Inter bank on French hoodoo

Inter Milan put their fine record against French sides on the line when they visit Olympique Marseille in the pick of Thursday's UEFA Cup quarter-final, first-leg matches.

Inter have got through two-legged ties in all nine of their previous meetings with French opposition in the UEFA Cup and European Cup.

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The Italians, winners of the competition in 1991, 1994 and 1998, welcome back central defender Fabio Cannavaro from injury but are without goalkeeper Francesco Toldo and Uruguayan forward Alvaro Recoba.

Marseille, the beaten 1999 UEFA finalists, must overcome the absence of injured striker Steve Marlet and Egyptian Mido, who is suspended.

Last season's beaten finalists Celtic are making a bold bid to reach the final again. The Scottish premier league leaders host Spanish side Villarreal at Celtic Park looking to follow-up their superb aggregate win over Barcelona in the last round.

Newcastle United visit PSV Eindoven in a trip down memory lane for Bobby Robson, who managed the Dutch side for two spells and took them to two league titles, in the 1990s.

Valencia, pressing Real Madrid hard for the Spanish Primera Liga title, will be without injured playmaker Pablo Aimar for their trip to Girondins Bordeaux.

Source: REUTERS
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