UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES (all 1945 BST)
GROUP A:
Chelsea v Bordeaux
Roma v CFR Cluj-Napoca
GROUP B:
Panathinaikos v Inter Milan
Werder Crouch agrees terms with Pompey ...
Chelsea sign Barca playmaker Deco ... Bremen v Anorthosis Famagusta
GROUP C:
Barcelona v Sporting
Basle v Shakhtar Donetsk
GROUP D:
Marseille v Liverpool
PSV v Atletico Madrid
GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)
To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111.
(Not all contributions can be used)
By Jonathan Stevenson
1905: "Robbie Keane came to Liverpool for the Champions League - he's not going to be happy being on the bench tonight. Rafa has 'rotated' out a lot of the players from the Man U game, but Dirk Kuyt keeps his place."
Adam, Wirral, via text
1902: Coming soon... Stevo's Champions League Predos. I say coming soon, because they're not just thrown together, you know? In other news, I see John Terry's been let off his red card. I'm happy with that decision, you'll be eager to discover. Cynical yes, poorly-judged yes, naughty yes, but straight red card? Not in a million, billion years. No way.
1859: Let's not forget that Anorthosis Famagusta are also away for their first shot at Champions League points, taking on crack German side Werder Bremen. The first Cypriot team ever to play in the CL, brilliantly, they are managed by Temuri Ketsbaia, the former Newcastle midfielder who went beserk and smashed in an advertising hoarding after scoring against Bolton a few years back. Remember? Course you do.
1855: A very warm welcome I'm sure from Europe's elite to a couple of Champions League virgins tonight. First up we've got CFR Cluj-Napoca making their bow, away at Italian giants Roma. Cluj won their first Romanian title last year, the first to be won by a team from outside Bucharest for 17 years. So what price a shock tonight? Well, guess how many European games they've won? Do you need a Cluj?
1851: "Hey Stevo can you keep us updated on Barca? My mate bet me a fiver that they wouldn't make it through the group. I reckon they'll be fine... Cheers."
Wenger's Magic Hat on 606
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Oh, you'll be kept updated on Barca. There's absolutely no doubt about that mate.
1848: LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
Liverpool's dynamic duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres - who replaces Robbie Keane - return to the starting line-up. Andrea Dossena starts in place of the injured Fabio Aurelio at left-back, while Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva come in for Yossi Benayoun and Xabi Alonso - a total of five changes from the win over Manchester United.
1845: Rumours abound that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will both start for Liverpool against Marseille in France tonight. I mean, they don't need them, do they? Not if they can beat Man Utd without either playing the full game.
1842: "Team news for Chelsea: all unchanged."
From Nick G, via text
Well, I won't argue with that. Thanks Nick (if you're right).
1839: "Zenit shone last season but the Champions League is a big leap up from the diddy cup. Their first test against Juve will be very interesting. Forget about Arshavin, the new name in your head after this game might be a kid called Giovinco. He's a bit like the new Roberto Baggio, without the pony tail."
Mr Football on 606
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1835: That wasn't too over the top, was it? Oh good. Because I really need you guys on side tonight. It's just such an appetising evening of football, it'd be a shame to ruin it. That's why your legendary texts on 81111 are so vital to proceedings and why you really should get involved on 606. It's the Champions League. The Champions League. (Breathe, Stevo).
Join the debate on 606
1830: I'm so excited I am liable to weep at any time. Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me an extraordinary amount of pleasure to introduce you to our coverage of the 2008-09 Champions League. It's a bit like Euro Two Thousand And Great, only with Brazilians and Argentines in it as well. Oh, how I've missed it.
(BBC)
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