Champions League matches in Group B
Team news and probable line-ups for Tuesday's Group B matches in the second phase of the Champions League:
Team news and probable line-ups for Tuesday's Group B matches in the second phase of the Champions League:
ARSENAL vs. AJAX AMSTERDAM
With the exception of Sweden midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (Achilles) and Ukrainian defender Oleg Luzhny (calf), Arsenal will be at full-strength for Tuesday's clash.
Brazil midfielder Gilberto and Dutch forward Dennis Bergkamp should return to the starting line-up after being rested for last weekend's FA Cup win over Manchester United. The premier league's top striker, Thierry Henry, was rested for the first 73 minutes of the win at Old Trafford.
Gilberto's return should see Pires returning to his familiar slot on the left flank, with Sylvain Wiltord on the right.
Ajax coach Ronald Koeman has injury problems with defender John O'Brien, midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, playmaker Jari Litmanen and striker Ahmed Hossam all out. Defender Andre Bergdolmo and midfielder Richard Witschge have been included in the squad after injury.
Koeman is already bracing for Henry and Bergkamp to attack down the middle and Pires and Wiltord from the flanks.
"Playing Arsenal means that our defensive tasks will be fundamental for this match. If we can play our game in midfield, we will be able to create some chances," Koeman said. "But I know that I am expecting a lot from my team."
Probable teams:
Arsenal: 1-David Seaman, 12-Lauren, 5-Martin Keown, 23-Sol Campbell, 3-Ashley Cole, 11-Sylvain Wiltord, 4-Patrick Vieira, 19-Gilberto Silva, 7-Robert Pires, 10-Dennis Bergkamp, 14-Thierry Henry.
Ajax Amsterdam: 1-Bogdan Lobont, 2-Hatem Trabelsi, 5-Christian Chivu, 16-Petri Pasanen, 26-Nigel de Jong, 13-Maxwell, 4-Thomas Galasek, 10-Steven Pienaar, 37-Wesley Sneijder, 9-Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 7-Andy van der Meijde.
Referee: Lucilio Cardoso Cortez Batista (Portugal)
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AS ROMA vs. VALENCIA
AS Roma coach Fabio Capello will be fielding a weakened midfield in the absence of Brazil's Emerson, through suspension, and Frenchman Olivier Dacourt, who is ineligible after playing in the UEFA Cup for Leeds United. Damiano Tommasi and Francisco Lima will play in central midfield.
France's Vincent Candela is expected back after picking up an injury two weeks ago, but fellow defender Walter Samuel is suspended. Up front, striker and captain Francesco Totti failed a fitness test on a thigh injury on Monday. His place alongside Vincenzo Montella should now go to Antonio Cassano.
French defender Anthony Reveillere, signed from Stade Rennes in the transfer window, could make his Champions League debut for Valencia in place of Curro Torres, who will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee ligament surgery.
With Miguel Angel Angulo suspended, Francisco Rufete is likely to keep his place in midfield after a solid performance in Saturday's 2-0 win over Malaga.
Juan Sanchez looks destined for the bench despite scoring a fine goal in that game. Argentine winger Kily Gonzalez should also be a substitute after enjoying a 20-minute run-out against Malaga following injury.
Probable teams
Roma: 22-Ivan Pelizzoli, 23-Christian Panucci, 31-Traianos Dellas, 6-Aldair, 32-Vincent Candela, 2-Cafu, 17-Damiano Tommasi, 8-Francsico Lima, 24-Marco Delvecchio, 18-Antonio Cassano, 9-Vincenzo Montella.
Valencia: 1-Santiago Canizares, 17-Anthony Reveillere, 2-Mauricio Pellegrino, 4-Roberto Ayala, 3-Fabio Aurelio, 19-Francisco Rufete, 6-David Albelda, 8-Ruben Baraja, 14-Vicente, 21-Pablo Aimar, 7-John Carew.
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany)