Barca looking for a boost

PARIS – European giants Barcelona and Inter Milan go into battle tonight looking to boost what has been a disappointing start to their Champions League campaigns.

Barcelona travel to Chelsea for what promises to be another epic battle between the two sides after two bruising encounters in successive seasons which has seen Chelsea knockout Barca out two terms ago and the Catalan giants get their revenge last season. Inter have a virtual do or die game in their bid to qualify for the knockout stages as they have yet to register a point but must fancy their chances at home to Spartak Moscow, who have only got a point.Barcelona trail the Premiership champions by two points in the group but may well be licking their lips at the thought of their strike force squaring up to third choice ‘keeper Hilario.Hilario, who is in line to play because Petr Cech suffered a fractured skull against Reading and second choice Carlo Cudicini was concussed in the same match, has shipped six goals in two previous meetings with Barcelona when he was at Porto.Despite this Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has given him his full backing.”Hilario is a goalkeeper with experience,” said Mourinho.”When he was at Porto he played two Champions League matches against Barcelona.So no problem, I trust him and the team trust him.”Another man with something to prove but with a much more glittering career is Barcelona’s world player of the year Ronaldinho, whose under par performances at the World Cup finals have been followed by reports that he had fallen out with club coach Frank Rijkaard.Ronaldinho insists he had been inspired by criticism of his displays.”If they (the media) criticise me it is because they know that I can do more and I am motivated to continue working and improving,” said Ronaldinho, who showed glimpses of his best form at the weekend scoring twice against Sevilla.”I listen to constructive criticism and do not pay attention if they do not contribute anything useful.”I am happy because things have gone well.Although I am not at 100 per cent, I know that I can improve and my only motivation is to work more to get close to my best.”Adriano is another Brazilian international who has struggled this season but will be expected to step up to the plate for Inter against Spartak, who they have not lost to in four meetings.Adriano’s last goal came against Villarreal in the Champions League on March 29, but Inter Milan chief Massimo Moratti refused to criticise the 24-year-old striker.”It’s a difficult moment for him, but he is not the only player in the team who is having trouble scoring,” he said.”I’m sure he will turn it around soon.”Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez would also like to see his 2005 Champions League winners turn around their away form as they travel to French side Bordeaux.Liverpool have yet to win away from home in all seven matches this season and not scored an away goal since the end of August.Benitez puts it down more to some of his players being below their best rather than a fear of playing away from home.”It’s clear some of our more established players need to be at the top of their game,” Benitez said.While Inter may have problems in even getting a point thus far, fellow Italian giants AS Roma have at least got three on the board – they trail Spanish side Valencia by three points – but travel to Greek side Olympiakos with four key players unavailable.Midfielder David Pizarro has flown back to Chile for personal reasons while Brazilian winger Mancini, French defender Philippe Mexes and striker Vincenzo Montella are all injured.Nampa-AFPInter have a virtual do or die game in their bid to qualify for the knockout stages as they have yet to register a point but must fancy their chances at home to Spartak Moscow, who have only got a point.Barcelona trail the Premiership champions by two points in the group but may well be licking their lips at the thought of their strike force squaring up to third choice ‘keeper Hilario.Hilario, who is in line to play because Petr Cech suffered a fractured skull against Reading and second choice Carlo Cudicini was concussed in the same match, has shipped six goals in two previous meetings with Barcelona when he was at Porto.Despite this Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has given him his full backing.”Hilario is a goalkeeper with experience,” said Mourinho.”When he was at Porto he played two Champions League matches against Barcelona.So no problem, I trust him and the team trust him.”Another man with something to prove but with a much more glittering career is Barcelona’s world player of the year Ronaldinho, whose under par performances at the World Cup finals have been followed by reports that he had fallen out with club coach Frank Rijkaard.Ronaldinho insists he had been inspired by criticism of his displays.”If they (the media) criticise me it is because they know that I can do more and I am motivated to continue working and improving,” said Ronaldinho, who showed glimpses of his best form at the weekend scoring twice against Sevilla.”I listen to constructive criticism and do not pay attention if they do not contribute anything useful.”I am happy because things have gone well.Although I am not at 100 per cent, I know that I can improve and my only motivation is to work more to get close to my best.”Adriano is another Brazilian international who has struggled this season but will be expected to step up to the plate for Inter against Spartak, who they have not lost to in four meetings.Adriano’s last goal came against Villarreal in the Champions League on March 29, but Inter Milan chief Massimo Moratti refused to criticise the 24-year-old striker.”It’s a difficult moment for him, but he is not the only player in the team who is having trouble scoring,” he said.”I’m sure he will turn it around soon.”Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez would also like to see his 2005 Champions League winners turn around their away form as they travel to French side Bordeaux.Liverpool have yet to win away from home in all seven matches this season and not scored an away goal since the end of August.Benitez puts it down more to some of his players being below their best rather than a fear of playing away from home.”It’s clear some of our more established players need to be at the top of their game,” Benitez said.While Inter may have problems in even getting a point thus far, fellow Italian giants AS Roma have at least got three on the board – they trail Spanish side Valencia by three points – but travel to Greek side Olympiakos with four key players unavailable.Midfielder David Pizarro has flown back to Chile for personal reasons while Brazilian winger Mancini, French defender Philippe Mexes and striker Vincenzo Montella are all injured.Nampa-AFP