Liga Prvakov

Werder Bremen are second in the Bundesliga and FC Schalke 04 third after securing a draw and a victory respectively on Sunday, both moving to within three points of leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Arsenal FC will conclude their UEFA Champions League Group H campaign at Olympiacos FC without midfielder Tomáš Rosický, who is expected to be sidelined for around a month with a groin injury.

Jermain Defoe missed an added-time penalty as Tottenham Hotspur FC were held to a 2-2 draw at Everton, having led 2-0 with 12 minutes remaining, while Fulham FC beat Sunderland AFC 1-0.

Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi struck twice at La Riazor as FC Barcelona cemented their place at the top of the Liga with a 3-1 win on a night which brought intrigue aplenty for Real Madrid CF.

Claudio Marchisio's goal earned Juventus a 2-1 victory over Serie A leaders FC Internazionale Milano, with AC Milan's 3-0 win against UC Sampdoria tightening up the situation at the top of the table.

Jaroslav Plašil struck the only goal as FC Girondins de Bordeaux preserved their lead in France with a 1-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain FC, but they have some unexpected company in the top three.

Frank Lampard's missed penalty handed Manchester City FC a 2-1 win against Premier League leaders Chelsea FC, with a 4-0 win at Upton Park allowing Manchester United FC to close the gap.

AZ Alkmaar have dismissed coach Ronald Koeman in the wake of a 2-1 league defeat by BV Vitesse, with the 46-year-old former Netherlands international conceding: "I did not expect this."

Lionel Messi is a major doubt for FC Barcelona's crucial meeting with FC Internazionale Milano after picking up a groin injury, though there is better news regarding Zlatan Ibrahimović and Rafael Márquez.

Josep Guardiola has said FC Barcelona will not compromise their style as the holders host FC Internazionale Milano with their Group F lives on the line. "Even if we fall, we will fall attacking," he said.

Olympiacos FC coach Zico remains optimistic of reaching the last 16 though a spate of injuries has seen him threaten to dust off his own boots. "Second place is still wide open," he told uefa.com.

In Luis Fabiano's view, all Sevilla FC need to reach May's UEFA Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabéu is confidence. "With belief, Sevilla can do great things," he said to uefa.com.

Memories of Liverpool FC's "amazing" qualification from the group stage two years ago have given Rafael Benítez hope as his team take on Debreceni VSC in Hungary with destiny out of their hands.

The adrenalin may be rising for Cesare Prandelli ahead of the visit of Olympique Lyonnais, yet the ACF Fiorentina coach called for calm as the Italian club look to secure a first qualification in a decade.

FC Barcelona midfielder Andrés Iniesta is determined to dispel any doubts that have started to swirl around the European champions when they welcome FC Internazionale Milano to the Camp Nou.

Having captured a second successive Russian Premier-Liga title on Saturday, Roman Sharonov is confident FC Rubin Kazan can set about securing their place at Europe's top table into the new year.

Arsenal FC captain Cesc Fàbregas is confident his team will bounce back from their weekend disappointment when they look to secure progress from Group H against R. Standard de Liège on Tuesday.

Diego Milito might prefer Lionel Messi to have his feet up as FC Internazionale Milano visit Camp Nou on Tuesday, rating his Argentina team-mate "the best, most decisive player in the world".

Alberto Gilardino has vowed to fight through the pain barrier for ACF Fiorentina as they prepare to host Group E leaders Olympique Lyonnais knowing victory would take them through to the last 16.

Coach Dan Petrescu has called on FC Unirea Urziceni to seize the day against Sevilla FC as they look to become the first Romanian side to reach the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League.