Champions League: Barcelona out for revenge against Rubin Kazan
It’s not even 12 months ago that Barcelona were left embarrassed by Rubin Kazan after the Russians recorded a famous 2-1 win at the Nou Camp.
Aleksandr Ryazantsev and Karadeniz Gokdeniz scored the goals which sent shockwaves across Europe, and in the return fixture in Kazan, the Champions League holders again failed to beat their plucky Russian opponents.
Barça manager Pep Guardiola will be hoping that tonight proves third time lucky for his side. The two clubs go head-to-head for the third time in under a year, and the Primera Liga side know they’ll have to be at their best to secure their second successive Champions League victory.
The big news is that Lionel Messi has been passed fit to travel with the squad to Kazan, but Guardiola will only use his star player as a last resort.
In tonight’s other Group D fixture, Copenhagen make the trip to Athens to take on Panathinaikos. The visitors left it late to beat Rubin Kazan in the opening round of matches but did eventually get the job done, meaning they sit joint top of the group. As for the hosts, a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona was far from a confidence-boosting result, and they will need to bounce back in some style to get their first points on the board this evening.
Arguably the standout fixture in the Champions League tonight is Inter Milan v Werder Bremen at the San Siro. Both clubs are renowned for producing high-quality, entertaining football, and this mouth-watering clash could go a long way to deciding who finishes top of Group A.
The European champions, Inter, could only draw 2-2 with Twente a fortnight ago, while Werder came back from 2-0 down to draw with Tottenham at the Weserstadion.
Containing Samuel Eto’o, who has started the season in scintillating form, will be the Bundesliga side’s biggest concern. However, Inter have a host of other players who possess the ability to hurt Werder, and they’ll be favourites to triumph at the San Siro.
In Group B, Lyon have a real point to prove away at Hapoel Tel Aviv. The Ligue 1 side have been dire in their domestic league so far this season – winning just one of their first seven matches. The Champions League did provide some welcome relief for under-pressure manager Claude Puel two weeks ago, though. Lyon beat Schalke 1-0 to climb to second in the group.
Following their defeat to Lyon, Bundesliga club Schalke will be hoping to get their first points on the board against Group B leaders Benfica. The Portuguese side breezed past Hapoel, but must prove themselves away from home if they’re to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout rounds.
And while Valencia and Manchester United battle it out at the Mestalla in Group C, Rangers and Bursaspor go head-to-head at Ibrox.
Rangers held United to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in the first round of matches and will be confident of recording a home win against a Bursaspor side who were thrashed 4-0 at home by Valencia.
However, the Turkish side are unbeaten in their domestic league, and will be eager to prove that their defeat against Valencia was a freak result.
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