Champions League matches in Group F
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22/10/2003
Champions League matches in Group F
|
Real Madrid's Brazilian player Ronaldo tries
to get past Partizan's Milan Stojanoski, right, during a Group F Champions
League soccer match in the Be (AP Photos)
LONDON,
Oct 21 (Reuters) - Factbox on Wednesday's matches in Group F of the Champions
League:
OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE v PORTO
Despite protestations to the contrary from coach Alain Perrin, Marseille have
been buffeted by the furore over the loan signing of Fabien Barthez from
Manchester United.
They
were soundly beaten 4-1 by Racing Strasbourg at the weekend although goalkeeper
Vedran Runje did not have a bad game.
Forward Mido and midfielder Stepan Vachousek were suspended against Strasbourg
and return for this match but Brazilian forward Fernandao is out with a
recurring ankle injury.
Former
Barcelona sweeper Philippe Christanval could be in the squad for the first time
after recovering from the injury which has sidelined him since his transfer in
the close season.
Porto
defender Ricardo Carvalho is doubtful after spraining his right knee in a
weekend league match, but Pedro Emanuel is ready to step in.
Captain and defender Jorge Costa and South African striker Benny McCarthy return
from injury after being rested at the weekend.
Porto
went five points clear at the top of the Portuguese premier league on Sunday
with a 4-1 win at Belenenses in which playmaker Deco showed more of the form
which helped Porto win the UEFA Cup last season.
Probable teams:
Marseille: 1-Vedran Runje; 23-Habib Beye, 4-Daniel van Buyten, 12-Abdoullaye
Meite, 21-Johnny Ecker; 20-Steve Marlet, 29-Fabio Celestini, 18-Camel Meriem,
14-Stepan Vachousek; 9-Mido, 11-Didier Drogba
Porto:
99-Vitor Baia; 22-Paulo Ferreira, 2-Jorge Costa, 4-Ricardo Carvalho (or 5-Pedro
Emanuel); 8-Nuno Valente, 18-Maniche, 6-Costinha, 10-Deco; 16-Cesar Peixoto,
77-Benni McCarthy, 11-Derlei
Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)
REAL
MADRID v PARTIZAN BELGRADE
Real
turned on the style to win 2-0 away to Celta Vigo at the weekend and coach
Carlos Queiroz should be able to field the same line-up.
That
will see David Beckham once again partnering Ivan Helguera in the centre of
midfield, with Luis Figo taking the right wing berth and Zinedine Zidane the
left.
Santiago Solari was Real's outstanding player in their 3-1 win away to Porto
last time out in the Champions League but Beckham's return to fitness will
likely see the Argentine returned to the bench as Real seek their third straight
win in Europe.
Partizan coach Lothar Matthaeus has three defenders doubtful for the team's most
difficult match yet in the Champions league.
Milivoje Cirkovic and Branimir Bajic are struggling with injuries sustained in
the Serbia and Montenegro league, while Nigerian international Taribo West has
been complaining of stomach problems.
Matthaeus will also be missing striker Andrija Delibasic, suspended after being
sent off in the 3-0 defeat at Olympic Marseille, and first-choice goalkeeper
Ivica Kralj who is still nursing a knee injury.
Probable teams:
Real
Madrid: 1-Iker Casillas; 2-Michel Salgado, 22-Francisco Pavon, 15-Raul Bravo,
3-Roberto Carlos; 6-Ivan Helguera, 7-David Beckham, 10-Luis Figo, 5-Zinedine
Zidane; 7-Raul, 9-Ronaldo
Partizan: 1-Radovan Radakovic; 2-Milivoje Cirkovic (or 24-Branko Savic),
15-Nikola Malbasa, 14-Nenad Djordjevic, 16-Taribo West (or 7-Milan Stojanoski);
4-Igor Duljaj, 28-Albert Nadj, 26 Tomasz Rzasa (or 11-Damir Cakar), 22-Sasa Ilic
(captain); 17-Ivica Iliev, 10-Ljubinko Drulovic
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
