European Football Focus

Sep 13, 2011

Ramsey injury blow for Gunners

Mid Fielder Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League clash at

German side Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday through injury.

The Wales captain has not travelled with the rest of the squad to Germany after suffering an ankle problem in training.

Ramsey's setback leaves Gunners manager Arsene Wenger short of options in middle of the park with Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby also the sidelines with ailments of their own.

Tomas Rosicky has also been left out of the 18-man party as he is struggling with a knee problem, but new signings Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Yossi Benayoun, Andre Santos and Park Chu-young are available.

"I think Aaron Ramsey has been very influential in our team since the start of the season, but it is a good opportunity that we now have a big squad and that we can cope with it," Wenger told Sky Sports News.

"We have of course three midfielders out - Diaby, Wilshere and Ramsey - and it's many but we still hopefully have a strong midfield tomorrow [Tuesday]."

Ferguson wary of Benfica midfield threat

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was wary of Benfica's midfield, ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash.

Ferguson cautioned his squad that the Portuguese outfit would not be an easy opponent in Lisbon on Wednesday, according to reports from United's official website.

"The opening game is the toughest for us. Benfica are always a handful and we always expect a difficult game. I watched a couple of their games away from home last season and they were absolutely brilliant," the Scot warned.

"I think the hardest part for us will be picking the midfield in that particular game. That area will be the biggest challenge.

"They operate with three midfield players in there. They don't play anyone off the front. They play three actual midfield players so we'll have to have a look at that."

The 69 year-old Scot hinted that he could put out a far different side against Benfica compared to the youthful sides he has fielded in the Barclays Premier League so far.

"My team in Lisbon might be different on an issue of experience," said the wily tactician.

"We've also got Darren Fletcher back fit. He's looking good and did well with Scotland last week. I think we'll need to have more experience in the game.

"The important thing is to qualify. Benfica away from home is the kind of the game you have to respect", Ferguson concluded.

Ronaldo: I could play in Russia

10:34 AM Spanish Premier League 0 comments

Former World player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo has shocked Real Madrid Faithfull’s by admitting he could move to the Russian Premier League.

The Portuguese Skipper was asked by Sportbox.ru about a possible move to Russia, after Samuel Eto'o's move to Anzhi Makhachkala from Italian giants Inter Milan earlier this summer, and admitted he would consider a similar transfer.

Speaking at the global premier of the Castrol EDGE presents 'Ronaldo Tested to the Limit' documentary in Madrid, the winger admitted: "Why not? I know that the Russian football championship is becoming stronger and I have no objections to someday be playing in your country.

"In football, you never know what will happen. So if I end up in Russia, one shouldn't raise his eyebrows in surprise," he added.

However, he admitted that a possible move could be done much later in his career, adding: "At the moment I'm quite comfortable with Real."

Ronaldo has been in fine form so far this campaign in La Liga, scoring four goals in two appearances against Real Zaragoza and Getafe to lead his club to the top of the table.

"Barca, Real, United, Chelsea are Champions League favourites"

10:25 AM German Bundesliga 0 comments

Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes believes Spanish side Barcelona, Real Madrid, English giants Manchester United and Chelsea are favourites in the Champions League this season.

The German club are drawn in Group A alongside Manchester City, Napoli and Villarreal.

Looking ahead to their opener against Spanish outfit Villarreal on Wednesday night, Heynckes has revealed his hopes for Bayern in Europe.

"Should I be here for several years, we will certainly put together a team that can make a splash in Europe. Why should we not win [the Champions League]? Although currently some teams are better than us," Heynckes told Kicker.

Heynckes was then asked on his favourites for the Champions League this campaign, with the German stating: "Barca, Madrid, Manchester United, maybe Chelsea, but we can keep up."

The 66-year-old is also praised Bastian Schweinsteiger and believes that the midfielder is in the same league as Xavi and Andres Iniesta when he is at his best.

"For these games, we need the Schweinsteiger from the 2010 season. If he is in form, he plays in a league with Xavi, Iniesta and [Sergio] Busquets,"