Click on the links at the bottom of this article for reports on last night's games and previews of this evening's matches.
All times CET.
Wednesday 13.03, Delfín Ramírez in Madrid
Catalan daily Mundo Deportivo feels draw in Milan would be a good result for Barcelona, and a fitting tribute to Tito Vilanova, a member of the Camp Nou coaching staff who underwent surgery on Tuesday morning. "Killing two birds with one stone and spend a prestige gift to Tito Vilanova," is the way the Catalan daily puts it. "With this result, the fight for top spot in Group H would be settled with a formality game against BATE on matchday six."
In Valencia, Superdeporte believes heavy rain may be a key factor when Unai Emery's side take on Genk, needing three points to maintain their push for a last 16 place. "First of all, look at the sky," it writes. "It rained throughout Tuesday and was forecast to continue raining during Wednesday."
Wednesday 12.20, Steffen Potter in Frankfurt
Basel's 3-2 win at Oţelul has set them up for an exciting decider against United at St. Jakob-Park, but Blick feels their campaign is already worthy of celebration, whether they get to the knockout phase or not. "Even if Streller, Frei and Co do not reach the round of 16, you can already congratulate FCB on their Champions League campaign," it writes.
A 3-3 draw against Liverpool FC back in November 2002 earned Basel a second-placed finish in the group stage, and Neue Zürcher Zeitung is eager to see that success recreated against United. It remembers: "Back then, a song was understood as a command by Basel: ‘Let's Make This A Night To Remember' was the Bryan Adams track which then FCB coach Christian Gross played to his team to lift their spirits ahead of the match against the English giants. Now, the FCB class of 2011 have a similar opportunity."
Wednesday 12.11, Graham Hunter en route to Mestalla
Despite their infamous and increasingly successful battle against debt, Valencia have one of the deepest squads in Spain. That depth of talent may be important against Genk tonight. Both Pablo Hernández and Jonas had important impacts against Real Madrid on Saturday, though Unai Emery's side lost 3-2, and it will be interesting to see whether that has earned the two attacking inside-forwards a starting place against their Belgian visitors.
Wednesday 12.06, Richard Aikman en route to San Siro
Pato, Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini have all endured spells on the sidelines at Milan, while the heart operation that has effectively ruled Antonio Cassano out for the remainder of the season, has deprived Massimiliano Allegri's side of their most unpredictable, creative playmaker.
On the plus side for the hosts, Ibrahimović is available to take on the side he left the summer before last, having missed the 2-2 draw at Camp Nou through injury. His strike partner, Pato, scorer of a first-minute opener in that match, has returned from a two-month injury absence, with a bright display as substitute in the goalless draw at ACF Fiorentina on Saturday, indicating that the Brazilian could return to haunt Barcelona tonight.
Wednesday 12.02, Delfín Ramírez in Madrid
AS points out that Madrid are on record-breaking form following their 6-2 win against Dinamo. "Last night Madrid secured a 12th successive win in all competitions, something they have not managed since 1960/61, when Miguel Muñoz was on the bench," it writes. "Add to that another continental record: no team has ever scored three times in the first eight minutes of a Champions League game."
Villarreal's 3-1 loss at Bayern means they are out of contention even for a UEFA Europa League place, with AS offering a prescription for the Yellow Submarine. "The patient needs rest," it writes. "They need time to focus on the Liga and getting back what the fates took away from them, those eight injured players who made it difficult for Villarreal to perform in this talismanic competition."
Wednesday 11.40, Eugene Ravdin en route to Dinamo Stadion
BATE midfielder Aleksandr Volodko joked that the club's recent domestic defeats against FC Dinamo Brest and FC Dnepr Mogilev were "only to trick Viktoria's scouts" as the bottom sides in Group H battle for a UEFA Europa League place in Minsk.
Plzeň midfielder Pavel Horváth, however, does not buy it. "I don't think it was a trick to confuse us," he said. "We have no secret formula here. Of course, our coach has a plan but I will not go into it too deep. Let's just say the plan is to score and qualify for the UEFA Europa League play-offs."
Wednesday 11.34, Steffen Potter in Frankfurt
Bayern's 3-1 win against Villarreal thrust them into the round of 16 with Bild pleased that Jupp Heynckes' side can "continue to dream of playing in the Champions League final at their own stadium on 19 May 2012". Franck Ribéry scored twice and was the paper's star of the game, with Bild enjoying the way he celebrated his opener with a couple of press-ups. "That was a salute to my brother François," Ribéry said.
Süddeutsche Zeitung underlines the emphatic nature of this victory against an "under-strength" Villarreal side, writing: "Bayern had around 120% possession and at times tricked around like it was a friendly against an amateur side." Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung shared that assessment, and writes: "From the start, Juan Carlos Garrido's team looked like they didn't believe they had a chance of being a stumbling block for Munich."
Wednesday 11.26, José Nuno Pimentel in Lisbon
Still unbeaten in their domestic league, Porto went down 3-0 at A. Académica de Coimbra in the Portuguese Cup on Saturday; a humiliation which Vítor Pereira's side are eager to put behind them as they visit Shakhtar, needing a win to sustain their hopes of a last-16 slot.
A Bola says the coach has promised "a different Porto" for the game in Ukraine, while O Jogo writes: "The tension has apparently eased in the team, and Vítor Pereira seems more relaxed and happy than one would expect given the gravity of the situation... The coach promised a quick return to previous form, a strategy to surprise Shakhtar and that performances like the one in Coimbra would not be repeated – three absolute certainties the squad will need to reiterate on the pitch tonight."
Wednesday 11.18, Vassiliki Papantonopoulou in Athens
It is make-or-break time for Olympiacos as they head to Marseille, with Goalnews kitting the Piraeus side for a maritime raid in Group F. Photoshopping the players faces on to a still from the film Pirates of the Caribbean, it recasts the team as ‘The Pirates of Piraeus' (with Rafik Djebbour as Captain Jack Sparrow!), and adds: "In the port of Marseille, Olympiacos will look to prey on Olympique and maintain their chance of reaching the UEFA Champions League knockout phase."
SportDay however issues the sobering reminder that "Olympiacos need Arsenal to beat Dortmund" to have a chance of reaching the last 16, with the big question elsewhere being who will occupy the defensive midfield position, since both Jean Makoun and Pablo Orbaiz are injured.
Wednesday 11.11, Viktor Sharafudinov in Donetsk
Shakhtar chairman Rinat Akhmetov met the press at a club training session on Tuesday, with his side seeking a win against Porto to resurrect their Group G campaign. "I believe we will sweat it out and win to give ourselves the chance of qualifying for the next Champions League stage," he said, adding: "We have the ambition and I think we have a strong team. Any team can get into a situation like this, but finding the way out of difficult situations is what strong teams are all about."
Akhmetov once again stated that his intention is for the club to win the UEFA Champions League one day. "I do not know how many years it will take," he said. "We will be fighting for this trophy as long as our hearts are beating. I am not saying we have to win it this year. In 2002, I said that we had to win the UEFA Cup, and we did it in 2009 – it took us seven years. The most important thing was that we believed in our common goal."
Wednesday 11.05, Berend Scholten in Amsterdam
Goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer has been given immense credit for the 0-0 draw at Lyon that looks likely to have secured second place in Group D for his Ajax side. Criticised in the wake of a 2-2 draw against NAC Breda at the weekend, the 25-year-old responded in glorious style at the Stade de Gerland.
De Telegraaf writes: "Kenneth Vermeer was Ajax's big man. Only three days ago the keeper was questioned after his mistakes against NAC Breda. At the Stade de Gerland, though, the goalie was the big hero after a series of fantastic saves in the hectic final phase. With a spectacular flying dive Vermeer kept Ajax in the race after a Michel Bastos attempt, and again in injury time Vermeer showed excellent reflexes, and again Ajax had to say thanks to their keeper."
Wednesday 10.51, José Nuno Pimentel in Lisbon
Portugal's papers have risen as one to salute Benfica following the 2-2 draw at United – the Eagles first positive result at Old Trafford - that put them into the round of 36. O Jogo writes: "Jorge Jesus was looking to make history and he won the race at the Theatre of Dreams, deploying an attack-minded team, and staring down the European bogeyman."
Record reports that fans stayed up to greet Benfica as they returned to Lisbon Airport at 03.00 this morning, and writes "Benfica were really big," as well as noting that their 21st game without defeat sees Jorge Jesus equal a club record set under Sven-Göran Eriksson. "Benfica silence Old Trafford," adds A Bola with evident glee.
Wednesday 10.42, Graham Hunter en route to Mestalla
The incessant rain which has pummeled most of Spain over the last week or so has taken its toll in Valencia. Mestalla is the lucky recipient of an entirely new playing surface which made its debut in a dramatic 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid on Saturday. That night was dry but the weather has been very wet since. Meteorologists predict that the downpour should cease early this afternoon as the game against Genk approaches, something which will help the new pitch given that all turf transplants require moderate weather conditions in order to settle in firmly.
Wednesday 10.30, Paolo Menicucci in Milan
Gazzetta dello Sport is celebrating Napoli's 2-1 win against City, writing that "a monster perfomance by Cavani defeated Balo and Mancio [Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini] and sent the Stadio San Paolo into utter delirium". "Sometimes miracles do happen," adds Naples-based il Mattino.
Corriere dello Sport, meanwhile, reports a quote from Napoli's film producer president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who is alleged to have said: "From Serie C to tonight in just a few years - it seems like a movie, and the Champions League anthem is the perfect soundtrack for it."
Wednesday 10.25, Richard Aikman en route to San Siro
Tonight's Milan v Barcelona match promises to be an intriguing encounter. Both sides have already qualified for the next stage, but neither wants to risk a round of 16 encounter with the likes of Bayern or Madrid. Milan in particular, appreciate the dangers that lurk in the first knockout round, having not progressed beyond that stage since winning a seventh European crown in 2007.
Defeating the European champions will be no easy undertaking, however, given that the Rossoneri were largely outplayed by Josep Guardiola's charges in Spain, only to salvage a last-gasp draw through Thiago Silva's late header, Though handily placed one point off the Serie A lead, Milan have not been firing on all cylinders this campaign, injuries having played a significant role in blunting their cutting edge.
Wednesday 10.22, John Leonidou in Nicosia
Getting a seat in a bar or café in Cyprus this evening is likely to be difficult with the nation's television sets sure to be tuned to receive coverage of APOEL's game at Zenit, which is being billed as the biggest game in the island's footballing history. APOEL need just one Group G point to secure a round of 16 place.
'Drive us crazy, Legend!' demands sports daily Goal, which adds: "APOEL are looking to advance from frozen St Petersburg to join the best 16 teams in Europe." The shock of that cold weather was underlined with on paper's front page, which pictures Ivan Jovanović and his players sporting extra layers of clothing in training yesterday.
Sport Day is full of hope, leading on the headline: 'We're off to the last 16', while Politis newspaper sports a big picture of the APOEL over the words: "First match point."
Wednesday 10.16, Christian Châtelet in Paris
In France, Le Progrès feels the writing is on the wall for Lyon after Rémi Garde's men could not break down Ajax in Group D; they would need a substantial win at Dinamo on matchday six, combined with a similarly emphatic win for Madrid against the Amsterdam side, to snatch second place in the section. "The final burst of pride in the last ten minutes of the meeting was not enough for OL to beat Ajax," sighs the paper. "With this draw, Lyon are virtually eliminated from the Champions League."
Marseille will look to carry French hopes this evening, and a win against Olympiacos could put them into the round of 16 for only the second time in seven attempts. "Marseille have no time for anxiety between the weekend's [1-0] defeat against Montpellier and hosting Paris Saint-Germain," notes L'Equipe. "As always this season, the Champions League is a joyous interlude in a season blighted by poor results."
Wednesday 10.07, UEFA.com newsdesk
The Manchester Evening News could not hide its disappointment after a 2-1 loss in Naples jeapordised City's chances of reaching the last 16. "What a time for City's goal machine to stutter and stall," it writes, adding: "Although he scored the equaliser - Balotelli missed three golden chances in a game in which he was desperate to play and to shine, and now City need a miracle to qualify. Some looked overawed by the occasion, others just didn't perform, and defensively they were exposed time and time again."
United's situation is only slightly better than City's following a 2-2 draw at home against Benfica in which, according to the Guardian, Wayne Rooney was missed as much for his defensive attributes as his ability in front of goal. The paper adds: "The United manager will be scratching his head at the way his players have conspired to turn what felt like a relatively comfortable group when the draw was made into what Ferguson described as 'a bumpy ride' in his programme notes."
Wednesday 10.00, UEFA.com newsdesk
Benfica, Bayern and Inter confirmed their places in the round of 16 last night, and UEFA.com has video highlights of all eight of Tuesday's fixtures, plus coach and player reaction.
Matchday five concludes this evening, and as well as previews for all eight fixtures, we have focus pieces on Zenit's Nicolas Lombaerts, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, Leverkusen's Sidney Sam and Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimović as well as video pieces with Marseille's Lucho and Valencia's Pablo Hernández.
Wednesday 09.50, UEFA.com newsdesk
Football is a game of two halves and sometimes a team achieves perfection for only half of a game. With that in mind, we would like to know what is the best 45 minutes in the history of the UEFA Champions League?
Liverpool FC's comeback in the 2005 Istanbul showpiece to Manchester United being 4-0 up at the break against AS Roma in the 2006/07 quarter-final second leg are just two examples which spring to mind. Leave your thoughts here.
Wednesday 09.40, UEFA.com newsdesk
A gentle reminder that there are a number of ways to win with UEFA.com, including Predictor, Player Rater, and Classics. There are some great prizes on offer.
Wednesday's fixtures
Group G
FC Zenit St Petersburg v APOEL FC (18.00)
FC Shakhtar Donetsk v FC Porto
Group H
AC Milan v FC Barcelona
FC BATE Borisov v FC Viktoria Plzeň (19.00)
Group E
Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Chelsea FC
Valencia CF v KRC Genk
Group F
Olympique de Marseille v Olympiacos FC
Arsenal FC v Borussia Dortmund
Tuesday's results
Group B
PFC CSKA Moskva 0-2 LOSC Lille Métropole
Trabzonspor AŞ 1-1 FC Internazionale Milano
Group C
FC Oţelul Galaţi 2-3 FC Basel 1893
Manchester United FC 2-2 SL Benfica
Group D
Real Madrid CF 6-2 GNK Dinamo Zagreb
Olympique Lyonnais 0-0 AFC Ajax
Group A
SSC Napoli 2-1 Manchester City FC
FC Bayern München 3-1 Villarreal CF
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