British clubs are facing a tough scrap for points in the UEFA Cup today, while European heavyweights AC Milan host Portuguese outfit Braga, looking to justify their tag of tournament favorites.
Tottenham welcome Dinamo Zagreb, Manchester City take on former England manager Steve McClaren’s FC Twente and Aston Villa travel to Slavia Prague.
Spurs, revitalized under new coach Harry Redknapp, have began to turn their season around, a 2-1 win over league leaders Liverpool on Saturday the feather in the cap of their recent revival. And the London club’s Brazilian keeper Heurelho Gomes believes that result has sparked a renaissance just in time for the crunch Zagreb match.
PHOTO: EPA
“I think the key is belief at the moment. The team is playing with more confidence now and we have picked up three very good results,” said Gomes, whose side sit bottom of Group D.
“We went through a difficult period but worked hard in training to put things right, so now this is a good time for the team,” he said.
Mark Hughes may opt for attacking experience against FC Twente, after the Eastlands side drew blanks in recent defeats at Middlesbrough and Bolton. With Benjani and Darius Vassell both deemed fit after a reserve-team outing against Liverpool on Tuesday, Hughes may be tempted to hand the duo a start to take the pressure off record signing Robinho.
“They will come into the equation. It is important that they got some game time under their belts, but they impressed and Benji scored into the bargain,” Hughes told www.mcfc.co.uk. “We have enjoyed the games in Europe. FC Twente are a decent team, who are very well organized and it’s going to be a good test.”
Villa will receive the Czech Republic stamp on their passports knowing they are in pole position to qualify from Group F after a win over European giants Ajax on Oct. 23.
It is the second time Martin O’Neill has put a hoodoo on the Dutch side, the first being with Celtic in 2001, but the northern Irishman will be wary of a Slavia shock, especially after his side’s 2-0 slump against Newcastle on Monday.
But all eyes will be on the San Siro as the Milan maestros take on Braga with the Italians riding high after a 1-0 win over Napoli at the weekend propelled them to the top of Serie A.
And David Beckham’s future teammate Clarence Seedorf sent a chilling message to the Portuguese opposition.
“Finally after almost four years of suffering, especially in the last two seasons, we have reached the top spot [in Serie A],” the Dutch star told the club’s Web site. “Milan is showing continuity ... and what Milan is doing right now is the proof of a great team.”
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