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This is an archive article published on February 23, 2005

The big matches

BARCELONA V CHELSEALatest Result: Barcelona 2, Real Mallorca 0; Newcastle 1, Chelsea 0Spice Factor: Rijkaard v Mourinho. The sniping went ou...

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BARCELONA V CHELSEA

Latest Result: Barcelona 2, Real Mallorca 0; Newcastle 1, Chelsea 0

Spice Factor: Rijkaard v Mourinho. The sniping went out of control when Jose said Frank had won lots as a player, zero as manager. Rijkaard is not known to take things lying down

Missing in Action: Bridge and Robben definitely out for Chelsea, Gallas, Drogba and Duff are question marks

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Key Battle: Barca attack v Chelsea defence. Ronaldinho, Giuly and Eto’o face Terry, Carvalho and Cech. This is a tough call

The Edge: Ronaldinho. Advantage Barca. Chelsea look to hold out for the return

The Odds: Barca win evens, Draw 11/5, Chelsea win 11/5

MANCHESTER UNITED V AC MILAN

Latest Result: Everton 0, Man Utd 2; AC Milan 1, Cagliari 0

Spice Factor: Jaap Stam returns to face the manager who sacked him, faster than you could say ‘‘offside trap’’, after a revealing autobiography

Missing in Action: Milan are without Shevchenko and Inzaghi, and Pirlo is doubtful. United at full strength, even Van Nistelrooy may be on the bench

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Key Battle: A dazzling young attack – Rooney and Ronaldo — against an experienced, though ageing, defence of Cafu, Maldini, Costacurta, Nesta. And Keane v Gattuso in midfield

The Edge: Rooney and Kaka, two stars from two very different schools, could make anything happen

The Odds: Man Utd win evens, Draw 2/1, Milan win 5/2

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