Bridge on the horizon
After another horror show in defence against CSKA Moscow, United must pull up their socks – and patch the holes – if they’re going to stand a chance against Chelsea.

Man in the middle
Martin Atkinson, subject of past criticisms from Sir Alex Ferguson, will referee Manchester United’s Premier League trip to Chelsea on Sunday.

Slippery tango in Madrid
Dugout issues dominate the El Derbi Madrileno tomorrow. But rest assured, the action on the field will be hotly contested.

Baby luck time
There is a theory, widely-held in football circles, that “settling down” and having kids is the best thing that can happen to a player.

Here come the Masters
Liverpool veterans to be led by Jason McAteer for this year’s tournament.

Dream a little dream
It’s now or never for a lucky young Malaysia in the adidas Champions League official ball carrier search.

Tip talk
The Tip Talk panel will be forecasting the result of three matches every week. The “expert” on the panel is Shebby Singh, former national player and current ESPN commentator. He is joined by the Football Every Day crew of Brian Martin, Zack Yusof, Nelsen Ng and Daryl Goh.

Fixtures

Live telecast

Reds living dangerously
PARIS: English Premier League giants Liver­pool are on the brink of going out of the Champions League after drawing 1-1 with Lyon on Wednesday.

Frustrating night for Barca after draw against Russian side
KAZAN (Russia): Barcelona endured another frustrating Champions League night against Rubin Kazan on Wed­nesday, the holders drawing 0-0 in a match played in sub-zero temperatures.

Fearless Mour hails Inter Milan’s character
KIEV: Jose Mourinho’s boundless confidence may finally have started to chip away at Inter Milan’s psychological block in Europe after they stormed back to win 2-1 at Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday.

Rangers to complain to UEFA after crowd trouble
LONDON: Rangers will complain to UEFA after their Champions League match away to Unirea Urziceni on Wednesday was marred by crowd trouble involving the Scottish team’s supporters.

Babbel’s half-time tirade lifts Stuttgart
SEVILLE: VfB Stuttgart coach Markus Babbel had to bawl out his players at half-time to inspire their comeback in a 1-1 Champions League draw at Sevilla on Wednesday.

Fiorentina turn on the style to win big
FLORENCE: Fiorentina crushed Debrecen 5-2 on Wednesday to pile pressure on Group E rivals Liverpool in the race for qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.

Wenger salutes maturing Arsenal’s progress towards last 16
LONDON: Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal are maturing into a force to be reckoned with after the Gunners routed AZ Alkmaar 4-1 to move within touching distance of the Champions League knockout stages.

Stan edges closer to takeover threshold
LONDON: American sports mogul Stan Kroenke raised his stake in Arsenal to 29.9% yesterday, the threshold beyond which he will have to make an offer for the remaining shares.

Thanks Chelsea but I’m happy in Madrid, says Aguero
MADRID: Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero is flattered by the interest Chelsea have shown in buying him but said he is happy to stay in the Spanish capital for the time being.

Warner returns England’s W-Cup bid gift
LONDON: FIFA vice-president Jack Warner returned a luxury handbag provided for his wife by England’s World Cup bid team because of the “embarrassment” caused by the subsequent fallout.

Ashley’s firm’s name adorns St James’ Park
NEWCASTLE: Newcastle renamed their ground the “Sportsdirect.com (at) St James’ Park Stadium” until the end of the season on Wednesday.

Portsmouth CEO charged with tax evasion
LONDON: Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie was charged on Wednesday with tax evasion in another setback for the Premier League club.

Real: Ronaldo’s ankle not improving
MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo’s ankle had not improved by Wednesday, so the Real Madrid forward was set to consult his former specialist to treat the injury.

Maradona heading to Spain to meet Europe-based players
BUENOS AIRES: Argentina coach Diego Maradona is heading to Spain to prepare for a friendly against the European champions, and to meet with many of his Europe-based players.

Bad-boy keeper Halim vows to come good against Negri
PETALING JAYA: Kelantan’s colourful and controversial goalkeeper Halim Napi hopes to shut out Negri Sembilan in tomorrow’s Malaysia Cup final and put to rest his ‘bad-boy’ image.

Kelantan’s Badri sad to watch final from the stands
PETALING JAYA: Kelantan midfielder Mohd Badri Radzi can hardly believe his luck, or rather bad luck.

Hairuddin seeks a grand double at National Stadium
PETALING JAYA: Hairuddin Omar has fond memories of the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Former great hopes to see second triumph in 61 years
PETALING JAYA: Former Negri Sembilan great M. Joseph is keeping his fingers crossed that the state football team will bring the coveted Malaysia Cup back home after 61 long years.

FAM order Negri to pay Juhas his dues by Nov 30
PETALING JAYA: The Negri Sembilan FA (NSFA) have until the end of this month to settle the more than RM200,000 owed to former player Marian Juhas of Slovakia.