Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Atletico eye Europa League knockout stage - Sky News Australia


Atletico eye UEFA knockout stage


Defending champions Atletico Madrid head the list of teams that can book their place on Thursday in the knockout stages of soccer's Europa League.


Group B leaders Atletico, who are one of three remaining teams with a perfect record so far, can assure themselves of a berth in the last 32 with a victory against Academica in Coimbra.


However, Atletico will be without Colombian star Radamel Falcao and numerous other first-team regulars with manager Diego Simeone electing to name a youthful squad for the trip to Portugal.


Lyon, who have also recorded three wins from three, will be out to book their spot in the next round against Athletic Bilbao.


A resurgent Inter Milan can ensure they progress with victory at Partizan Belgrade, provided Rubin Kazan, who would also go through with a win, dispose of Azerbaijani minnows Neftci.


The picture is slightly more complicated for Tottenham, however, as their campaign remains grounded after three draws to start Group J.


Spurs sit third, trailing Lazio by two points and unheralded Maribor by one.


Liverpool and Newcastle occupy first place in their respective groups - A and D - and can give themselves breathing space with wins on Thursday, but defeats would put the English sides right back into the mix.


Liverpool travel to Dagestan with a two-point advantage over their Russian rivals and Udinese, while Young Boys are another point further adrift.


Newcastle have yet to concede in this season's group phase and are in action at Club Brugge, who sacked former Belgian manager Georges Leekens at the weekend.


The Magpies top their group on seven points with Bordeaux second on four, Brugge third on three and Maritimo bottom with two.



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