Sports
Man United to take on CSKA seriously impaired
Published 03 November, 2009, 12:12
In the Champions League, obviously the biggest game from Russia’s perspective is the Group B clash between CSKA and Manchester United at Old Trafford.
CSKA are third in Group B, but still have a chance of qualifying for the first knockout round.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, are unbeaten at home in the Champions League since February 2005, and need a win to guarantee qualification.
CSKA head coach Leonid Slutski only took over on October 26, and this will be his second game in charge.
When the two sides met two weeks ago in Moscow, United left with a 1-0 win thanks to a late goal from Antonio Valencia.
The Army Men have since sacked coach Juande Ramos, replacing him with Slutski.
Meanwhile, United are gearing up to take to the Old Trafford pitch without star striker Wayne Rooney, after his wife Colleen gave birth to a baby boy, Kai, on Monday. The English international sat out Monday's training session.
The Reds' central defensive duo of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand also failed to make an appearance on the day, and are likely to miss out on the game with ankle injuries, along with midfielders Ryan Giggs and Ji-Sung Park.
The biggest clash of the night is clearly AC Milan taking on Real Madrid at the San Siro. The winner will move to the top of Group C standings as both sides currently sit on six points.
The hosts, however, beat their Spanish opponents just a fortnight ago at the Bernabeu, when a late goal from Alexandre Pato sealed a 3-2 win for them.
 Milan's Brazilian forward Pato vies with Real Madrid's midfielder Xabi Alonso and defender Marcelo during the UEFA Champions League football match. (AFP Photo / Pierre-Philippe Marcou) |
A win for Madrid, meanwhile, is vital for coach Pellegrini, who has come under fire following last week's 4-0 defeat at the hands of lowly Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey.
While Real travel to Italy, their city rivals Atletico are preparing for their clash with Chelsea.
The Londoners lead Group D with 9 points from three games, all won without conceding a goal.
In contrast, Atletico have only one point and have yet to score a goal. Chelsea thrashed them 4-0 two weeks ago, that led to coach Abel Resino being fired.
Maccabi Haifa are also seeking their first win of the campaign, as they face Juventus in Tel Aviv, in one of Group A games.
Haifa have dominated domestically, winning all their matches in the Israeli Premier League so far this season, but have suffered three straight defeats in the Champions League, including a 1-0 loss at Juve a fortnight ago.
While, the group’s other duo – Bordeaux and Bayern – will hit the pitch in Munich, where the hosts will seek revenge for their loss two weeks ago.
