The 2011/12 UEFA Champions League quarter-final second legs take place this week. UEFA.com's team of reporters and correspondents from across Europe will bring you all the build-up as we count down to kick-off on Tuesday.
All times CET.
Monday 13.17, Christian Châtelet, UEFA.com French newsdesk
Former Marseille and Bayern striker Jean-Pierre Papin has given his view on how Marseille should approach the match in Germany to the club's official website, OM.net: "It's necessary to go there playing an offensive style," he said. "This doesn't mean to be naive and concede four, but just be attack-minded. If you're lucky enough to score early, you can plant doubts in their mind."
Monday 12.58, UEFA.com London newsdesk
The press conferences for Bayern ahead of tomorrow's second leg match with Marseille is due to get under way presently at the Fußball Arena München. Coach Jupp Heynckes and striker Mario Gomez will be taking the questions. Stay with UEFA.com for all the news as it happens.
Monday 12.53, Christian Châtelet, UEFA.com French newsdesk
This game is just the start of a series of four huge fixtures for Marseille. At the weekend, they are take on Paris Saint-Germain FC in 'Le Classique'; on 11 April they will host the other Ligue 1 leaders, Montpellier Hérault SC; and on 14 April they will be on hand for the French League Cup final against Olympique Lyonnais at Stade de France.
Monday 12.35, UEFA.com London newsdesk
Real Madrid look set to make it 23 successful European Cup quarter-final appearances out of 29 on Wednesday following their 3-0 victory at APOEL last week. Madrid have an ominous record when winning the away first leg in UEFA competition, triumphing in 26 of the 27 ties, including all three where the away first leg finished 3-0 in their favour. The sole exception came against Odense BK in the 1994/95 UEFA Cup third round when a 3-2 away success preceded a 2-0 home reverse. See more statistics like this one in the by-numbers guide to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Monday 12.18, Andy James in Munich
What a difference a month makes. Just four weeks ago, Bayern's Bundesliga title hopes looked to be disintegrating after a 2-0 defeat at Bayer 04 Leverkusen left them seven points adrift of leaders Borussia Dortmund, while a 1-0 round of 16 first-leg loss away to FC Basel 1893 had put a serious dent in their hopes of a home final in the UEFA Champions League.
Seven games, seven wins and 25 goals later, the Bavarians are once again looking imperious as they continue to challenge for titles on all three fronts. The domestic deficit was cut to just three points following Saturday's 1-0 victory at 1. FC Nürnberg, while the DFB Cup final against Dortmund also awaits on 12 May.
Most important, however, is the UEFA Champions League final in Munich on 19 May. Goals in Marseille from Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben ensured the German giants take a healthy advantage into Tuesday's quarter-final second leg at the Fußball Arena München, where few are expecting anything other than another comprehensive Bayern victory to take them one step closer to their dream.
Monday 11.54, Pedro Gonçalves in Lisbon
"Javi García as a centre-back against Chelsea" is the highlight from A Bola before Benfica visit London. The Lisbon giants beat SC Braga at the weekend to move second in the Portuguese Liga, but lost another central defender, Miguel Vítor, to injury. Now Jorge Jesus has three centre-backs on the sidelines (Ezequiel Garay, Jardel and Vítor) and could pair Spanish defensive midfielder Javi García with Luisão at the back.
Record also mentions the injury problems. "Everything for Jardel" says the newspaper, which states that "the recovery of the central defender, who has a muscle injury, is complicated but not impossible".
Monday 11.35, UEFA.com London newsdesk
Chelsea earned an impressive 1-0 win at Benfica last week to continue their fine form under interim boss Roberto Di Matteo. The Italian, though, is not considering the prospect of a permanent appointment, says The Telegraph. "That's not important, what's important is that on Wednesday we qualify for the next round of the Champions League," he said. "I am pleased with the attitude of the players, they have shown great character. The season has proved difficult for us and we are just trying to win our games now."
Branislav Ivanović, meanwhile, was delighted after team-mate Fernando Torres scored his first league goal since 24 September at the weekend. "It was an important goal for him," said the defender. "He's been doing everything for the team and I think he deserved that goal. Of course, he has felt the pressure and it was important for us to support him.
"Maybe the pressure is off in the Champions League. If people think like that it can be good for us because we will feel less pressure, which in games like this can be very important."
Monday 11.18, Christian Châtelet, UEFA.com French newsdesk
In a few minutes Marseille take off from Marseille-Provence airport to fly to Munich, where they are expected at noon. They will train at 18.00 after a press conference. Twenty players have travelled including Steve Mandanda, who is available again following his suspension, but not injured centre-back Souleymane Diawara.
Monday 11.00, UEFA.com newsdesk
Before the day's business gets under way, starting with press conference news from Munich at around 13.00, a gentle reminder that there are a number of ways to win great prizes with UEFA.com, includingPredictor, Player Rater, and Classics.
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