Champions League Quarterfinals, Leg 2

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Apr/14/2009

If Manchester United is going to win a record five trophies this season they will have to find a way to win the second leg of a quarterfinal matchup in the Soccer Betting Champions League quarter finals at FC Porto. "Their home form is obviously pretty good, so there is no doubt it is going to be difficult," midfielder Paul Scholes said. "But all we have to do is win a game and with the players we have, I am sure we are capable of that."

Porto was able to play United to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the first leg which puts them in solid position considering they scored two away goals.  History is also against United since no team has won back-to-back titles in the  Soccer Betting Champions League since it changed formats in 1992.

Winning at Porto won't be easy considering Porto is unbeaten in their last 20 matches in Portugal and Europe. "We are very strong and we very much want to attain our objectives," Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira said. "But we warn our fans not to think that things are going to be easy to the end."

The other leg 2 match on Wednesday has Arsenal hosting Villarreal.  The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in Spain in the first leg.  Even though Arsenal is at home they have injuries to goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, fullback Gael Clichy and center back William Gallas. "We want to take advantage of playing at (home), where we will have our fans behind us," manager Arsene Wenger said. "Villarreal are a good team, and we know we have to defend well against them because offensively, they can be dangerous." Villarreal also has injuries to deal with as midfielder Marcos Senna and Santi Cazorla are out. Midfielders Matias Fernandez and Ruben "Cani" Garcia are doubtful. "Injuries have taken their toll and are complicating things," Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini said.

 

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Second leg action in the Champions League actually begins on Tuesday with Chelsea and Barcelona in great position to advance.  Liverpool lost 3-1 at home to Chelsea so they have to score at least four goals to advance. "It is important that we take the momentum gained from winning at Anfield into this game and keep our level of performance up," Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink said. "There is a fantastic spirit around this club at the moment - everyone believes in what we can achieve this season and it is exciting to be a part of that."  Barcelona is also in great shape having won 4-0 at Bayern Munich last week. "It'll be a good test and we'll have to be really careful. Bayern can score four goals, and even more so when they're on the back foot," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, "I don't believe it when they say the tie's over. I'm sure they'll be up for it and (Franck) Ribery and company are dangerous players. We need to go there thinking we have to win because, otherwise, they'll be all over us."

 

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