Man U, Lazio fancied to reach group stages
The English Premier League giants have a two-goal lead to take to Belgium after a 3-1 win at Old Trafford last Tuesday, while Lazio have a slender 1-0 advantage for their second leg against Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
A 2-0 win for Brugge would be enough to take them through at United’s expense (on the away goals rule), but United -- three-time winners of the Champions League -- are confident after Marouane Fellaini’s late third goal in the first leg.
“It [Fellaini’s goal] makes a difference because 3-1 is a very difficult result,” United boss Louis van Gaal said after the victory last Tuesday.Brugge boss Michel Preud’homme, on the other hand, was less optimistic after conceding the third goal in Manchester.
“The last goal was very bad for the confidence,” the former Belgian international said.
Manchester United -winners in 1968, 1999 and 2008 -- did not feature in the competition last season but had previously reached the group stages for 18 years in succession.
Brugge have not made the group stages since the 2005-06 season when they finished third in Group A behind Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Lazio go to Bayer Leverkusen hoping to defend a one-goal advantage and reach the main draw for the first time since the 2007-08 season.
They take a 1-0 lead to the Cypriot capital Nicosia for their second leg against 2012 quarterfinalists APOEL, who are no strangers to the group stage having qualified last season. – AFP