Milan and Baku derbies, Croatia’s eternal version, Le Classique and a Premier League clash of two old FC Internazionale Milano coaches take centre stage in our weekend preview. Azerbaijan: Neftçi PFK v İnter Bakı PİK preview (Saturday 11.00) Second hosts first in a match likely to have a big bearing on the destination of the title. Champions Neftçi, distracted by UEFA Europa League group stage commitments earlier in the season, have rediscovered their zest and are unbeaten in six Premyer Liqasi outings. A fifth victory in seven will lift them…
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Tottenham and Chelsea leave it late to progress
While Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC struck at the death, Liverpool FC and holders Club Atlético de Madrid fell just short and AFC Ajax went out in historic fashion. Tottenham Hotspur FC and Chelsea FC secured last-gasp victories in their UEFA Europa League round of 32 ties, but Liverpool FC and holders Club Atlético de Madrid gave themselves too much to do. Tottenham were forced to rely on Gareth Bale a fortnight ago, but this time Mousa Dembélé was their late saviour, firing in a last-minute strike to earn…
Read MoreChampions League: Galatasaray – Schalke preview
“There’s a perception, as we have Sneijder and Drogba, we’ll advance comfortably,” said Fatih Terim, keen to quell expectations before Galatasaray AŞ’s visit from FC Schalke 04. The arrival of UEFA Champions League winners Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder has raised expectation levels on the banks of the Bosporus before Galatasaray AŞ’s round of 16 opener against an FC Schalke 04 side who have won just one Bundesliga match since 10 November. However, coach Fatih Terim has warned that Schalke are “quality team” with “dangerous players” – and despite their…
Read MoreChampions League: AC Milan – FC Barcelona preview
Massimiliano Allegri stressed that AC Milan’s round of 16 tie will “start at 0-0” as he went on the offensive to question why they are being written off before facing FC Barcelona. Irked by talk that FC Barcelona will make light work of his AC Milan team, Massimiliano Allegri came out on the front foot ahead of the sold-out UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg at San Siro, saying: “It annoys me that we are already considered as a sacrificial victim.” His opposite number Jordi Roura also downplayed…
Read MoreChampions League: Arsenal – Bayern Munich Preview
Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal FC’s “quality, spirit and mental strength” can prevail against an FC Bayern München side Jupp Heynckes says is brimming with “hunger and motivation”. Embattled Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger remains steadfast in his belief that his team can overcome FC Bayern München in the UEFA Champions League last 16 despite falling foul of an FA Cup shock at the weekend. While Wenger drummed home the need for the Gunners to show the “mental strength” to bounce back on Tuesday, Bayern counterpart Jupp Heynckes is keen…
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