pavel Nedved, Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet to the starting line-up after the trio were on the bench against Torino.

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    • "Sic"
      SBR Wise Guy
      • 11-03-08
      • 838

      #3
      Panathinaikos and Chelsea
      Comment
      • Dark Horse
        SBR Posting Legend
        • 12-14-05
        • 13764

        #4
        The CL has become one big fix. There is no way that a world class defender would not clear that ball that allowed the Liverpool goal.

        And this just weeks after an absurd Lyon goal against Barca. The number of amateur mistakes at the highest level, that lead to goals, has increased dramatically.
        Comment
        • Dark Horse
          SBR Posting Legend
          • 12-14-05
          • 13764

          #5
          Hilarious. A penalty for Liverpool. lol

          Not even close to a penalty. Ball on shoulder is not hands.

          2-0.

          Fix.
          Comment
          • dre3000
            SBR High Roller
            • 02-07-09
            • 187

            #6
            Damn...... Why penalty? Liverpool would win anyway. Stupid official
            Comment
            • Dark Horse
              SBR Posting Legend
              • 12-14-05
              • 13764

              #7
              The CL is the first major sport league that should be considered 'staged'. Betting syndicates rule this thing. Just watch for goals that wouldn't have been goals just a few years ago.
              Comment
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