Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM    Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    Remittances from Egyptians abroad surge 70% YoY in July–May: CBE    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Al-Sisi urges accelerated oil, gas discoveries, lower import bill    SCZONE signs $52.6m textile industry deals during China investment tour    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Famine kills more Gaza children as Israel tightens siege amid global outrage    Kuwait's Crown Prince, Egyptian minister discuss strengthening cooperation    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Egypt's FM seeks deeper economic, security ties on five-nation West Africa tour    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Preview: Real face Anfield mission, Juve host Chelsea
Published in FilGoal on 09 - 03 - 2009

The knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League gets heated with some European powerhouses facing early elimination from the last 16.
The likes of Liverpool and Bayern Munich will be boosted with their positive first-leg results when they host Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon respectively in the return leg.
Yossi Benayoun's goal makes the Reds firm favorites for the crunch tie with the Spanish champions, while Bayern are virtually through, thanks to their 5-0 away demolition to Sporting a fortnight ago.
In Turin, Juventus lock horns with Chelsea, who have a slender first-leg lead, and Greek champions Panathinaikos need a goalless home draw against Villarreal to make the last eight.
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid
In addition to the crucial away goal, history tells that Real have an uphill battle at Anfield, given the ultra-defensive abilities of Liverpool tactician Rafa Benitez in these sorts of contests.
Moreover, the Primera Liga champions have been eliminated from this stage during the past four competitions.
Real in-form striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is ineligible, while his Dutch compatriot Ruud van Nistelrooy is out for the season.
Liverpool will miss first-leg hero Benayoun due to a hamstring injury and Albert Riera is suspended. Fernando Torres, Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Agger face late fitness tests.
Juventus vs. Chelsea
Didier Drogba's strike separates the two sides, but Chelsea have to look for further safety when they visit Olimpico as Juve have not failed to score at home this season in the Serie A.

Bayern play a game to spare
The Old Lady will be without midfield duo Mauro Camoranesi and Mohamed Sissoko.
Nicolas Anelka and Deco are major doubts for Chelsea, who are without long-term absentee Joe Cole. Fit again defender Ricardo Carvalho is unlikely to start.
On the other hand, the Blues welcome back midfield marvel Michael Essien, who recently recovered from a serious knee injury.
Bayern Munich vs. Sporting Lisbon
The Bavarian giants should face no problems despite missing influential attack men Franck Ribery and Luca Toni, who both masterminded the first-leg win.
Tim Borowski is also out injured, while skipper Mark van Bommel will be rested in order to avoid a second caution.
Sporting have Fabio Rochemback, Leandro Romagnoli and Portugal forward Helder Postiga in their injury list.
Panathinaikos vs. Villarreal
Panathinaikos, who reached the knockout stage for the first time in seven years, have a good chance of making the quarters, thanks to their 1-1 draw at El Madrigal.
Javi Venta returns from injury for the Spanish outfit, who also have Joan Capdevila and Guillermo Franco back after suspension.
Greece defender Giannis Goumas is suspended for Ten Cate's team.


Clic here to read the story from its source.