Group D

Lyon coach Paul Le Guen’s task against Rosenborg has been made even harder following the withdrawal of striker Sidney Govou with a thigh injury. Former French international Tony Vairelles and French Under-21 striker Peguy Luyindula are in contention for his role.

Le Guen admits that changes are required to his side, who have now lost three games on the trot.

“We need to change several things,” he said, before adding, “I will not take it easy with any of my players.”

Rosenborg will be looking for a repeat of the form that broought them a 2-2 draw with Internazionale last week.

Defender-turned-striker, Azar Karadas, could be the key figure for Rosenborg after hisÿtwo goalsÿagainst Inter.

“Azar has the qualities needed for a game like this, being strong and with excellent heading skills,” said coach Nils Arne Eggen

One interesting feature of tonight’s game is thatit ends Rosenborg midfielder RoarStrand’s record of playing 51 consecutive Champions League games for the club since 1995. Strand strained a leg muscle last week and has been ruled out of the game.

Inter v Ajax Amsterdam
Ronald Koeman’s Ajax side could be forced to makke changes after Jari Litmanen, who had been filling in for the injured Rafael van der Vaart, limped out of Saturday’s match with a hamstring injury that leaves him doubtful for the trip to Internazionale.

With striker Abubakari Yakubu suspended, Koeman could switch from a 4-3-3 system to 4-4-2 with in-form Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Victor Sikora spearheading the attack and the experienced Aron Winter operating on the right wing. Maarten Stekelenburg will retain his starting spot in goal while Norwegian Andre Bergdolmo comes in to deputize for Yakubu.

Inter coach Hector Cuper is without defender Fabio Cannavaro, who was sent off during last week’s tie against Rosenborg. Javier Zanetti will move back into his preferred right back position and Portuguese winger Sergio Conceicao will come in on the right wing in place of the injured Andres Guglielminpietro. Alvaro Recoba will replace Domenico Morfeo on the left wing and Dalmat-Almeyda will form the central partnership behind the highly-vaunted strike force of Vieri and Crespo.

Coach Hector Cuper expects a tough encounter.

“Just look at Ajax’s recent history – two years ago they seemed to have lost th

eir personality, now they have quality players and a quality style of play,” he said. “They have good ball possession and great speed – it will be a very difficult match.”

Maarten Stekelenburg will keep his starting spot after a rather gutsy performance on Matchday 1. Norwegian Andre Bergdolmo comes in to deputize for Yakubu and will have, no doubt, given his buddies at Rosenborg a call to get first-hand data on Inter. Koeman will opt for Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the lone striker, supported by the trio of Andy van der Meyde, Jari Litmanen and Victor Sikora.

Probable teams:
Inter: Toldo; Zanetti,Materazzi, Cordoba, Coco; Conceicao, Almeyda, Dalmat, Recoba; Crespo, Vieri
Ajax: Stekelenburg; Trabelsi, Bergdolmo, Chivu, O’Brien; Galasek, Maxwell; van der Meyde, Litmanen, Sikora; Ibrahimovic