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Big night for British clubs in Europe

Filed in archive Champions League by Graham Fisher on March 04, 2008

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The Champions League returns tonight with three British clubs playing their second leg ties.

Celtic have the daunting task of a visit to the Camp Nou in Barcelona with a 3-2 deficit, Arsenal take a 0-0 to the San Siro against Milan and Manchester United are in the best position playing Lyon at Old Trafford having achieved a 1-1 draw in the away leg.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan says that his team are really only playing for pride in Spain. "We are angry that we lost the first leg although we understand that we played a great side. We want to leave Barcelona players and fans with a good impression of us, that's what we are going to try and do. Hopefully the Nou Camp does inspire the players," Strachan told the BBC.

In normal circumstances I would say that the manager was 'playing mind games' and trying to psyche his players and the opposition. In this case, with Celtic having no wins in sixteen away Champions League games, playing Barcelona in the Camp Nou, with a 3-2 deficit already, I think he might just be being realistic and honest! It's a damage limitation exercise for the hoops.

Milan and Arsenal is a much more difficult one to call. Milan probably have a slight advantage as they drew at Arsenal and are pretty formidable in the San Siro, but they didn't get an away goal and Arsenal will fancy their chances of scoring.

Arsenal are approaching the game with a positive attitude with their talisman, Cesc Fabrigas, saying they have nothing to fear.

This one really could go either way but with Milan being at home and Arsenal just going through a slightly difficult time, I think the home side will end Arsenal's Champions League ambitions for this season.

Manchester United will not underestimate their French opponents, especially striker Karim Benzema who scored a wonderful goal in the first leg and would appear to be a target for Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer.

United are in excellent form at the moment and Fergie will have a tough job to select his side with so many players in such good form. Scholes, Hargreaves, Anderson and Carrick will all feel they should start in the middle of midfield.

Whatever team starts, I expect them to be too strong for Lyon. Sir Alex won't accept anything less. "We've got to win against Lyon - it's a massive game for the club. All the players realise that."


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Permalink: Big night for British clubs in Europe
Tags: Arsenal  Celtic  Manchester  United  Barcelona  Lyon  Milan  Champions  League  soccer  champions+league 

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Related Entries:

Champions League Last 16 - Bring It On! - 15 December 2006

Champions League Draw Winners and Losers - 30 August 2007

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