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The Republic of Ireland may be billing their FIFA World Cup play-off against France as a meeting of aristocrats and artisans but the feeling within the hosts’ squad is that this tie is anybody’s game.

Having seen Ukraine fail in three major tournament play-offs, Andriy Shevchenko is desperate for it to be fourth time lucky against Greece, saying: “All we need is a ticket to South Africa.”

UEFA will unveil the new visual identity – including a design and logo – created specially for the 2010 UEFA Champions League final in Madrid at a ceremony in the Spanish capital on 20 November.

It is almost a year since FC Internazionale Milano last won in the UEFA Champions League but, after impressing at the weekend, José Mourinho is confident they can overcome FC Dynamo Kyiv.

Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Patrice Evra, Ji-Sung Park and Darren Fletcher are all injured for Manchester United FC’s trip to PFC CSKA Moskva, but there is hope for Dimitar Berbatov and Nemanja Vidi?.

Theo Walcott will miss Arsenal FC’s Group H ties against AZ Alkmaar after being ruled out for up to four weeks through knee ligament damage. Tomáš Rosický is also absent from Tuesday’s away game.

Walter Smith believes he will know more about the prospect of Rangers FC progressing from Group G after they face FC Unirea Urziceni, whose coach Dan Petrescu insists his side “have nothing to lose”.

In the second instalment of our readers’ Q&A with Aly Cissokho the Olympique Lyonnais defender looks back on his time with FC Porto, sings Steven Gerrard’s praises and discusses his new-found fame.

FC Internazionale Milano captain Javier Zanetti warned that Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi has told him that he was full of motivation as FC Barcelona come to town for the opening of their title defence.

The UEFA Appeals Body has accepted the appeal lodged by Arsenal FC against the two-match ban handed to striker Eduardo and has annulled the decision by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body.

Talismanic striker Raúl González knows that Real Madrid CF’s summer spending spree has mounted yet more pressure on the club to end its recent barren run in the UEFA Champions League.

Lionel Messi, a pivotal figure in FC Barcelona’s march to UEFA Champions League glory last season, has more to celebrate after collecting the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award in Monaco.

FC Barcelona will begin their title defence in Group F against FC Internazionale Milano, FC Dynamo Kyiv and FC Rubin Kazan while some long away trips are in prospect for Manchester United FC.

UEFA President Michel Platini emphasised the prestige and excellence of the UEFA Champions League, and outlined key goals for European football’s governing body, in his speech in Monaco.

Kaká said he expected a “warm welcome” at the San Siro after the UEFA Champions League draw paired his new side, Real Madrid CF, with former employers AC Milan in a tough looking Group C.