Champions League Preview: Make or break for Aguirre

Updated: 25 Mar, 2012 • 0 • min read

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Atlético Madrid coach Javier Aguirre is under pressure after a run of three league defeats, which have left the club in eighth place with nine points, 10 points behind leaders Valencia.

Atlético Saturday's 2-1 home disappointment against crosstown rival Real Madrid followed a 1-0 defeat against Sevilla and a 6-1 rout at Barcelona.

Spanish media reported that president Enrique Cerezo may end Aguirre's spell at Vicente Calderón if Atlético loses against five-time champions Liverpool on Wednesday.

Aguirre, though, has guided Los Rojiblancos to a perfect start to the Champions League group stage on its return to the competition after an 11-year absence.

Liverpool will be without former Atletico hitman Fernando Torres due to hamstring injuries.

Torres, who remains extremely popular at the Calderón despite leaving for Liverpool 15 months ago, had been offered a VIP seat for the match, but Reds boss Rafael Benitez wants Torres to stay at the club's training ground and continue with his recovery.

Atlético and Liverpool have a maximum six points from two opening matches, with the Spanish side ahead on goal difference.

AS Roma is reeling from a 4-0 home loss to Inter Milan on Sunday and, with Chelsea's string of impressive performances, must be fearing the worst ahead of its visit to Stamford Bridge.

The defeat was Roma's fourth of the season - the same number it lost in the whole of last - and left them nine points off leaders Inter.

Meanwhile, the Blues leads the Premier League table on goal difference despite missing almost a full team of costly international stars.

While Petr Čech and Deco could be fit to face Roma, Chelsea has shown that it really doesn't matter which of its players are on the pitch.

With first-team regulars Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, Čech, Ricardo Carvalho, Joe Cole and Ashley Cole out injured, fielded essentially a reserve side in a 5-0 win at Middlesbrough.

Victory would move Group A co-leader Chelsea to the brink of qualification for the second round while defeat would leave Roma four points off the group leaders.

Full fixtures on Tuesday:

Group A

Bordeaux