Titans walk the tightrope

As FC Schalke 04 learned to their cost on Tuesday, reputation will count for nothing when the third round of the UEFA Cup draws to a close ahead of the winter break on Thursday.

Feeling the strain
Winners of the competition in 1997, Schalke were eliminated by Polish challengers Wisla Kraków following a 4-1 home defeat. Two coaches currently feeling the strain, Leeds United AFC's Terry Venables and Paris Saint-Germain FC's Luis Fernandez, will be desperate to avoid going the way of the Gelsenkirchen outfit in their second-leg matches.

Preparing to fight
Leeds produced one of their better recent displays against Málaga CF in Spain, drawing 0-0. The match provided a moment of respite for Venables, who has presided over ten Premiership defeats already this season. A 1-0 weekend loss to fellow UEFA Cup hopefuls Fulham FC added to the gloom and Venables expects another tough encounter at Elland Road. "Sometimes it's a football game and sometimes it's a fight," he said. "We must be prepared to deal with both now."

Delicately poised
PSG are also in a tricky position after Boavista FC substitute Luiz Cláudio struck in the second half in Paris a fortnight ago to leave the tie delicately poised at 2-1. The return of Argentinian defender Mauricio Pochettino from injury is tempered by the suspension of Frédéric Déhu after he was dismissed at the Parc des Princes. Boavista are also struggling in Portuguese football, though a 3-0 weekend win against CS Maritímo provided a timely boost. "It's all down to us," said Luiz Cláudio.

Difficult questions
As well as Málaga, Spain's other two challengers will have to answer difficult questions on Thursday. Real Betis Balompié will defend a narrow 1-0 advantage at AJ Auxerre, while RC Celta de Vigo will be looking to leave Celtic FC without European football after Christmas for the 24th season in succession.

'Great result'
Celta will have to cope without injured Russia midfield player Aleksandr Mostovoi and overturn a 1-0 deficit. Celtic captain Paul Lambert said of the situation facing his side: "A 1-0 win at home is always a great result because as long as you keep a clean sheet you give yourself a chance."

Commanding positions
The two top seeds, S.S. Lazio and Liverpool FC, are in commanding positions against SK Sturm Graz and SBV Vitesse, while AEK Athens FC and FC Porto have enough in their armoury to protect respective 4-0 and 3-0 advantages against Maccabi Haifa FC and RC Lens.

Freezing conditions
Besiktas JK duo Ilhan Mansiz and Daniel Pancu are suspended for the trip to FC Dynamo Kyiv. The freezing conditions should favour the Ukrainians, who will need all the help they can get following a 3-1 away defeat. An away goal for Turkey's other representative, Denizlispor, could prove precious against Lyon following a first-leg stalemate. "This is a historical chance for us," said coach Riza Çalimbay.

Domestic concerns
Three red and nine yellow cards marred Club Brugge KV's 2-1 win against RSC Anderlecht last Sunday but both can put domestic concerns behind them on Thursday. Brugge will need all their players to fire if they are to beat VfB Stuttgart by two goals away, while Anderlecht have a foot in the fourth round after an excellent 2-0 away success against FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

All to play for
The final two ties pit Czech against Greek opposition. FC Slovan Liberec drew 2-2 with Panathinaikos FC a fortnight ago, while FC PAOK Thessaloniki beat SK Slavia Praha 1-0. The draw for the fourth round takes place on Friday at 12.00CET.