…….Champions League and UEFA Cup

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson insists there is no time for self-pity after the Gers slumped to another Champions League defeat in Stuttgart.
The 3-2 reverse in Germany represented a second consecutive loss for Walter Smith’s men who went down 2-0 in Barcelona in their previous European outing.

An impressive start to the campaign means Rangers are already guaranteed a UEFA Cup berth but they now need at least a draw against Lyon in their final group match at Ibrox on December 12 to seal a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

A 2-2 draw against group leaders Barca on Tuesday suggests the French champions may now be a more formidable prospect than the team who slumped to a 3-0 home defeat to Rangers earlier in the tournament.

But Ferguson insists Rangers would happily have taken the do-or-die scenario heading into the final game back when they were initially drawn in the so-called group of death.

Speaking after the setback, the Rangers captain said: “Of course we are disappointed because Stuttgart were there for the taking.

“But we need to pick ourselves up quickly. We have Lyon in a couple of weeks and need to get the point that will take us through.

“It’s still in our own hands. Ideally, I would have loved it to happen in Stuttgart but it hasn’t happened, so we go into the last game looking to get into the last 16 and we would have taken that at the start of the campaign.”

Bron:
http://www.soccer365.com/champions_league/

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano has warned his team-mates there is still work to be done to secure top spot in their Champions League group.
Arsenal went into the clash at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan having already qualified for the last 16 and boasting a one-point lead over Sevilla.

Arsene Wenger’s men had also not conceded a single goal in their six Champions League matches this season, but Sevilla defied both those statistics and their own poor form to claim an impressive 3-1 win.

That saw the two-time reigning UEFA Cup holders book their place in the next phase and move two points clear at the top of Group H in the process.

Sevilla can secure first place, and theoretically an easier opponent in the knockout phase, if they beat Slavia Prague in their final match, but Luis Fabiano insists it is not done and dusted just yet.

“It is true that we depend on ourselves but we still have a game to go and we need to continue working,” said the Brazilian striker, who scored his side’s second goal last night and gave the Arsenal defence a torrid time.

“We knew that Arsenal are a great team and we went out into the pitch very motivated,” he added.

“It has been a great game, we have fought hard and in the end we have scored three goals and we have obtained a good result.”

Young defender Jose Angel Crespo, who played wearing a face mask having only recently returned from a broken cheekbone, was thrilled with his side’s performance.

“It has been an incredible game, getting through to the last 16, scoring three goals, taking over as leaders,” the left-back said.

“It is an unforgettable day. Sevilla have been incredible, we have played at a spectacular rhythm.”

Sevilla will now hope to transfer that performance into their Primera Liga campaign, which has been hugely disappointing to date.

Last Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Real Mallorca was the Andalusian club’s seventh loss in 12 matches this season, and left them a massive 14 points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Crespo added on his club’s website: “We have to be at this level in the league as well, we need to go out Sunday after Sunday and see we if we can obtain several consecutive victories in the league and start a positive run of form.”

Sevilla defender Ivica Dragutinovic believes the win over Arsenal will take some of the pressure off coach Manolo Jimenez, who has had a mixed start to life in the hotseat since replacing Juande Ramos.

“We are happy for Jimenez, because we had very bad luck against Mallorca at home,” the Serbia international said.

“This victory is very positive, as much for him as for us, to be able to continue working normally.

“Every player has had an impressive game (against Arsenal), but what is important is the team, which has been phenomenal.”

Sevilla are next in action in the league this weekend when they travel to promoted Almeria.

Bron:
http://www.soccer365.com/champions_league/

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