Free Kick: Fascinating contests await Champions Cup

This week in the European Champions Cup, we are right down to the wire, with some fascinating and elusive questions to be answered.

In Group A things could hardly be tighter. Lokomotiv Moscow come to Highbury where Arsenal last Sunday failed to score against Fulham, just four days after thrashing Inter 5-1 at San Siro.

While Inter that Sunday, though (or who knows, even because) they were without their key defenders Fabio Cannavaro and Marco Matreazzi, their chief marksman, Bobo (The Sulk) Vieri, went to Turin and beat Juventus 3-1.

Juve, unbeaten in 10 games till then, went on last Tuesday to lose against this time in the European Cup 2-0 to Galatasaray - not even at home in Istanbul - in Dortmund.

Julio Cruz, the Argentine centre forward, replaced Vieri in Turin and scored a couple of fine goals. That accomplished, 32- year-old Carlos Alberto Camarra, stepped coolly into the defensive breach and helped to close out Pavel Nedved, the Czech fulcrum of the Juve midfield.

Arsenal, themselves as we know were without several famous figures in Milan. Last Tuesday, they put out what was largely a reserve side in the league Cup at Highbury, While Inter go to Kiev to play Dynamo, whom they narrowly beat at San Siro, the Gunners, this Wednesday evening, are hosts to Lokomotiv Moscow, with whom they drew 0-0 in Russia.

Thrashing Wolves, who put out a full strength side, last Tuesday, 5-1, perhaps the greatest satisfaction of that game for Arsene Wenger was the return of Patrick Vieira after a long absence. Yes, they won 5-1 at Inter without him.

Significant indeed was the dazzling performance of the 20-year-old French striker, Jeremy Aliadere, who scored twice.

Lokomotiv are still top of the group, with eight points, but they are somewhat lucky to edge out Kiev, with a late goal by the Costa Rican, Winston Parks after what looked a plain foul on the goalkeeper.

In Group E, the result of the Old Trafford game today evening between Manchester United and VSB Stuttgart will decide who wins the group; they are level on points at the moment.

In Madrid, David Beckham isenjoying his spell in the centre of the Real Madrid midfield, where he'd also like to play for England.

Leading a hectic late night life away from his absent wife Beckham to my mind, is being seriously missed by Manchester United. Where Ferguson, persists with his case against the millionaire Irish racehorse owners, John Magnier and J.P McManus, who own 23 percent of the Manchester United shares, and own the famous racehorse Rock of Gibraltar.

They gave Fergie a share in the steed for nothing, but on top of his winnings, he demands a share of the breeding rights - which would be vast - as well.

Much wants more, his critics might say given his colossal earnings at United and a potential £4 million a year new contract. An Irish court will decide whether Fergie is legally within his rights.

But if ex-friend Magnier exercises his right to take a place on the United Board of Directors, what would happen then? The irresistible force appears to be meeting the immovable object.