Zaragoza have gaps to fill

Real Zaragoza, the European Cup-Winners' Cup holders, and fellow Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna both have significant injury absentees for their first round, second leg home ties today.

The Zaragoza striker Fernando Morientes, who scored in the 2-0 first- leg victory against Inter Bratislava two weeks ago, is having treatment in the Netherlands for an injury to his left leg. His side will miss him. They have not shone in the league so far, with only one win from four games, drawing 0-0 at Valencia last Sunday.

Deportivo will be without the Brazilian midfielder Mauro Silva but will otherwise be at full strength when they take on Apoel of Nicosia after a scoreless draw in the first leg. Mauro Silva did not train on Tuesday although he described the injury as "not that serious".

"There is a lot of competition for places but we can only play three foreigners and I have this injury," he said. "I'm taking the opportunity to rest."

In Italy, the Parma coach, Nevio Scala, will rest Hristo Stoichkov and Gianfranco Zola against Teuta Durresi of Albania. Parma lead 2-0 through Zola's first-leg goals, but Scala will use Allesandro Melli and Filippo Inzaghi up front.

The AEK Athens coach Dusan Bayevic said the Greek side will be at full strength when they take a 2-0 first leg lead to a revitalised Sion of Switzerland. Sion's 4-1 win against Young Boys in the Swiss league at the weekend will bolster their confidence. "What I fear most, however, is the rainy weather in Switzerland and the heavy field where we are not used to playing," Bayevic said.

Israel's Maccabi Haifa will make several changes after their 4-0 first- leg defeat by Sporting Lisbon. The Uruguayan Edgardo Aldinofi is likely to play in midfield while defender Moshe Glam will be recalled to contain Pedro Barbosa, who scored a hat-trick in Lisbon.

Borussia Monchengladbach travel to Macedonia with a 3-0 cushion over Sileks Kratovo. The match will be staged in a stadium often used by United Nations peace-keeping forces as a helicopter landing field.