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Manchester United v CSKA Moscow: Van Gaal demands end to goal drought
1 November 2015
Louis van Gaal wants Manchester United to use Tuesday's home Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow as a turning point for their season.
United secured a 1-1 draw in Russia thanks to Anthony Martial's header in their most recent European outing on October 21 but have since recorded three 0-0 draws in a row, results which have seen them lose ground to Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table and exit the League Cup on penalties to Middlesbrough.
With his side again struggling in attack in a stalemate with Crystal Palace on Saturday, Van Gaal wants to see a reaction when the Russian Premier League leaders visit Old Trafford.
"When I see their characters, I don't think they have doubts about that quality," Van Gaal said of his attacking players. "It can change in one match - let that be CSKA, because we need victory.
"I have to hope we score against Moscow again because then we are talking in a different way."
CSKA, meanwhile, secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Ufa on Saturday to equal the Russian top-flight record of 36 points from 14 matches.
Nigeria international Ahmed Musa is himself looking to end a three-game goal drought and, with only goal difference currently separating his side and United in Group B, he hopes to do so this week.
"The most important thing is the three points. It's football - sometimes you score, sometimes you don't," Musa said.
"I'm sure I'll score again soon. I hope it'll be in the Manchester United game."
United expect to be without Antonio Valencia (foot) for the game, while Memphis Depay is still struggling to shake off a knock suffered against Middlesbrough.
Bibras Natcho (head) and Vasiliy Berezutsky (thigh) are both doubts for CSKA boss Leonid Slutsky, who was confirmed as Russia's coach for the Euro 2016 finals this week.
United are still looking for a first ever home victory against Russian opposition and only a second in nine matches against any side from the country.
Their last home clash with CSKA came in the 2009-10 group stages, when Valencia scored an injury-time equaliser to secure a 3-3 draw.
Astana v Atletico Madrid: Simeone´s leaders seek to extend advantage
1 November 2015
Top meets bottom in Group C of the Champions League on Tuesday when Atletico Madrid seek to do the double over hosts Astana in Kazakhstan.
Diego Simeone's side ran out 4-0 winners a fortnight ago at the Vicente Calderon, where strikes from Saul, Jackson Martinez, Oliver Torres and a Denys Dedechko own-goal sent Atleti top of the group, level on points with Benfica.
Astana have picked up one point from three games in their maiden group stage campaign and Tuesday's visitors will be heavy favourites to extend their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions.
Luciano Vietto could feature despite battling appendicitis of late - the forward having missed Friday's 1-1 draw with Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor that saw Lucas Perez equalise late on.
"It's true that the team did not stop doing the things it did in the first half, which it did very well, and that is obviously the path we should follow," Simeone said of the stalemate.
"To continue with this [approach] gives us chances to score and to attack far away from our goal. We have to keep in mind the first half and continue improving.
"I'm leaving with a good feeling about the team, we had a very good first half but in the second half we were too [cautious]."
While Atleti were denied maximum points at the weekend, Astana extended their winning run in the Kazakhstan Premier League to five matches with victory against Irtysh on Saturday.
Stanimir Stoilov's men remain in the hunt for a domestic league and cup double but will need to cope without the suspended Patrick Twumasi as they attempt to keep alive their slim hopes of overhauling Galatasaray for third spot.
Despite a resounding defeat in Madrid and their difficult group campaign, Stoilov said there will be no change in approach for the visit of the 10-time Spanish champions.
"No, we only have a plan A," explained the former Bulgaria coach, who also has fitness concerns over the likes of Tanat Nuserbayev and Roger Canas.
"We know that Atletico are strong, but we will play to our maximum. Our plan is to play football. I have already mentioned the Champions League, the league and the cup but my players are ready physically.
"We will be ready mentally as well - we will fight to the end on all three fronts."
Shakhtar Donetsk v Malmo: Visitors seek to ensure Europa League spot
1 November 2015
Malmo picked up their first points of the Champions League campaign last time out against Shakhtar Donetsk and a repeat of that win this week will end the Ukrainian side's hopes of progression.
These two teams were always likely to fight it out for third place, behind Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with Markus Rosenberg's 17th-minute effort earning Malmo their first win of Group A in Sweden last time out.
That result kept Shakhtar winless in the competition and Mircea Lucescu's men face a near-impossible task to keep hopes of progression alive. Another defeat at home on Tuesday will end their hopes of finishing third.
There remains the possibility of earning a Europa League spot for Lucescu's side, who have scored 11 goals in two games since their defeat to Malmo, although the Shakhtar boss acknowledged concerns over the form of experienced skipper Darijo Srna.
"I am concerned about this point. Darijo must realise that now it's impossible to play the way he used to in previous years," Lucescu explained following Saturday's 7-1 win at Zorya.
"Sometimes players lose pace and mobility with age. All this can be offset by the experience, as well as a good selection of positions on the pitch. Currently, Darijo changes his game, it is just that process is underway.
"I think it will help him spend many more years at Shakhtar. As for his attacking performance, it has always been good. He should seriously work on challenges for the ball and, of course, step up this component.
"We knew that [Zorya's Ivan] Petryak is a very fast, explosive and technical footballer. I drew their attention to the fact that such a player mustn't be allowed to get the ball, because he can easily beat you in a one-on-one situation.
"Hopefully, Darijo will play quite differently against [Jo Inge] Berget of Malmo and all will be well."
While Lucescu has fitness concerns over Vyacheslav Shevchuk and Taison, Malmo could be without Zlatan Azinovic (knee), Guillermo Molins (knee) and Nikola Djurdjic (groin).
Malmo finished bottom of the pile in their other Champions League group stage campaign last season and signed off their domestic league campaign with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Norrkoping on Saturday.
It leaves the 18-time domestic champions fifth and needing to claim the Swedish Cup if they are to ensure a Europa League qualifying spot for next season, with Berget eager to salvage some pride in midweek.
"It is a big failure for us. We have no others to blame but ourselves," he is quoted by Expressen.
"It takes time to play together a team but we have shown in Europe what we can so there's no-one else to blame. Now we have to win the Swedish Cup, there is nothing else to it."
Sevilla v Manchester City: Fernandinho sees value in Fernando partnership
1 November 2015
Fernandinho believes his midfield alliance with Fernando could help Manchester City to become more consistent performers in Europe ahead of their crunch Group D trip to Sevilla.
Manuel Pellegrini's team secured a last-gasp 2-1 win over their Liga opponents in Manchester last time out, with Kevin De Bruyne firing a stoppage-time winner.
Another victory would secure City's progress to the knockout stages with two matches to spare if leaders Juventus also win at Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday, although the Premier League leaders have once again failed to replicate their dominant domestic form on the European stage.
Pellegrini's commitment to an expansive style is often cited as a vulnerability, with City's midfield leaving their defence exposed too often against high-class opposition - a weakness Sevilla failed to fully exploit at the Etihad Stadium.
In that match, as in the win over Borussia, City were forced to come from a goal down to win - Fernando's introduction from the bench alongside fellow Brazilian Fernandinho bringing greater control in central areas and providing a platform to push for victory.
In his debut season in Manchester after moving from Porto, Fernando regularly fell short of his best form as he was hindered by a groin injury.
He has impressed this time around, paired with Fernandinho from the start in the recent 0-0 draw at Manchester United, and his compatriot feels they could be used again in tandem to good effect at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
"It's very good to play alongside him because we can talk in the same language - it's a bit easier to communicate between us," Fernandinho told City's official website.
"The manager asks us to close the middle, to be a balanced team and I think this is very good. The results show that.
"I am very happy for him and for me as well. I hope we can do more games like that, especially in the Champions League.
"If we are going to play together on Tuesday I would be very happy and I hope we can win that game.
"It's time to prove [ourselves]. I think this is a great opportunity to show our quality and our ambition against a tough team."
Sevilla are hopeful that playmaker Ever Banega can overcome an ankle injury to feature, although Unai Emery will be without first-choice striker Kevin Gameiro in a match where defeat would leave the Europa League holders facing elimination.
The French forward suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Villarreal and is targeting a return against Real Madrid next weekend.
Spain international Fernando Llorente came off the bench to score in that game, drawing a line under injury niggles of his own, and could be in line to start.
Gameiro's absence may bring Ciro Immobile back into contention - the on-loan Borussia Dortmund striker having failed to make the matchday squad for Sevilla's previous three outings.
"I'm happy with [Immobile]," Emery told a press conference. "He is integrated into the team and wants to be out there playing, but he's remaining patient. His work is going to be rewarded."
City remain without Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri, Fabian Delph (all hamstring), Pablo Zabaleta (knee) and Gael Clichy (ankle), with the match also expected to come too soon for David Silva as the Spain star's ankle complaint threatens to once again rule out a reunion with his former Valencia boss Emery.
Benfica v Galatasaray: Jonas expecting strong response from Rui Vitoria´s side
1 November 2015
Benfica will be looking for payback when they host Galatasaray at the Estadio da Luz in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Rui Vitoria's men took an early lead when the pair faced off at the Turk Telekom Arena in their previous Group C outing but the Turkish side recovered with a Selcuk Inan penalty and Lukas Podolski strike earning them a 2-1 win.
After having their 100 per cent start to their European campaign ended in Istanbul, Benfica suffered defeat to Sporting CP in the Lisbon derby four days later – ending an unbeaten run of 55 home matches in the Primeira Liga.
A 4-0 triumph over struggling Tondela on Friday got them back to winning ways, and striker Jonas – who notched his eighth goal in his last eight Primeira Liga outings with the opening goal - believes it was an important confidence booster ahead of Tuesday's meeting.
"We started off strong, managing to score three goals that gave us calmness and the three points we needed," he said.
"It was important to respond well, as we came from negative results and needed to add points.
"Maturity is important, because we have experienced players who need to support the younger ones."
Kostas Mitroglou missed out due to an ankle sprain and he faces a race to recover in time for Tuesday, with Raul Jimenez likely to continue in attack if he is not passed fit.
Clesio joined Eduardo Salvio (knee), Nelson Semedo (knee) and Ljubomir Fejsa (foot) on the sidelines after picking up an injury against Tondela, and, while the Serb could return, Andreas Samaris misses out due to suspension.
Galatasaray, however, have been boosted by the returns of Wesley Sneijder and Jose Rodriguez to group training.
They will travel with the squad to Portugal, but Hamit Altintop (knee) and Lionel Carole (back) miss out.
Victory over Benfica on matchday three was Galatasaray's first in 11 European matches and they will be aiming for another win in order to move into the qualification places in Group C.
Confidence will be high in the Galatasaray camp as they come into the game off the back of an eight-match unbeaten run.
Borussia Monchengladbach v Juventus: Marchisio urges Italian champions to begin revival
1 November 2015
Claudio Marchisio wants Juventus to mark a turning point in their season with a result from Tuesday's Champions League trip to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Juan Cuadrado's injury-time strike gave Juve a 2-1 derby win over Torino on Saturday - just their second victory from their last five games in all competitions.
Last season's Champions League finalists head into matchday four a point ahead of Manchester City at the top of Group D, but Marchisio has urged his team-mates to begin a winning run if they are to challenge again for trophies this season.
"It was a win we really needed, not only because it's the derby. This game must be the turning point if we are to do something important," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"This team has been built to target the highest places in both the league and in Europe and we definitely have to show more.
"We know what we have to do. We need results, so we're right to think of things game by game."
Gladbach - who held Juve to a 0-0 draw in Turin - have enjoyed a remarkable resurgence under interim head coach Andre Schubert in recent weeks.
The five-time German champions have won six successive games in the Bundesliga, including a 4-1 victory away to Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
Switzerland star Granit Xhaka - who scored in that win - is confident his side can trouble Juve if they are bold in their attacking play.
"Things are going well at the moment but we cannot let up by even one per cent," he told the official Bundesliga website.
"We have to stay hungry. Juve have an entirely different quality but, if we play as we did in Berlin - and perhaps even braver going forward - we can annoy them."
Gladbach's run has come despite a spate of injury problems to hit the first team. Andre Hahn, Patrick Hermann and Nico Schulz are all sidelined with knee injuries, while Tony Jantschke (shoulder) and Julian Korb (thigh) are doubts.
Juventus welcomed Stephan Lichtsteiner back to training on Sunday following heart surgery, but the full-back is unlikely to feature in Germany. Sami Khedira faces a late test on a calf strain, while Roberto Pereyra (thigh) is out.
Juve will qualify for the last 16 with a victory if Sevilla lose at home to Manchester City, but Tuesday's game comes almost exactly 40 years after Gladbach eliminated the Old Lady from the 1975-76 European Champion Clubs' Cup.
They have won nine of their 22 competitive visits to German clubs, the last coming in a 3-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund last season.
Dieter Hecking wants Wolfsburg to develop consistency and produce a high-quality display in their Champions League encounter with PSV at the Philips Stadion on Tuesday.
Wolfsburg were eliminated from the second round of the DFB-Pokal – the competition they won last season - by Bayern Munich in a 3-1 loss last Tuesday.
However, Hecking's side recovered impressively with Nicklas Bendtner and Julian Draxler on target in a 2-1 triumph over Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
With just three points separating Group B leaders Wolfsburg from bottom side PSV, the 51-year-old has called upon his team to build on their weekend triumph and consolidate their position at the top.
"It was the right answer to the Bayern game and my players did everything in their power to turn the game in our favour," Hecking said.
"We managed to take the points and everything is fine in the league now and we can build on that.
"Now we need to recover ahead of the match in Eindhoven on Tuesday so that we can put on a top performance there."
Since going down 2-0 to the German side on matchday three, PSV – unbeaten in their last 11 home fixtures in all competitions - have won three consecutive matches and scored 15 times in the process.
Six of those came in the 6-3 victory at De Graafschap on Saturday, but Jeffrey Bruma confessed they have work to do after having a three-goal advantage cancelled out before storming to victory.
"We will analyse it and speak about what can be improved. This cannot happen," he said.
"It was wrong on several fronts. We need to finish better, even though we scored six times.
"The situation will be discussed and then we turn out sights to the home game against Wolfsburg."
Robin Knoche is nearing a return from an ankle injury, while Christian Trasch (thigh) and Max Kruse (hamstring) are expected to miss out for Wolfsburg – in search of their first away win in the competition this season.
Simon Poulsen (knee) is not expected to feature for the Dutch champions but Jetro Willems (knee) and Nikolai Laursen (ankle) are long-term absentees.
Santiago Arias will be available after serving a one-game ban on matchday three.
Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain: Navas wary of PSG threat
1 November 2015
Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas believes Paris Saint-Germain represent a major threat to his club's ambitions of Champions League glory.
The teams clash for the second time in two weeks in Group A, having shared a goalless draw at the Parc des Princes.
It was a result that maintained both sides' unbeaten record across all competitions this season and marked the only time PSG have failed to win in their past eight outings at home and abroad.
"They have top-quality players who can make life difficult for you at any moment," Navas said in an interview with UEFA. "We all want to win the Champions League, it's one of our goals.
"We're trying to prepare as well as possible for every game so as to get to the final and win it, but we have to take it step by step, because we still have to get through important games in the group stage and in the knockout stages.
"We're putting our heart and soul into reaching the final and winning it."
The clean sheet in the French capital was Madrid's ninth in all competitions this term and Navas - retained as first-choice goalkeeper after a deadline-day move for Manchester United's David De Gea collapsed - hailed a collective effort throughout Rafael Benitez's team.
"The team are doing a great job," he said. "We're all doing our bit in terms of defensive work.
"We know that if we all defend together, starting with the attackers, it makes it very difficult for our opponents to create danger.
"So we're following the instructions of the coaching staff and trying to improve in every game."
Benitez is likely to be without Gareth Bale for Tuesday's match despite the Wales international returning to training on Sunday following a calf problem.
Key defensive duo Sergio Ramos and Pepe are back from respective shoulder and leg issues, while midfielder Luka Modric (hip) and striker Karim Benzema (thigh) will be assessed.
PSG remain without Javier Pastore through illness and Marquinhos due to a hamstring problem, but defender David Luiz is back in Laurent Blanc’s squad after missing the past four games with a knee complaint
Luiz's Brazil international colleague Thiago Silva believes, with the onus on Madrid to force the game in front of their own fans, the attacking talents of his team-mates will have chance to shine.
"We will travel to Madrid looking to play our football and defeat Real," Silva told his club's official website. "We can still play a good game in Spain, despite the fact that we only drew 0-0 at home. When we play against a very strong side like this, it's 50-50.
"Both sides can win. I think we will play better in Madrid than we did in Paris. At the Parc des Princes, we were obliged to win because we were playing at home.
"Real will feel obliged to win the return, so our attackers can perhaps take advantage of a little more space."
A win for either PSG or Madrid will guarantee their place in the last 16 if Malmo lose to Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.
Olympiacos v Dinamo Zagreb: In-form hosts target another win
2 November 2015
An upbeat Marco Silva believes his in-form Olympiacos side are ready for their meeting with Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Greek giants continued their impressive Super League form with a 2-0 victory at Veria as they made it nine wins from as many games in their domestic league campaign.
Silva's men are eight points clear at the top, have scored 26 goals and conceded just four. They take on the Croatian side on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Olympiacos' only defeat this season has come at the hands of Group F leaders Bayern Munich, making it the Greek team's best start to a campaign since 1979.
With Bayern (six points) and Arsenal (three) doing battle on matchday four, Olympiacos (six) can take a huge step towards the knockout stages with a win at the Karaiskakis Stadium.
Silva has been proud of his side's start to the campaign and said his players are ready to extend it.
"It is an important element for us. It's a sign that we are doing a good job. Players work to achieve very good results," he said after the win over Veria.
"But we know it will not last forever. Our team must be ready to come back for subsequent victories. We are prepared for battle.
"I want to add … that it is not easy [for] a group to achieve victories continuously. Although it is difficult to achieve, I want to congratulate our players."
While Olympiacos are in form, Dinamo have dropped off.
Zoran Mamic's side have just two wins from their past seven outings in all competitions and are bottom of Group F.
Despite slipping to third in the Croatian top flight, Mamic has refused to use the demands of playing in Europe as an excuse.
"I do not think that we are paying for playing in the Champions League," he said.
"We have enough players ... and of course we are missing a lot with [Leonardo] Sigali and [Arijan] Ademi that are very important players. Obviously those who are here must give more."
Veteran midfielder Esteban Cambiasso (calf) is sidelined for Olympiacos, who claimed a 1-0 win when the teams met in Croatia on October 20.
Dinamo have a poor record against Greek sides, losing six of nine previous matches.
Barcelona v BATE: Bravo stakes claim for permanent spot
2 November 2015
Claudio Bravo has admitted he is unhappy with Barcelona's goalkeeper rotation policy as the Champions League holders prepare to face BATE on Wednesday.
Luis Enrique favoured the Chile international in La Liga last season but reserved the European matches for Germany's Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and he has continued the same system in 2015-16.
Ter Stegen, however, came under fire for conceding goals against both Roma and Bayer Leverkusen and has already conceded 17 times from nine games in all competitions so far this season - one more than he let in during the whole of last term.
Barca kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win away to Getafe on Saturday with Bravo in goal and the former Real Sociedad man is now pushing to keep his place in continental competition.
"If I tell you that I'm happy [to be rotating], I'd be lying, but I take it calmly because I know what my role is," Bravo said to TV3.
"It's not my decision and we have to respect the coach. When we play, we have to compete and do our best."
BATE extended their lead to 12 points at the top of the Belarusian top flight with a 1-0 win over Dinamo Brest at the weekend but head coach Aleksandr Yermakovich is concerned by a lack of cutting edge as they prepare to travel to Camp Nou.
"This season, we are destined to win 1-0. I lost count of the times when we finished with this score," he said following their fourth 1-0 win since August 18.
"We created a lot of opportunities to score more.
"The level of organization of play was quite high on our side, but finishing was not impressive."
Long-term absentees Rafinha and Lionel Messi (both knee) miss out, as does defender Douglas (foot), but Andres Iniesta is back in action after recovering from a hamstring strain picked up against Bayer Leverkusen.
BATE expect to be without former Barca winger Aleksandr Hleb (hip), key striker Vitali Rodionov (knee) and Maksim Zhavnerchik (ankle) for the visit to Catalonia.
The Belarusian champions have never before won in Spain in European competition and have only one victory from their last 13 Champions League away matches, despite enjoying a 28-match unbeaten streak on the road in the league.
Barca, meanwhile, have won all of their last seven home games in the competition and beat BATE 4-0 on their previous trip to Camp Nou in December 2011.
Bayern Munich v Arsenal: Lahm issues battle cry after Emirates defeat
2 November 2015
Philipp Lahm has challenged Bayern Munich to show they are a better team than Arsenal on Wednesday after the Premier League side revived their European prospects with victory in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago.
Arsenal breathed life into their hopes of progressing from Champions League Group F by picking up their first points of the campaign against the Bundesliga champions with a 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Another triumph in Bavaria will see third-place Arsenal join leaders Bayern on six points - having avoided defeat at the Allianz Arena on their last two visits.
Arsenal won 2-0 at Bayern in the second leg of their last-16 clash in 2012-13 and drew 1-1 at the same stage a season later, although neither result was enough to see them through to the quarter-finals.
Arsene Wenger's side will hope to take advantage of a Bayern side held 0-0 by Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday and who continue to be surrounded by speculation regarding coach Pep Guardiola's future.
Amid reports the Bayern coach is set to agree a new contract extension, Lahm told reporters: "We have to work every day - because you can not worry about what is happening with the coach at the end of the season.
"We are not angry after the first leg defeat. We are playing at home, it is a top game and we want to consolidate first place with a win. Arsenal are a top team with top individuals so we must show that we are the better team.
"It is important how we play. If we bring energy and concentration to the pitch, we will win the game."
Wenger's men have shown improved domestic form of late - winning five Premier League games in a row - but must contend with a lengthy injury list as they seek to inflict a first European home defeat on Bayern since April 2014.
While Guardiola is without the likes of Mario Gotze (groin) and Franck Ribery (ankle), Wenger saw Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott ruled out for three games prior to Saturday's 3-0 win against Swansea City.
Wenger - who suggested at the weekend that he would be relatively happy to return to London with a point - must also cope without Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Mikel Arteta (ankle) and Jack Wilshere (calf).
Per Mertesacker is among a host of Germany's World Cup-winning stars of 2014 set to feature for either side and the centre-back warned that he expects to face a smarting Bayern side on Wednesday.
"They will be angry. We are the first team who has really challenged them and beat them," he said.
"They will be on the ball and try to show that they are back and better than us. They are clever, the Germans."
Chelsea v Dynamo Kiev: Players behind Mourinho, claims Ramires
2 November 2015
Embattled manager Jose Mourinho retains the support of the Chelsea dressing room going into the Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday, according to midfielder Ramires.
The Premier League champions suffered a seventh defeat of the league season at home to Liverpool on Saturday, piling pressure on Mourinho amid reports of unrest within the squad.
Chelsea have taken just four points from three Champions League outings this term and trail second-placed Dynamo by a point ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge.
Porto are top on seven points, two clear of the Ukrainian club, with Maccabi Tel Aviv bottom and empty handed.
Pedro (knock) and Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) remain doubtful but, as Chelsea seek to ease the pressure on Mourinho and improve their chances of reaching the round of 16, Ramires has insisted the players are fully behind their Portuguese manager.
"It is difficult because when we lose a game, everyone is sad in the dressing room," he told the club's official website.
"The manager didn't say anything [after the game] because it was not the time but on Sunday we had a conversation and he will show to us what we did in the game.
"We try to help him [Mourinho] on the pitch, we couldn't help him on Saturday but we will try every match to win because this is a group and a team and if we lose, Jose loses as well so we are all together.
"We need to play like we played before to win games."
Sergei Rebrov's men held Chelsea to a goalless draw in Ukraine two weeks ago and have kept clean sheets in 14 of 19 games in all competitions this term.
If former Spurs man Rebrov can orchestrate a victory at Stamford Bridge, his side could go top of Group G - Dynamo having come through a 2-0 win over Metalist Kharkiv on Saturday without picking up any injuries.
"We deserved this victory. We created a lot of chances which satisfies both fans and us," Rebrov told reporters.
"We allowed them several counter-attacks but they weren't dangerous. Now we are to get ready for the game against Chelsea.
"I think the whole match was tough as, for me, Metalist embody tough Ukrainian football. Players try to win their battles, but I'm glad we've avoided injuries."
Rebrov's side have won their last four games on the road in all competitions without conceding but Kiev have never won in England, drawing twice and losing 10 of their 12 attempts.
Chelsea v Dynamo Kiev: Players behind Mourinho, claims Ramires
2 November 2015
Embattled manager Jose Mourinho retains the support of the Chelsea dressing room going into the Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday, according to midfielder Ramires.
The Premier League champions suffered a seventh defeat of the league season at home to Liverpool on Saturday, piling pressure on Mourinho amid reports of unrest within the squad.
Chelsea have taken just four points from three Champions League outings this term and trail second-placed Dynamo by a point ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge.
Porto are top on seven points, two clear of the Ukrainian club, with Maccabi Tel Aviv bottom and empty handed.
Pedro (knock) and Branislav Ivanovic (hamstring) remain doubtful but, as Chelsea seek to ease the pressure on Mourinho and improve their chances of reaching the round of 16, Ramires has insisted the players are fully behind their Portuguese manager.
"It is difficult because when we lose a game, everyone is sad in the dressing room," he told the club's official website.
"The manager didn't say anything [after the game] because it was not the time but on Sunday we had a conversation and he will show to us what we did in the game.
"We try to help him [Mourinho] on the pitch, we couldn't help him on Saturday but we will try every match to win because this is a group and a team and if we lose, Jose loses as well so we are all together.
"We need to play like we played before to win games."
Sergei Rebrov's men held Chelsea to a goalless draw in Ukraine two weeks ago and have kept clean sheets in 14 of 19 games in all competitions this term.
If former Spurs man Rebrov can orchestrate a victory at Stamford Bridge, his side could go top of Group G - Dynamo having come through a 2-0 win over Metalist Kharkiv on Saturday without picking up any injuries.
"We deserved this victory. We created a lot of chances which satisfies both fans and us," Rebrov told reporters.
"We allowed them several counter-attacks but they weren't dangerous. Now we are to get ready for the game against Chelsea.
"I think the whole match was tough as, for me, Metalist embody tough Ukrainian football. Players try to win their battles, but I'm glad we've avoided injuries."
Rebrov's side have won their last four games on the road in all competitions without conceding but Kiev have never won in England, drawing twice and losing 10 of their 12 attempts.
Schneiderlin misses United training ahead of CSKA clash
2 November 2015
Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin was one of those to miss training on Monday although Memphis Depay took part in running drills at Carrington.
The Premier League side take on CSKA Moscow in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Tuesday, with manager Louis van Gaal set to offer fitness updates on the likes of Schneiderlin and Depay at his news conference on Monday.
However, the former Southampton man was not involved at Carrington, despite playing all of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, although Depay exercised with team-mate Phil Jones.
The Netherlands international was ruled out of the weekend's stalemate with Palace due to a knock.
Van Gaal's men have struggled for goals of late but sit second in Group B - two points behind Wolfsburg and level on points with CSKA in third.
David Silva and Samir Nasri are expected to miss Manchester City's Champions League clash with Sevilla on Wednesday after sitting out training on Monday.
Silva has not featured for City since suffering an ankle injury on Spain duty, while a hamstring problem has kept Nasri out of action since the 5-1 win over AFC Bournemouth.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini hoped to have both attacking midfielders available for the encounter at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan but it looks unlikely that either will now travel to Spain.
"There was no David Silva or Samir Nasri, meaning the creative duo are unlikely to travel later today," City stated on their official website.
There was better news concerning Fabian Delph and Gael Clichy, however, with both having trained with the squad after working to recover from respective hamstring and ankle problems.
Pellegrini is due to confirm the his travelling squad at a media conference later on Monday.
Rafa Benitez is hopeful that Sergio Ramos and Pepe will both be available for Tuesday's Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.
Ramos has been plagued by a shoulder injury in recent weeks, while a leg injury has kept Pepe sidelined for over a month.
Both defenders sat out Saturday's 3-1 win over Las Palmas, but will be ready to make their comeback at the Bernabeu against the French champions in midweek.
"Sergio Ramos and Pepe will be available to play against PSG," Benitez said at a news conference.
Luka Modric was taken off at half-time against Las Palmas due to a hip problem, but Benitez seems confident the Croatia international's injury is nothing too serious.
"Modric had a slight problem with his hip and we took him off because we preferred not to risk him.
"For the rest of the recovering players, we will make a decision on Monday whether they are available."
Madrid recorded a scoreless draw in the away match against PSG and sit joint top of Group E with Laurent Blanc's side on seven points from three games.
The manager denied stories that the pair were late for team meetings on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow
Louis van Gaal has furiously denied reports winger Memphis Depay missed the team coach ahead of Manchester United's Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.
Depay was pictured arriving in his car at The Lowry Hotel 10 minutes after his team-mates had been dropped off, but Van Gaal has revealed the real reason for his delay.
"I have heard in the papers a story that Memphis was too late to [get to] the hotel," he said. "It's unbelievable that they can write that without asking what is happening.
"First of all Morgan Schneiderlin was in the 18 and he was ill this morning, so I have to take measures and I need first to look at the reaction.
"Memphis Depay has trained for the first time yesterday, and with a physiotherapist, not with a football trainer.
"I have to know his reaction to the training session before because when Morgan Schneiderlin is ill, then I can take Memphis when he is fit to play.
"But then he has to get his suit, so he has to go home, and then he was very fast in getting to the hotel, so I was pleased."
It was also claimed Ryan Giggs was guilty of being late for a team meeting - a report Van Gaal again rubbished.
"It's unbelievable. Ryan Giggs had to go to a meeting with Uefa, and so he couldn't be at the hotel at the same time.
"After the meeting he came to the hotel, so I think a lot of things are happening today without people knowing the truth. That's also why I'm irritated."
Astana 0 Atletico Madrid 0: Simeone´s side frustrated in Kazakhstan
3 November 2015
Atletico Madrid were held to a surprise 0-0 draw by a spirited Astana side in Tuesday's Champions League clash at the Astana Arena.
Diego Simeone's side held top spot heading into Group C's early kick-off and could have pulled three points ahead of Benfica with victory in Kazakhstan.
Koke struck the woodwork once in each half but Atletico toiled too often in possession against a well-disciplined home side.
Fernando Torres - chasing his 100th Atleti goal - also spurned a good chance and Antoine Griezmann came close in the second half, but Astana held on for a famous point which keeps alive their hopes of at least battling for a Europa League spot by finishing third.
Astana, in their maiden Champions League campaign, now have two points from their four matches following a 2-2 home draw with Galatasary on matchday two.
Tiago came close early on for Atletico with a blocked effort inside the area but Astana, roared on by a vociferous home crowd, denied them any real rhythm in the opening 25 minutes.
Junior Kabananga's scuffed volley from 20 yards forced Jan Oblak into a save but chances were few and far between in the opening half-hour, until Torres stole in behind Evgeny Postnikov following Juanfran's long ball and prodded wide across goal.
Koke looped an effort onto the crossbar with a free-kick just before half-time but Atletico otherwise struggled to find a way past a stubborn home side.
Diego Godin glanced a header straight into Nenad Eric's hands and Tiago dragged a shot wide from 20 yards as Atletico began to turn up the pressure after the interval.
Simeone threw on Jackson Martinez in an effort to break through a robust defensive line but Atletico's build-up play on the synthetic turf was too often laboured or undone by wayward passes.
Griezmann, who had been quiet throughout, fizzed a low shot just wide of the far post after a neat one-two with Koke, before the Spain midfielder almost got lucky with a looped cross from the left that bounced off the top of the bar.
Eric saved down low from Jose Gimenez's header as Atleti began to push further forward as Astana legs grew tired, and the 2013-14 finalists almost snatched the victory with the last kick of the game, as Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco collected Griezmann's cross and shot across goal, only for the goalkeeper to claim well low to his left.
Ultimately, however, Astana held on for a famous point and restored some pride following their 4-0 defeat in Madrid on matchday three.
