Cech and Carvalho return as Chelsea rely on the warhorse Terry to snatch the win over Roma. Meanwhile, Keane give Liverpool an advantage before watching Athletico level after limping off with a groin injury. Here’s the notes on another night in Europe…

Athletico Madrid 1 Liverpool 1

Mascherano returned to the starting lineup with Pennant dropping to the bench. Alonso kept his place then, while Benayoun earned a start on the right with Kuyt rested to the bench with the weekend trip to Chelsea in mind.

Liverpool were pegged back with seven minutes remaining after taking the lead in a first half that they dominated. Keane’s goal from a Gerrard assist gave Rafa’s men the lead on 14 minutes. Keane, playing up front on his own, later suffered an injury that will make him a doubt for the trip to Stamford Bridge. At that point, Athletico began to play themselves into the game to threaten Reina’s goal before Simao earned an equaliser near the death after a rare error from Carragher.

Little to glean from this one in fantasy terms. Rafa went with one up front on the night and may well be forced into that formation at Chelsea if Keane fails to shake off this new groin injury. He seemed confident after the game however and expects to be fit. I don’t see too much rotation from Rafa. Benayoun is most likely to drop out to allow for Kuyt’s return. Apart from that, it’s likely to be the same lineup at the Bridge.

Lineup
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena, Mascherano, Alonso (Leiva Lucas 75), Benayoun, Gerrard (Babel 61), Riera, Keane (Kuyt 53).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Pennant, Darby.

Injuries and Bans
Aside from Keane’s injury, Gerrard and Alonso were also withdrawn after suffering knocks. Rafa was confident that these won’t be a concern going into the weekend.

Chelsea 1 Roma 0

Scolari welcomed back Cech from injury, while Carvalho returned after a four week absence. Deco also returned in midfield having featured from the bench at Boro. Cudicini, Alex and Belletti all dropped out. Joe and Ashley Cole remained sidelined and doubts for the weekend clash with Liverpool.

Terry reminded us all of his danger at set plays with a near post header that won the game with 12 minutes left on the clock. Chelsea struggled to make inroads in a tactical affair that rarely sparked into life. Deco struggled on his return to the midfield and, uncharacteristically, Scolari’s side created very little from wide positions, although they did improve with the introduction of Belletti. Lampard’s set plays were the biggest threat and it was his corner that was eventually converted by Terry.

The return of Cech was no major surprise and will come as a relief to his owners going into the weekend. Those fantasy managers who had lept on Alex after Carvalho’s injury will be disappointed by his return tonight. Alex now looks set to be frozen out with Carvalho restored long term alongside Terry. Belletti could threaten a start at the weekend but it looks likely that Scolari will go with the same eleven, unless either of the Cole’s make a recovery or Drogba is risked.

Lineup
Cech; Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge; Mikel; Kalou (Di Santo 76), Deco, Lampard, Malouda (Belletti 45); Anelka (Ferreira 90).