There is no longer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the bench, can Manchester United solve the issue of placement in the knockout phase of the Champions League with the energy and shock therapy that the coach's departure almost always brings? The situation is not simple, and the next opponent is a team that knows how to play for the result - the "red devils" go to Valencia to face Villarreal, who they beat in the second round at "Old Trafford" with a goal by Cristiano Ronaldo in stoppage time.
Tonight's two rivals (18.45:16 p.m.) have seven points each in first place - a win takes United into the top XNUMX, a draw leaves everything for the last round, a defeat brings huge problems.
- We are ready, the team worked well after the defeat against Watford - said Michael Carrick, who will lead United with Darren Fletcher tonight.
Watford outclassed the big man and "drove away" Solskjaer before the duel with the team that took the Europa League trophy from United in May.
- Villarreal is a great team, organized, well-led and tactically disciplined - added Kerik, who is aware that he is only on the bench temporarily:
- I've been here too long to not have a picture of how things work. I just think we should prepare this match - the former midfielder pointed out.
And Villarreal would pass already tonight if they celebrate 1:0 or with a bigger margin.
- What is happening to United will not relax us, we are aware of the strength of the opponent - the coach of the "yellow submarine" Unaj Emery is clear.
Third-placed Atalanta has two points less than the tandem, and from 21:XNUMX they visit Young Boys. Triumph is implied for the "goddess" if she wants to fight for passage.
- In the Champions League, every match is a challenge. Only someone who looks at things superficially can think that a simple game awaits us in Bern - says the coach of the Italian team, Gianpiero Gasperini.
BARSA WOULD LIKE TO AVOID TENSION IN MUNICH
Barcelona in Group E has a chance to settle the question of placement. It didn't seem realistic after two defeats at the start, two debacles each 3:0 - against Bayern at home, then Benfica in Lisbon.
But, two minimal triumphs over Dynamo from Kiev, and Bayern's dominance against Benfica, made one wonder now about "Blaugrana". Benfica (21), which has two points less, arrives at the "Nou Camp"...
- Now the goal is to secure a place, to eliminate dilemmas before the last round and going to Munich. Benfica is not a naive rival, it can create problems for us - Xavi Hernandez said.
DERBY IN LONDON
Juventus is already in the round of XNUMX, and now they go to London to face Chelsea to defend the first place in the group. The "Old Lady" has three more points, and the "Blues" have not yet mathematically passed the group, as they will face Zenit in the last round.
The Russians, who are at minus six, play Malmo tonight in Sweden, one of the two teams (along with Dynamo Kyiv) that has not yet shaken the net...
In group G, all four participants can still reach the round of XNUMX, and something more will be known after this round in which Lille - Salzburg and Sevilla - Wolfsburg meet. The Austrian champion is the leader with seven points, Lille and Wolfsburg won five each, and Sevilla three.
ROUND 5 SCHEDULE
TUESDAY
GROUP E
Dynamo Kyiv - Bayern 18.45
Barcelona - Benfica 21.00
GROUP F
Villarreal - Manchester United 18.45
Young Boys - Atalanta 21.00
GROUP G
Lille - Salzburg 21.00
Sevilla - Wolfsburg 21.00
GROUP H
Chelsea - Juventus 21.00
Malmö - Zenit 21.00
WEDNESDAY
GROUP A
Manchester City - PSG 21.00
Club Brugge - Leipzig 21.00
GROUP B
Liverpool - Porto 21.00
Atletico Madrid - Milan 21.00
GROUP C
Besiktas - Ajax 18.45
Sporting - Borussia Dortmund 21.00
GROUP D
Inter - Shakhtar 18.45
Sheriff - Real Madrid 21.00
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