ACTUALITE |
25.02.2003
Champions League preview
The second phase of the Champions League enters the home straight this week.
Wins for Manchester United and AC Milan would see them into the Champions League quarter-finals, but they face away ties at Juventus and Lokomotiv Moscow respectively.
Real Madrid look to get their stuttering campaign back on track with a win at Borussia Dortmund in Group C.
And Deportivo Coruna will also be looking for a much-needed three points when they do battle with Basle in Group D.
Juventus v Manchester United
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has vowed to go for the win when he takes his side to Italy.
The English side are five points clear at the top of Group D and Ferguson is planning to go through in style.
He said: "We only need a point to take us into the second phase - but we would prefer to finish top of the group.
"Last Wednesday`s game against them was fantastic, and if it gets to that level the spectators are in for a fantastic evening."
Juventus coach Marcello Lippi will field a far stronger side than the flu-ridden one which lost 2-1 at Old Trafford last Wednesday.
And United can expect a far tougher test when they travel to Turin.
"I was proud of the way we played in Manchester, considering we were hit badly by the flu," Lippi said.
"If we can get several of our players back and play with the same kind of spirit we showed in Manchester, we can definitely take something from the match."
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
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Real Madrid travel to Borussia Dortmund knowing a defeat would put them in danger of being eliminated.
After a faltering start the nine-times European champions sneaked a vital 2-1 win over Dortmund last Wednesday.
Real lie second in the group on four points, one more than 1997 winners Dortmund.
But the German side are a difficult side to beat on their home turf - they have lost just once in their last 12 games in the Champions League.
And midfielder Torsten Frings has vowed to attack the Spanish giants at the Westfalednstadion.
"We must take risks going up front and play with more authority than we did last week," said Frings.
Lokomotiv Moscow v AC Milan
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Kick-off 1700 GMT.
Deportivo Coruna v Basle
Basle coach Christian Gross described their 1-0 victory against Deportivo last week as the best result in the club`s history.
The Swiss side, who are coming off their winter break, continue to cause surprises in the Champions League and trail Group D leaders by just one point at that halfway point of the second phase.
Gross will be hoping for a repeat performance when the two sides meet in the return fixture in Spain.
Deportivo warmed up for the match they must win if they are to make the quarter-finals with a 6-0 demolition of Alaves on Saturday.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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