The Champions League.....
With the return of the Champions league and the UEFA Cup this week, all eight Italian sides present will be looking to do their best against some tough oppositions around Europe.
In the Champions League:
na will be taking on a Steau Buracest as Adrian Mutu will make an 'emotional' return to his home country of Romania. Steau lost their opening game of this season's Champions League by 1-0 to Bayern Munich from a first-half strike by Daniel Van Buyten. While la viola thought they had made their dream start to the season after finding themselves 2-0 up by two Alberto Gilardino goals. But the force of Karim Benzema was unstoppable as Lyon fought back a draw.
The Romanians have appeared against several Italian teams in their past but have never managed to score a goal against them while Mutu and co will certainly be looking to keep that statistic alive.
The bianconeri will be feeling fairly confident as BATE have only ever managed to avoid defeat once against an Italian side and that was a 0-0 draw in the Intertoto Cup at home to Bologna back in 2002. While BATE will try their utmost to impress in their first home fixture of the tournament but they will be missing Anri Khagushafter his dismissal against Real Madrid. But Juve have a few missing players themselves as Gigi Buffon is still out with a back injury and David Trezeguet is still recovering from his operation.
In the Champions League:
Steau vs Fiorentina
Fiorentina will be taking on a Steau Buracest as Adrian Mutu will make an 'emotional' return to his home country of Romania. Steau lost their opening game of this season's Champions League by 1-0 to Bayern Munich from a first-half strike by Daniel Van Buyten. While la viola thought they had made their dream start to the season after finding themselves 2-0 up by two Alberto Gilardino goals. But the force of Karim Benzema was unstoppable as Lyon fought back a draw. The Romanians have appeared against several Italian teams in their past but have never managed to score a goal against them while Mutu and co will certainly be looking to keep that statistic alive.
BATE vs Juventus
A group that hosts the most successful team in the Europe, Real Madrid and heavy weights Juventus as well as the current UEFA Cup Champions it is a group that any new come will be hoping to avoid. Unfortunately for Belarus's debutant's, BATE, they were the unlucky one's to land up in it. The bianconeri will be feeling fairly confident as BATE have only ever managed to avoid defeat once against an Italian side and that was a 0-0 draw in the Intertoto Cup at home to Bologna back in 2002. While BATE will try their utmost to impress in their first home fixture of the tournament but they will be missing Anri Khagushafter his dismissal against Real Madrid. But Juve have a few missing players themselves as Gigi Buffon is still out with a back injury and David Trezeguet is still recovering from his operation.
Bordeaux vs Roma
It's do or die for both teams as each team comes into the second match day looking for their first win after loosing to Chelsea and Cluj. Debutant's Cluj sprung the surprise of the tournament as they beat Italian giants Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. Lu
ciano Spalletti's men have been battling to find their old form back due to several injuries but they now seem to be back on track and will desperately be looking to undo their mistakes against Bordeaux.
The French side suffered a massive blow as they took on last season's runner-up Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in their third time in the tournament. Scolari's men managed to thump the french with four goals inflicting a painful 4-0 defeat. And Bordeaux will no doubt be out to make amends with the fans against Roma. It will be a tough battle as both need to win...
ciano Spalletti's men have been battling to find their old form back due to several injuries but they now seem to be back on track and will desperately be looking to undo their mistakes against Bordeaux. The French side suffered a massive blow as they took on last season's runner-up Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in their third time in the tournament. Scolari's men managed to thump the french with four goals inflicting a painful 4-0 defeat. And Bordeaux will no doubt be out to make amends with the fans against Roma. It will be a tough battle as both need to win...
Inter vs Bremen
It's a game where the two favourites to go through to the next round will face each other at the San Siro stadium. A stadium that Inter have only ever lost to German opposition once before and that was to Bayern Munich where they lost 2-0. Inter come into this top of the group as they managed a two win against Panathaniakos who will take on Anorthosis this week.
Anorthosis managed to humble the Germans with a 0-0 draw in Germany. But it isn't looking positive for the Bremen as they are yet to win a game away from home since 2007 against Levski Sofia, a statistic they will be looking to improve on against Jose Mourinho's men.
Some great games are instore for the Italians while the UEFA Cup preview will follow...
Anorthosis managed to humble the Germans with a 0-0 draw in Germany. But it isn't looking positive for the Bremen as they are yet to win a game away from home since 2007 against Levski Sofia, a statistic they will be looking to improve on against Jose Mourinho's men.
Some great games are instore for the Italians while the UEFA Cup preview will follow...
Comments
Apologies to everyone. I was under the impression that Steau were playing at home in actual fact the game was played in Firenze