Champions League

HARRY KANE didn’t train with Bayern Munich ahead of the Champions League clash with Celtic.And wily boss Vincent Kompany refused to rule his star striker in or out of the Euro decider – in a deliberate attempt to blindside Brendan Rodgers.Harry Kane is a doubt ahead of the visit of Celtic to Bayern Munich in the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyThe England captain suffered an injury to his face in the weekend’s draw with Bayer LeverkusenCredit: GettyKane hit Bayern’s second goal in last week’s first leg at ParkheadCredit: GettyKane suffered a blow to the face in the top-of-the-table weekend Bundesliga head-to-head with rivals Bayer Leverkusen.And the England skipper was nowhere to be seen in Monday’s training session – fuelling speculation he could be ruled out of the Champions League crunch.Kompany was quizzed on his 29-goal hitman’s fitness at his press conference – but refused to say whether Kane would be in line-up at the Allianz Arena.He said: “It’s nothing bad for Harry, but we have very little time to recover. “Sometimes you need an extra day, but we’ll see how Harry feels tomorrow morning. “I assume it’s nothing bad.”I have blurred the lines on the question to throw up a SMOKE BOMB!”We’ll see tomorrow.”Most read in Champions LeagueKompany insists he expects a DANGEROUS Celtic side to turn up at the Allianz ArenA.He added: “How will Celtic approach the game?Awkward moment Martin O’Neill calls out Brendan Rodgers over 2019 Celtic exit to Leicester “That is a good question which you will need to ask my colleague, Brendan Rodgers. “Many things can happen in a game. “From my side, we prepare for everything, if they sit back or press, but it is all the things in between that can decide a game as well. “We just want to be mentally ready to do what we have done so often at home in winning games.”The second half of the tie has still to be played and the parameters haven’t changed, it is a team which is really dangerous going forward.”But for us it is a home game and we will make that work to our advantage.”We won at Celtic Park, which doesn’t happen that often for visiting teams. “It was a good experience for our team and against Leverkusen we wanted to win and it is the same tomorrow. Vincent Kompany urged Bayern fans to dream of the Champions League final, which is in Munich in MayCredit: Reuters”I don’t have thoughts about ‘what happens if we don’t reach it’. “The focus is on can we reach our best performance and can we show our mentality to win this game. “The best case is that you have both but sometimes for one reason or another you have a game where you just win a game. “But it is always about being the best we can be.”Are we under more pressure? “What I would say is that it’s the same for us in every game as it is for Celtic in every game back home.”The expectation for Celtic back home is that they have to win every game.”The emphasis is on them making the difference and it’s the same for us.”That’s not a very different situation for us.”It’s every week like this.”The Champions League final is in Munich in May and Kompany added: “I would just say that from the very beginning we have expressed that it was important for our fans to dream.”But that doesn’t change our mission tomorrow.”And our mission tomorrow is to win the game – or do the necessary to qualify. “Then hopefully I will be standing here again for the next press conference and saying the same again.”The dream and the job have to align.”And my job is to focus on the game tomorrow.”Tomorrow will be an important game for us and the whole club. “We are very strong at home. “I have seen a lot of Celtic’s games – they have done very well in the Champions League so far and can always be dangerous.”It’s a good opportunity to do something well again in these six days, which have been very busy. READ MORE SUN STORIES”When the results are right, you have that little bit of extra strength, and that should help us tomorrow.”Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

ENZO MARESCA has the backing of the Chelsea board – despite an alarming post-Christmas slump. The Blues put in a miserable display on Friday night as they were beaten 3-0 by Brighton.Enzo Maresca endured a tough night as Chelsea were soundly beaten by BrightonCredit: AFPChelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is reportedly pleased with the Italian’s leadershipCredit: AlamyChelsea failed to muster a single shot on target as they slumped to a third loss in four games. Maresca’s side looked to be embroiled in an unlikely title race just two months ago. But a severe slide since the turn of the year has seen them take just 12 points from a possible 30. And they continue to show a persistent form of travel sickness, with no away win since December 8. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLA frustrated Maresca called the Brighton debacle the “worst performance” since he arrived in the summer.He added: “This is the worst moment since I arrived but we are still there and we need to finish in the best way.”According to The Athletic, Chelsea’s board are still “happy” with how Maresca has performed this season. It comes despite some discontent among the fanbase, with the away end at Brighton noticeably emptying before the final whistle on Friday.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe report adds that Maresca was not expected to achieve Champions League football in his first season. Chelsea slipped back to sixth after results over the weekend and face an uphill task to finish in the top four.’Pressure shouldn’t be on the coach’ – Gary Neville slams Chelsea board for ‘unforgivable’ mistakeMaresca’s job is not said to be under threat, despite chants of “We want our Chelsea back” heard from travelling faithful at the Amex.The Italian also called on his team to summon the team spirit they showed in abundance earlier this season. He continued: “We need all of them, in this moment, to be more positive.”Because this is a moment where we need to stick together and try to finish in the best way.”Chelsea ratings vs BrightonHOW SunSport’s ISABELLE BARKER rated Chelsea flops as the Blues failed to muster a single shot on target in a 3-0 loss to Brighton,FILIP JORGENSEN 5 Jorgensen wasn’t all to blame for letting in the three goals, particularly Kaoru Mitoma’s wonder strike. But Chelsea fans will be thinking ‘be careful what you wish for’ with Rob Sanchez not looking so bad anymore. MALO GUSTO 6 Gusto stood his ground well at times with Mitoma one-on-one for some of Chelsea’s better defending in the match. LEVI COLWILL 5When Colwill lost the ball under minimal pressure and stayed on the ground, making no attempt to recover his position it summed up his game. Twice in two matches he’s given goals away for being weak.TREVOH CHALOBAH 5 The centre-back flapped about when marking Mitoma for the opener. MARC CUCURELLA 5 Struggled to keep Yankuba Minteh in check and was fully sat down by the Gambia winger for Brighton’s third goal – much to the pleasure of the booing home fans. MOISES CAICEDO 7Caicedo was jeered by chants of “what a waste of money”.But he has been one of the Blues’ only bright sparks for the last six months and, even today, he was Maresca’s best player.ENZO FERNANDEZ 6 The Chelsea skipper was unlucky not to have nabbed an equaliser after rising above Joel Veltman on 36 minutes to head home – but he fouled the Dutchman in the build up. Looked sluggish in other areas of the game though. NONI MADUEKE 5 Had little influence as he was substituted off on 20 minutes due to a hamstring injury. The Blues are running out of forwards with him joining Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu on the injured list.COLE PALMER 5Palmer was reeling throughout both halves, constantly throwing his hands up in frustration at the lack of service from his teammates.He blazed well over, when he did have a shot and the Blues didn’t have a single effort on target. PEDRO NETO 5 It was not clear what Neto’s purpose was on the pitch, he only really looked good at sprinting and still couldn’t beat Tariq Lamptey in a 1v1. CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU 5 Nkunku did a very good job at jogging around and not doing a lot. Blues would probably rather see Jackson starting if he wasn’t also out injured. SUBSJADON SANCHO 5 Sancho looks as though he is doing what he did at Manchester United, starting well but going off the boil. In his last 11 games across all competitions, he has nabbed just one assist. KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL 6REECE JAMES 6 TYRIQUE GEORGE 6Maresca has had to operate with a depleted squad, as Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu recently joined a crowded injury room. The Blues face a tough trip to Aston Villa this weekend.READ MORE SUN STORIESMaresca added: “We are in a moment when we feel we can concede easily and struggle to score. “There are many things we can do better. Now is the moment we need to stick together.” More