ManU, Juve, PSG target KO berths

AFP Sports looks ahead to Wednesday’s action in the Champions League with Manchester United and last season’s runners-up Juventus among the sides looking to qualify for the last 16:

Malmo (SWE) v PSG (FRA)
This game is all about the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to face his hometown club and the team where he started his glittering career before leaving for Ajax in 2001. The interest in this fixture is huge in Sweden—after the draw was made there was talk of moving it to Stockholm to allow more fans to attend and tickets have reportedly been going on the black market for as much as 20,000 kronor ($2,289, 2,146 euros). PSG’s 1-0 defeat at Real Madrid three weeks ago remains their only loss this season but a win here will take Laurent Blanc’s side through to the last 16 and a draw would suffice depending on the result in the other game in Ukraine. Defeat however would leave their qualification hinging on the closing set of results next month. Marco Verratti and David Luiz will be missing for the visitors. Meanwhile, Malmo, whose domestic season ended last month, need to win to stay in contention.

Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v Real Madrid (ESP)
The pressure on Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez is intense in the wake of Saturday’s 4-0 trouncing at the hands of Barcelona in the Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. That came after a 3-2 defeat at Sevilla and has left Madrid six points adrift of leaders Barca in La Liga. Los Blancos are in crisis and president Florentino Perez felt compelled to call a press conference on Monday to give Benitez the dreaded vote of confidence. At least they can head to Ukraine with the pressure off having already secured their place in the last 16, although a win in Lviv will guarantee top spot. Shakhtar are top of the Ukrainian league but realistically need a win to maintain any hope of reaching the knockout stages themselves. Sergio Ramos and Marcelo have been ruled out for the visitors.

Manchester United (ENG) v PSV Eindhoven (NED)
For all the criticism aimed their way this season, Louis van Gaal’s United are just one point off the top of the Premier League and a win against PSV will secure their berth in the last 16 with one game to spare in Group B. Louis van Gaal’s side won 2-1 at Watford at the weekend despite being without Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney due to injury and illness respectively. United lost 2-1 in Eindhoven in September when Luke Shaw suffered a horrific leg break and PSV remain right in contention. Coach Philip Cocu, who played under Van Gaal at Barcelona, is looking for his team to leapfrog United with a win. Held to a 2-2 draw by Willem II at the weekend, PSV are four points behind Dutch league leaders Ajax just now.

Juventus (ITA) v Manchester City (ENG)
With Manchester City already through, Juventus can join them in advancing from Group D with a win in Turin. A draw will also suffice as long as Sevilla do not win their game in Germany, and the current form guide suggests Juve are the favourites. After a slow start to the campaign, the reigning Serie A champions and last season’s Champions League runners-up made it three straight league wins at the weekend by beating AC Milan 1-0. City, in contrast, travel on the back of a chastening 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool in which their defending was shambolic. However, a win for Manuel Pellegrini’s men here will secure them top spot, an important objective as they aim to avoid a tricky tie in the last 16. Samir Nasri is out for several months for City while Hernanes is suspended
for Juve.

 

ManU, Juve, PSG target KO berths

AFP Sports looks ahead to Wednesdays action in the Champions League with Manchester United and last seasons runners-up Juventus among the sides looking to qualify for the last 16: Malmo (SWE) v PSG (FRA) This game is all about the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to face his hometown club and the team where he started his glittering career before leaving for Ajax in 2001. The interest in this fixture is huge in Swedenafter the draw was made there was talk of moving it to Stockholm to allow more fans to attend and tickets have reportedly been going on the black market for as much as 20,000 kronor ($2,289, 2,146 euros). PSGs 1-0 defeat at Real Madrid three weeks ago remains their only loss this season but a win here will take Laurent Blancs side through to the last 16 and a draw would suffice depending on the result in the other game in Ukraine. Defeat however would leave their qualification hinging on the closing set of results next month. Marco Verratti and David Luiz will be missing for the visitors. Meanwhile, Malmo, whose domestic season ended last month, need to win to stay in contention. Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v Real Madrid (ESP) The pressure on Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez is intense in the wake of Saturdays 4-0 trouncing at the hands of Barcelona in the Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. That came after a 3-2 defeat at Sevilla and has left Madrid six points adrift of leaders Barca in La Liga. Los Blancos are in crisis and president Florentino Perez felt compelled to call a press conference on Monday to give Benitez the dreaded vote of confidence. At least they can head to Ukraine with the pressure off having already secured their place in the last 16, although a win in Lviv will guarantee top spot. Shakhtar are top of the Ukrainian league but realistically need a win to maintain any hope of reaching the knockout stages themselves. Sergio Ramos and Marcelo have been ruled out for the visitors. Manchester United (ENG) v PSV Eindhoven (NED) For all the criticism aimed their way this season, Louis van Gaals United are just one point off the top of the Premier League and a win against PSV will secure their berth in the last 16 with one game to spare in Group B. Louis van Gaals side won 2-1 at Watford at the weekend despite being without Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney due to injury and illness respectively. United lost 2-1 in Eindhoven in September when Luke Shaw suffered a horrific leg break and PSV remain right in contention. Coach Philip Cocu, who played under Van Gaal at Barcelona, is looking for his team to leapfrog United with a win. Held to a 2-2 draw by Willem II at the weekend, PSV are four points behind Dutch league leaders Ajax just now. Juventus (ITA) v Manchester City (ENG) With Manchester City already through, Juventus can join them in advancing from Group D with a win in Turin. A draw will also suffice as long as Sevilla do not win their game in Germany, and the current form guide suggests Juve are the favourites. After a slow start to the campaign, the reigning Serie A champions and last seasons Champions League runners-up made it three straight league wins at the weekend by beating AC Milan 1-0. City, in contrast, travel on the back of a chastening 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool in which their defending was shambolic. However, a win for Manuel Pellegrinis men here will secure them top spot, an important objective as they aim to avoid a tricky tie in the last 16. Samir Nasri is out for several months for City while Hernanes is suspended for Juve.