Portuguese clubs Benfica and Porto will try to put a dent in Manchester United and Arsenal’s hopes of reaching the second round of the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Premiership giants will bid to regain some face for England after the country’s World Cup exit to Portugal, and United have the added advantage of seeking revenge for the 2-1 defeat at Benfica’s Stadium of Light last season that saw them finish dumped out of European football’s top club tournament.
United at least have their 3-2 Old Trafford victory over Celtic in the bank from their first European fixture earlier this month, and boss Alex Ferguson vowed to avenge last season’s humbling at the hands of Benfica.
”It will be a bloody different result the next time, believe me about that,” the Scot said.
United’s very recent form is poor, however. They only have one point from their last two Premiership matches — a morale-sapping home defeat to Arsenal and a 1-1 draw at Reading following a late equaliser by Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday.
But United’s £19-million close-season signing Michael Carrick said the team would not be panicking.
”After the start we had against Celtic we want to keep that going,” he told MUTV. ”We have got to move on to Tuesday now and pick up three points there and get the ball rolling again.”
Benfica have only conceded one goal in four outings in the Portuguese league this season but crucially only managed a 1-1 draw against CSKA Moscow, who play the fourth group team Hamburg on Tuesday.
Arsenal, who lost in last season’s final to Barcelona, host Portuguese champions Porto with coach Arsene Wenger convinced his side has the potential to emulate legendary European Cup-winning teams such as Real Madrid (nine times), AC Milan (6), Liverpool (4), and Ajax and Bayern Munich (3).
”I want to win the Champions League but it’s step by step,” said Wenger. ”I think we are more respected in Europe because of eight or nine consecutive seasons in the Champions League.
”The next step is to win not once but two or three times to go into the history of European football.
”I am convinced that if we beat Porto we are close to qualifying. But when you look at the Portuguese teams they do not lose easily in England.
”If you look for English teams who have beaten Porto or Benfica you do not find many. So we have a big challenge and do what nobody has done recently in England — beat them.”
In other ties, Real Madrid entertain Dynamo Kiev desperate to rebound from a humbling 2-0 loss to on-fire French champions Lyon.
Three points is crucial for Real but almost as important to coach Fabio Capello is the way they will try to get them.
”We improved a lot against Betis [in Saturday’s 1-0 league win] but we can always get better. We have to carry on being tidy and passing the ball around comfortably,” said Capello.
”But my players showed good form and are working harder than ever,” added the Italian coach, who guided AC Milan to the Champions League crown in 1994.
Lyon play Steaua Bucharest, who hammered Kiev 4-1 in their opening Group E fixture but whose coach Cosmin Olaroiu remained troubled by the scintillating form of their visitors.
”Lyon is a football machine, so of course we’re worried,” Olaroiu said, dubbing the French club as ”probably the best in Europe”.
”I asked some French people who was Lyon’s rival in the French championship and they told me there wasn’t one.”
Celtic have been boosted before their home tie with FC Copenhagen with a 2-0 Old Firm derby win over Rangers.
”Beating Rangers helps build confidence and we can now look forward to trying to get three points against Copenhagen,” said coach Gordon Strachan.
FC Copenhagen are the fourth seeded team in Group F behind Benfica, Celtic and top-seeded Manchester United, but Strachan warned not to expect an easy match.
”I don’t think there’s a weakest team in the group. We have one real good team in Manchester United and another three who are all aiming for the second qualifying place.
”Copenhagen have drawn against Benfica in the group and defeated Ajax earlier in the season so that’s a good record.
”They’ve got some experienced players so it’s going to be a real test of our abilities.”
Group H’s matches see AC Milan travel to Lille and AEK Athens host Belgian club Anderlecht.
The Italian giants will be without veteran captain Paolo Maldini due to a thigh strain.
AC Milan opened their European campaign with a 3-0 home win over Greek side AEK Athens while Lille drew 1-1 away to Belgian outfit Anderlecht. — AFP
