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Iniesta: Barcelona desperate to make Champions League history
By Chris Myson
Sep 5, 2015 11:24:00
The midfielder won his fourth medal in Europe's elite club competition last year and is hopeful that a fifth is a realistic prospect in 2015-16
Andres Iniesta is confident that Barcelona can make history by becoming the first team to defend the Champions League this season.
The Catalans enjoyed a brilliant first season under Luis Enrique, sealing a historic treble with the 3-1 win over Juventus in May’s Berlin final.
No side has ever successfully retained Europe’s elite club competition in its current form, although Barca did win two in the space of three years with their 2009 and 2011 successes.
Iniesta is aware that history suggests Barca will be unsuccessful in their bid to defend the crown, but hopes the quality of their squad will give them every chance in 2015-16.
“It is challenging and very difficult, but we have that goal in our mind,” the Camp Nou skipper, 31, told Sport.
“Retaining the Champions League has not been done by any club. But we have already been knocking on the door of reaching consecutive finals before and we will try again. Winning teams and players have to return to fight for everything.
“We always aspire to achieve the maximum and this year is no exception, although the difference between winning and losing is often very close. After what we put in last season and the whole experience, I think this has to be another great season.
“I think we should be always optimistic, believing in ourselves and our colleagues. For me, my team and my team-mates are the best and you have to fight for every title.”
In an incredible career, Iniesta has already won four Champions League titles and the midfielder says that tally has already surpassed his wildest expectations ahead of this campaign's group stage clashes with Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and BATE.
“On a personal level it is incredible,” he said. “Everything we have achieved is impossible to imagine, but now that is over, I want to keep adding more.
“I think the team should go from strength to strength. When things change, everything has a process and undoubtedly a few of the moments and actions we had last year were part of a progression.
“We must keep the good feelings from last year and work to be even better. The logical thing to expect having come from less is becoming more learned this year.”
Barcelona have made a mixed start to the new season. They narrowly edged their first two Primera Division matches and the Uefa Super Cup, but lost heavily to Athletic Bilbao over two legs in the Supercopa de Espana.
Iniesta, though, has been encouraged with the way 2015-16 has begun and urged the treble winners to push on despite the challenges faced by a transfer ban which means summer signings Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal will not join the first-team until January.
“We would have liked to win the Supercopa but we did not play well and in a tie or final that can be costly," continued the World Cup winner.
“But the two league games have been very good. They may not have been spectacular in terms of seeing two teams attacking and creating chances, though our level of play left us feeling very strengthened.
“We are very happy. Now comes a very tough game at Atletico and the first game in the Champions League at Roma. As with every year, we have to go step by step.
“We do not know what will happen during this time. We live the present and I cannot say whether or not the disadvantage of not being able to sign will affect us. True, it is not a normal situation, but what is beyond doubt is that we must pull forward with where we are.”
Iniesta is currently in Oviedo with the Spain national side as they prepare to face Slovakia in a Euro 2016 qualification clash on Saturday.
Porto invite Champions League clubs to help raise millions for migrants
Sep 4, 2015 22:50:43
The 32 teams in the UEFA Champions League proper should donate part of their gate receipts to help migrants, according to Porto.
Porto have called on the clubs competing in this season's Uefa Champions League group stage to donate €1 for every ticket sold for their first home game in the competition to boost the migrant relief effort in Europe.
A number of European football's biggest sides, including Bayern Munich and Celtic, have this week announced initiatives aimed at helping the tens of thousands of desperate migrants making their way across the continent from the Middle East and Africa.
In an open letter addressed to UEFA president Michel Platini, Porto counterpart Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa urged the "football family" to unite and do more.
"It's impossible to close our eyes to the drama of the migrants and refuges that are trying to enter in the European soil," the letter, posted on the club's official website, read.
"FC Porto, through UEFA, would like to invite the 31 clubs currently in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League to put their efforts together and donate €1 per ticket sold for the first two matchdays.
"This will allow each club to have one home match to gather the donation. FC Porto will assume this initiative on the 29th September, against Chelsea FC.
"UEFA has a prolific tradition in social responsibility. The situation with the migrants requires a strong movement of the society and, of course, football cannot be apart from it.
"The forthcoming campaign of the UEFA Champions League can be even more successful if we put out efforts together. Let's play for the migrants!"
The Brazil international believes that Laurent Blanc has a deep squad at his disposal and is confident that the club can emerge victorious from this year's competition
Thiago Silva believes Paris Saint-Germain can win the Champions League this season, and believes Laurent Blanc has an incredibly strong team at his disposal.
The French side have reached the quarter-finals of the competition in each of the last three seasons, but have embarked on a major recruitment drive this summer, acquiring Angel Di Maria, Layvin Kurzawa, Kevin Trapp and Benjamin Stambouli.
The Brazil international admits that the club are targeting European glory ahead of their domestic ambitions and is confident of progressing beyond the last eight in 2015-16.
"For us it was important to start well, regardless of the opponent. The only true opponent of PSG is PSG,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “But I've seen a real improvement in the team, psychologically.
“We have two strong players for each area of the field, not one poor and the other strong, but players of the highest level. That's important if we consider that last year against Barcelona we played without six starters.
"This year the team has remained roughly the same, with the same philosophy.
“We want to win Ligue 1 as soon as possible to be able to look after our squad and focus on our main objective: the Champions League."
PSG have been drawn alongside Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk and Malmo in Group A this term, and the centre-back is sure that the club can progress as group winners, though he remains wary of facing Manchester City or United in the latter stages of the competition.
"Madrid are always at the top, Shakhtar are a tricky team and Malmo will play the match of their lives against Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” he added. “The season starts now. We are not yet at 100 per cent physically, but there is room for improvement. We want to qualify for the second round early.
"I think it may be the right year for us. Then also Madrid, Barca, Bayern Munich, but look out for City and United, who I always lost to when I was at AC Milan."
Di Maria was signed for a £44 million fee from United in the summer, and Silva has hailed the ability of the former United star.
"Fortunately, the market is over ... Di Maria is a player of great class, he will make a difference in an attack that is already very strong,” he added.
“We are also strong in defence and in midfield. It is up to the coach to make the best choices."
Roma reeling as Pjanic ruled out of Barcelona clash
By Mark Doyle
Sep 8, 2015 18:21:24
The Bosnia-Herzegovina star hobbled out of his country's win over Andorra on Sunday and it has now been confirmed that he suffered a calf strain
Roma have been rocked by the news that Miralem Pjanic will miss next week's Champions League clash with Barcelona through injury.
The midfielder was forced off in Bosnia-Herzegovina's Euro 2016 qualifier against Andorra on Sunday and the Giallorossi announced on Tuesday that the 25-year-old had suffered "a first-degree calf strain".
Although Roma did not disclose for how long Pjanic will be sidelined, he is expected to be out of action for at least two weeks, meaning he will be definitely be unavailable for Roma's September 16 showdown with reigning European champions Barca at the Stadio Olimpico.
The former Lyon ace will obviously also miss Saturday's Serie A trip to Frosinone and, most likely, the visit of Sassuolo on September 20 and trip to Genoa to face Sampdoria three days later.
Pjanic's injury is a major blow for Roma, with the influential playmaker having started the season impressively, netting the crucial opening goal in the 2-1 win over Italian titleholders Juventus on matchday 2 of the new domestic season.
After kicking off their Champions League campaign at home to Barca next week, the Giallorossi must then travel to Belarus on September 29 to take on BATE Borisov.
Eighty of European football's elite clubs unite to offer aid for refugee crisis
By Matthew Rogerson
Sep 8, 2015 21:35:34
Club's in Europe's continental competitions offer donations to aid those seeking refuge across the continent
All 80 clubs taking part in the Uefa Champions League and Europa League proper this season are to donate a proportion of the ticket sales from their first home games in the competitions to help the refugee crisis.
Europe has seen a major influx of refugees from troubled parts of the world in recent weeks and clubs such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have already offered assistance.
Porto last week called for the clubs participating in this season's Champions League group stage to donate €1 for every ticket sold for their first home game in the competition proper, penning an open letter to Uefa president Michel Platini.
And at a European Club Association (ECA) meeting on Tuesday, the organisation confirmed all 80 clubs competing in the Champions League and Europa League will take part in the initiative.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, re-elected for another two years as ECA chairman, said: "We are expecting [to raise] €2m to €3m - football also has a responsibility."
Having been forced to play the last Champions League with just 21 players, the two sides will be able to pick a full complement this season after paying hefty fines
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have had their restrictions on transfer spending and Champions League squad sizes lifted, Uefa confirmed.
Both City and PSG competed in last season's Champions League with just 21 players instead of the usual 25 and also had their spending capped at £49 million for breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
In addition, the clubs agreed that their wage bill for the 2014-15 Champions League squad would not exceed that of the 2013-14 campaign, while fines of £16.3m a year were levied on both.
Uefa relaxed the regulations in July pending a final decision based on the clubs' compliance with FFP regulations - something both have successfully done.
"The Uefa Club Financial Control Body Investigatory Chamber (CFCB IC) has today confirmed, after reviewing the full circumstances of the case, the lifting of a number of restrictions imposed on Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain," a statement read.
"In particular, both clubs have been released, as from this season, from the restriction on registering new players in Uefa competitions, from the limit on the number of players on their A list, and from the restriction on the total amount of employee benefit expenses.
"Both clubs demonstrated to the satisfaction of the CFCB IC that they had met all financial targets regarding employee benefit expenses and break-even compliance, as required under their settlement agreements for the financial years ending 2014 and 2015.
"In the case of Paris Saint-Germain, compliance with the targets was reached one year earlier than originally foreseen.
"Release of the sporting restrictions was made provisional at the beginning of July, subject to additional controls and the submission of audited financial accounts by both clubs.
"After further review of the relevant documentation, the CFCB IC confirmed that all relevant targets had been met."
Paris Saint-Germain v Malmo: All eyes on Ibrahimovic against boyhood club
13 September 2015 12:45
All eyes will be on Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Parc des Princes as Paris Saint-Germain kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign against Malmo, the Sweden striker's hometown club and first professional team.
The 33-year-old is set to face his former club, who he played for between 1999 and 2001 before beginning his star-studded career in mainland Europe that continues to this day with PSG.
"Ibra is very happy to play against the club where he started," the club's in-form midfielder Blaise Matuidi told Telefoot.
"This may be his last Champions League, so playing against his hometown team is something beautiful."
But there is one thing missing for both him and his current club – Champions League success, something which the French side have made no secret they are desperate to change.
PSG have fallen at the quarter-final stage in each of the last three seasons and have never made it past the semi-final in their history, but have added Angel di Maria to a squad which already contains established stars like Thiago Silva and Edinson Cavani in an attempt to break that barrier.
Ibrahimovic has scored more goals in the Champions League (43) than any other player in this year's tournament outside of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, yet he is still to win the trophy.
With major speculation over whether Ibrahimovic will still be in Paris beyond this season, the current campaign may represent his last realistic chance to win the honour, given the quality of his team-mates.
The former Milan striker missed time through injury earlier in the season and was kept out of Friday's 2-2 Ligue 1 draw against Bordeaux as head coach Laurent Blanc aimed to ensure he was fully fresh for Europe.
"I have no concern about Ibra's physical shape but he is not in the best of conditions," Blanc had said prior to the game.
"He could play but he will not - we decided to leave him to rest so he is in top form for the Champions League."
The draw with Bordeaux, which came as a result of two mistakes by goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, ended a perfect start to the season for Blanc's men, who had previously won five straight games without conceding a goal.
PSG will be without the suspended Serge Aurier, while Javier Pastore (calf) continues to be monitored having not played since August 21.
Malmo only managed three points in last season's group stage and go into the game as massive underdogs having lost seven of their last eight matches away from home in Europe.
They are seven points off the top in their domestic league, but impressed by knocking out Scottish champions Celtic over two legs in the play-off round.
Sevilla v Borussia Monchengladbach: Tough first test for returning Germans
14 September 2015 00:29
Borussia Monchengladbach will end their 37-year absence from Europe's top club competition on Tuesday and they face a tough return in the form of a trip to Sevilla.
The German side were a genuine force in Europe during the 1970s, reaching the European Cup Final in 1977 and also lifting the UEFA Cup twice in 1975 and 1979.
Last year's third-place Bundesliga finish finally secured a UEFA Champions League berth, evoking fond memories of those glory years.
But the reward for Lucien Favre's men was a tough draw in a group containing last season's beaten finalists Juventus, Europa League holders Sevilla and big-spending Manchester City.
Gladbach will not need any reminding of Sevilla's pedigree having lost out to them in the Europa League round of 32 last season and their current domestic form suggests that they are unlikely to avenge that defeat on Tuesday night.
Favre's side have lost each of their first four Bundesliga games this season, conceding 11 goals in the process and they will be without the services of Granit Xhaka for the Sevilla clash as the Swiss midfielder serves a suspension for seeing red when the two sides met in Germany last term.
Skipper Martin Stranzl could also miss the game after fracturing a cheekbone in Friday's 3-0 defeat against Hamburg and respective back and calf injuries are set to rule out defensive duo Alvaro Dominguez and Fabian Johnson.
Sevilla, meanwhile, have also made a poor start to their domestic campaign, picking up just two points from their opening three games – including a disappointing 1-1 draw with Levante in their most recent outing.
Unai Emery's men, however, have been a formidable force in European competition in recent years, securing back-to-back Europa League triumphs in the last two seasons and winning all seven of their home European ties last term.
They also boast an unbeaten home record against German sides having won six and drawn four of 10 previous meetings.
In terms of injury news, Emery will be unable to call upon defenders Daniel Carrico and Adil Rami who have both been ruled out by thigh injuries and first-choice goalkeeper Beto faces up to two months on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments.
The Andalusian side have also endured attacking problems this season, with their only league goal thus far coming from former Stoke City midfielder Steven N'Zonzi.
Olympiacos v Bayern Munich: Pressure on Guardiola to deliver European success
14 September 2015 14:20
Pep Guardiola starts another UEFA Champions League campaign under pressure to deliver glory for Bayern Munich as his side travel to Piraeus to face Greek champions Olympiacos on Wednesday.
The continental heavyweights have made another flying start in the Bundesliga, winning all four of their opening league matches and scoring 15 goals in the process.
But it is in Europe where the two-time Champions League winning head coach knows he must deliver if his tenure in Germany is to be considered a success.
Guardiola's first two seasons at the helm have seen painful semi-final exits to Real Madrid and Barcelona in Europe's elite club competition and the Catalan will need to go all the way this year's competition to silence his doubters.
"I believe it would not do the club harm if they would bring in another coach," the club's former midfielder Dietmar Hamann said ahead of the game.
"If I had to rate Guardiola from zero to 10, I would give him a five - so right in the middle. In the league they were champions, but in the Cup they have lost to Dortmund and in the Champions League they tried twice and failed.
"I do not know if another coach like Van Gaal or Heynckes would be in office after such results. You can lose against Real Madrid or Barcelona but the way and the naivety [of the defeats], for me that was very upsetting.
"If he wants to successfully complete these three years, he has to bring the Champions League."
Following his last-gasp penalty in Bayern's controversial 2-1 win over Augsburg on Saturday, Thomas Muller has netted six goals in four league games for Bayern, who will take to the field without star wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery but are otherwise in a reasonable state of fitness.
The two teams are Champions League regulars. Olympiacos are making their 17th appearance in the tournament, while Bayern have participated in 18 of the last 19 editions, yet this will be their first meeting with each other since the 1980-81 season.
Marco Silva's men are in typically strong domestic form. They have won all three of their league matches to start the new season and only conceded one goal.
As ever, the challenge will be converting that success to the European stage. Olympiacos have never progressed past the quarter-finals and it was back in 1999 when they last reached that stage.
Roma v Barcelona: Another Messi milestone in Luis Enrique´s return
14 September 2015 15:00
Luis Enrique faces a return to the Stadio Olimpico as Barcelona begin their Champions League defence against Roma on Wednesday.
The former Spain international was in charge of Roma for the 2011-12 season but left the club after failing to guide them into European competition.
But Luis Enrique, who guided Barca to the treble last term, says his experience in the Italian capital was a key learning curve in his coaching career.
"What happened at Roma made me a better coach," he said. "I have great memories, I'd have liked to have finished higher but it was a very positive year."
The game also represents another milestone in the career of Lionel Messi, with the Champions League's all-time top scorer set to make his 100th appearance in the competition.
The Argentina star came off the bench to score the winner against Atletico Madrid at the weekend, having been left out of the starting line-up after missing training to be at the birth of his second child, but is expected to start in midweek.
Thomas Vermaelen and Claudio Bravo (both calf) are sidelined, while Dani Alves has not recovered sufficiently from a groin injury, but Gerard Pique is free to return after missing recent domestic action due to suspension.
Roma sealed a 2-0 win over Frosinone at the weekend and debutant Antonio Rudiger hopes to see the team carry confidence into the showdown with Barca.
"I think we played well," he told the club's official website.
"It wasn't a stellar performance like the Juve match [a 2-1 win before the international break] but the most important thing was to get the three points. Now we can focus on Barcelona.
"It's going to be a massive match, for the team and for all Roma fans. I'm sure that with the support of the fans we can achieve something big.
"We're all very young and I'm sure that with time the understanding and communication will get even better."
Roma are without Miralem Pjanic (calf) for the game but Radja Nainggolan is set to start after only appearing as a substitute against Frosinone.
The European champions overcame Roma 3-0 in the Joan Gamper Trophy exhibition match in August but they have not met in the Champions League since February 2002, when Luis Enrique started in Barca's midfield in a 1-1 draw.
Francesco Totti, who also played in that fixture, is one goal short of 300 for Roma in all competitions.
Chelsea v Maccabi Tel Aviv: Mourinho relieved to have a clean slate
14 September 2015 15:07
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is relieved to be starting with a clean slate as his side kick-off their Champions League campaign with a home tie against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
The Stamford Bridge side's start to their Premier League title defence has been woeful, with just four points taken from five matches, and the Portuguese manager felt moved to insist he was still the man to lead the club following Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Everton.
That result means there is an already an 11-point gap to table-toppers Manchester City and Mourinho is finding some comfort ahead of his latest test that at least he is not behind in this competition as he prepares for a vital clash that could transform his side's morale.
"It is better not to look to the league table, this is the first time I look and see my team in such a position," Mourinho said after the loss at Goodison Park, with Chelsea languishing in 17th.
"Obviously my career and my experience make me believe in myself and I am happy that on Wednesday we have another game and we don't have to wait 15 days like we did from the last match [the defeat to Crystal Palace].
"I am happy that in this moment the players don't have too much time to think about what is happening and a different competition is welcome when we are not behind having less points than the opponents – we are on zero like Maccabi, Porto and Dynamo Kiev.
"It is a good challenge, I cannot be here jumping or laughing because people may think I am not sad or frustrated so I cannot laugh too much, but the reality is I face this situation smiling inside because it is a good challenge."
Chelsea will have Asmir Begovic in goal, with Thibaut Courtois a long-term absentee after undergoing knee surgery, while Oscar has not played since the opening-game draw with Swansea City due to an unspecified injury.
Mourinho will be comforted by the Blues' formidable record in the group stage, particularly at home. They have only lost one of their last 35 matches at Stamford Bridge in the initial stage of the competition.
Maccabi have made it to the group stages for the first time since 2004 after sealing their progress through every phase of the qualification process by impressively beating Basel on away goals in the play-off round.
Unlike their opponents, Slavisa Jokanovic's side have made a solid start to their own domestic season, picking up seven points from a possible nine. The Maccabi head coach is a former Chelsea player, having had a spell in London between 2000 and 2002.
Attacking midfielder and captain Eran Zahavi has made a flying start to the new campaign, with his goal tally already having reached 11 from 10 matches in all competitions, including seven in the Champions League qualifiers. The visitors will be missing Eliazer Dasa through suspension.
PSV v Manchester United: Depay poised for unwelcome return
13 September 2015 18:10
Memphis Depay can expect to be "eaten raw" on his return to PSV when Manchester United visit for Tuesday's Champions League clash, according to the club's former coach.
The Netherlands winger left for Old Trafford this summer and was handed an early chance to visit his old stomping ground when United were pitted against the Dutch champions in August's group-stage draw.
Daley Blind is also making his first return to face Eredivisie opposition since swapping Ajax for United last year, and Aad de Mos – who coached PSV between 1993 and 1995 – says neither player will be given any quarter.
"Depay is not going to get one bit of joy out of his return to Holland," he said to Omroep Brabant.
"Santiago Arias, the Colombian international defender who knows him inside out, is going to eat him raw.
"And if Daley Blind thinks he can come and enjoy a bit of freedom, or dominate the game again, then he will soon realise all the PSV players are going to be after him. They will not leave him alone."
United head into the game, their first in the Champions League proper since defeat to Bayern Munich in April 2014, on the back of a morale-boosting 3-1 win over fierce rivals Liverpool on Saturday.
Louis van Gaal says he is unlikely to risk captain Wayne Rooney, who missed that victory after picking up an injury in training, meaning Marouane Fellaini is expected to lead the line in attack despite Anthony Martial's goalscoring debut.
Phil Jones (shin) is not likely to be fit for the matchday squad but United, who have lost just once in their last four visits to Holland, have an otherwise clean bill of health for the trip to the Philips Stadion.
PSV find themselves two points behind Ajax after the first five games of their title defence, but Saturday's 6-0 thrashing of Cambuur extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12.
Coach Phillip Cocu, who played under Van Gaal at Barcelona, is relishing the prospect of PSV's first Champions League appearance in six years and their first competitive meeting with United since 2000.
"It is a very tough draw, but on the other hand it is also great to play against Manchester United and welcome Louis van Gaal and of course Memphis Depay," he said
"We expect some tough games but it will motivate us even more."
Attacking midfielder Adam Maher sat out the thrashing of Cambuur and will face a late fitness test to determine if he is ready for Tuesday, while Jetro Willems and Florian Jozefzoon (both knee) are long-term absentees.
Galatasaray v Atletico Madrid: Simeone hopes lessons have been learned
13 September 2015 17:20
Diego Simeone wants his Atletico Madrid side to avoid the problems that plagued their UEFA Champions League campaign last season by getting off to a winning start against Galatasaray on Tuesday.
Atleti were defeated 3-2 at Olympiacos in their opening match of the 2014-15 edition of the tournament, immediately putting themselves on the back foot.
Along with the Turkish champions, appearing at this stage for the fourth consecutive year, Atletico have been drawn in Group C with Portuguese giants Benfica and Astana of Kazakhstan, making their debut in the competition proper.
Simeone is encouraging his team do their utmost to avoid complacency and ensure that last season's quarter-finalists - where they were beaten by city rivals Real - do not fail to pick up points in their first group-stage fixture or the second consecutive season.
"Once the competition starts, it's never as you imagined," Simeone told UEFA.com. "We start away from home which isn't a good thing and demands a lot of focus.
"Last year we were in what many considered a favourable group, but we found it very hard to get through because we lost our first match away from home and then we had to win many matches on the bounce to recover and end up finishing top.
"Let's hope we've learned from that experience so we can make a strong start in Turkey.
"Then it's Benfica at home. In theory they are our strongest opponents and will be battling to qualify with us. Our first two fixtures therefore invite a cautious approach.
"But as we've always done here, we'll just focus on the first game."
The Argentine coach may take optimism from the fact that Galatasaray failed to win any of their Champions League home matches last term and are on a winless run of eight matches in Europe, while Atleti have only been defeated once in six trips to Turkey.
Simeone only has Filipe Luis missing from his squad, with the left-back not travelling with the group and remaining in Madrid to train following their 2-1 La Liga defeat to Barcelona at the weekend.
Luis' place in the starting line-up will likely be taken by Guilherme Siqueira, though Jesus Gamez could also be in contention.
Galatasaray lost Felipe Melo and Alex Telles to Inter on the final day of the transfer window and could hand a debut to Kevin Grosskreutz following his transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
The Turkish side have struggled in the early stages of the Super Lig and a 1-1 draw with bottom side Mersin IY on Saturday means they have five points from the opening four games.
Dinamo Zagreb v Arsenal: Wenger wary of Zagreb assignment
14 September 2015 16:16
Arsene Wenger has urged focus from his Arsenal players ahead of their opening Champions League group game at Dinamo Zagreb.
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich loom on the horizon for Arsenal in Group F, but Wenger – who begins an 18th successive season in Europe's premier club competition – is keen to avoid any slip-ups against Dinamo and Olympiacos before that mouthwatering October 20 showdown.
"It is important we go to Zagreb highly focused and conscious at what is at stake there," Wenger told his club's official website. "You can be quickly out of the Champions League and we want to start well and we know we have a battle first to qualify with Bayern Munich [in the group].
"You need to find the balance between urgency and confidence and at times that is difficult as you can quickly be too confident and lose your urgency.
"We have Olympiacos and Zagreb first and we have to finish above them and the result will come down to that. I think it is important to start well because the hunger of a team is shown as well in how well you go in every competition."
Wenger could retain Theo Walcott in a central striking role at the stadium where the England forward netted a hat-trick for his country back in 2008.
"I think he has an eye for the goal," he said of the player who opened the scoring in Saturday's 2-0 win over Stoke City.
"The quality of his receptions in the box is at the top. He will become an instinctive finisher when he has a couple of goals behind him.
"He needs a few more goals to score a bit more spontaneously. He is quick and gets into good little pockets."
Dinamo will be without Goncalo Santos due to suspension as they aim to overturn a dismal record against both English opposition and in the Champions League as a whole.
They have lost their previous six games against English opposition and have played 15 Champions League matches without success since overcoming Sturm Graz in September 1999.
However, Zoran Mamic's side claimed the Croatian title last season without suffering defeat and are in the midst of an astonishing 41-match unbeaten run in all competitions stretching back to last November.
The latest example of this rampant form came in a 4-0 demolition of local rivals Lokomotiva on Friday night.
"We are playing so well," said defender Leonardo Sigali, as quoted by the Daily Star.
"If we play against Arsenal like we did against Lokomotiva, who knows what can happen.
"At a full Maksimir Stadium we are confident. Arsenal need to take us seriously or they are in for a surprise.
Valencia v Zenit: Hosts prepare for Champions League return
14 September 2015 18:40
Valencia will contest their first Champions League group game since 2013 on Wednesday as Nuno Espirito Santo's men host a Zenit side who traditionally struggle in Spain.
Since their run to the last 16 in 2013, Valencia were in Europa League action before missing out on European football altogether last term.
However, Santo will make his managerial debut in the competition against a familiar face in Andre Villas-Boas - the pair having worked together as part of Jose Mourinho's backroom staff at Porto.
A 4-3 aggregate victory over Monaco in the qualification play-offs ensured Valencia of their return to the competition proper, with Russian Premier League opponents Zenit having lost their seven previous outings on Spanish soil.
Following back-to-back draws, a late Paco Alcacer goal ensured Valencia victory over Sporting Gijon in La Liga at the weekend, with Andre Gomes pushing for his first start of the season following a thigh problem.
Goalkeepers Diego Alves and Matthew Ryan will miss Tuesday's clash with knee injuries, though.
"This [Gijon] result is very important for us, since the season started, the players have always had this working dynamic," Santo said.
"My players should be congratulated because they fought and won. We saw our hard work reflected [against Gijon]. It's a victory that gives us a boost but doesn't come from a change in our work.
"We know we have a strong team, with dedicated players, and we are on the right track.
"On Wednesday we have another game that we approach with high motivation because it's the Champions League - the best competition in the world.
"We have to approach it with a lot of excitement."
Villas-Boas - who recently announced his intention to leave Zenit at the end of the season - has no fresh injury concerns, having seen his side battle back from two goals down to claim a draw against CSKA Moscow on Saturday.
Grouped alongside Lyon and Gent in Group H, both sides will fancy their chances of progression to the knockout rounds.
Bayer Leverkusen v BATE: Schmidt´s men seek to maintain group stage record
14 September 2015 19:00
Bayer Leverkusen will hope to get their bid for another successful Champions League group stage up and running with victory over BATE at the BayArena on Wednesday.
The Bundesliga club are in the pool phase of the tournament for a third season running and have qualified for the knockout stages on each of their last six appearances.
However, with Group E also featuring defending champions Barcelona and Roma, Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt will know there is little margin for error in their first meeting with BATE.
The Belarusian Premier League leaders came through their qualification play-off on away goals against Partizan and are widely expected to end the group campaign bottom of the pile.
Schmidt - whose side have won five of their last six home fixtures in Europe - is hoping to see Leverkusen bounce back from a surprise 1-0 defeat to Darmstadt at the weekend, having brought in the likes of Javier Hernandez and Kevin Kampl in the transfer window.
"We had set our sights high as this was our first game with this squad," he said.
"If you then lose at home, that is obviously disappointing but we just have to accept and learn from it. And you could see that we have much to learn in terms of being smart."
While Schmidt has doubts over Omer Toprak and Tin Jedvaj (both thigh), his opposite number Aleksandr Yermakovich is hopeful former Barca and Arsenal playmaker Alexander Hleb will feature, having been withdrawn 20 minutes from the end of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Shakhtyor Soligorsk.
Yermakovich's men face a tough task to survive the group stage for the first time but will take heart from their record of just three defeats in all competitions this year.
"We had a poor first half, conceded a goal and became a bit nervous," Yermakovich told reporters following the weekend's stalemate.
"We also started to allow too many mistakes in the midfield and were not quick enough. But after the break we played better definitely - we scored one goal and could have scored more.
"We had to substitute Hleb because we need to spare him for the important game in Leverkusen we are to play on Wednesday."
Nemanja Nikolic (ankle) also remains doubtful for the visitors while a cruciate ligament injury means Vitali Rodionov will miss out.
Gent v Lyon: Valbuena demands cutting edge against Belgian champions
14 September 2015 17:49
Mathieu Valbuena has called on his Lyon team-mates to move on quickly from their disappointing draw with Lille and focus on a Champions League victory against Gent.
An inspired Vincent Enyeama helped Lille to a 0-0 draw against Hubert Fournier's side, keeping Lyon five points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain after five Ligue 1 games.
Lyon are making their first Champions League group-stage appearance since the 2011-12 campaign at Gent on Wednesday and Valbuena wants a positive start against the Belgian champions.
"We're disappointed. We weren't rewarded for our efforts, we lacked cutting edge up front. It's a shame," he said to the club's official website.
"We need to turn to Wednesday's match now. We don't have time to think too hard; we need to get off to a good start in the group stage."
Long-term absentee Nabil Fekir (knee) will miss the whole of the group stage and Gueida Fofana is out, while Clement Grenier is a doubt after only recently returning to training.
Sergi Darder is short on match fitness and unlikely to feature but last season's top scorer Alexandre Lacazette managed the full 90 minutes against Lille despite a recent back problem.
Gent claimed the Belgian title for the first time in their 115-year history in May and their only previous Champions League experience came in a 6-1 aggregate defeat to Dynamo Kiev in qualifying in 2010.
With only one defeat in their last 16 games in all competitions and having already clinched the Belgian Super Cup, head coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck has warned that his side will be no pushovers in Europe.
"We've a difficult game ahead. We have a team that is hard to get past, with excellent defensive organisation. A lot has changed since last year," he told the club's website.
Erik Johannson (knee) is out, meaning Gent are without their only player with Champions League experience, while Rami Gershon is sidelined with a similar complaint.
To add to their defensive worries, Uros Vitas (hamstring) is a doubt, although Stefan Mitrovic returned in the draw with Zulte Waregem on Saturday.
Gent have failed to beat French opposition in seven attempts in European competition, but Lyon have managed just one victory in seven fixtures away from home in the Champions League.
Dynamo Kiev v Porto: Rebrov respectful of visitors´ prowess
14 September 2015 18:08
Coach Sergiy Rebrov is anticipating a stern test when Dynamo Kiev make their Champions League return against Porto on Wednesday.
Kiev are back in Europe's premier competition after a two-season absence, having claimed their first Ukrainian Premier League title since 2009 last season.
Porto begin their 20th Champions League group campaign with the departure of star striker Jackson Martinez to Atletico Madrid the headline story from a familiar close-season of multiple comings and goings at the Estadio do Dragao.
Nevertheless, Julen Lopetegui's men have made an unbeaten start to their Primeira Liga campaign and Rebrov is well versed in the talents at his opposite number's disposal.
"We've watched Porto's friendly against Napoli and two domestic league fixtures," he told Kiev's official website.
"Of course Porto have changed, as a lot of players have left the club, but that doesn’t make this team weaker. Their newcomers are high-profile performers.
"At the moment Porto players are looking for mutual understanding, but still they are a very good team. They try to control the ball and defend in an orderly way."
Lopetegui is without defender Ivan Marcano through suspension but otherwise has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Winger Jesus Corona will aim to build on a dream debut for Porto, after he scored a brace in the 3-1 over Arouca on Saturday.
Corona had already shown dedication to the Porto cause, passing up on joining his Mexico team-mates during the recent international break in order to become well acquainted with his new surroundings.
"It's always hard when you travel to represent your national team and then come back one or two days before a match, but any of us can play and do our job," said Corona - a pre-deadline signing from FC Twente - on Porto's official website.
"I was fortunate enough to score two goals and now I'm happy to have helped the team."
Aleksandar Dragovic is set to return for Kiev, having been rested for the 3-0 weekend win over Oleksandria.
The game is expected to come too soon for Serhiy Sydorchuk and Lukasz Teodorczyk - the latter recently returning to training from a broken leg - while Rebrov will hope to see a continuation of the miserly defensive form that has seen Kiev concede just twice in their last eight matches.
Only the sky has more stars than PSG, says Malmo boss Hareide
14 September 2015 20:09
Malmo boss Age Hareide claims that "only the sky has more stars" than Tuesday's Champions League opponents Paris Saint-Germain.
Last month, Laurent Blanc added Angel Di Maria to an already formidable-looking attack boasting Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Lucas Moura in an effort to bolster his side's chances of winning their first continental crown.
Ibrahimovic was rested at the weekend in order to boost his chances of being fit to face his boyhood club but Hareide insists they will not focus all their efforts on the Sweden captain.
"We are not concerned or influenced at all by whether Zlatan will play or not. In fact, we haven't discussed this at all," he said. "There are a lot of stars in this Paris team - the only place where you can find more is in the sky!
"Our level of confidence has grown, and we are very focused on keeping the ball. We need to believe in ourselves, that's a key factor when you're playing against the best teams in Europe. In these games we need to avoid allowing the opponent too much of the ball, that's what we will aim to do tomorrow.
"We're happy to start our campaign here in Paris, it is a club which has grown a lot over the past few years. But we need to be realistic. Earning a point here would be a good result, although we'll obviously aim for the win."
Malmo captain Markus Rosenberg admits his side are feeling the pressure as they aim to spring a shock against the French champions.
"The first match of the group stage is always special, and it's true you can grow more nervous when it's against a star-studded team like Paris," said the striker.
"We'll have to work hard and play our game when we have the ball.
"Zlatan is a top player, one of the best in the world, but we'll definitively need to avoid focusing on only one player, because there are many dangerous ones in Paris."
PSV head coach Phillip Cocu says his side will show no fear of Manchester United in Tuesday's Champions League encounter.
Louis van Gaal's side are heavy favourites to finish top of a group consisting of the Dutch champions, Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow, with their 3-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday providing a welcome morale boost.
However, Cocu's side disposed of Cambuur in a 6-0 thrashing over the weekend and the former Netherlands midfielder has warned they are determined to show their quality.
"I think we should respect each opponent, but we are not afraid of Manchester United," he said. "We have no intention of throwing in the towel before we even get started. On the contrary, we want to make the most of this opportunity.
"These are the kinds of games everybody is really looking forward to. It was the same for me back in the days. We might have to slow down some of the players rather than motivate them. I think it is very important that everybody keeps a cool head. You have to remain focused. Details will be decisive.
"We are not going into the game thinking that we are likely to lose. That’s a negative approach. Our goal is to bag the full three points here, but we cannot afford to be naive."
Cocu - who confirmed Adam Maher will not be fit for the clash - also paid tribute to Van Gaal, who coached him during his spell at Barcelona.
"We worked together in the national team and at Barcelona as my coach. He made me a better coach, with the tactical skills, the way he worked with the team," he said. "Since I became a coach we sometimes met but we didn't speak about how we play the game."
Cocu has also backed Memphis Depay to be a success at Manchester United as the Netherlands winger prepares to face his former club.
"I think each player will need some time to get used to a certain league like the Premier League, and I'm not surprised he has some ups and downs," he added.
"I'm sure when he's played a few months he'll get better and better, I'm convinced."
