Ketsbaia looks at home among the big boys of Europe

But it is a team few had heard of before the start of the season whose story is overshadowing the regulation progress of Liverpool, Barcelona and Chelsea, among others.

Cyprus tremendous

Cyprus side Anorthosis Famagusta are hoping to keep their historic Champions League run going in a Group B clash against Werder Bremen.

Anorthosis became the first Cypriot team to make it to the group stage in the history of the competition and the five points they've collected so far are good for second behind Inter Milan after four games.

Victory over the German side, coupled with a Panathinaikos loss to Inter, would secure passage into the competition's knockout round.

"We are fully aware of the historic proportions of this match," team spokesman Alexandros Alexandrou said.

"This is a watershed match for Anorthosis and for Cypriot football in general. But pressure is part of the game and players have to live with it and overcome it."

The German team are fourth in the group with three points and Bremen's task will be made harder by the absence of striker Boubacar Sanogo, who is out with a cold.

Anorthosis goalkeeper Arian Beqaj practised on Sunday, but remains doubtful after suffering a severe finger sprain

French midfielder Cedric Bardon is out of the game.

From cruise to crash

Chelsea appeared to be cruising in the Champions League after consecutive home wins, but one point from two away matches means Felipe Scolari's team look vulnerable heading into Wednesday's match at Bordeaux.

In a reversal of fortune, Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux – who lost their opening two games – can move top of Group A if they beat Chelsea and Roma fail to get the better of CFR Cluj in the other group match.

"We want to qualify as quickly as possible," Chelsea winger Florent Malouda said.

"Bordeaux are playing well at the moment, but because Roma won at home we have no choice, we have to win."

Although Chelsea top Group A with seven points, last year's beaten finalists are only one point ahead of Bordeaux and Roma.

Bordeaux welcome back veteran goalkeeper Ulrich Rame after he missed games against Roma and Cluj due to a recurring groin strain.

Drogba has a point to prove [EPA]

"If you start looking at the individual quality in Chelsea's squad, you get a headache," Blanc told sports daily L'Equipe.

Chelsea welcome back playmaker Michael Ballack.

Drog in mint condition

Didier Drogba, hoping to get back to his best after a knee injury and suspension, has managed only one League Cup goal – against Burnley on November 12 – and was suspended for three league matches for hurling a coin back into the crowd while celebrating his strike.

Scolari is counting on the Ivory Coast striker to deliver against Bordeaux.

"This is a very big week and now I receive Ballack and Drogba for the game against Bordeaux and I lose Deco (through suspension)," Scolari said.

Malouda thinks Drogba is desperate to make up for his transgression against Burnley.

"I think he will be angry and show he has things to do for the team," Malouda said.

"Didier is the type of player who can find a solution when you play these teams, but as you can see Nico (Anelka) is doing well at the moment."

Two-front battle

While Liverpool are consumed by the tight race for the English Premier League title, captain Steven Gerrard warned his teammates not to neglect the importance of European competition.

Qualification from the group stage of the Champions League can be wrapped up with one game to spare Wednesday by beating Marseille.

That would put the competition on the backburner for three months and allow Liverpool to concentrate on ending the club's 19-year wait for an English title.

"Liverpool belong in Europe," said Gerrard, whose two goals clinched a 2-1 victory at Marseille in September.

"Yes, you have to earn the right to be in it, but our history, the number of cups we've won in Europe, it's our stage, it's where we want to be."

Torres in awe

Gerrard will be relying on goals from Fernando Torres to add to his medal collection, but it is the Spain striker who is in awe of Liverpool's second-longest serving current player.

"Gerrard is someone everyone wants to be like – always the first at training, it is he who works the hardest in each exercise, who sacrifices himself during each match," Torres said.

"You follow him blindly. Moreover, he is a star who decided to stay at Liverpool despite all the offers."

A Liverpool win would deny Marseille any chance of progressing to the last 16.

The French side are level with last-place PSV Eindhoven with three points – five adrift of the leaders – and a Uefa Cup berth is the more likely prospect now.

Empty Calderon

Perea will miss the fans

Atletico Madrid can progress to the knockout stages by avoiding defeat against PSV Eindhoven.

But they won't be celebrating in front of their home fans after Uefa ordered the game to be played in an empty stadium.

Atletico's first closed match at the 55,000-capacity Vicente Calderon stadium is the result of racist and violent behaviour by their fans in an October 1 win against Marseille.

Atletico coach Javier Aguirre will also miss the Group D clash as he finishes serving a two-match ban.

"It's a bad feeling," defender Luis Perea said. "To play a match behind closed doors is the worst punishment you can give a club."

PSV have never won in 10 previous matches on Spanish soil, registering six defeats.

Missing Messi?

Barcelona may be without Lionel Messi when they faces Sporting Lisbon in a match that could determine the winner of Group C.

Messi is in the squad but doubts about his fitness could leave the Barcelona attack without their most creative player.

"Leo is a very important piece and there is no doubt that when he's not in the team, it's noted," goalkeeper Victor Valdes said of Messi.

Both Barca and Sporting have already secured qualification for the competition's last 16.

Jose looks to Europe

After steering Inter Milan to the top of Serie A, Jose Mourinho can now switch his focus to securing a place in the last 16.

Inter will host Panathinaikos at the San Siro with the Nerazzurri needing only a draw against the Greek side to advance to the knockout stage with a game to spare.

"It's time to give it our all, we absolutely can't let up," said Inter owner Massimo Moratti.

Inter lead Group B with eight points.

Panathinaikos will make the trip to Milan without the injured Silva Cleyton, Bryce Moon and Sotris Leontiou.

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will lead the Inter attack and is likely to be flanked by Adriano.

Roma visit Romania's CFR Cluj, who beat the Italians 2-1 away in their Group A opener, but neither can progress just yet.

Struggling Shakhtar Donetsk take on bottom side Basle in Group C.

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