AMSTERDAM – With injured Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones sitting out this round, three Americans are expected to take part in European cup play this week.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Valencia vs. Rangers
Tuesday, 2:45 p.m. ET on Fox Soccer Plus/FoxSoccer.tv
American: Maurice Edu ('Gers)
Despite being pulled with a knock at halftime on Saturday, the US midfielder has traveled to Spain with the club. Whether the former Toronto FC ace – who scored on both teams’ goals in the home Group C draw with Valencia – appears is another matter. Rangers have not won an away Champions League match in their last eight tries, but Los Ché have won just one of seven such games at home.
EUROPA LEAGUE
PAOK Saloniki vs. Villarreal
Thursday, 2 p.m. ET on DirecTV
American: Jozy Altidore (V'real)
The Group D pace-setters are cruising as they head to Greece, where Altidore hopes his recent run of action continues. Villarreal are unbeaten in their last 10 across all competitions, while PAOK have only dropped one of their last five Europa League home games. With Carlos Marchena, Marcos Senna and Borja Valero back, the visitors will arrive with a full selection.
AEK Athens vs. Anderlecht
Thursday, 4 p.m. ET
American: Sacha Kljestan (AND)
Kljestan is fit, in favor and scoring, so he could see a fifth straight start. Les Mauves will arrive without midfield ace Lucas Biglia and captain Olivier Deschact, while AEK will likely miss star man Scocco. If Anderlecht can pull off the sweep in Athens, it would remove a lot of pressure from their Matchday 5 trip to perfect Group G leaders Zenit St. Petersburg.
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