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Jardim: Zenit showdown Monaco's most important game of the season
By Mark Doyle
Dec 8, 2014 21:27:00
The Ligue 1 outfit only need a draw to book their place in the last 16 of the European Cup but their Russian rivals will progress instead should they triumph at the Stade Louis II
Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim has described Tuesday's Champons League showdown with Zenit as the club's "most important game of the season".
The Ligue 1 outfit sit second in Group C, one point behind Bayer Leverkusen - who travel to Benfica on matchday six - but one ahead of their Russian opponents at the Stade Louis II.
Consequently, a draw would be enough to send Monaco join compatriots Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 but Jardim wants his players to play to win.
"We will try to play like the other matches, being balanced," the Portuguese coach told reporters at a media conference on Monday.
"Zenit will try to attack, they have a good coach [Andre Villas-Boas] and a lot of quality players. They bought a lot of players, so it's a very strong team.
"We respect our opponent, but we have the ambition to qualify. Qualification is very important to us.
"It would be very good for the team, for the fans and for French football. It's not easy to do what we are trying to do. It's not every day that two French teams are in the last 16 of the Champions League.
"I recall that, in August [when the draw was made], it was said that Monaco did not have a chance of qualifying and that we would finish last in the group.
"But tomorrow [Tuesday] it can happen to us; we can go through. This is the most important game of the year."
Meanwhile, Zenit boss Villas-Boas says that his players will go all out for victory but acknowledged the enormity of the task at hand, given their home side's defence has been breached just once in their five previous group games.
"Monaco are not just any team," the Portuguese warned. "They won in Leverkusen and manage their games well. This is a smart team.
"They are competitive, intelligent. They had good defensive organisation in Leverkusen. They have only conceded one goal. This reflects their quality.
"But we have come to win. The players are motivated and focused on winning the game."
Olympiacos v Malmo: Greeks hoping to sneak into last 16
7 December 2014
Olympiacos still have a slim chance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase on Tuesday.
Destiny is out of Olympiacos' hands, with the Greek champions sitting third in Group A heading into their final matchday fixture against Malmo.
Olympiacos (six points, -5) are six points adrift of group leaders Atletico Madrid (12 points, +11) and three behind Juventus (nine points, +3) after last month's 4-0 drubbing in Madrid.
However, there is still hope for the Greek giants.
A win against Swedish outfit Malmo at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium and a Juve loss to Atletico would see Olympiacos through to the last 16 due to their superior head-to-head record.
Olympiacos beat Juve 1-0 in Athens in October, while the Italians were 3-2 victors in November.
The 41-time Greek Super League champions form leading into the deciding fixture has left plenty to be desired.
Olympiacos are four points off top spot after losing 2-1 to leaders PAOK midweek and surrendering a lead in the 88th minute to draw 2-2 at home to PAS Giannina on Saturday.
"We have shown a bad image today. I will not comment on whether we deserve the result," said Olympiacos coach Michel, whose team is seeking to complete a clean sweep of home wins for the first time since 2009-10 following victories over Atletico and Juve.
"We showed weaknesses and a team like Olympiacos does not deserve this picture. The opposing team made three shots, put two goals and the second we received from counterattack.
"This shows that we were not in the game, we did not get into the game."
While all eyes will be on Olympiacos, Swedish champions Malmo can still snatch third spot and a UEFA Europa League berth.
Victory for Malmo against Olympiacos would put the Swedes into third, having upstaged the Greeks 2-0 for their only points of the campaign on matchday two.
Malmo wrapped up back-to-back titles on November 1 and have been out of action since edging Halmia in the Svenska Cupen on November 15.
"We believe we are well towards Malmo," said Michel. "Of course we must take into account the opponent."
Olympiacos midfielder Pajtim Kasami added: "We had a bad result but must look ahead to the game Tuesday, concentrate on it, the victory is all that counts."
Malmo will be without Erik Johansson for the trip to Greece after the defender was sent off against Juve.
Juventus v Atletico Madrid: Italian champions seeking qualification
7 December 2014
Juventus host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday aiming to join the Group A leaders in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League.
Spanish champions Atletico booked their spot in the last 16 on matchday five after dismantling Olympiacos 4-0 at the Vicente Calderon.
Juve - who boast a three-point advantage over Olympiacos - are three points behind in second place and can seal their passage into the round of 16 with a draw at Juventus Stadium on the final matchday.
Massimiliano Allegri's men are unbeaten in nine home matches in UEFA competition but they will be hoping for an improvement, having played out a less than impressive goalless draw at Fiorentina in a match that saw the Serie A champions and league leaders revert back to a 3-5-2 formation on Friday.
"We certainly made a step backwards in terms of chances, as we had created so much in previous games and were a little less precise in the final ball," Juve defender Leonardo Bonucci told Sky Sport Italia.
"I am happy in any system and try to put myself to the service of the team. Obviously with three I can read the situations better, but I have shown over the years I can do well with four too."
While Atletico - who won the reverse fixture 1-0 in October - are already assured of a place in the knockout phase, top spot in Group A is still up for grabs in Turin.
A victory by two or more goals over Atletico would see Juve qualify as group winners.
"We have excellent sensations," Allegri said. "It's an important match, we must try to win with two clear goals, as our objective is to qualify and hopefully even top the group."
Both teams have players treading on thin ice on matchday six.
Juve duo Stephan Lichtsteiner and Paul Pogba, and Atletico trio Gabi, Diego Godin and Cristian Ansaldi are all a booking away from a suspension.
Atletico travel to Italy on a four-match winning streak and three consecutive clean sheets.
Diego Simeone's men are four points off top spot in Spain's top flight.
"I think that the team is improving and growing, which makes us competitive in all the competitions," said Simeone, whose goal for Lazio against Inter in May 2002 helped Juve win the Serie A title.
Liverpool v Basel: Rodgers relying on Gerrard magic
7 December 2014
Brendan Rodgers is backing Steven Gerrard to inspire Liverpool to come through their must-win UEFA Champions League clash with Basel.
The five-time European champions go into Tuesday night's Group B at Anfield encounter knowing only a victory will be good enough for them to progress.
Having won just five of their 12 home matches in all competitions this season after being held to a goalless draw by Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, the pressure is on to perform.
Liverpool have also picked up just one point in four Champions League fixtures since opening with a narrow defeat of Ludogorets on Merseyside, but all that matters now is the next game.
Gerrard was again only used as a substitute over the weekend, but Rodgers will unleash the hero of so many great European nights at Anfield on Basel from the outset.
"He was excellent when he came on and, of course, he plays on Tuesday night," said Rodgers.
"Stevie coming onto the field gives us the world-class quality that the team needs and I thought he was brilliant when he came on.
"It can't be up to him every single game to be the catalyst, but it's very hard to replace that quality.
"He's still got that talent, he's got world-class ability and at this stage of his career it's about me managing that, along with him, in order to play in the big games."
Liverpool will again have to cope without injured England striker Daniel Sturridge (thigh), while Italy front man Mario Balotelli has missed five matches with a hamstring problem.
However, experienced defender Kolo Toure is still confident of coming through this crucial test.
"Our game against Basel is a final," the Ivory Coast defender told the club's official website. "We just need to win the game. There's no choice - we have to attack and try to win the match.
"It's going to be a really interesting game for everybody - for the players and for the fans. We need everything that we have got to win this game."
Basel go into the match buoyed by back-to-back away wins over FZ Zurich and Lucerne which extended their lead at the top of the Swiss Super League.
Top scorer Shkelzen Gashi took his tally for the season to 12 goals in 17 games with a brace on Saturday.
Veteran striker Marco Streller, who scored the only goal of the match when these sides met in Switzerland, has also returned to action after a slipped disc.
Real Madrid v Ludogorets: Champions focused on maintaining winning run
7 December 2014
Real Madrid show no signs of going easy on UEFA Champions League minnows Ludogorets as they look to maintain their record run of wins.
The Spanish giants are already assured of top spot in Group B following five straight victories, marking an impressive start to their European title defence.
Carlo Ancelotti's side are also flying high at the top of La Liga after Saturday's 3-0 defeat of Celta Vigo made it 18 wins on the bounce in all competitions.
However, any thoughts of taking their foot off the gas against Ludogorets on Tuesday appear to have been banished.
"The key is to keep up this consistency," Germany midfielder Toni Kroos told the club's official website. "We have to keep working like this and winning games.
"What's most important isn't the record for wins, but keeping on winning every game."
Defender Marcelo echoed that view as Madrid look to maintain the only 100 per cent record in Europe's elite club competition this term.
"The record is very important but we want to carry on working, fighting hard and winning, and to do that we have to be focused and we can't afford to relax," said the Brazil star.
"We can't take anything for granted. The secret is hard work, fighting spirit, togetherness and everyone showing desire."
Of course, Real also have the prodigious talents of Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a record 23rd La Liga hat-trick against Celta - taking his tally to 200 in the Spanish top flight.
Ancelotti's men have scored 67 goals during their 18-game winning sequence, with the Portugal forward netting 27 of those.
"It is a real advantage to have Cristiano playing for us," said the Italian coach. "He is playing really well and he is in peak physical condition; he is extraordinarily motivated at the moment."
The only negative for Real from Saturday's win was a calf injury to James Rodriguez, while Luka Modric (thigh) was already sidelined, but Isco returns from suspension and Sami Khedira (concussion) is also available.
Ludogorets had the audacity to take an early lead against Real in Bulgaria at the start of October, before Ronaldo and Karim Benzema replied to Marcelinho's strike.
The visitors are out of contention to reach the knockout rounds, but will finish third if they can better Liverpool's result against Basel.
Monaco v Zenit: Berbatov boosts goal-shy hosts with recent form
7 December 2014
Monaco will set an unlikely record if they qualify from their UEFA Champions League group with a goalless draw against Zenit.
No team has ever progressed after scoring just two goals in the pool stage, but Leonardo Jardim's side would buck that trend with a stalemate at Stade Louis II on Tuesday.
In fact, if Bayer Leverkusen also lose at Benfica, the French outfit would even top the Group C table with that paltry tally - though they will be dumped out if Zenit prevail.
Monaco have claimed two 1-0 wins over the German side, while also drawing 0-0 with Zenit in Russia and against Benfica at home, with their sole defeat being a 1-0 loss in Portugal.
Though their defensive record is impressive, the hosts will hope to make a greater impact at the other end and will be boosted by Dimitar Berbatov having found his scoring boots in Ligue 1 over the last week.
The former Manchester United forward struck from the penalty spot as Monaco beat Lens 2-0 last Tuesday and netted both goals in Friday's win at Toulouse by the same scoreline.
"It's an important victory and one we deserved because we were stronger than Toulouse," Berbatov told the official Ligue 1 website following the latest success.
"We'll head home happy and now we've got another important match coming up, one which could allow us to qualify for the next stage of the Champions League.
"Tuesday's game wasn't in our heads, but we were thinking about it and that's normal. Now the Toulouse match is over and we've won it, we can now start thinking about the next game."
Ricardo Carvalho is suspended for the home team, while highly rated fellow defender Layvin Kurzawa has missed five straight matches with a hamstring injury picked up playing for France.
On a more positive note, Borja Lopez is available again after a long-term knee problem and was an unused substitute versus Toulouse.
Zenit need a victory to advance to the last 16 and will progress as group winners if they win and Bayer Leverkusen lose.
Saturday's 4-0 defeat of FK Krasnodar left them seven points clear at the top of the Russian Premier League, having conceded just once in their last five matches.
"It was very important for us to win because we want to go with this emotion and motivation against Monaco," coach Andre Villas-Boas told the club's official website.
"I'm very proud of the players because the conditions were not very good and they had a fantastic result against a team that is second in the country."
Javi Garcia came off the bench to figure over the weekend after picking up a knock in last month's 1-0 Champions League win over Benfica.
Aleksandr Kerzhakov has been absent since early November, but is back in full training.
Benfica v Bayer Leverkusen: Germans looking to clinch top spot
7 December 2014
Bayer Leverkusen travel to already-eliminated Benfica on Tuesday as they look to secure top spot in UEFA Champions League Group C.
The Bundesliga side currently lead the pool going into the final round of the competition's group phase, with a place in the last 16 already assured.
Despite losing 1-0 at home to Monaco in their last Champions League outing, Roger Schmidt's men sit a point ahead of the Ligue 1 side, who will go head-to-head with Zenit for the right to join Leverkusen in next round.
Leverkusen - and particularly their captain Simon Rolfes - will be keen to ensure the best draw possible in the knockout phase, with the 32-year-old to bow out of football at the end of the season.
After Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, the 32-year-old revealed his plans to move into an advisory role once his current contract expires in June and sporting director at the BayArena Rudi Voller thinks the club need to make the most of his experience while they still can.
He said: "Simon provides our young team with solidity and structure thanks to his experience and quality.
"And in the early stage of this campaign he was one of our best and most important players and we're glad he's available again following his serious injury.
"He could definitely play for another season or two at the top level. Even though he will go his own way in a couple of months, all the doors will be open to him."
Tuesday's hosts Benfica go into the match guaranteed to finish bottom of Group C, with third-placed Zenit holding a three-point advantage and better head-to-head record over Jorge Jesus' men.
Last season's UEFA Europa League runners-up have won only once in the Champions League this season, beating Monaco 1-0 at Estadio da Luz in November, with the Portuguese side having just four points to show for their efforts.
And Jesus has suggested that he will make a host of changes for their final European fixture of the season with Sunday's subsequent crucial Primeira Liga trip to Porto looming.
He told reporters: "Let's face the game with the utmost respect. No longer do we have the chance of qualification, but financial compensation is at stake.
"But, more importantly, on Sunday [we play against Porto] at [Estadio do] Dragao. And in the face of this game we will make many changes."
Benfica are expected to be without both Silvio (leg) and Eliseu (toe) for Leverkusen's visit, while Luisao and Andreas Samaris are both suspended.
Kyriakos Papadopoulos (shoulder) and Stefan Reinartz (cheekbone) will miss out for the visitors, with Giulio Donati (shoulder) doubtful.
Galatasaray v Arsenal: Top spot the aim for Wenger´s men
7 December 2014
Arsenal take on Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday knowing top spot in Group D remains up for grabs.
Arsene Wenger's men sealed their last-16 berth with a 2-0 win over leaders Borussia Dortmund last time out at the Emirates Stadium.
That victory ensured Arsenal would join the Bundesliga side in the knockout stage, but there is plenty to play for in Istanbul as Wenger's side look to avoid a potentially awkward last-16 tie.
Arsenal will top the group with a win if Dortmund lose to Anderlecht, or if the Bundesliga side draw, then Wenger's men will need to win by a big enough margin to overtake Jurgen Klopp's men on goal difference or goals scored.
The London club's victory against Dortmund was the first in a three-match winning run, all of which included clean sheets, but that sequence ended at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
Arsenal found themselves 3-0 down by half-time against Stoke City, with Wenger labelling his defence as "soft" after they were eventually beaten 3-2.
Wenger will rest the in-form Alexis Sanchez for the clash with a Gala side buoyed by the arrival of Hamza Hamzaoglu as coach and guaranteed to finish bottom.
The former Barcelona man has adapted seamlessly to life in English football but Wenger insists it is vital that the Chile forward is given a break.
"At the moment he looks like at some stage I have to give him a breather," Wenger said in midweek.
"I did it with many players before who were... playing every game. I did it with [Thierry] Henry, with [Robin] van Persie and it always helped them to get through without being injured.
"You have to know when to rest him and when not but I think at the moment he plays at his peak on the edge. He will not go to Turkey."
Gala have made a fine start to life under Hamzaoglu and will feature in Europe for the first time under his leadership at the Turk Telekom Arena.
Hamzaoglu replaced Cesare Prandelli following the 19-time Turkish champions' defeat to Anderlect and has since masterminded three wins from as many games.
The former Turkey assistant coach will hope to avenge his side's 4-1 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and maintains there are early signs of progress.
"In one week it is not possible to change many things, but above all our players are making sacrifices and they are beginning to play together," he told Turkish television after Saturday's win over Akhisar Belediyespor.
"Previously they were only doing a single thing but could not do it together. Now it is a different picture.
"For me to win the love of Galatasaray fans, it will be very, very important. I thank them all, we are doing good work on the pitch and we are trying to enjoy it."
The hosts will be without the suspended Selcuk Inan, while Wenger still has a lengthy injury list to contend with.
Borussia Dortmund-Anderlecht Preview: Subotic urges BVB to clinch top spot
Dec 8, 2014 09:00:00
A win would make completely sure of their place in the last-16 draw as group winners as they look to build some momentum after climbing off the bottom of the Bundesliga
Neven Subotic wants Borussia Dortmund to prove themselves against Anderlecht when they attempt to win Champions League Group D.
A 2-0 reverse at Arsenal in their last European fixture is marked down as the only blemish on their record in this season's competition, with four wins from as many games before that defeat seeing them amass 12 points.
Jurgen Klopp's men sit two points ahead of Arsenal and have already secured a place in the last 16, though they still have work to do if they are to guarantee first place in the group.
Both of Dortmund's clashes with Arsenal finished 2-0 to the home side, meaning the Bundesliga club's superior goal difference gives them an advantage in their quest to finish above the London club and even a draw should assure them of top spot.
Dortmund have endured a wretched Bundesliga season so far, but after lifting themselves off the bottom of the table with a 1-0 win over Hoffenheim on Friday, defender Subotic is keen for the team to show that they are on the up.
He told reporters: "Our aim is not just to win the match and take our place in the last 16 as group winners, we also want and have to prove in this match that we've turned a corner."
Anderlecht head to Germany knowing they are guaranteed to finish third regardless of results in the final group games.
A place in the Europa League knockout rounds awaits Besnik Hasi and his players and they will be keen to end an encouraging Champions League campaign on a high.
The Albanian could make a host of changes on Tuesday after slamming his team following Saturday's 4-2 defeat at Mouscron-Peruwelz.
"Our first period shocked me," he remarked. "We were completely asleep. There are a lot of questions to ask.
"It is really shameful for supporters We were never in the duels. We have made only a single foul in the first half. With such a state of mind we are only a trivial team.
"This match was much more important than Tuesday's. What are we going to play for in Dortmund?
"For honour? For money? On Tuesday, the players fit and the most deserving will play."
To make matters worse for Hasi, he has several first-team players missing, with Matias Suarez (knee), Bram Nuytinck (toe), Andy Najar (knock) and Steven Defour (calf) all expected to miss out, but Fabrice N'Sakala could return.
Klopp is set to be without Marco Reus (ankle), Jakub Blaszczykowski, Oliver Kirch (both thigh), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (leg) and Ji Dong-won (thigh).
Roma v Manchester City: Visitors grapple with injury list for Rome decider
8 December 2014
Manchester City will be without a host of key players as they travel to Roma with UEFA Champions League progression on the line.
Sergio Aguero completed a hat-trick and a dramatic late turnaround as City beat Bayern Munich 3-2 to claim a maiden Group E win on matchday five and keep their campaign alive.
A win or a score draw will see Manuel Pellegrini's team into the last 16, providing CSKA Moscow do not match either result in Munich.
But Aguero, the Premier League's top scorer this season, twisted his knee during the opening stages of Saturday's battling 1-0 win over Everton.
City are still waiting to learn the extent of the injury suffered by their talisman, but he will miss out in the Italian capital for a game that is also expected to come too soon for David Silva (knee) and captain Vincent Kompany (hamstring).
Yaya Toure serves the second game of a three-match suspension to stretch City’s resources in midfield, though Fernandinho is poised to return.
Teenage forward Jose Angel Pozo replaced Aguero against Everton and could feature once more, with Stevan Jovetic nursing a hamstring complaint, although Edin Dzeko may start earlier than planned having recently returned from a calf injury.
Samir Nasri, whose importance to City's attacking play is increased in Silva's absence, remains confident the English champions can avoid a third group-stage elimination from the Champions League in four seasons.
"If we play our game, we will win against Roma," he told beIN Sport. "The greatest risk is to play with pressure and to have this apprehension.
"If we don't ask questions, and we play our game, then we will do it. We have more qualities.
"If we are eliminated from the Champions League, this is not the fault of the coach, it is the players who are on the pitch."
Bayern’s 7-1 demolition of Roma at the Stadio Olimpico is very much an exception this term, with Rudi Garcia's team having won seven from seven at home in Serie A until Sassuolo left with a 2-2 draw on Saturday.
Despite being 2-0 down and reduced to 10 men following Daniele De Rossi’s red card, Roma claimed a share of the spoils thanks to Adem Ljajic's brace.
Similar resilience will serve them well on Wednesday night, when former Arsenal forward Gervinho believes the pressure will be firmly on City's expensively assembled squad.
He told The Sun on Sunday: "City are obliged to win. They have all the pressure. Not Roma. City are in the same period that Chelsea used to be before they won [the Champions League]. It becomes complex until you win the trophy.
"The trophy their investors expect to win is the Champions League. City have a lot more pressure than us given the expense they have undertaken to create this team."
Provided CSKA do not win at the Allianz Arena, a goalless draw would be enough to see Roma through on their head-to-head record over City.
Roma right-back Maicon is set for a reunion with the club he represented during the 2012-13 season, with Vasilis Torosidis (calf) set to miss out once more.
Bayern Munich v CSKA Moscow: Russians chase shock win and qualification
8 December 2014
CSKA Moscow can qualify behind Bayern Munich in UEFA Champions League Group E if they can overturn the odds with a win in Germany.
Vasili Berezutski's injury-time goal to snatch a 1-1 draw against Roma on matchday five handed a huge boost to CSKA's hopes of reaching the last 16, although Manchester City’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Bayern later that evening served to cloud the issue.
Bayern are already assured of first place having won their first four matches, including a 1-0 triumph in Moscow, but the three other teams in the pool are locked together on five points apiece.
CSKA's four-point haul from their games against City means they hold the advantage over the Premier League champions in terms of head-to-head records, although a 5-1 thrashing in Rome back in September counts against them in this regard.
The upshot is CKSA must win in Munich and hope Roma do not do likewise when they host City - and victory at the Allianz Arena stands as one of the tallest orders in football today.
Bayern have won 10 out of 10 on home turf across all competitions in 2014-15, conceding just twice, and boast a similarly imposing record against their Russian visitors thanks to 3-0 and 3-1 wins when the teams were drawn together in last season's Champions League group stage.
Provided Berezutski recovers from a knock, CSKA are at full-strength - with the exception of long-term absentee Rasmus Elm (stomach) - as they aim to build on momentum gained through three consecutive domestic wins heading into Russia's winter break on the back of the Roma result.
Bayern are without Mehdi Benatia following the defender's red card against City, while influential midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is chasing a first start of the campaign as he works his way back to full fitness.
Time on the sidelines for the likes of Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez have provided midfield opportunities for the likes of Sebastian Rode.
Signed from Eintracht Frankfurt during the close-season, Rode has gradually acclimatised to life with the Bavarian giants and produced an influential display from the bench during Saturday's 1-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Benatia's sending off at the Etihad Stadium meant a tactical substitution cut short Rode’s first Champions League start.
And the 24-year-old insists Pep Guardiola's team will work hard to end a triumphant group campaign with a fifth win.
Rode told Bayern's official website: "We still want to win. It'll be another 70,000 crowd and we want to put on a show for them. If I play I can promise I'll give it everything."
Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain: Luis Enrique confident of topping group
8 December 2014
Luis Enrique believes Barcelona can feel confident of beating Paris Saint-Germain and topping UEFA Champions League Group F.
Barca head into Wednesday's pool finale at Camp Nou knowing only a victory will do if they wish to leapfrog French champions PSG into top spot.
Both teams have already qualified comfortably for the knockout stages, but PSG sit a point clear of Barca at the summit with just one game remaining - thanks in no small part to their thrilling 3-2 win over Lionel Messi and co in Paris in September.
But with the likes of Bayern Munich and Chelsea having already secured top spot in their respective groups, Barca and PSG know how important going through in first place could prove ahead of next Monday's last-16 draw in Nyon.
And Barca coach Luis Enrique is confident that his in-form side - who have won their last seven matches in all competitions - can claim the three points they require from what promises to be a tense evening in Catalonia.
"I don't know if it is the best moment to play PSG, but it is certainly a good one," said the 44-year-old, who will be without suspended full-back Dani Alves.
"We are playing a rival which has made things difficult for us with their quality, so the clash with PSG is a wonderful, perfect match.
"We know that any winning result works for us, and we are going to fight the same way that we have since the beginning of the season."
In order to win Group F, however, Barca need to do something no other team has managed this season.
Following their 2-1 win over Nantes on Saturday - and Premier League leaders Chelsea's defeat at Newcastle United earlier in the same day - PSG now stand as the only team in any of Europe's five most major leagues not to have lost a game in any competition this term.
Laurent Blanc's side have won 15 and drawn eight of their 23 matches thus far in 2014-15, with last weekend's victory against Nantes coming courtesy of a brace from former Barca striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
However, Blanc is well aware that PSG's unbeaten run is set for its sternest examination yet, and has called on his players to up their game ahead of their crucial trip to Spain.
"We're happy to have won [against Nantes], but we will need to improve to get a win against Barcelona," the Frenchman, who played for Barca for one season in the 1990s, commented.
As is the case for any team visiting Camp Nou, keeping Messi quiet will be key if PSG are to escape with their undefeated record intact.
That will be easier said than done, though, as the Barca talisman heads into the game in scintillating form even by his own exalted standards.
Messi scored a third hat-trick in his last four appearances in Barca's 5-1 rout of neighbours Espanyol on Sunday, and was also on target in their defeat at Parc des Princes earlier in the season.
Ajax v APOEL: De Boer upbeat on Europa League chances
8 December 2014
Frank de Boer says Ajax will be full of confidence heading into Wednesday's UEFA Europa League shoot-out with APOEL.
Dutch champions Ajax host APOEL in what will be both teams' final Champions League fixture of this season, with the sides battling it out for third spot and a place in European club football's secondary competition.
Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have coasted through Group F, with their meeting at Camp Nou this week set to decide who wins the pool.
But while the Champions League last 16 is out of reach for Ajax, coach De Boer is determined for his side - who sit one point above APOEL - to avoid defeat and claim the secondary prize of a spot in the Europa League.
De Boer watched his team dismantle Willem II 5-0 in the Eredivisie on Saturday, and is thrilled to be heading into this week's clash with the Cypriot champions on a high.
"The way we won [against Willem II] will go with us on Wednesday," said the Dutchman.
"The duel against APOEL is very important for us."
One man Ajax will have to do without on Wednesday, though, is striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.
The Iceland forward opened the scoring early on against Willem II, but had to be withdrawn shortly after due to an injury and will be sidelined until after the mid-season break, Ajax confirmed on Monday.
"Kolbeinn will probably be out for a couple of weeks - it seems to concern a muscle between his shin and ankle," De Boer added.
"It's not a serious injury, but it's possible to miss three weeks because of it."
However, in more positive news for De Boer, he will be able to call on Anwar El Ghazi.
El Ghazi missed Saturday's match, but De Boer confirmed afterwards that the teenager - scorer of six goals this season - will be available in midweek.
Neither Ajax or APOEL have managed to win any of their five Champions League fixtures so far this season, and played out a 1-1 draw in Nicosia back in September.
Giorgios Donis' side travel to Amsterdam in the knowledge that only three points will be enough to continue their continental adventure this term.
But while history is very much against APOEL - who are winless in their last 11 Champions League away fixtures - they can at least visit the Dutch champions with some confidence given their last two results.
After being outclassed by Barca in a 4-0 home defeat in their last Champions League outing, APOEL have claimed successive 1-0 wins in the 1. Division and sit five points clear of Apollon at the top of their domestic table.
Chelsea v Sporting Lisbon: Mourinho´s men out to bounce back
8 December 2014
Chelsea will aim to recover from seeing their unbeaten start to 2014-15 end when they host Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League.
Jose Mourinho's side tasted defeat for the first time this season on Saturday, going down 2-1 at Newcastle United in the Premier League.
That ended a club-record-equalling 23-match unbeaten run, which stretched back into the 2013-14 campaign.
Chelsea's previous loss came in the semi-final second leg of last season's Champions League, when Atletico Madrid came away from Stamford Bridge with a 3-1 success back in April.
Having already secured progress to the last 16 as winners of Group G, Chelsea face a Sporting side who need a point to clinch their own qualification on Wednesday.
And goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois insists there is not undue concern in the Chelsea dressing room following their loss at St James' Park.
"Obviously we are disappointed but we have to takes the positives, we are still top of the league and we've had a great start to the season," Courtois told the club's official website.
"Okay, this was our first defeat but we have to keep working hard and things will go better for us again.
"We are confident that if we work hard in training and learn from our mistakes we will win again."
The fitness of Diego Costa remains a huge talking point at Chelsea, and it remains unclear whether Mourinho will risk his first-choice striker against Sporting with a league clash against Hull City to come on Saturday.
"He has to improve his condition," Mourinho said. "He was injured and had many doubts because he went a long time without training.
"Obviously that must have an effect on a player in the way he runs, the way he moves and in his co-ordination. I don't think there is any problem but he has to recover."
Sporting have a major injury doubt of their own, with the club announcing that on-loan Manchester United winger Nani had picked up a thigh injury in the 3-1 win at Boavista on Friday, rendering him unlikely to feature at Stamford Bridge.
That victory was Sporting's fourth in succession in all competitions, and another win in west London would see Marco Silva's men move into the knockout phase with a spring in their step.
Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic scored the winner in the reverse fixture back in September, and the Serb comes back into contention after missing the Newcastle trip through suspension.
Sporting defender Cedric, meanwhile, will miss the clash after picking up his third booking of the group stage in the 3-1 home win over Maribor on matchday five.
Maribor v Schalke: Di Matteo confident on progression
8 December 2014
Roberto Di Matteo is optimistic Schalke can reach the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with victory over Maribor on Wednesday.
The Bundesliga side go into their final Group G encounter knowing that a win, coupled with a Sporting defeat against leaders Chelsea, will see them into the knockout stage.
Slovenian outfit Maribor are out of the running to progress from the pool but will gain a Europa League spot with victory at the Ljudski vrt.
Former Chelsea boss Di Matteo has enjoyed a relatively fruitful start to life at the Veltins-Arena, winning six of his opening 10 games in all competitions, although his fledgling reign could be dealt its first major blow with an exit on Wednesday.
Since their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea last time out in the Champions League, Schalke have put eight past Mainz and Stuttgart.
Di Matteo will be hopeful his side can continue their prolific streak and usurp Sporting in second, with the Italian buoyed by what he has seen since arriving at Schalke.
"Right now, I'm not worried," he told Kicker.
"We'll see after the game what the situation will be and then I can comment on it.
"It is impossible to realise everything very quickly and to achieve continuity is very difficult. It's all about good, hard training and ... in this regard, I have at Schalke found a very high willingness from the players here.
"That is why I remain optimistic."
Di Matteo has doubts over the likes of Sidney Sam (thigh) and Kevin Prince-Boateng (ankle), while opposite number Ante Simundza could be without Petar Stojanovic (nose).
However, experienced defender Ales Mejac made his return from a hamstring injury in Saturday's 4-1 win over Radomlje.
Ljudski vrt has proven something of a fortress for Maribor in Europe this term, having won two and drawn one of their three home games in qualifying before taking points off Sporting and Chelsea in Slovenia.
Mejac feels the home crowd will play their part in making life difficult for Schalke on what will be a pivotal evening in both sides' seasons.
"Who would have thought that we would, in the last round, still have opportunities to progress," he told Maribor's official website.
"Many people are surprised but our honest performances have got us to this point and we already cannot wait for Wednesday.
"We are playing at home in front of a full stadium and our fans will once again be our 12th player. All things are possible."
Porto v Shakhtar Donetsk: Hosts eye unbeaten group phase
8 December 2014
Porto can head to the UEFA Champions League last 16 off the back of an unbeaten group campaign as they cap it off against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Both sides are already assured of spots in the next round of the competition, with Porto's place as Group H winners also guaranteed thanks to a five-point gap ahead of the Ukrainian club heading into Wednesday's match.
After accumulating 13 points from five matches, a 2-2 draw in Donetsk on matchday two is marked as the only blemish on the Primeira Liga side's Champions League record this term.
And, although the chance to finish the group unbeaten will likely please coach Julen Lopetegui, a must-win domestic clash with pacesetters Benfica follows just four days later.
The Spanish coach is expected to make changes with that domestic clash in mind, but he insists that he will be sending out a team capable of winning.
He told reporters: "Despite the first aim – qualification – and the second aim – finishing first in the group – being achieved, we aim to make a good game and win in front of our supporters."
Shakhtar will not be able to draw too much optimism from Porto's home form, with Lopetegui's men losing just one of their last 20 competitive matches at Estadio do Dragao.
Brazilian Ismaily will find himself in familiar surroundings at the Dragao, with the defender spending much of his early career in Portugal at Sporting Braga, Estoril and Olhanense.
The 24-year-old knows first-hand about the passion and noise of the Porto support, noting the striking atmosphere.
And to make matters worse for Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu, the competition's nine-goal top-scorer Luiz Adriano will miss the clash due to suspension.
Despite Porto's imposing home support and Luiz Adriano's absence, Ismaily is adamant that Shakhtar are no worse than their Portuguese counterparts.
"I used to play in the Portouguese league," he told the club's official website. "Indeed, Porto almost always win home, because the fans there are just crazy. They scream and they yell, so they support their team in every way.
"They are a very good team with strong, skilled players. But I cannot say that they are the strongest in the group.
"Shakhtar are about the same level. It's true that in the home game we were a bit unlucky due to imperfect finishing. But Porto are not stronger than us, that's for sure."
Joining Luiz Adriano on the sidelines due to suspension is captain Darijo Srna and defender Olexandr Kucher, while left-back Marcio Azevedo (knee) is a doubt.
Lopetegui has the majority of his squad to choose from, though Brazilian midfield duo Casemiro (knock) and Otavio (thigh) both missed training on Monday.
Athletic Bilbao v BATE: San Jose confident of securing third
8 December 2014
Mikel San Jose is certain that Athletic Bilbao will prove they are better than BATE and secure third spot in UEFA Champions League Group H.
Athletic can claim a place in the Europa League knockout phase with a draw at home to BATE on Wednesday, but they have struggled in Europe's elite competition this term, winning just one of their five matches since overcoming Napoli in qualifying.
The Spanish side's early-season domestic form also appeared to be affected, with Ernesto Valverde's men emerging victorious only once in their first eight Liga contests, leaving them 18th in early October.
They have since improved and currently sit ninth in the Spanish top flight, though a 1-0 home defeat to Cordoba on Saturday - the Andalusian club's first La Liga win in 42 years - was something of a set-back.
BATE claimed their only Champions League triumph of the campaign when they beat Athletic in Borisov on matchday two, but San Jose is adamant revenge will be sought and third place will be clinched.
"We are going out as always; to win the match," he told reporters. "We were not good against Cordoba. It was not our match and we lost a great opportunity. Against Cordoba our mistakes were punished.
"We were not good at anything in Borisov [either] and we will prove that we are better and we are going to be third.
"The blow against Cordoba was very strong, but Wednesday is a very important match. We will continue in Europe."
BATE, who secured the Belarusian title for a ninth consecutive year in November, are in the Champions League group stage for the fourth time and the third season in succession.
Only once have they not finished bottom of their group, with the 2012-13 season being the exception, as they went on to lose to Fenerbahce in the Europa League's last 32.
BATE's domestic season finished at the end of November, with the champions extending their record unbeaten run to 31 league games.
And new signing Aleksey Rios is optimistic that BATE can round off another good year by qualifying for the Europa League.
He told the club's official website: "[We] would love to [finish third]. From this perspective it is a pity that Shakhtar Donetsk lost to Athletic.
"But everything will be decided in Bilbao. It all depends on BATE and getting the tactics right for the match."
BATE coach Alyaksandr Yermakovich has few injuries worries to contend with, as only Egor Filipenko (thigh) is in danger of missing out.
Meanwhile, Aritz Aduriz (arm) and Xabi Etxeita (groin) are doubts for Athletic, although Guillermo Fernandez (nose) could return and take the place of 20-year-old Inaki Williams, who made his debut in attack against Cordoba.
