Interesting stage sets up Group F
11 Dec 2013 7:06 AM IST
Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain is hoping to avoid the ‘horrible’ situation of beating Arsenal but still failing to advance to the last 16 of the Champions League when the sides meet on Wednesday.
A 3-1 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund a fortnight ago has left Rafael Benitez’s Napoli third in Group F on nine points, the same as the second-placed Bundesliga side and three adrift of leaders Arsenal.
It means Arsenal, Dortmund and Napoli still have everything to play for, and there will be as much attention paid to proceedings in Marseille as Napoli’s San Paolo stadium. While Arsenal need only a draw to go through as leaders, Napoli need to beat the Gunners to have any chance of securing a runner-up spot which Dortmund could hold on to with victory in France.
If both Napoli and Dortmund win, all three teams would finish on 12 points and the standings would be decided by head-to-head clashes and goal difference. Yet the stark reality is that Napoli could finish on 12 points and still finish third and out of the competition - a scenario Argentinian striker Higuain cannot come to terms with.
‘I’ve never seen a side eliminated from the competition with nine or 12 points - it’s a horrible situation to be in,’ Higuain told Sky Sport 24. ‘All we can do is focus on winning our match. If we win and still go out with 12 points, then there’s not much we can do.’
Although a welcome state of affairs, Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini admits the Gunners face a ‘busy’ spell with trips to Manchester City and Chelsea all on the horizon.
‘It is going to be a busy period for us and we just have to focus,’ said Flamini, who rejoined Arsenal on a free transfer in the summer after being released by AC Milan.
Borussia Dortmund can keep alive their bid to return to the Champions League final for the second straight season with victory over Marseille at the Velodrome on Wednesday.
Germany midfielder Sven Bender is ruled out after limping off with an ankle injury while Turkey international Nuri Sahin is doubtful after slightly tearing an ankle ligament. ‘We lost 1-0, but that’s actually the least of our problems,’ Klopp said following the match.
Dortmund are already withouth midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, defender Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic and Marcel Schmelzer as Klopp’s injury worries show no sign of easing. He is also down to his fourth choice at centre-back, having played Bender out of position in the 3-1 win over Napoli on matchday five, as Manuel Friedrich is cup-tied and Hummels injured.
‘We now find ourselves in the situation where we are constantly having to react,’ said Klopp.
Allegri wary of Ajax
AC Milan need only a point against Ajax on Wednesday to secure entry to the last 16 of the Champions League, but embattled coach Massimiliano Allegri is taking nothing for granted.
With Ajax conceding only three defeats on their way to second place in the Dutch top flight, Allegri says it would be a mistake to underestimate Frank De Boer’s side, who, with a win, would qualify.
‘Ajax have shown some great form of late and they have great technique throughout the team. We have to have the right attitude against them and, above all, score goals,’ said the Italian.
A 3-1 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund a fortnight ago has left Rafael Benitez’s Napoli third in Group F on nine points, the same as the second-placed Bundesliga side and three adrift of leaders Arsenal.
It means Arsenal, Dortmund and Napoli still have everything to play for, and there will be as much attention paid to proceedings in Marseille as Napoli’s San Paolo stadium. While Arsenal need only a draw to go through as leaders, Napoli need to beat the Gunners to have any chance of securing a runner-up spot which Dortmund could hold on to with victory in France.
If both Napoli and Dortmund win, all three teams would finish on 12 points and the standings would be decided by head-to-head clashes and goal difference. Yet the stark reality is that Napoli could finish on 12 points and still finish third and out of the competition - a scenario Argentinian striker Higuain cannot come to terms with.
‘I’ve never seen a side eliminated from the competition with nine or 12 points - it’s a horrible situation to be in,’ Higuain told Sky Sport 24. ‘All we can do is focus on winning our match. If we win and still go out with 12 points, then there’s not much we can do.’
Although a welcome state of affairs, Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini admits the Gunners face a ‘busy’ spell with trips to Manchester City and Chelsea all on the horizon.
‘It is going to be a busy period for us and we just have to focus,’ said Flamini, who rejoined Arsenal on a free transfer in the summer after being released by AC Milan.
Borussia Dortmund can keep alive their bid to return to the Champions League final for the second straight season with victory over Marseille at the Velodrome on Wednesday.
Germany midfielder Sven Bender is ruled out after limping off with an ankle injury while Turkey international Nuri Sahin is doubtful after slightly tearing an ankle ligament. ‘We lost 1-0, but that’s actually the least of our problems,’ Klopp said following the match.
Dortmund are already withouth midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, defender Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic and Marcel Schmelzer as Klopp’s injury worries show no sign of easing. He is also down to his fourth choice at centre-back, having played Bender out of position in the 3-1 win over Napoli on matchday five, as Manuel Friedrich is cup-tied and Hummels injured.
‘We now find ourselves in the situation where we are constantly having to react,’ said Klopp.
Allegri wary of Ajax
AC Milan need only a point against Ajax on Wednesday to secure entry to the last 16 of the Champions League, but embattled coach Massimiliano Allegri is taking nothing for granted.
With Ajax conceding only three defeats on their way to second place in the Dutch top flight, Allegri says it would be a mistake to underestimate Frank De Boer’s side, who, with a win, would qualify.
‘Ajax have shown some great form of late and they have great technique throughout the team. We have to have the right attitude against them and, above all, score goals,’ said the Italian.
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