O'Neill free of cash fears as Celtic face a fight

The Celtic manager, Martin O'Neill, yesterday denied that the financial consequences of missing out on a place in the money-spinning Champions' League group stages are weighing heavily on his mind.

Celtic's 3-1 victory over FC Basle a fortnight ago has given the club a superb chance of joining Europe's élite competition after tonight's third qualifying round, second leg in Switzerland. But O'Neill claimed he was under no extra pressure and pointed to the fact that Celtic had not had revenue coming in from the Champions' League for many years before his arrival. "It doesn't concern me – I won't be getting a lot of it anyway," joked O'Neill. "The financial implications are there for other people to worry about.

"It's not only us that have a lot riding on these games. The Champions' League qualifier also has financial implications for Basle as well."

The FC Basle manager, Christian Gross, once of Tottenham, said yesterday that the match was "the biggest game in 25 years for FC Basle".

"My team will be up for this game. They are mentally prepared for this game and they will know when to take some risks. The performance in Glasgow has given us confidence, but we still conceded three goals. The players will be fighting for the club and we really need to score early to have a chance."

O'Neill agreed that the match was "still in the balance". Despite his words, however, he has ruled out the possibility of his side trying to protect their cushion and instead promised all-out attack in the St Jakob Stadium.

"We are optimistic," said O'Neill. "But we are not foolhardy and know how difficult it is going to be. We have to get through and try to score a goal just like the Basle team did at our ground. I think we will score. We are definitely capable of doing that."

Gross still has injury problems to contend with as Marco Zwyssig and Antonio Esposito are definitely ruled out through injury and there are doubts surrounding Alexandre Quennoz, Murat Yakin and Hakan Yakin.

The Milan coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is uncertain what role his new signing, Rivaldo, will play in the second leg against Slovan Liberec.

With a precarious 1-0 lead, courtesy of Filippo Inzaghi's goal two weeks ago, Milan travel to the Czech Republic aware that the slightest slip could end their Champions' League prospects.

While Rivaldo is not guaranteed a starting place, Ancelotti has promised that the Brazilian World Cup winner will make his competitive debut for the Rossoneri.

Ancelotti will be without three key players because of injuries picked up in the first-leg at the San Siro. The goalkeeper Christian Abbiati sustained an abdominal muscle injury and the Brazilian Dida will take his place.

Also out are defender Roque Junior, who is in Brazil recovering from a shoulder injury, and the striker Andrei Shevchenko, who has had an operation on his left knee.

Barcelona should secure their passage into the Champions' League in tonight's return leg against Legia Warsaw. They beat the Polish side 3-0 at the Nou Camp in the first leg.

Barca are without Juan Roman Riquelme, who has a slight stomach strain while Michael Reiziger and Roberto Bonano have been dropped. Victor Valdes will continue in goal and Fernando Navarro will again start on the left of defence as Louis van Gaal stays loyal to the side who cruised through the first leg.

A broadcasting row is threatening to overshadow Auxerre's second leg match against Boavista. Auxerre face the Portuguese club holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Porto two weeks ago, but it is seems likely that no one outside the Abbe Deschamps stadium will be able to see the match. The Auxerre coach, Guy Roux, has threatened to prevent French television channels from covering the game in protest at their failure to broadcast the first leg, which he claimed was unprecedented in the history of French clubs attempting to qualify for the Champions' League.

"We feel neglected and this is our way to show our dissatisfaction," said Roux.