Real can cope without Beckham - Capello

Fabio Capello is confident Real Madrid cope without David Beckham in their crucial Champions League match with Bayern Munich.Beckham will sit out the last-16 second leg in Munich, where Madrid defend a 3-2 advantage from the first meeting, after suffering a knee injury during Sunday's league game with Getafe.

The former England captain, who is set to be absent for around four weeks, has been playing well for Madrid since returning to the team and his loss is a blow to the Spanish giants.

However, Capello said: "David Beckham is playing very well, like he knows how to. But he is injured, so we just have to move on."

The Italian coach also shrugged off suggestions in the media that Madrid will be a less potent force without Beckham present.

"I am used to many people thinking they know more than we do. But I am certain that my team will be 100% ready to play."

Gerrard: We Can Beat Anyone

Steven Gerrard says Liverpool can win the Champions League again after beating Barcelona.

Gerrard lifted the famous trophy in Istanbul in May 2005 after that never-to-be-forgotten comeback against AC Milan.

And he believes the Reds can conquer Europe again after eliminating the holders on Tuesday night.

Rafa Benitez's side went through on away goals despite a 1-0 second-leg defeat by the Catalans at Anfield.

And Gerrard says he doesn't fear anyone as the Reds await Friday's quarter-final draw.

He told The Daily Mirror: "It was an awesome performance to put the holders out and over two legs we definitely deserved it - we are ready for anyone now.

"We should have beaten them, but when we conceded the goal at the end we showed more spirit, more grit, more determination than them. We were throwing bodies in the way, putting bodies on the line, and we have laid down a marker."

Gerrard hailed Rafael Benitez as "one of the best managers in the world".

And striker Craig Bellamy, who was in hot water for his antics at a training camp ahead of the first leg against Barcelona, believes it was the team spirit many critics felt he had shattered that carried Liverpool into the last eight.

Gerrard said: "We all have total respect and confidence in Rafa Benitez. He has shown he is one of the best managers in the world, and he shows it with the tactics he used in Europe.

"We always trust him to get it right, and he did it again this time.

"It was all about hard work, in both legs. The effort put in by everyone has been rewarded. We were unlucky not to go in ahead at half-time in the second leg.

"But Barcelona are so good going forward, they play such nice football, but we stuck in there and are in the last eight now.

"We have got great spirit, grit and determination - people were throwing bodies about - and that's one of the reasons we're through.

"This now gives us great confidence, going through against the best side in Europe over two legs."

Prior to the first clash with Barca a fortnight ago, it was Bellamy's alleged brandishing of a golf club in a row with colleague John Arne Riise that threatened to splinter the team bonding Benitez had so carefully planned.

But Bellamy has salvaged his Liverpool career with a match-winning display in the Nou Camp, and a hard-running, selfless performance at Anfield.

Now Bellamy says: "Over two legs usually the best team goes through and we were the best team. Did we prove people wrong? It wasn't an issue, not many of the critics get it right anyway.

"But that is the beauty of the game. You never know what is going to happen.

"In a great competition like this against a great side like this we still had a chance. In the first half we hit the bar twice and really took the game to them.

"The second half was very difficult. They really stepped up a level and we were hanging on a bit."

He added: "It was an amazing occasion and the biggest night of my life. It was incredible when you consider the tempo and everything about the match. I have never experienced a game at this level.

"It is all about team spirit. When you come to a club like Liverpool, with what they have won like the European Cup the season before and then the FA Cup, it is all about spirit.

"There is always a great team spirit anyway. But when you arrive and mix with these players, you know it is a family club.

"You come in and you are all together. Against a team like Barcelona everyone has to contribute and that is what has happened.

"Now I will watch the other games tonight and see who goes through, see who we get on Friday in the quarter-final draw. But it is going to be a tough game, that's for sure."

Bellamy admitted the tension almost got to him as he watched from the bench after being substituted.

He said: "Hopefully we can carry on the momentum as we have just beaten the European champions. I was a little bit worried on the bench late on, and didn't know whether to go inside and watch it on the telly.

"But I can't remember them having a proper chance after the goal. There were not that many nervous moments, but Barcelona can cut you open.

"We had to concentrate all the way through but credit to our defence as well. That was my first start in the Champions League at Anfield so it was really special."

Disparity begins at home for Deco

FC Barcelona's European dreams may have disappeared into the rainy Liverpool night but according to midfielder Deco, the defence of their UEFA Champions League title was dealt a fatal blow with their first-leg defeat on home soil a fortnight earlier.

'Big disappointment'
Reflecting on Barcelona's elimination on away goals, after last night's 1-0 success at Anfield failed to undo the damage of a 2-1 home reverse, Deco said: "It was hard to win here but we managed it. Where we should have won or at least avoided defeat in theory was at home." Not since Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard's own playing days with AC Milan have the European champions retained their crown but that statistic is unlikely to lighten the gloom at Camp Nou. "It is a big disappointment to lose," added Deco. "If we had scored sooner it would have become more complicated for them."

Ronaldinho miss
It was an argument echoed by goalkeeper Victor Valdés, who said: "It was a shame we scored with time running out." Barcelona struck the game's only goal through substitute Eidur Gudjohnsen after 75 minutes and could be forgiven for wondering what might have been had Ronaldinho's curling shot not rebounded off a post early in the second half. At the same time, however, they rode their luck in the first half, when Liverpool were twice denied by the woodwork - and the visitors failed to muster a single shot on target.

'Lost the tie at home'
"It was a difficult first half against a good team who had the advantage of playing at home," said Deco. "We needed to get back the two goals we lost at home but although we had the ball but we couldn't find a way through. They defended really well in the first half but it was impossible for them to keep that going. We played well in the second half, against a tough team who are difficult to break down. But the truth is we lost the tie at home."

Praise for Reds
While Barcelona's players flew home from Manchester this morning to start preparing for the weekend's Spanish league showdown with arch-rivals Real Madrid CF, Liverpool's players can now look forward to Friday's quarter-final draw. And according to Deco, Rafael Benítez's team, the 2005 champions, have a "good chance" of going even further. "Liverpool have a great team and a great coach," he said. "They've shown that when they get a lead it's very difficult to break them down, especially at home

Roma bow to the bossa nova

Mancini credited a mix of "technique, strength and samba" for his crucial goal against Olympique Lyonnais as AS Roma won 2-0 in France to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time.

Backheel of God
With his side 1-0 up, the 27-year-old Brazilian, nicknamed 'Tacco di Dio' - the Backheel of God - ever since a cheeky strike against city rivals S.S. Lazio in November 2003, controlled a long Francesco Totti pass before taunting Lyon's Anthony Réveillère with four step-overs, beating his man and drilling the ball home. "It was a beautiful goal and I'm very happy because I scored in a difficult and important match," Mancini said. "It was a mix of technique, strength and samba but mostly I'm happy to have helped Roma to win. We hope to be the big surprise of this UEFA Champions League even if we know it will be very difficult."

Historic win
Mancini's effort, allied to an earlier strike from Totti, helped Roma take the wind out of the home side's sails and handed Lyon a first UEFA Champions League defeat at the Stade de Gerland since 2002. With Roma having been held to a 0-0 draw in the home leg, it was a remarkable outcome. "It was an unforgettable night for us," admitted captain Totti as he reflected on the game. "We proved to everybody that we are very competitive in Europe. Being among the best eight sides in the continent is a great satisfaction for us, the reward for all of our great work."

Final plans
Friday's draw holds no fear for Totti. He said: "If we keep playing like we did against Lyon, we can believe in our chances of reaching the final in Athens. Our coach [Luciano] Spalletti has done a terrific job fielding a very united team that can defend well and attack with great pace." Mancini was not concerned about their opponents in the last eight, preferring to focus on Roma's own performances. "We only need to continue playing like this until the end of the season," he said. However, Totti was hoping that AC Milan would cross his side's path before too long.

Milan meeting
"I hope they beat Celtic [FC in the second leg of their last-16 tie in Milan] and that we will get them in the draw so we will have anther very fascinating tie and an Italian team will be sure of a place in the semi-finals," said Totti, who will be keeping a close eye on what happens at San Siro tonight.

Simons provides PSV heartbeat

If consistency is key to success in the UEFA Champions League, then in Timmy Simons, PSV Eindhoven have just the man to lead them into the quarter-finals.

Ever present
Simons is ever-present for PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie this season and is one of only three players to have appeared in every minute of their UEFA Champions League campaign. Another strong 90 minutes will be demanded of him if PSV are to prevail against Arsenal FC in the first knockout round.

Careful start
The 30-year-old Belgian international anchors Ronald Koeman's midfield and he expects a difficult night on Wednesday as Arsenal seek to overturn a 1-0 first-leg defeat. "We're in a good starting position but Arsenal have proven in this stadium that they can do great things, so it will be tough," he said. "I expect Arsenal to start carefully because if they concede a goal it will make things very, very difficult for them because they will need to score three."

Key role
Simons was an Eredivisie winner in his first term with PSV last year, and is on course to repeat the feat thanks to a dynamic partnership forged with veteran Phillip Cocu. Simons provides the solid base that allows 36-year-old Cocu to press forward, a selfless role that the former Club Brugge KV favourite is happy to take. "My task is to organise the team and give it balance, as well as clean up after the mistakes of my team-mates," he said.

'Complete confidence'
Coach Koeman will look to his experienced midfielders to steady nerves as the injury-hit side bid to pull off a shock in north London. Defenders Jan Kromkamp and Manuel Da Costa are the latest names on a lengthening casualty list, but Simons, who scored in PSV's 2-0 victory over Galatasaray SK in October, believes his team have the strength in depth to see off Arsenal. "I have complete confidence that the boys who are available can do the job 100 per cent," he said.

Ljungberg calls for patient approach

Fredrik Ljungberg knows all about patience. A succession of injuries has made sure of that, restricting his appearances and preventing him from making the sustained impact this season Arsenal FC fans have become accustomed to.

Enthusiasm
Now back to fitness, the Sweden midfielder believes patience will be key if Arsenal are to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit at home to PSV Eindhoven in the first knockout round of the UEFA Champions League. "It's always good to have enthusiasm and not be scared of the occasion, but I think at the same time we need to have patience in the game," he said. "If we don't score in the first minute, we'll just keep on going, play our game and not get frustrated.

Cool heads
"They're going to defend very deep, so even if after 70 minutes it is still 0-0, we will have to keep cool heads and keep on playing our game. In the end I think we'll score. The way we play football, it is important that we keep our patience. Of course, we could put a couple of centre-backs up front and put the ball in the box, but that's not the way we play. We want to keep belief in our game and keep on playing like that for 90 minutes."

Wenger belief
Ljungberg, 29, brings experience to a youthful Arsenal side at a crucial time. Defeats in both domestic cups have left the UEFA Champions League as the only realistic route to silverware, and manager Arsène Wenger thinks a rejuvenated Ljungberg could yet have a telling part to play this term.

A winner
"The positive thing is, he's fresh," Wenger said. "His season has been disturbed by many injuries - small ones, but one after another. For a top player, when you are out physically for a period it is very difficult to be sharp, but in the last two games he has been very sharp and really to his best. Freddie likes March, when things become very important. He's a winner and always has the extra little resources in the big games to make the difference."

Hopeful
Ljungberg certainly hopes so. "I'm looking forward to the game. We were in the final last year and we don't want to go out at this stage this season. [Losing in Paris] was a major disappointment and still hurts, so we definitely want to go through."

Ambrosini ready to stand tall

As AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti prepares to name his team to face Celtic FC in the return leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie at San Siro on Wednesday, he will be conscious of the threat the visitors pose in the air. This might just lead him to reinforce his side by fielding the towering Massimo Ambrosini.

Care taken
The Rossoneri are slight favourites after the goalless draw in Glasgow a fortnight ago, and the 29-year-old midfielder is ready to help out against the Scottish champions. "We must ensure we control the match by keeping possession, but we must also be aware of the smallest details such as not giving the ball away in dangerous places or losing our markers on set-pieces," Ambrosini said.

Cautious Celtic
The Italian international believes Celtic will have more or less the same approach as in the first leg. "In Glasgow we had the match in our hands on the whole," he said. "Celtic are likely to play the same way, on the counterattack, and will be dangerous at set-pieces. We are starting as favourites, but we know we cannot afford to make any mistakes and must make the best of the chances we create."

Balance
The inclusion of Ambrosini could mean Ancelotti fielding a 4-4-1-1 formation with Kaká supporting a lone striker and a solid midfield. "The balance of the team is what counts most, it is the basis of success," Ambrosini explained. "It's not about the formation or the tactics we use. The side must be balanced and have a positive attitude. This is what we want to do in theory, but now we have to do it in practice."

Physical challenge
Celtic have lost eleven of their last 12 away games in the UEFA Champions League, including the last three in the group stage, but Ambrosini does not consider this an advantage. "We cannot think about that," he said. "We know we are at home and we are confident of winning, but we also know that you don't get second chances in the Champions League. It will be a physical match because that is characteristic of this Celtic team, but we have to attack ourselves because we are at home and want to please our fans."

Experience
Ambrosini, a Milan player since 1995, does not just use his 1.82m frame in defensive situations. He has a habit of scoring crucial goals in latter stages of games, such as the 2005 UEFA Champions League semi-final against PSV Eindhoven, or the recent Serie A victory against UC Sampdoria. And he is prepared to go all out for a win on Wednesday. "We must take advantage of our experience in the competition," he said. "We need to be motivated, strong and aggressive."

Kahn expects crowd to provide edge

FC Bayern München captain Oliver Kahn is confident his side can give the Fußball Arena München a night to remember as the German giants look to overturn Real Madrid CF's 3-2 first-leg lead and book a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

'Electric atmosphere'
Bayern have played seven home matches in this competition since moving from the Olympiastadion in summer 2005. As yet, the period has served as a mere footnote in the rich history of the four-time European champions, so Kahn believes it is time to write a new chapter. "It's a very young stadium, without many big matches to date," said the 37-year-old. "There will be an electric atmosphere against Madrid, though, and the fans will really get behind us. I hope we can make it a great evening of football."

'Real progress'
There has not been much to celebrate for the red half of Munich this season, with their domestic dominance severely questioned. Out of the German Cup, they lie fourth in the Bundesliga yet Ottmar Hitzfeld's team are arguably on the up, having closed to within six points of the summit with victory at Hertha BSC Berlin on Saturday. "We are on the right track," Kahn insisted. "We had our problems but Hitzfeld has made some real progress. There's still some way to go but we are in good shape.

'I'm confident'
"In this team everyone tries to help each other. Hitzfeld encourages us to be cohesive and support each other - it gives us an extra 20 per cent." Such an advantage could be crucial after Madrid edged a tight game at the Santiago Bernabéu a fortnight ago, Mark van Bommel's late strike raising Bayern hopes that had been dwindling with the score at 3-1. "Our second goal made the scoreline a fair reflection of the game," said Kahn. "There's not much difference between the sides but Bayern are much stronger at home so I'm confident."

Kahn hunger
That optimism is well founded as Bayern scored five goals at the Fußball Arena München in the group stage, and did not concede until Patrick Vieira's added-time equaliser for FC Internazionale Milano on Matchday 6. Kahn was making his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance that night but personal achievement provided no consolation, and that hunger shows no signs of abating. Asked whether he was determined ahead of Madrid's visit, he curtly responded: "Determined? I'm always determined."

Giggs Dreaming Of Ninth Title

Manchester United left Anfield believing the title was within their grasp, while Ryan Giggs will be forgiven for dreaming of creating football history.

Giggs made his 700th appearance for the league leaders at Anfield, 16 years to the weekend that he made his debut for the Old Trafford club.

As United's coach glided away from the scene of a memorable victory, Giggs knew that one more championship medal will make him English football's all-time top title winner.

In his time he has personified everything that Sir Alex Ferguson believes makes champions. Gifted, skilled and one of the best players of his generation, Giggs knows when to put away the fancy stuff and fight.

That is what he and United did when Liverpool threatened to over-power them. Liverpool dominated, in charge for long periods.

But when it matters, United are always resilient and fought for the points that give them the edge in the title race.

Giggs, 33, is within touching distance now of creating history. He already has eight championship medals, and one more will take him ahead of Phil Neal and Alan Hansen to claim more top-flight title medals than any other player in English soccer history.

The wonder is that in those 16 years he has never come close to winning the Footballer of the Year crown. Maybe this season, despite the claims of Cristiano Ronaldo and Didier Drogba, longevity and personal achievement beyond anyone else will claim him the award.

He had played his part again. Winning the free-kick that forced the injury time winner, when seconds beforehand United were more concerned with Paul Scholes' red card for an immature swing at Xabi Alonso.

Three matches on the sidelines will leave Scholes to contemplate that loss of control.

But United were not finished. Up popped John O'Shea to belt home a spill from the arms of Jose Reina, and the league leaders were in dreamland.

Giggs was keener to talk of the defensive qualities that took United to their fifth successive victory.

It may have been lucky, as was the win at Fulham the week before, but it could not have come at a better time.

Giggs said on MUTV: "Defence won us that game. We didn't play particularly well, But I think we had the feeling that if we did get a chance in the second-half we would put it away.

"When we went down to 10 men, we knew we were up against it. Luckily we had that break and John (O'Shea) put it away. You are not always going to win well, it's not the four nils and three nils that win championships it's digging out results like this.

"Chelsea are running out of games now to catch us so all we've got to do now is keep winning games."

He added: "The squad has looked really strong, we saw that at Reading on Tuesday in the Cup. And we are in a healthy position as a team, but we have still got to go out and get the results.

"As for me, there's no better way to celebrate playing 700 games, I can enjoy it now. To come to Anfield is the most difficult game to play in."

Boss Ferguson also hailed the battling qualities of his team, who lost Wayne Rooney with a gashed knee that needed eight stitches, but it is unlikely he will miss the Champions League clash with Lille on Wednesday.

Ferguson said: "It was a massive win concerning Liverpool were the better team.

"We got into dangerous areas but it was just that final bit that wasn't there.

"But to score and to win with 10 men is a fantastic feat. It's a championship win, there's no question about that. I know there's a long way to go but it's a massive result. minimise

"You can't minimize the importance of this victory. We had to really earn our corn, when they brought (Peter) Crouch on it was the Alamo.

"They were just relying on long balls and crosses, they weren't trying to break us down. When we went to 10 men we were just hoping to get the point.

"I think that in a way we deserved it for a lot of reasons, the grittiness of the team and the effort we have put in.

"Liverpool were fantastic, they played well and will feel unlucky. But we deserved to get something because we battled, it was hard with 10 men.

"We have nine games left now, five at home and four away and they are all cup finals for us. But we can look on this as a major result."

Ferguson had no sympathy for Scholes, saying: "The referee (Martin Atkinson) was right, Scholes lifted his hand and you can't do that. I think the referee got one right in terms of intent."

O'Shea also relished his moment of glory, a goal that takes United closer to the title, despite Chelsea's win at Portsmouth in the evening that leaves them nine points adrift of the Old Trafford men with a game in hand.

O'Shea said: "It was the best goal I have ever scored, there will be a few pints sunk back in Ireland to celebrate that.

"It was a great free-kick in from Ronaldo and their 'keeper dropped it in front of me nicely, and I was able to put it away. It's something I will cherish for a long time. It was an amazing feeling."

Larsson Loss Won't Hurt Us

Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced the imminent departure of Henrik Larsson will not have a negative effect on Manchester United's trophy quest.

Larsson's 10-week stint with the Red Devils will come to an end next Saturday when United meet Middlesbrough for a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The Swede is due to appear at Old Trafford one more time after that, although he will be in the opposition ranks when a European Select XI takes on United as part of the club's celebration of 50 years since their own entry into European competition.

When the deal for Larsson to join Ferguson's squad was initially concluded, few expected the striker to return to Helsingborg as scheduled.

But Ferguson is determined to honour the deal. And, while there is no doubting the positive impact Larsson has had during his time at Old Trafford, the Scot does not feel his exit will have an impact on United's hopes of landing some silverware this season.

"Henrik has been terrific but his leaving won't have a negative effect," said Ferguson.

"The timing of his spell here has actually been tremendous because Louis Saha picked up a little injury in December and now he is flying again.

"When you reach this stage of the season, all you do is look forward to matches, which is what we are going to do."

Larsson's brief contribution has only emphasised what Ferguson lost with his failure to attract the 35-year-old to Old Trafford during the peak of his career at Celtic.

While the United boss does not put missing out on Larsson in the same category as Paul Gascoigne, he does wish the player had been more receptive to his initial approaches.

"Paul Gascoigne could have joined us but he just made the wrong decision," recalled Ferguson.

"Henrik's reasoning was far more sensible. He was very much attached to Celtic and that made it difficult for us.

"It is hard to say whether he would have improved us in terms of winning trophies if he had come five or six years ago but there is no question he would have been a fantastic player to get."

Unless United seek special dispensation, Larsson will not even qualify for a title-winners' medal if the Red Devils ultimately go on and pip Chelsea for the trophy.

That reason alone might have been enough to tempt Ferguson into asking Helsingborg to extend the forward's stay.

Yet, with the deadline ticking on Larsson's final flight home to Sweden, the United boss insists it will not happen.

"We said from the start we were not rude enough to ask Helsingborg for him to stay," he said.

"They were very good in allowing Henrik to come here and arranging the deal.

"Henrik also made sacrifices because he has a young son at school and we have respected that. We just appreciate Helsingborg allowed us to keep Henrik for the short time we had him because he is such a fantastic professional.

"There is nothing big about him. He won the Champions League last year but he has come into the club and just got on with the job.

"I have nothing but praise for him. He goes back with great respect from everyone in the club and leaving some great memories for the fans."

UEFA Must Punish Lille - Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson expects UEFA to "come down strongly" on Lille once the dust has settled on their acrimonious Champions League meeting with Manchester United.

After having a second appeal against United's 1-0 first-leg win rejected by European football's governing body on Saturday, the French club are currently considering whether to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

It means Wednesday's return match at Old Trafford will take place against the backdrop of the whole tie being declared void if the final ruling confirms Ryan Giggs' quickly-taken free-kick should not have been allowed to stand.

But such a ruling appears inconceivable. Certainly Ferguson has no worries.

Instead, the United boss feels Lille need to be concerned about UEFA's March 22 hearing into their walk-off at the Stade Felix-Bollaert, the like of which Ferguson has never seen before and never expects to see again.

"We expect UEFA to come down strongly on them," he observed.

"My view of what happened has not changed. They were trying to influence the match official and the result by walking off the pitch.

"It was bizarre and extraordinary. I have never seen that before and I don't think you will ever see it again.

"But their one saving grace is that while half a dozen of their players got four or five yards over the touchline, they did not go down the tunnel."

Ferguson believes Lille have attempted to wriggle out of the situation by claiming their rights were trampled on by a huge club like United.

The insinuation is Giggs' goal would never have been allowed to stand had it been scored against the Red Devils.

Ferguson scoffs at the suggestion and instead believes Lille were lucky to escape the walk-off without being hit by a series of red and yellow cards.

"They have tried to create an issue around the game, saying they are a small team from France and they are playing the big Manchester United," he said.

"But the laws say if you leave the pitch, you need the referee's permission to come back on.

"Four or five of their players should have been yellow-carded and probably a couple of them had already been booked.

"It is an interesting aspect. But, from the referee's point of view, he probably wanted the game finished and over with."

Although no-one in the United camp believes the tie is dead, it would be a major surprise if Ferguson's men did not advance to the last eight, where they could easily be joined by three more English clubs.

In decreasing order, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are all well-placed to advance as well, fuelling Ferguson's belief an all-English final is on the cards in Athens in May.

However, Ferguson does offer a word of caution for Liverpool, who stunned holders Barcelona by winning in the Nou Camp a fortnight ago.

"Liverpool are in a strong position but the return of Samuel Eto'o does change the picture a bit because he is a real player," said he said.

Three-month Borriello ban confirmed

AC Milan striker Marco Borriello has been banned for three months by the disciplinary committee of the Italian Football League (Lega Calcio) for failing a drugs test.

March return
The 24-year-old was suspended provisionally after traces of two corticosteroids were found in a urine sample given after Milan's Serie A match against AS Roma on 11 November. Borriello, who has scored three goals in 12 appearances in all competitions this season, will be able to return on 21 March as he has been ineligible for selection since news of the positive test broke on 21 December.

Pizarro hoping for express delivery

Frequently a substitute, Claudio Pizarro may not be used to making fast starts this season, but he is hopeful FC Bayern München can do just that when they face Real Madrid CF next week with a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at stake.

Peruvian catalyst
Pizarro was a catalyst for Bayern's recovery in the first meeting at the Santiago Bernebéu, when a late Mark van Bommel strike pulled the scores back to 3-2, breathing new life into the last-16 tie. A 61st-minute introduction, the Peruvian international soon found gaps in the Madrid defence, twice warming Iker Casillas's hands with low shots and shaving the woodwork with a far-post header. Until then the visitors' attack had been flat and Pizarro is hoping Bayern begin brightly in the second leg next Wednesday. "We'll be looking to attack the game from the first whistle, looking for the victory to take us into the next round".

Classic tie
With both sides underperforming in domestic competition, European aspirations naturally take on increased significance. And whatever the context, Pizarro believes meetings between continental heavyweights always carry great significant. "I think the Real Madrid-Bayern games can be considered as a classic in European football," the 28-year-old said. "And we've been playing a lot of games against Madrid over the last few years." This is the fifth knockout round encounter in seven years, to be exact, with Bayern coming out on top just once, in 2000/01 – though they did go on to lift the trophy.

Milan's uphill race for Europe

It is six years since AC Milan last finished outside of Italy's top four but right now the Rossoneri face a fight to extend that statistic by another season. After yesterday's 0-0 draw at US Città di Palermo, Milan find themselves sixth in the Italian standings, three points behind fourth-placed S.S. Lazio.

Started badly
Neighbours FC Internazionale Milano are already over the horizon, fully 30 points away, but Carlo Ancelotti's side are at least showing signs of being back on the right track. Docked eight points for their part in the sporting fraud tribunal that struck Italian football last year, the squad's morale dipped even further during a disappointing run of just two wins in 13 Serie A games between October and December. "We started the season badly," playmaker Kaká told the Gazzetta dello Sport prior to the visit to Palermo, where his missed penalty cost Milan all three points.

Kaká goals
It was perhaps fitting the responsibility should rest with Kaká, whose spot-kick was stopped by Palermo goalkeeper Alberto Fontana, given his increased importance as a source of goals this term. Since Andriy Shevchenko's departure for Chelsea FC, Milan's attack has lost some of its cutting edge and this has certainly been apparent in the UEFA Champions League where their forwards have amassed just two goals between them.

Self-belief lacking
Indeed, with five strikes already in the competition, Kaká was almost single-handedly responsible for the home and away victories over RSC Anderlecht that carried Milan out of the group stage. Although Ronaldo's January arrival has boosted Milan's firepower, he is ineligible for Europe and last week Alberto Gilardino looked short on self-belief during the 0-0 draw at Celtic FC in the first knockout round, twice failing to take advantage of one-on-one situations.

Reassuring
Despite four clean sheets in seven UEFA Champions League outings, there have also been questions asked of Milan's back line. Tellingly, after shipping three goals at AC Siena, coach Carlo Ancelotti took no chances in the subsequent away matches at Celtic and Palermo, switching from 4-4-2 to 4-4-1-1 with Kaká operating as a second striker. Against this backdrop, it must be reassuring for Ancelotti that he can call on one of the strongest and most experienced midfields in European football.

Hard for Nakamura
With the FIFA World Cup-winning, silk-and-steel combination of Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso lining up alongside Massimo Ambrosini and young Frenchman Yoann Gourcuff in Glasgow, Celtic playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura admitted he struggled to find room to work his magic. "It was hard for me to find the space to pick passes as they had a line of four midfielders blocking the way. It was really difficult," the Japanese international told uefa.com.

Teams often end up winning the Champions League without having had a good season
Kaká

Unlock defences
Of course, at San Siro next week Milan must take the initiative, yet even in the first leg, despite having only 43 per cent of the possession, the Italian team had twice as many shots on goal as their opponents. Given the defence-unlocking capabilities of Kaká and Pirlo and the return of Clarence Seedorf from injury, the Rossoneri will fancy their chances of reaching a fifth successive quarter-final. Milan might be more optimistic were Ronaldo available, yet a run of five wins in seven Serie A outings in 2007 still augurs well. The domestic championship may be heading to Inter but as Kaká, who has himself rediscovered his best form recently, noted: "Teams often end up winning the Champions League without having had a good season."

De Rossi in doubt for Roma

AS Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi is an early doubt for the Serie A club's UEFA Champions League decider against Olympique Lyonnais after twisting his left ankle in training today.

Precaution
Indications are that the 23-year-old Italian international will be available for the first knockout round second-leg tie in France next Tuesday, but he will not be risked against Ascoli Calcio 1898 on Saturday as a precaution. De Rossi played all 90 minutes of the Stadio Olimpico stalemate with Lyon on 21 February and has featured 24 times for the Giallorossi in the league this season, scoring two goals.

Rosický out, Henry a doubt

Arsenal FC captain Thierry Henry is an injury doubt for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven, while Czech Republic midfielder Tomáš Rosický will definitely miss the second leg of the first knockout round tie.

Victory needed
Arsenal are trailing 1-0 after the first leg in Eindhoven and will sorely miss Henry if their talismanic France striker fails to recover from a foot injury in time. Rosický, who like Henry will not face Reading FC in the Premiership on Saturday, will also sit out the decider against the Dutch Eredivisie leaders with a groin injury. Midfielders Mathieu Flamini (foot) and Abou Diaby (ankle), defender Justin Hoyte (hamstring) and forward Robin van Persie (foot) are also unavailable for Saturday's game.

Three suspended
Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Ivorian defenders Kolo Touré and the injured Emmanuel Eboué (ankle) are suspended for the Reading game following the fracas in Sunday's League Cup final defeat by Chelsea FC, but can play in the UEFA Champions League, if fit.

Drogba takes African accolade

Didier Drogba has been named 2006 African Footballer of the Year with the Chelsea FC forward stopping Samuel Eto'o from winning a record fourth successive award.

Successful year
At a ceremony in Accra, Drogba, 28, took the honour for the first time after captaining Ivory Coast to the African Cup of Nations final. The country also reached the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time while Drogba won the English Premiership for a second successive season with Chelsea FC.

Taiwo honour
Behind FC Barcelona and Cameroon striker Eto'o, Chelsea and Ghana's Michael Essien finished third for the second consecutive year in the poll of Africa's 53 national-team coaches. Two other awards with European significance were the best young footballer prize which went to 21-year-old Olympique de Marseille defender Taye Taiwo. Portuguese coach Manuel José took the best coach award for his continued success with Egyptian club side Al-Ahly.

PSV suffer Reiziger setback

PSV Eindhoven defender Michael Reiziger faces an unspecified time on the sidelines after suffering a setback in his recovery from a stomach muscle injury.

Da Costa doubt
The vastly-experienced 33-year-old sustained the initial damage during the Dutch club's January training camp in La Manga, but resumed training on 12 February. Following further tests, however, it has been decided that he needs a new personal fitness schedule to overcome the strain. "He won't be fit for a while," said coach Ronald Koeman. Manuel Da Costa is doubtful with flu for tomorrow's visit of RKC Waalwijk, although Timmy Simons, Phillip Cocu, Arouna Koné and Jan Kromkamp should all return after sitting out Wednesday's Dutch Cup defeat by NAC Breda.

Surgery sidelines United's Solskjær

Ole Gunnar Solskjær risks missing Manchester United FC's next two European games after being ruled out for a month following knee surgery.

Lille return
The Norway striker underwent the operation this week after scoring in United's 3-2 FA Cup win at Reading FC on Tuesday. However, as he recovers, he is sure to sit out the second leg of the UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against LOSC Lille Métropole - which United lead 1-0 - and may also be unavailable for the first instalment of any quarter-final, on 3/4 April. The 34-year-old has registered six Premiership goals this season and one in the UEFA Champions League.

Dacourt and Inter steeled for victory

FC Internazionale Milano were unlucky to concede two goals at home in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg draw against Valencia CF but midfielder Olivier Dacourt insists that the 2-2 result could prove to be a blessing in disguise.

Inter frustrated
Dacourt came on as a first-half substitute for the injured Esteban Cambiasso, two minutes after the Argentinian international had given the Nerazzurri a 1-0 lead, and put in a battling performance despite picking up a knee injury during the match. However, the former AS Roma player was frustrated at the way Valencia twice came back into the match to earn a share of the spoils given the way his side dominated for long periods.

'A bit less lucky'
"I received a knock behind the knee so it was hard going but the most annoying part was that we came so close to making it 2-0 just before half-time," Dacourt told uefa.com. "If we'd have scored at that point it would have been a different match entirely." Dacourt believes that Inter have been unfortunate in this season's European campaign, saying: "While we've been going strong in Serie A we've been a bit less lucky in the Champions League. Valencia created two chances and scored from both of them."

Dacourt recovery
Fortune has not smiled on the runaway Italian league leaders on the injury front either. After Patrick Vieira pulled up in training the day before the first leg with a thigh injury that will keep him out for up to a month, Cambiasso was ruled out of the trip to Spain with a similar injury. Even though he missed the 1-1 draw against Udinese Calcio on Wednesday which ended Inter's 17 match winning run in Serie A, Dacourt has recovered from his knock and is ready to take the game to Valencia.

'We're confident'
The 32-year-old was not disheartened by the draw, though, bearing in mind what happened in the competition last season, where a 1-0 quarter-final second-leg defeat at Villarreal CF saw Inter crash out on the away goals rule. He said: "In many ways a 2-2 draw is better than a 2-1 win because it means that we have to go over there and win rather than trying to defend a narrow lead, which is what happened against Villarreal. We know that we can take the game to them and win and we're confident that that's exactly what we will do." An exciting second leg is in prospect at the Mestalla.

Famous trophy on show in Jakarta

The UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour of Asia reached the Indonesian capital Jakarta today.

Six-week visit
The trophy is visiting five countries over a six-week period to celebrate Europe's premier club competition, while also highlighting the huge interest in football in that region. The UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour - presented by sponsors Heineken - kicked off in Tokyo last week, and will stay in Jakarta until Sunday, before moving to Hong Kong (China, 16-18 March), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia, 22-25 March), and the Thai cities of Bangkok (30 March-1 April) and Pattaya (6-8 April).

Global competition
"By creating initiatives like the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour, we are making the UEFA Champions League experience more accessible to local football fans and enabling them to share in the magic of Europe's best club competition," said Michele Centenaro, UEFA's head of club competitions. "It builds on the UEFA Champions Gallery and UEFA Young Champions tournament to bring fans across the world closer to the passion and excitement of our competition."

City display
In each country, the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour will be launched to the media and fans. The trophy will then be the centrepiece of a display in the city centre, supported by five pillars containing competition memorabilia, statistics and video footage giving local fans the opportunity to find out more about the tournament and be pictured with the silverware. According to recent research, interest in the UEFA Champions League is actually higher in Indonesia than in any other sampled country, including the top six in Europe.

Jorquera contract caps 'perfect week'

FC Barcelona goalkeeper Albert Jorquera has signed a new and improved contract with the European title-holders on the eve of his 28th birthday.

'Perfect week'
Jorquera, understudy to No1 Víctor Valdés, has accepted fresh terms from the club and will remain committed to the Camp Nou cause until June 2008. Although none of the homegrown keeper's seven Primera División appearances have come this season, he has featured five times in the current Copa del Rey campaign – catching the eye in Barcelona's 2-1 quarter-final win at Real Zaragoza on Wednesday. "This has been a perfect week for me," said the Catalan, who had signed a four-year deal in 2004.

Paris finalists have it all to do

UEFA Champions League holders FC Barcelona and last season's Paris runners-up Arsenal FC both need to overturn deficits when the first knockout round concludes on Matchday 8.

Barcelona behind
Barcelona took the lead in their opening game against Liverpool FC through Deco but goals from Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise gave the five-time European champions a 2-1 away victory and a great chance of progress in the return. The Spanish title-holders have not recovered from losing a home first leg to win a European tie since the 1965/66 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final, when they were defeated 1-0 by Real Zaragoza at Camp Nou before a 4-2 away success. They will go through if they repeat their 3-1 triumph on their last trip to Anfield in the 2000/01 second group stage.

Level pegging
In Tuesday's other matches, two more erstwhile kings of Europe are on the road having been held at home. FC Porto, victors in 2003/04, are level at 1-1 as they visit old coach José Mourinho's Chelsea FC, while FC Internazionale Milano travel to Valencia CF with the score at 2-2. Valencia's fellow former finalists AS Roma make the trip to Olympique Lyonnais, aiming for a fourth straight last-eight appearance, with the tie goalless.

Arsenal trail
On Wednesday, six clubs who have ruled the continent see action, and one of those, PSV Eindhoven, lead 1-0 as they go to Arsenal. In contrast, Arsenal's Premiership rivals Manchester United FC are ahead by the same margin prior to their home meeting with LOSC Lille Métropole. United have never lost a European tie after a first-leg away win.

Bayern home
The remaining fixtures pair teams with 20 European Champion Clubs' Cups between them. Nine of those belong to Real Madrid CF who, following a thrilling home encounter with four-time champions FC Bayern München, are 3-2 in front, although Mark van Bommel's late strike in the Spanish capital has ensured the rematch should be finely balanced.

Goalless encounter
Celtic FC and AC Milan, on the other hand, finished scoreless on Matchday 7. Milan have home advantage for the sequel, and may care to remember that the last time these sides met in a knockout European Cup tie, in the 1968/69 quarter-finals, the first game ended 0-0 before the return was won 1-0 by the visitors. On that occasion, it was Milan that triumphed after being held at home.

San Siro back to capacity for Celtic

UEFA has confirmed that there will be an official stadium capacity of 67,500 for the UEFA Champions League first knockout round second-leg tie between AC Milan and Celtic FC at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on 7 March.

Green light
Europe's governing body, in consultation with the Italian Football Federation, had said last month that the match would go ahead at San Siro, following security concerns prompted by spectator incidents in Italy and subsequent efforts to meet new stadium guidelines.

Higher capacity
FC Internazionale Milano's last-16 home game was played at the Giuseppe Meazza on 21 February, with a permitted capacity of 36,000. Additional work done at the stadium since that match means the Milan-Celtic tie can take place in front of 67,500 spectators, with the Scottish club receiving 4,500 tickets for their fans. The teams drew 0-0 in Glasgow on 20 February.

Chelsea lose Terry for Porto visit

Chelsea FC will have to overcome the absence of captain John Terry if they are to overcome FC Porto and reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

'No chance'
The centre-back suffered a head injury in Sunday's 2-1 victory against Arsenal FC in the English League Cup final and was taken to hospital on a stretcher having been knocked unconscious. He then had precautionary scans this week with doctors advising two weeks' rest. "There is no chance of John playing against Porto," said Chelsea manager José Mourinho after his side's 2-0 Premiership victory at Portsmouth FC on Saturday evening. "The man must come before the player. John is more important than a football result and we don't risk him. The medical rules are the medical rules." Chelsea take on Mourinho's former club Porto at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night with the first leg having finished 1-1.