Champions League live updates

Wenger's famous outstretched arms

Wenger - the manager with the longest arms, anywhere, ever. Credit: PA
Arsene Wenger squares up to Rafael Benitez during the Champions League quarter-final, second leg in 2008.
Rafa's Liverpool side won the game 4-2 and progressed into the semi-finals, where they lost to Chelsea.
Who will come out on top when Benitez takes his Napoli team to Arsenal tonight? Give us a shout on Twitter @ITVFootball

ADVERTISEMENT

Benitez - Wenger is 'top coach' in England

Rafa Benitez has described Gunners boss Arsene Wenger as the "top coach" in England ahead of Napoli's trip to Arsenal in the Champions League tonight.
Benitez never managed a victory at Arsenal during his time in charge of Liverpool, losing five and drawing four, although his Champions League win ratio (54%) is better than Arsene Wenger's (46%).
We are going to play against a top side so we must show character, strength - but we must also show respect to a team that is top of the league and playing very well.
I am expecting a strong team because I think Wenger is the top coach in the Premier League, and then they signed top players so it is going well for them. Arsenal have a great manager and a good team.
– NAPOLI MANAGER RAFAEL BENITEZ

ADVERTISEMENT

Bojan out for six weeks with hamstring injury

Bojan blow for Ajax. Credit: PA
Ajax striker Bojan Krkic has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old, on loan to the Amsterdam club from Barcelona, sustained the injury early in Ajax's 6-0 thrashing of Go Ahead Eagles at the weekend and could now be out until the middle of November.

Head to Head: Olivier Giroud v Gonzalo Higuain

Both Arsenal and Napoli are performing strongly in their own domestic league, with Olivier Giroud and Gonzalo Higuain, respectively, responsible for leading the line. But how do they match up head to head?
Both teams can boast in-form strikers, but Gunners hitman Olivier Giroud has the edge. Credit: WhoScored.com
Stats courtesy of WhoScored.com.

ADVERTISEMENT

Messi absence saddens Lennon

Neil Lennon believes the absence of Lionel Messi from Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Barcelona at Parkhead is a boost for Celtic, but insists it is also 'tinged with sadness'.
It is obviously very good news for us because he is the best player in the world.
However, it is tinged with sadness because it is always fantastic to see the great players play here in Glasgow.
We are looking forward to the game, we welcome Barcelona with open arms and we are hoping it is going to be another great occasion.
– CELTIC MANAGER NEIL LENNON.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Zubi: It's hard to replace Messi

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta concedes losing Lionel Messi for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Celtic is a blow but has pointed out the Catalan giants are no one-man team.
He [Messi] is a very difficult player to replace.
We must do without the best player in the world, but we have a squad with extraordinary players.
The players who are here are very good and we have to play with what we have.
It's always a pleasure to play at Celtic Park.
We're expecting a great atmosphere against an opponent who made things very difficult for us last year.
They showed they knew how to play and knew how to beat us.
They are very strong on their ground and they look to play with a lot of pressure.
– BARCELONA SPORTING DIRECTOR ANDONI ZUBIZARRETA

ADVERTISEMENT

Klopp banned for 'pathetic' outburst

Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has been banned for one Champions League match for an over-the-top outburst an an official that he himself described as 'pathetic' (see video above).
'I made myself look like a monkey out there and that's not on,' said Klopp, 'I overstepped the mark and it was really pathetic of me.'

Barcelona face defensive crisis ahead of Celtic tie

Barcelona face a defensive crisis ahead of next week's Champions League trip to Celtic after Javier Mascherano was ruled out for '10 to 15 days' with a hamstring injury.
The Argentina international suffered the problem in Tuesday night's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad and joins fellow defender Jordi Alba on the sidelines.
Alba was also diagnosed with a hamstring tear earlier this month to leave Barca without two first-choice defenders, while Carles Puyol is still making his way back from a knee problem.
Javier Mascherano underwent medical tests on Wednesday morning to determine the extent of the injury suffered in last night's league match at home to Real Sociedad
It has been confirmed that he has strained his right hamstring and will therefore be sidelined for 10 to 15 days.
– OFFICIAL BARCELONA STATEMENT.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Teams: Marseille v Arsenal

ADVERTISEMENT

Juventus slap 100m price tag on Real Madrid target

100m euros? Credit: PA
Juventus have set a 100million euros price tag on star midfielder Arturo Vidal.
The 26-year-old, who was a target of Real Madrid this summer, has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign scoring three times in Juve's opening three Serie A games.
"If (Gareth) Bale is worth 100million euros, Vidal is also worth that figure," Juve general director Giuseppe Marotta said to Mediaset Premium.
"Vidal is a great player and this summer Real Madrid showed an interest in him but we turned it down. Selling him is simply out of the question."

Scoreline flattered us - Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti thought a 6-1 scoreline flattered his side after they began their Champions League campaign with a thumping win at Galatasaray on Tuesday night.
The result does not reflect the match.
It was difficult and in my opinion and Galatasaray had a great first half. We struggled, but after Isco's goal it was easier, we had more opportunities to counter-attack.
After his goal the match changed completely. We had more space and we did everything well.
– REAL MADRID COACH CARLO ANCELOTTI.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

goal

GOAL - Van Persie

Robin Van Persie restores Man Utd's lead with a lovely improvised finish, hooking the ball past Bernd Leno – who should have kept it out really, as the ball was very close to his body – and into the net.
goal

GOAL - Rolfes

Simon Rolfes leaves David De Gea rooted to the spot with a superb curling shot from 25 yards out. Game on and how much will Man Utd rue Wayne Rooney's botched attempt to find an empty net only a minute before?

ADVERTISEMENT

goal

GOAL - Rooney

Wayne Rooney breaks the deadlock, stroking a Patrice Evra cross into the ground and up into Bayer's net from close range. Evra close to offside on the left wing, but it looks a fair decision to award the goal.

Analysis: Lee Dixon on Leverkusen

I think United have got enough to win the game but Leverkusen are a decent side, and they've had a good start in the Bundesliga. They finished just a point behind Dortmund last season, so they're a good side – they'll come here with confidence.
Stefan Kiessling scores all their goals, he's the one that stands out. Bayer play a rigid 4-3-3, so there might be a few holes in midfield for United to exploit, depending on where Shinji Kagawa and Wayne Rooney play. They are a team who like to counter attack and get players wide, so we should be in for a good game.
– LEE DIXON GIVES HIS EXPERT ANALYSIS ON THE VISITORS TONIGHT.

Analysis: Lee Dixon on David Moyes

A lot has been made that it's his first game, but I always say about managers that they're not the ones out there kicking the balls – the players know what they're doing but it would be nice for his confidence to get a win under his belt.
I am sure he'll go about his job as normal. He might be nervous, but it's just another game. Whatever game you're playing, you're always under pressure. He's got the Manchester derby coming up at the weekend, so he's constantly under pressure, and this is just part of that run.
– ITV PUNDIT LEE DIXON ON DAVID MOYES' LACK OF EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE

ADVERTISEMENT

More of the same, please

Let's hope Man United v Leverkusen is just as exciting as the match played by the two side's youngsters today.
You can find out by watching the whole game live on ITV and ITV.com/football from 19:30.

ADVERTISEMENT

Chelsea train ahead of Basle

Jose Mourinho walks out for training at Cobham, followed by his top boy. Credit: PA
Willian has yet to feature since joining the Blues. Credit: PA
Chelsea will be hoping to bounce back after defeat against Everton. Credit: PA
Chelsea's first team stretch their legs ahead of their Champions League game and Basle on Wednesday.

Zabaleta eyes Euro revival

Pablo Zabaleta believes Man City have a "great chance" to make amends for their past Champions League frustrations this season