Premier League:Ancelotti grieves death of father

Chelsea will have to prepare for Sunday's match against Arsenal without manager Carlo Ancelotti following the death of his father.

The Blues boss flew out to his homeland earlier in the week to be with his dad, who passed away at the age of 87 on Wednesday night.

Ancelotti will remain with his family in Italy for the funeral on Saturday before returning to London to take his place in the dugout at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian's backroom team, which includes coach Ray Wilkins, will take charge of preparing the Premier League champions for the crucial clash against the Gunners prior to his return on the day of the game.

Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the season against Manchester City last weekend but still hold a four-point cushion over Arsenal after Arsene Wenger's men suffered a shock home reverse at the hands of West Brom.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Carlo Ancelotti's father Giuseppe passed away in Italy last night aged 87 with his son at his side.

"Everyone at Chelsea Football Club sends our deepest condolences to Carlo and his family. They are all in our thoughts at this time.

"The funeral will take place in Italy on Saturday. Carlo will return to London for Sunday's match versus Arsenal."

Assistant manager Ray Wilkins will take Friday's press conference in Ancelotti's absence.

Premier League:Drogba reveals Arsenal love affair

Didier Drogba admits it will 'mean a lot' to face Arsenal at the weekend after admiring the team in his early playing career.

The Blues entertain their London rivals at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in one of the biggest clashes of the Premier League season.

And former Marseille man Drogba says he is relishing the encounter after following Arsene Wenger's side during his playing days in France.

"I love playing big games and I love playing against Arsenal," Ivory Coast striker Drogba told Sky Sports News.

"I always say that Arsenal is one of my favourite teams.

"When I was playing in France, Arsenal was an example for us because there were all these French players who used to play in the French league and went abroad to play for Arsenal with a French manager.

"So to play against them for me means a lot."

Both Chelsea and Arsenal enter the capital derby on the back of their first Premier League defeats of the campaign last weekend, against Manchester City and West Brom respectively.

However, the two sides have gone some way to compensate for their losses with success in their midweek UEFA Champions League group games.

Drogba has underlined the importance of Sunday's clash, insisting it is crucial defending champions Chelsea do not relinquish another three points.

"I don't think we can afford to lose a second game, especially against Arsenal," he said.

"People have to know, and we know, that we're going to lose some games this season.

"But again, it's always good to win, it's always better to win."

Drogba was substituted in the 75th minute of Chelsea's 1-0 defeat at City last Saturday, and admits he was surprised to make an early exit.

However, the striking ace insists he respects manager Carlo Ancelotti's decision.

"I was surprised because I didn't expect that at that moment of the game," he added.

"But the managers always decide and I think he had some reasons and I understand them."

Europa League:Europa League Thursday Preview

The Europa League returns with the potential for drama at every turn. We've previewed each group so you don't have to.

Manchester City vs Juventus (Group A) immediately jumps out at you as a must-watch clash but there's plenty of other match-ups worth taking note of.

Holders Atletico Madrid, who lost their opening match in the competition, face a tough home tie against fomer Champions League finalists Bayer Leverkusen (Group B).

There's also another Spanish-German clash in Group J as Sevilla are at Borussia Dortmund.

Meanwhile, Liverpool head to Holland to play Utrecht with boss Roy Hodgson promising to make up for last week's Carling Cup debacle.

Here are the Group Previews:

Group A

Manchester City at home to Juventus is the pick of Thursday's Europa League matches for a number of reasons. For one, there has been a lot of talk between the two sides ahead of the clash.

Juventus' Marco Motta did not do himself any favours in Manchester by declaring that City are "proof of how big-name signings and big spending are not enough to obtain great results."

One of those expensive new arrivals that Motta talked about is Jerome Boateng, who manager Roberto Mancini is debating whether or not to hand the Germany star his first start against Juventus at Eastlands.

Adding more spice to what should be an entertaining contest, Mancini has openly said he used to support Juve as a boy but that Thursday's match won't be a special occasion for him.

Juve go into this encounter with a poor defensive record but boss Luigi Del Neri remains confident his side can get the result they need following their opening round draw with KKS Lech Poznan.

The Polish side play FC Salzburg next.

Manchester City vs Juventus Preview

Lech Poznan vs FC Salzburg

Group B

Atletico Madrid did not get their defence of the Europa League off to a good start when they came away form Greece as shock 1-0 losers to a team many pundits might struggle to spell. Aris Thessaloniki FC did themselves proud that night but do not expect the same lethargic performance from Atletico on Thursday as they host German side Bayer Leverkusen.

Quique Sanchez Flores' men have actually started the season well - they beat Inter Milan in the UEFA Super Cup - and are currently fifth in the Spanish La Liga after five rounds.

Bayer Leverkusen, who smashed Rosenborg BK 4-0 in their opening Group B match, might still fancy coming away from Spain with at least point, especially with ex-Real Madrid manager Jupp Heynckes' knowledge of Spanish football at their disposal.

Atletico will be without new centre-back Diego Godin, because of a knee injury.

In the other clash Greek conquerors of Atletico, Aris have the chance to take Group B by the scruff of the neck by winning against Rosenborg. Aris have never lost at home in Europe - a run now at 22 games - but they will have to get a result in Norway.

Atletico vs Leverkusen Preview

Rosenborg vs Aris Preview

Group C

Portuguese giants Sporting are in bad shape at the moment. Their hunt for another domestic title has descended into mid-table scraps but the good news is the Europa League can provide a welcome distraction as well as a platform for them to save their season.

Sporting got their Europa campaign underway with a notable 2-1 win away to French side Lille. They entertain PFC Levski Sofia knowing that a win against the Bulgarians will put them in pole position to top Group C.

Sporting's preparations for the game have been completed against the background of the news that they will be without midfielder Pedro Mendes until November after he underwent surgery to repair a knee tendon injury earlier this week.

Levski can also go top with a win after they beat KAA Gent 3-2 in the last round. Ahead of Thursday's fixtures, Gent manager Francky Dury has played down the significance of his side's Europa League meeting with fellow opening round losers Lille.

Sporting vs Levksi Sofia Preview

Gent vs Lille Preview

Group D

Dinamo Zagreb's true standing in the competition will be known on Thursday when they travel to Greece to play PAOK. Zagreb's 2-0 win against Villareal was impressive but translating that type of performance outside of Croatia will be a more trickier task for them.

Coach Vahid Halilhodzic has already warned his players they will have to handle a hostile Greek welcome.

Villarreal on the other hand can look forward to a very winnable home tie against Club Brugge who drew 1-1 with PAOK in their first match. Their manager Juan Carlos Garrido has outlined what he expects from his players by saying: "we need to win because to get through we need to get more than 10 points."

PAOK vs Dinamo Zagreb Preview

Villarreal vs Club Brugge Preview

Group E

AZ Alkmaar got an important three points at home to FC Sheriff in the last round of fixtures. The Dutch outfit have an appalling away record in European matches and midfielder Eric Falkenburg is expecting a tough test against Belarusian champions BATE Borisov.

Meanwhile, it will be a reunion of sorts when Moldovan champions Sheriff host big Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev.

Sheriff coach Andrei Sosnitski has previously gone toe-to-toe with Valeri Gazzaev on the pitch during their playing days in the former Soviet Union.

BATE Borisov vs AZ Alkmaar Preview

FC Sheriff vs Dynamo Kiev Preview

Group F

Palermo manager Delio Rossi has revealed he intends to give Fabrizio Miccoli his comeback against Lausanne in their Europa League Group F encounter. Miccoli is recovering from ankle surgery and is a key make-up of the Palermo attack - his inclusion in the team has been acknowledged by opponents Lausanne.

Sparta Prague, who last beat Palermo 3-2 at home, will be aiming for top spot in Group F when they travel to CSKA Moscow.

Czech defender Erich Brabec has warned his side to be wary of CSKA striker Vagner Love, who has scored over 100 goals in less than 200 games for the Russians.

Palermo vs Lausanne Preview

CSKA Moscow vs Sparta Prague Preview

Group G

Anderlecht defied their good form in the Jupiler League when they lost 3-1 at home to Zenit St Petersburg in their Europa League Group G clash. The result casts doubts over the Belgium outfit's ability to qualify to the next round from the group, especially if they do not get a result on Thursday against Hajduk Split.

Manager Herman van Holsbeeck believes that with a tough double-header against the Greeks AEK Athens coming up, defeat at the Stadion Puljid tomorrow will leave his side with a big mountain to climb to progress.

However, the Greek side have their own problems and are in turmoil following manager Dusan Bajevic resignation from his position at the weekend after AEK's second loss of the season which saw them plummet to 13th in the Greek Super League.

Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti has warned his side not to underestimate the wounded Greeks.

Hajduk Split vs Anderlecht Preview

Zenith vs AEK Athens Preview

Group H

Stuttgart are yet another team who will welcome the distraction of the Europa League after a shocking start to their dometic season. Christian Gross's men are bottom of the Bundesliga on the back of a 4-1 thrashing at home to Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend.

Gross still expects his team to get maximun points from the Europa League Group H away match in Denmark at Odense BK. The Germans started the group well by beating Young Boys 3-0.

Young Boys may be finding it tough going now after their Champions League dreams were ended by Tottenham Hotspur but a home win against Getafe might give them the boost needed to qualify from this group.

Getafe coach Michel has a number of absentees to cope with as his side travel to Switzerland to play Young Boys.

Odense BK vs Stuttgart Preview

Young Boys vs Getafe Preview

Group I

Sampdoria and Debrecen meet in Italy on Thursday with both teams yet to register a win in Group I. A lack of goalscoring has been Samp's main problem, but attacking pair Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini are available to start.

Have the mind games started in Group I? Underdogs Metalist Kharkiv has publicly hailed PSV Eindhoven as Holland's number one team ahead of their clash.

PSV last won the Eredivisie title in 2008, and have finished fourth and third in the campaigns since then.

Sampdoria vs Debrecen Preview

Metalist vs PSV Preview

Group J

The pressure is already on new Sevilla coach Gregorio Manzano as he tries to pick up a side low on confidence for a tough trip to in-form Borussia Dortmund.

Sevilla need a result on Thursday after they lost their opening Group J clash 1-0 to Paris St Germain in the Europa League.

Manzano was quick to warn fans against expecting instant results, saying "I'm not the Wizard of Oz."

Meanwhile, French side PSG will be able to call on midfielder Stephane Sessegnon for the clash with Karpaty Lviv.

Borussia Dortmund vs Sevilla Preview

Paris St Germain vs Kaparty Lviv Preview

Group K

Roy Hodgson believes Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has overcome his injury troubles and is raring to go. He has recalled the Spanish World Cup winner for their Europa League fixture against FC Utrecht, as Liverpool try to get their first win in four matches.

Hodgson was in bullish mood before the game, declaring that the Reds would do their best to win the Europa League following last week's embarrassing Carling Cup exit. Hodgson famously nearly won this same competition when he was manager of Fulham last season.

FC Utrecht coach Ton du Chatinier agreed that Liverpool pose far tougher opposition than the Celtic team they beat to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League.

Napoli travel to Romania to meet Steaua Bucharest who have hired new coach Marius Lacatus.

Lacatus accepted an offer to return to the club for a third spell after Ilie Dumitrescu resigned last week following criticism from the club's supporters.

In the opening round of Group K, Liverpool strolled to a 4-1 win over Steau at Anfield while Napoli and Utrecht played out a goalless draw in Italy.

FC Utrecht vs Liverpool Preview

Steaua Bucharest vs Napoli Preview

Group L

Former holders, Porto hammered Rapid Vienna 3-0 in their opening game in the competition, but there has been a flurry of team news for their next match at CSKA Sofia.

Fredy Guarin, Cristian Rodriguez, James Rodriguez, Christian Sapunaru and Andre Castro will return to the squad, with Ruben Micael absent along with Rafa, Ukra and Fernando.

Turkish club Besiktas play host to a Rapid Vienna side that has struggled since they produced the shock of the final qualification round when they dumped out Aston Villa.

Besiktas are understandably in good spirits ahead of the Austrian visit.

CSKA Sofia vs Porto Preview

Besiktas vs Rapid Vienna Preview

Europa League:Hodgson: No change in priorities

Roy Hodgson insists he places no more significance on the Europa League now than he did before last week's Carling Cup exit.

The loss on penalties to League Two Northampton reduced the Reds' chances of realistically winning a trophy to two, in Europe and the FA Cup, after another disappointing start to the Barclays Premier League.

And while Hodgson admits he has learned lessons from the Carling Cup shock, naming a strong squad to face Utrecht on Thursday in Group K for instance, he stressed winning in any competition was all that mattered.

"Our priorities have been to do the best in every competition," he said.

"Although these days I will be accused on not doing that because people will say the (weakened) team I played against Northampton was not the team to win the game."

Hodgson was asked if victory over the Dutch side, who have not lost at home in four European matches and not conceded in their last three, would give the side an important lift after two defeats and a draw in all competitions.

"There certainly is not the gloom that you would like to suggest," was his response.

"But at the same time I can't say everyone is delighted with the start we have had because we are not.

"We would have liked to have been sitting near the top of the table with 12 or 14 points and we would have been happy as sand-boys.

"That's what we wanted but you don't always get what you want."

Hodgson, who said yesterday he had not decided whether to give striker Fernando Torres his first Europa League start tonight, is looking for the victory which will take his side two-thirds of the way to qualification for the knockout stage.

"We saw Utrecht beat Celtic 4-0 so we are under no illusions that we are playing a very good team and we will have to be very good if we are to get a result from the game," he added.

"Nine or 10 points is probably my guess (of what is required to progress) but don't put any money on it because I'm not very good at predicting these things."

Forward Dirk Kuyt returns to the home of his first professional club and, to date, the only place where he has won a trophy.

The 30-year-old is still hoping to change that during his remaining years at Liverpool after near-misses in the 2007 Champions League final and the Barclays Premier League in 2009.

"My only trophy so far was the cup final here in Holland for Utrecht, against Feyenoord," he said.

"I hope it isn't my last trophy, because I want to win many trophies. "It is a strange feeling that it is my only trophy and I want to put that right."

Ton du Chatinier's Utrecht side reached the Group stages of the competition courtesy of a 4-0 rout of Celtic at Stadion Galgenwaard.

"The motivation of playing Liverpool will be enough," said the coach.

"I am anxious to know what my team will do but that is normal, I'm not afraid."

La Liga:Messi: I'm back and running!

Barcelona ace Lionel Messi has confirmed he has all but recovered from the ankle injury which ruled him out for ten days.

The Argentinean made a comeback after coming on as a second-half substitute in his side's 1-1 draw against Rubin Kazan on Wednesday and emerged unscathed - much to the relief of coach Pep Guardiola and the fans.

Messi revealed to journalists after the match, saying: "I'm extremely content with my ankle. I am happy with it. It has not bothered me and I have not noticed any pain.

"We knew that Rubin would make things very difficult for us. They play well together at the back and they have also scored a penalty against us.

"Perhaps we lacked some fluency in our attack in order to find holes in a defence as tight as theirs."

Meanwhile, fellow striker David Villa, who scored Barcelona's equalizer from the spot, will be out of this weekend's La Liga encounter with Mallorca - paving way for Messi to return to the starting line-up.

Premier League:Park: I'm dissatisfied with myself

Park Ji-Sung admits his performances for Manchester United so far this season hasn't been up to the mark and has vowed to improve.

The South Korean has not featured much in Sir Alex Ferguson's plans this season but was handed a chance to alter that when handed a full 90 minutes in their 1-0 win against Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Now the 27-year-old is determined to build on that and reproduce some of his impressive form that has endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful.

"I am not satisfied with my performances this season," Park told journalists.

"I don't know why my performances have not been good. Maybe I was not ready for the season.

"But mentally I have been weak and I have to improve.

"In the first-half last night my performance was bad but at least the second was better.

"It is always difficult to get the balance.

"I missed a couple of games and then played again, although since I joined Manchester United it has been like that so I should know how to deal with it."

With Wayne Rooney ruled out for three weeks due to an ankle injury, Park is adamant his side has enough quality players - including himself - to cope with the talisman's absence.

"Throughout Manchester United's history we always come up with answers to problems," he said.

"Big stars come and go but still the team keep producing the same performances.

"We just concentrate on that to make sure we show our quality on the pitch."

Premier League:Malouda expects tough Gunners test

Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda expects a tough challenge from Arsenal this Sunday as both sides lock horns at Stamford Bridge.

The reigning champions suffered their first defeat of the season in the 'battle of the cash' against Manchester City last weekend and could hardly have asked for a tougher test when they face-off with another 'top four' side in the form of the Gunners next.

But despite acknowledging the quality of Arsene Wenger's men, the rejuvenated Malouda is confident his side can get back to winning ways in the league this Sunday.

"Everybody knows the passing game of Arsenal," observed the Frenchman.

"They have quality. We have seen many times teams coming here and try to close the game and it depends if you score early in the game but I think that Arsenal have always played the same way with their passing game and technical quality and they try to do the same against everyone.

"Manchester City was a tough opposition and our first defeat. I will speak from our point of view. We must expect a good reaction in front of our fans. We lost against Man City and now we have an opportunity with a home game to get back the winning atmosphere.

"It will be a big challenge for us to win against a team of the 'big four'. Chelsea-Arsenal games are always important because they are just behind us and we want to increase the gap.

"It won't be easy because there are no easy games for Chelsea but now is time to recover and then we have time to think about Arsenal."

Speaking after his side's Champions League victory over Marseille on Tuesday, Malouda is delighted that his side put their back-to-back defeats against Man City and Newcastle behind them.

"I'm happy because we had two defeats before this game and it was great to get back to winning ways," he explained. "We take the lead in the group and now we want to confirm qualification for the next round.

"After seeing the first game of the season people think we are going to score four goals every time. Every game is different.

"We played at a very high intensity in the first half and paid the price in the second half. In the second half we were in control and we hit the post twice so winning was not really a problem."