In Rome a fortnight ago, Leeds United managed partly to overcome off-the-field disruption brought about by Martin O'Neill's vacillating and David O'Leary's touchline ban to record the most impressive of 1-0 defeats and it looks as though they will have to do it the difficult way again in tonight's return at Elland Road, although this time the hurdles are on the pitch.
O'Leary, since appointed manager, can resume his dug-out seat and may need to be vocal as he tries to reorganise a Leeds team without the captain Lucas Radebe.
The South African has been a growing influence and had an immense game in Rome albeit with one blip - the mistimed challenge that allowed Marco Delvecchio to score the goal which divides the sides.
But Radebe damaged knee ligaments in the 2-2 draw at Derby on Saturday and yesterday O'Leary confirmed Radebe would be unavailable tonight. "Losing Lucas is a big, big blow for us," said O'Leary, "he is a fantastic defender and we always look a better team when he is there."
At least O'Leary has options on cover for Radebe, being able to perm any combination from Danny Granville, Ian Harte, Martin Hiden, David Wetherall and the 18-year-old Jonathan Woodgate to play alongside Robert Molenaar. Gunnar Halle is another defender to consider although the Norwegian may occupy a more advanced role, the one held by Bruno Ribeiro until his sending-off in the first leg.
It was from the left side of midfield that both Halle and Ribeiro struck the Roma woodwork and Ribeiro's automatic suspension provides O'Leary with further shuffling. Another change from Rome will see Paul Robinson continue to deputise for the injured Nigel Martyn. Having chosen the 18-year-old Stephen McPhail to play in central midfield in Rome, Robinson has become the third teenager O'Leary has shown no fear in selecting.
His opposite number Zdenek Zeman, by contrast, has an experienced, solid squad to pick from with the excellent 22-year-old captain Francesco Totti likely to be Roma's youngest player. Totti is also Roma's key man - he scored twice on Saturday in the 4-0 victory over Udinese that keeps Roma third in Serie A - and Leeds' ability to interrupt his link with Delvecchio will be crucial to the outcome.
Tony Adams and Marc Overmars have been ruled out of Arsenal's European Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev tomorrow - completing a treble blow for manager Arsene Wenger. He is already without striker Dennes Bergkamp for the trip to Ukraine because of his fear of air travel.
