Football News | Football Gossips | Football Transfers | Football Saga | Football Rumours: 11/01/2009

Ronaldo to start against FC Zurich

Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in Real Madrid's squad for their Champions League game with FC Zurich on Wednesday night.

Ronaldo has missed Real's last 10 games with an ankle injury and was also unable to play in Portugal's World Cup qualifying play-off with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

However, the 24-year-old returned to full training on Friday and could now feature against Zurich at the Bernabeu.

Failing that, the former Manchester United forward will be keen to figure in the first El Clasico of the season against Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Sunday.

Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara insists his team will be taking nothing for granted against Bordeaux on Wednesday night despite having one foot in the Champions League knockout phase.

The Serie A outfit travel to France knowing they will join Bordeaux in the next round by at least matching Bayern Munich's result at home to Maccabi Haifa in the other Group A game.

Ferrara wants his side to make sure of qualification before next month's meeting with in Turin with Bayern, over whom they currently hold a four-point advantage.

"We have a great chance of qualifying for the second round of the Champions League so our concentration is fully on what we do against Bordeaux," Ferrara said after his side's 1-0 victory over Udinese on Sunday.

That win, courtesy of a Fabio Grosso goal, took Juve into second place in Serie A, five points behind leaders Inter Milan.

Juve are preparing for a crucial period of games over the coming fortnight, which is why they were happy to be able to take it a little easier towards the end of the Udinese game.

"We have an important schedule coming up," said defender Giorgio Chiellini. "We have a big test on Wednesday in France, then a trip to Sardinia to meet Cagliari before hosting Inter the following weekend.

"Those are going to be very difficult and we have got to save our energy a little, but we are ready for these games and now it gets interesting."

Juventus will welcome back captain Alessandro Del Piero to Champions League action.

Del Piero returned to play at the weekend after a long injury lay-off and is set to lead Juve's attack on Wednesday night.

"My season started on Sunday," said Del Piero. "Now I hope we can give continuity to our results and claim an important win in Bordeaux."

Juve will be without injured strikers David Trezeguet and Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Ligue 1 champions Bordeaux host Juve eager to bounce back from last weekend's shock 1-0 defeat to Valenciennes, their first loss at home in two years.

The result saw Les Girondins drop to second in the standings, one point behind Auxerre.

Despite having already clinched a place in the next round, Bordeaux will have plenty of motivation to beat Juve.

A victory would ensure they finish top of the group and record their best ever points total in the competition.

They currently have 10 points, two more than Juve.

Laurent Blanc's men are optimistic of claiming maximum points having won all their European games at the Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas this season.

However, Juve go into the game with the best defensive record in the competition having conceded just one goal so far.

Bordeaux will be without Moroccan forward Marouane Chamakh and midfielder Yoann Gourcuff through injury.

Fernando Torres stayed behind on Monday, as expected, as Liverpool flew out to Hungary for their Champions League clash with Debrecen.

The Spain striker has remained on Merseyside for treatment on his groin injury.

Manager Rafael Benitez told the club's website: "We thought it would be two or three weeks and he's only 12 or 13 days into that so there's no point in him going.

"The next few days will decide if he is fit for Everton (on Sunday), but at this moment there are no guarantees."

Liverpool need to beat Debrecen to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive, although a victory would be rendered meaningless if Fiorentina beat Lyon.

And Dutch forward Ryan Babel has been ruled out after twisting his ankle in the weekend draw with Manchester City.

Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, who were both struggling with injuries at the end of the 2-2 draw with City, were both in Liverpool's 18-man squad that travelled to Budapest.

Glen Johnson, who missed the City game with a calf problem, was also in the party, while Albert Riera's hamstring injury meant he was left behind for further treatment. Daniel Agger has recovered from a head injury sustained at the weekend.

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe revealed how he made a last-minute change of boots before his goalscoring frenzy against Wigan that sent his club back into the Barclays Premier League top four.

Spurs development coach Clive Allen, himself a prolific striker in his playing days, told Defoe to change his green boots - and the result was five goals in the 9-1 demolition at White Hart Lane.

It was Spurs' biggest victory for 32 years, since they defeated Bristol Rovers, and their biggest in the Premier League.

"I had a funny feeling before the game," Defoe said. "Adidas gave me a pair of green boots and I tried them on before the game, but Clive Allen said I couldn't wear them, so I changed them.

"They were pinkish silver ones in the end, and I go and score five."

Peter Crouch's early strike gave Harry Redknapp's men a half-time lead, with nothing at that stage suggesting Spurs would almost hit double figures. Robbie Keane, who was rested following his World Cup efforts for Republic of Ireland last week, told his team-mates in the dressing room at half-time that they needed a second goal to kill Wigan off.

Defoe, when asked if they needed the ninth goal, joked: "Maybe a 10th."

Aaron Lennon and Niko Kranjcar also netted, while David Bentley's free-kick went in off Chris Kirkland, who made a string of fine saves despite the scoreline.

Redknapp believes his player can finish top goalscorer in the league and cement himself in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad with England.

"I don't see why Defoe can't be the top scorer in the Premier League this season," the Spurs boss said. "It's about time he scored 20 goals in a season. I don't know whether he's done it before, maybe with West Ham, but he should be able to do that.

"He's been so sharp in training. You could see this coming."

Defoe recently came back from a three-match suspension for violent conduct after getting sent off against Portsmouth - with his club losing two of the games he missed.

"The England manager will have watched him and he can't react that way," Redknapp added about his striker, who joined Ted Harper, Alf Stokes and Les Allen as Spurs players to have score five times in a match.

"But he's come back strong. When he concentrates and plays his football, he can be unstoppable."

Wigan's goal came from Paul Scharner, who appeared to handle before lashing in, offering a reminder of Thierry Henry's handball last Wednesday.

Redknapp added: "Handball. It was as blatant as Thierry Henry's handball. I haven't even seen a replay. If he could have controlled it with his body, he would have done and I'm surprised the referee didn't spot it. I can't believe he missed it."

Redknapp suffered a 9-0 reverse in first match as a manager - Lincoln beat Bournemouth on that occasion - and he did not celebrate in front of Wigan boss Roberto Martinez as the goals crashed in.

Martinez is hoping his side are not psychologically scarred from the defeat.

"The damage of this won't be carried into the next game," said the Spaniard. "We have enough characters in the dressing room and we need to react in the right way. I've never been involved in a game like this.

"From the mental point of view, we'll get stronger from this. This is a very unique situation but we can use it in a positive way in terms of learning from these situations. We've never experienced this before.

"The biggest disappointment was how we started the first half, then the naivety that saw them scoring in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

"It's about damage limitation after that in terms of going into next week, avoiding yellow cards that will be carried into next week."

AC Milan are sweating over the fitness of striker Marco Borriello ahead of their Champions League clash against Olympique Marseille.

Borriello is struggling with a knee injury and is doubtful for tomorrow's Group C encounter at the San Siro.

The Italian forward was the inspiration behind his team's 4-3 triumph against Cagliari at the weekend, scoring a goal and earning a penalty.

That result marked Milan's fourth win in five games, keeping Leonardo's side third in the domestic standings, seven points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

The Italians go into Wednesday's game level on seven points with Real Madrid with two Champions League group games left to play. Marseille are just one point behind them.

Both sides know that victory would put them a step closer to the last 16.

"Sunday's triumph was extremely important for the team to be able to focus on the game against Marseille with our head held up high and in fine spirits," said AC Milan defender Thiago Silva.

"We must play against Marseille with calmness, just as we did against Real Madrid.

"We cannot go out on the pitch desperate to break the deadlock in the first 15 minutes but rather be patient.

"Just like us, Marseille know that this game is crucial and it will be a difficult test."

French defender Mathieu Flamini is desperate to recover from an ankle injury in time to face his former team on Wednesday night.

Flamini missed the clash against Cagliari but could be given some playing time on Wednesday.

"I hope I can play," he said. "It's always special for me to play against OM.

"It is the club where I grew up, that I love.

"Tomorrow's match is an important game for both teams.

"A win tomorrow would avoid us having any additional pressure in our last group game.

"My hope is that both teams qualify for the next round."

A draw would not be a bad result for the hosts considering they take on FC Zurich in Switzerland in the final group match. However, OM will be desperate to claim a win as they face a more challenging game at home to Real Madrid next month.

Didier Deschamps' side travel to the San Siro in good spirits after moving to fourth in Ligue 1 with Friday's 1-0 win over fierce rivals Paris St Germain, courtesy of a Gabriel Heinze goal.

The French giants ended a run of six straight away defeats in the competition with a win at Zurich last on October 21.

The hosts welcome back defender Alessandro Nesta from suspension while they are without injured trio Marek Jankulovski, Gennaro Gattuso and Oguchi Onyewu.

Leonardo is set to field the attacking trio of Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato and Borriello in attack.

Roman Pavlyuchenko is waiting to hear back from Roma after reiterating his desire to leave Tottenham.

The Russian striker's future has been the subject of speculation for some time, with Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Pavlyuchenko is keen to play regularly and announced earlier this month that he would look to secure a move away from White Hart Lane when the transfer window reopens.

He has been linked with a return to his homeland, while agent Oliver Wendt announced last week that Roma were interested in securing his services.

Wendt has not heard of any fresh developments over the past few days but will continue to monitor the situation.

"Pavlyuchenko wants to leave Tottenham," Wendt told romagiallorossa.com.

"If Roma are interested in Pavlyuchenko they should contact us and Tottenham. We await a response from Roma.

"I have not heard Roma since the famous contact of last week in London and there hasn't even been any contact with Tottenham lately."

Harry Redknapp has insisted he does not want to sell Pavlyuchenko and there have been suggestions that a loan switch might be more likely.

However, Wendt has ruled out such an idea, saying: "No, the loan of the player is not possible."

Gennaro Gattuso has no intention of leaving AC Milan, according to club coach Leonardo.

The Italy international is a reported target of Manchester City and the Italian media have claimed Gattuso is pondering a move away from the San Siro in the winter transfer market.

"I have spoken to (AC Milan club administrator Adriano) Galliani," said Leonardo.

"I often speak to Gattuso and it's not true.

"There is no truth in claims that he wants to leave."

Gattuso's has been playing less than last season partly due to injuries and also to Leonardo's rotation policy.

The 31-year-old has made seven league appearances this campaign and is currently sidelined with a muscular injury.

"Gattuso's priority is to recover," said Leonardo. "He is out injured and it's normal that a player who is recovering from injury is eager to come back to play.

"Milan's project is to use all the players we have available."

Gattuso has been with the Rossoneri since 1999 and was a crucial member of the Italy squad which won the 2006 World Cup.

Team-mate Ronaldinho believes Gattuso, who is under contract with the Rossoneri until June 2011,

is likely to stay put.

"Rino (Gattuso) is a good friend of mine," he said. "He is the soul of this team and I expect him to remain here."

Valencia remain firmly on the coat-tails of the Primera Division pace-setters after easing to a comfortable 3-1 victory over nine-man Osasuna at the Estadio Reyno de Navarra.

Goals from David Villa, David Albelda and Carlos Marchena ensured a routine victory for Unai Emery's men, who remain fourth, just four points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Villarreal's dismal start to the season is fast becoming a distant memory as Ernesto Valverde's side continued their revival with a convincing 3-1 home victory over Real Valladolid.

Record signing Nilmar netted twice and strike partner Giuseppe Rossi also got on the scoresheet to set Villarreal on their way to victory, with Valladolid only managing to net a consolation through Diego Costa.

Real Mallorca struck twice in the last two minutes to preserve their 100% home record in the Primera Division with a 3-1 victory over plucky Almeria.

The islanders had won all of their previous five league matches at Son Moix but looked as though they would have to settle for a draw in this one after David Rodriguez cancelled out Gonzalo Castro's first-half strike.

The scores remained level with just two minutes left but Victor struck to put Mallorca back in front and Castro grabbed a third for Gregorio Manzano's side deep into injury time.

Getafe struck two late goals to beat Espanyol 2-0 and get the better of the Catalans once again after recently knocking the Barcelona-based outfit out of the Copa del Rey.

Espanyol were keen to gain revenge following that cup exit and had most of the play in this match, but the Catalans were unable to avenge that disappointment with goals and Getafe took all three points thanks to strikes from Francisco Javier Casquero and Pedro Rios in the last 12 minutes.

Xerez remain rooted in the relegation zone following a goalless home draw against Sporting Gijon.

Both sides hit the woodwork twice, the hosts through a Sidi Keita shot and an Antonito header and the visitors through n early Jose Angel free-kick and a Miguel de las Cuevas blast.

But neither team could find the target and the sides left with a point each which means Xerez remain second from bottom while Sporting stay seventh.

Malaga continue to prop up the rest after playing out a fiery 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Real Zaragoza in a match which saw both teams finish with 10 men.

Zaragoza took the lead just after half-time when substitute Ewerthon slotted home from the penalty spot but Malaga salvaged a point thanks to debutant Ivan Gonzalez's towering header in the 74th minute.

In between those two goals, both teams lost a player to early baths, with Zaragoza defender Javier Paredes picking up his second yellow card in the 59th minute and Malaga centre-back Weligton following him two minutes later after being shown a straight red.

Real Madrid continued their fine start to the season with a steady if unspectacular 1-0 home win over Racing Santander on Saturday night.

Gonzalo Higuain scored the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute as Madrid made it 28 points from a possible 33 from their 11 games so far as they stayed top of the pile by a point.

Barcelona will head into El Clasico next weekend in second after being held to a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao.

Pep Guardiola's side kicked off the clash at San Mames having relinquished top spot to Real Madrid.

The Spanish and European champions looked on course to reclaim their place at the summit when Dani Alves opened the scoring in the 54th minute, but substitute Gaizka Toquero levelled matters nine minutes later and Athletic held on for a point.

Sevilla survived a late Tenerife fightback to hold on for a 2-1 win and consolidate third place in the table.

Manolo Jimenez's side took control just after the half hour when Diego Perotti struck the opener. Renato then doubled their lead three minutes after the break and the three points looked guaranteed.

But there were some nervous moments for the Andalusians late on after Nino pulled a goal back with 15 minutes still left on the clock.

Andres Guardado struck a dramatic last-minute penalty to give Deportivo La Coruna all three points in a lively 2-1 success over Atletico Madrid, condemning the visitors to a third straight defeat under new coach Quique Sanchez Flores.

Louis van Gaal's future as coach of Bayern Munich is looking even more bleak after his side were held to their fourth draw at the Allianz Arena this season by Bayer Leverkusen.

Mario Gomez gave Bayern the lead in the eighth minute, but in-form striker Stefan Kiessling replied six minutes later with a goal which was good enough to take Leverkusen back above Werder Bremen at the top of the table and maintain their unbeaten record this season.

And Bayern left the field to a chorus of whistles from 69,000 fans who have almost forgotten what it feels like to see their team win at home. The only consolation for Bayern is that the point takes them into seventh in the table.

On Saturday, Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil inspired Werder Bremen to a 6-0 thrashing of Freiburg which sent them top for 24 hours.

Ozil set up four goals and scored one as Bremen moved ahead of Leverkusen on goals scored and extended their unbeaten run to 20 games.

Hugo Almeida netted twice, in the 33rd and 57th minutes, sandwiching Marko Marin's effort in the 55th.

Ozil netted in the 67th minute, Naldo converted a penalty in the 73rd minute and Markus Rosenberg completed the rout eight minutes from time.

Hannover lost their first game since the suicide of their goalkeeper Robert Enke, 2-0 at Schalke.

A minute's silence was held at grounds in Enke's memory, while the Hannover team also wore a number one - Enke's number - on the the front of their shirts.

The win moved the Royal Blues up to third, a point behind the leaders.

Jefferson Farfan opened the scoring for the hosts after 69 minutes and Jan Moravek added a second one minute into stoppage time.

Hoffenheim kept up the pressure on the leading group with a thumping 4-0 win away to struggling Cologne.

The visitors came flying out of the blocks and goals from Carlos Eduardo and Chinedu Obasi put them two up after just 11 minutes.

Demba Ba effectively settled the contest with a third after 46 minutes and Vedad Ibisevic completed the rout with a 90th-minute penalty.

At the other end of the table, Zdravko Kuzmanovic struck a late equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw for Stuttgart before being sent off against fellow strugglers Hertha Berlin.

Adrian Ramos gave Hertha the lead after 49 minutes but Kuzmanovic levelled with eight minutes to play.

The Serbian was dismissed just three minutes later.

The point was the capital club's first on the road this term, but they stayed bottom on just five points, while Stuttgart dropped into the bottom three.

Nurnberg scored a dramatic injury-time winner as they won 3-2 at defending champions Wolfsburg.

Albert Bunjaku put the visitors ahead in the 56th minute but Ashkan Dejagah equalised within three minutes.

Bunjuku restored Nurnberg's advantage in the 64th minute but Wolfsburg responded well again and levelled thanks to a Grafite penalty 10 minutes from time.

But Nurnberg had the final say with Peer Kluge scoring the winner with the final touch of the game to climb to 14th.

An own goal by Oka Nikolov and a Roel Brouwers strike gave Borussia Monchengladbach a 2-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt, for whom Pirmin Schwegler scored a late penalty.

Borussia Dortmund and Mainz exchanged blows but neither was able to land the knockout as they shared a 0-0 draw at the Westfalen Stadion.

Andre Schurrle had Mainz's best chance midway through the second half before Lucas Barrios scuppered a similar opportunity for Dortmund late on in a very even match with few chances at either end and just one yellow card.

Superb Spain bounced back from an early deficit to put 10-man Austria to the sword in a one-sided international friendly at the Ernst-Happel Stadion in Vienna tonight.

Returning to the scene of their Euro 2008 final triumph over Germany, Spain suffered an early setback when Jakob Jantscher put Austria ahead, but Vicente del Bosque's all-conquering side.hit back in style to claim yet another impressive victory.

Cesc Fabregas drew the visitors level in the 10th minute before David Villa added two more goals before the break to move ever closer to Raul's national record.

By the time of Villa's second goal Austria had been reduced to 10 men after Yasin Pehlivan was shown a straight red card in the 26th minute for a late challenge on Sergi Busquets.

Del Bosque made five changes at the break but it was business as usual for the Spanish in the second half and substitutes Dani Guiza and Pablo Hernandez netted within 60 seconds of each other to make it 5-1 by the 57th minute.

There were no more goals after that, but Spain had already done more than enough to record their 41st victory - including two after extra-time - in their last 44 fixtures.

Spain came into the game in buoyant mood after downing fellow World Cup hopefuls Argentina 2-1 in Madrid at the weekend, but the European champions found themselves in the unfamiliar position of trailing after Jantscher scored in the eight minute

Roman Wallner pulled the ball back to Jantscher near the edge of the area and his shot took a deflection off Sergio Ramos before flying past Iker Casillas.

That was an unexpected start to the match, but it took Spain just two minutes to restore parity as Fabregas, bursting through the heart of the Austria defence, took David Silva's pass in his stride before sliding his shot past Christian Gratzei.

Ten minutes later Spain were in front thanks to Villa, who fired home a first-time shot after latching onto Andres Iniesta's superb pass inside Austria captain and centre-back Paul Scharner.

A magnificent flying save from Gratzei then prevented Iniesta making it 3-1 soon after with a 25-yard drive, before Austria's problems deepened when Pehlivan was dismissed after his challenge left Busquets writhing in agony on the floor.

After that it only seemed a matter of how many goals dominant Spain would run up against their weakened hosts.

Silva was denied by Gratzei after breaking clean through but his Valencia team-mate Villa enjoyed better luck just before the break as he added Spain's third.

In an almost identical move to his opening goal - only this time from the other side of the pitch - an inch-perfect pass by Silva bisected the Austria full-back and centre-back and Villa raced in behind to prod the ball past Gratzei.

That was Villa's 35th international goal in only his 54th appearance for Spain, and moved him to within nine of the record of 44 held by the out-of-favour Raul, whose tally came in 102 matches.

Villa was not to get the chance to improve on that as he was one of the men to make way at the break, but the new boys continued to make life tough for their hosts and added two more goals.

The first fell to Guiza, who played a one-two with Pablo and then stabbed the ball home when Austria defender Christian Fuchs looked favourite to clear the danger, and Valencia youngster Pablo added the fifth 60 seconds later with his first international goal.

Spain had chances to increase their lead, with Guiza seeing his cross deflected against the post by a defender, but the Austrians were able to avoid any further humiliation in the last half-hour.

Yaya Toure will not be joining Manchester City after his agent stated that there are far bigger clubs interested in signing his client.

The Ivory Coast midfielder was linked with the Eastlands outfit after his brother Kolo stated that he would like to play alongside his sibling, but representative Dimitri Seluk has ruled out such a scenario.

Toure has become frustrated at Barcelona and could well consider forcing his way out of the European champions.

Seluk told radio station RAC-1: "If Barca do not want Yaya then I can name eight other clubs, some of the biggest in the world, that are interested in signing him.

"One thing I can say though is that if he does leave Barca he will not go to Manchester City because he will sign for a bigger club."

He added: "We understand that in any big team there will be rotations, but why is it always the same player that is rotated?

"How come Keita has played ten games and Yaya four?

"A few months ago we renewed the contract with Barcelona despite having offers from some very big clubs.

"My question now is why did Barca want to renew Yaya's deal? To have him on the bench? I do not understand.

"We respect the decisions made by the coach and will not say anything against what he decides."

Inter Milan's Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar has agreed a new contract with the club, keeping him at the San Siro until 2014.

The 30-year-old, who signed for the Nerazzurri in 2005, has penned a three-and-a-half-year extension to his current deal after finalising terms with Inter vice-president Rinado Ghelfi and technical director Marco Branca.

Cesar said: "I want to celebrate this with many more victories at Inter. I am very happy and thank the club president Massimo Moratti and the whole club.

"With Inter I have already won so much but our strength is that we continue to work hard to reach new goals."

AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani intends to attract disgruntled fans back to the San Siro by offering reduced ticket prices.

Attendances for the Rossoneri's home matches have been in decline this year, with Serie A matches regularly down on recent seasons.

More than 75,000 fans took their place for the glamour Champions League tie against Real Madrid at the start of the month, but only days earlier Milan attracted a crowd of just 33,000 for their league meeting with Parma.

Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I'm very sorry to have lost around 16,000 regular fans in the last year.

"I want to write to them, those who are disappointed, and we will announce a special rate for their first game back.

"I want to write not just (to earn) a few million dollars more, but because we had only 40,000 spectators at the San Siro for Milan versus Roma."

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko is planning showdown talks with manager Harry Redknapp after the international break during which he will "insist" on being allowed to leave the club in January.

The Russian has been largely frozen out at White Hart Lane this season and fears his lack of first-team action could cost him the chance of playing at next year's World Cup finals, with Russia coach Guus Hiddink this week warning Pavlyuchenko could miss out altogether if he is not playing regularly.

Regarded as Spurs' fourth-choice striker behind Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch, 27-year-old Pavlyuchenko has made just six appearances in all competitions for Spurs this season, scoring one goal, and has lost his place in the starting XI of the Russian national team.

Hiddink's side contest the opening game of their World Cup play-off against Slovenia in Moscow on Saturday with a place at the World Cup at stake, and should Russia triumph over the two legs, Pavlyuchenko is determined to stay in the reckoning for South Africa.

"I want to leave the club," said Pavlyuchenko, whose four Barclays Premier League outings this season have all come from the bench.

"It is impossible to remain there under the circumstances I find myself in. I have been sitting on the subs' bench for half a year and as a result lost a place in the starting 11 of the national team.

"And now hopefully we will get to the World Cup - who will rely on a forward who does not play?

"I want to play and not just warm the bench."

Spurs splashed out £14million to sign Pavlyuchenko on a five-year deal from Spartak Moscow in August 2008 and the striker fears the board's likely desire to recoup the bulk of that outlay could scupper his chances of a move away from north London.

"Immediately after the games with Slovenia, my agent and I are flying to London for purposeful negotiations and I want to take part in them personally," Pavlyuchenko added in an interview with Russia's Sport Express newspaper.

"I will ask the management to quote a reasonable price for me.

"Our manager Harry Redknapp does not talk to me on the matter. At the start of the season our manager said that four forwards is exactly the optimal number, but now he states that three is enough.

"And I am the fourth one so it is obvious that I should part with the club.

"The only thing that can stand in the way is unmanageable price. But I will insist on leaving.

"The important thing now is to reach a compromise that will be suitable for the club and me, and my future club."

Germany have called off their friendly with Chile in Cologne on Saturday following the suicide of goalkeeper Robert Enke.

Enke, who had been suffering from depression, was struck by a regional train travelling between Norddeich and Hanover at a railway crossing in Neustadt am Rubenberge on Tuesday evening and died at the scene.

The 32-year-old Hannover keeper had only recently recovered a mysterious bacterial infection and had been omitted from the squad for their upcoming friendlies against Chile and the Ivory Coast next Wednesday.

Germany coach Joachim Low claimed there was no other option but to call off Saturday's match.

He told the German FA's official website, www.dfb.de: "No one feels in the position to simply go about their normal day in this situation.

"We have lost a friend. That is a moment in which you have to stop, even in football. We are mourning Robert Enke deeply."

A tearful Oliver Bierhoff, the team manager, said: "The team want to say goodbye to Robert.

"It could have been a goodbye game, but there is a clear feeling that it would come too early."

The German Football League (DFL) have announced a minute's silence will be held at every ground in Germany ahead of the next round of Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga matches, with all players wearing black armbands.

Captain John Terry put Chelsea five points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League with a second-half winner at Stamford Bridge.

Terry glanced home a 76th minute free-kick from Frank Lampard although United claimed Didier Drogba was in an offside position.

United had their chances with Wayne Rooney twice going close but the Blues made it a club record of 11 straight home wins.

It was the home side who created the first goal attempt when Branislav Ivanovic burst down the right flank and let fly with a left-foot shot which Edwin van der Sar did well to hold at the near post.

United though were far more comfortable on the ball with the home side given little time to build from the back.

But a long cross from Michael Ballack in the 18th minute found the lurking Drogba on the edge of the six-yard box but the Ivory Coast striker failed to direct his header on target.

United, despite their dominance, had not created a clear cut chance.

In the 23rd minute, Chelsea won a free-kick but Lampard wasted the chance to test the United defence when he sent his curling effort beyond the far post.

Drogba was fouled by Wes Brown in the 27th minute in a central position 25 yards from goal.

It was another chance for the home side but again Lampard's free-kick was poor as he sent his effort straight into United's defensive wall.

Moments later Nicolas Anelka tried to beat Van der Sar from 35 yards but the United keeper dealt with it most comfortably.

Van der Sar was tested again when he made a one-handed save to keep out a curling shot from Anelka in the 32nd minute.

A quick counter attack from Chelsea saw Anelka put Deco free on the right flank but his cross eluded Ballack before arriving at the feet of Drogba.

The striker was unable to control the ball and it ran harmlessly into the arms of Van der Sar.

Drogba then broke into the penalty from the right flank but his angled drive ended in the upper tier of the stand as referee Martin Atkinson brought proceedings to a finish for the opening period.

In the 50th minute Drogba got the better of United's John O'Shea but his 25-yard shot went wide of the target.

Ivanovic was booked for a foul on Giggs in the 57th minute as the game began to open-up.

Ricardo Carvalho managed to get his body in the way of a fierce shot from Darren Fletcher moments later. It was a fine piece of defending by the Chelsea man.

A cross from Anelka fell kindly to Lampard on the edge of the penalty area but the England midfielder's shot was easily saved by Van der Sar.

Chelsea had gone over 14 hours since they last conceded a goal at Stamford Bridge.

It was time for the home side to make a change and Carlo Ancelotti opted to remove Deco in favour of Joe Cole, who was celebrating his 28th birthday.

Rooney should have punished Chelsea in the 66th minute when he took a return pass from Antonio Valencia on the edge of the penalty area. But the England striker sent his shot a foot wide of the far post.

Seconds later Rooney brought a fine save from Petr Cech with a 20-yard curler which was destined for the top corner until the Czech international intervened.

There was a worrying moment for Chelsea in the 71st minute when Drogba was kicked in the chest by Jonny Evans. Astonishingly, Drogba was then booked by Atkinson.

Chelsea were in front in the 76th minute when Ashley Cole was fouled by Fletcher on the left flank.

Captain Terry rose to glance Lampard's free-kick into the corner of the net but United were furious that Drogba appeared to be in an offside position as the ball bounced beyond Van der Sar and into the net.

Rooney was booked afterwards and then Atkinson booked Evans and Carvalho in the 82nd minute as tempers flared.

Valencia was lucky to remain on the pitch with a two-footed challenge on Lampard but Atkinson handed him a yellow card.

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri has lashed out at Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira after an elbow by the Frenchman in Sunday's 1-1 draw left Daniele De Rossi with a fractured cheekbone.

The Giallorossi departed the San Siro with a point, leaving them 13th in Serie A, but with a cloud of uncertainty over their Italy midfielder who is almost certain to miss the Azzurri's friendly against Holland on Saturday.

"De Rossi will have to undergo an operation," said Ranieri.

"Vieira always jumps with his elbows open and for that reason in England he was always sent off."

Vieira played with Arsenal in the Premier League before moving to Italy in the summer of 2005.

Ranieri disapproved of the performance of referee Gianluca Rocchi, who did not book Vieira and showed just three yellow cards to Inter players.

"Inter made too many systematic fouls and if the referee allows them to get away with it, then they continue to make them," said Ranieri.

"They made double the fouls we made and got just one more yellow card than we did."

Roma host Bari next time out.

Zdenek Zeman has denied being approached by Lazio despite reports linking the Czech with being a possible replacement for under-fire coach Davide Ballardini.

Zeman was in the stands on Sunday and watched AC Milan beat Lazio, 2-1.

"I can only say that I have not spoken to any Lazio club executive," said Zeman.

"I don't know what will happen in the future."

Sunday's result left the Biancoceleste just two points above the drop zone and still searching for their first win in Serie A since August 30.

Despite their poor form, Zeman, who was in charge of Lazio from 1994 until 1997, believes the Biancoceleste have the quality to come back.

"I think Lazio has a competitive squad to do well," he said.

"They played a good game against AC Milan."

Lazio wil be training away from Rome during the international break.

The Biancoceleste travel to the San Paolo to face Napoli on November 22.

Roma are refusing to release goalkeeper Doni and defender Juan for Brazil's friendlies against England and Oman.

Doni and Juan missed Roma's 1-1 draw with Inter Milan on Sunday due to a thigh injury and a calf strain respectively, and the club want the players to receive treatment in Italy rather than fly to the Middle East with their country.

Roma's sporting human resources manager Gianpaolo Montali told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Doni and Juan will stay in Rome to have treatment, given that Brazil are only playing two friendlies and the regulations allow it.

"We have sent an urgent fax to the Brazilian Football Federation with all the necessary documentation.

"If the national team doctors want to verify the condition of their players, they can come to Rome to do it."

Brazil face fellow World Cup finalists England in Doha on Saturday and then Oman in Muscat three days later.

In-form AC Milan moved up to third in Serie A after inflicting a 2-1 home defeat on Lazio which leaves the Rome side hovering just above the relegation zone.

Thiago Silva put the visitors ahead in the 21st minute before Alexandre Pato extended his team's lead before the break.

Lazio reduced the arrears in the 64th minute when Silva deflected Mauro Zarate's strike into his own goal.

The hosts had chances to level the score but Milan held on to claim all three points.

The outcome means it is four wins in the last five league games for Leonardo's Milan while Lazio are still searching for their first triumph since August 30.

The hosts went into the game on the back of a 4-1 midweek humiliation at Villarreal in the Europa League.

Davide Ballardini's men enjoyed a good start and should have taken an early lead.

Roberto Baronio's pass found an unmarked Tommaso Rocchi inside the area and he fired wide.

Shortly after, Aleksandar Kolarov's left-footed strike forced Dida to make a good save.

At the other end, Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera did well to keep out Massimo Oddo's strike from the edge of the area.

There was little Muslera could do to prevent the Rossoneri taking the lead as Silva latched onto a free-kick by Andrea Pirlo and nodded past Muslera.

The Rossoneri maintained the pressure and almost doubled their advantage soon after.

Pato did well to get behind Pirlo's cross from the right but his weak header proved an easy catch for Muslera.

The home side reacted and almost levelled the score on the half-hour mark when Zarate smashed in a powerful free-kick that Dida managed to palm over the bar.

Ten minutes before half-time and Pato made it 2-0.

Ronaldinho's cross found his fellow Brazilian inside the area and Pato's header went inside the top right-hand corner of the goal.

Dida made sure his team went into the break with a 2-0 lead, diving to his right to parry away Matuzalem's stinging drive from distance.

Ballardini made his first substitution after the re-start, with Julio Cruz replacing Stefano Mauri, but Milan's dominance continued in the second half.

Pirlo's curled free-kick went just over the bar.

Shortly after, Marco Borriello did well to control Pirlo's pass inside the area but was unable to fire on target.

On the hour mark, Massimo Ambrosini made a crucial clearance inside the area with Cruz ready to strike from close range.

Lazio reduced the deficit soon after, with Dida having no chance to save Zarate's deflected shot.

The goal inspired the hosts, who surged forward looking for an equaliser.

They were almost rewarded with 15 minutes remaining.

Meghni's cross from the left found Rocchi inside the area but his header went wide.

The visitors dominated the closing stages of the game.

Muslera made a great save to deny Flamini while the Lazio keeper was forced to fully stretch to clear Pato's bullet strike from the edge of the area in what was the last chance of the game.

Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by a determined Roma at the San Siro on Sunday night - but still moved five points clear at the top of Serie A.

Mirko Vucinic put Roma ahead in the 13th minute, but Samuel Eto'o earned Inter a point early in the second half.

Both sides looked tired after their midweek commitments in Europe and they both appeared happy to settle for a draw - which will please both Juventus and AC Milan, who have carved two points off Inter's advantage at the top of the table this weekend.

In-form city rivals AC moved up to third after inflicting a 2-1 home defeat on Lazio which leaves the Rome side hovering just above the relegation zone.

Thiago Silva put the visitors ahead in the 21st minute before Alexandre Pato extended his team's lead before the break.

Lazio reduced the arrears in the 64th minute when Silva deflected Mauro Zarate's strike into his own goal and they had chances to level the score but Milan held on to claim all three points.

A hard-fought 1-0 victory at mid-table Udinese kept Fiorentina in the thick of the battle to become Inter's closest challengers.

The Viola had to wait until six minutes from time for the winner - a Juan Vargas free-kick - against their determined hosts, but the result saw them climb to fourth in the table - overhauling Sampdoria, who lost 2-0 at Cagliari.

Cagliari scored twice in the last five minutes to deny 10-man Samp the chance to go level on points with second-placed Juve.

Marius Stankevicius' dismissal three minutes before the break turned the game in the hosts' favour, although they had to wait until the 85th minute to capitalise on their man advantage as Daniele Conti broke the deadlock.

And Alessandro Matri made the points safe a minute from time to seal the home side's sixth win of the campaign.

Cagliari rise only to eighth place in a congested league table as Genoa, Parma and Bari also made headway - condemning Napoli, who drew 0-0 at Catania on Saturday, to a four-place drop in the standings.

Genoa won another dramatic encounter at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, beating Siena 4-2 to move up to sixth.

It looked all too easy for the home side when two goals from Hernan Crespo and a Raffaele Palladino strike gave them a three-goal lead after 35 minutes.

But, just like in the Europa League against Lille on Thursday, they risked throwing the win away as Michele Paolucci (80) and Massimo Maccarone (82) brought Siena right back into the game.

However, Sergio Floccari provided a last-minute fourth to end Siena's hopes of an equaliser.

Domenico di Carlo failed to get the better of his former manager as Francesco Guidolin's Parma saw off the challenge of fellow European hopefuls Chievo 2-0.

Cristian Zaccardo put the hosts ahead four minutes before half-time, and they secured the points in the 72nd minute through Davide Lanzafame to make it five wins from their last six home games.

Riccardo Allegretti scored the only goal of the game as Bari claimed all three points against struggling Livorno.

Allegretti's early free-kick was the highlight of a largely uneventful game, although Sergio Almiron came close to adding a second when he hit the bar after 29 minutes.

Marcelo Zalayeta scored his first two goals of the season in Bologna's 3-1 win over Palermo.

Zalayeta helped give Bologna just a second win in seven Serie A games and lift them to 15th, ahead of Lazio and three points clear of the relegation zone.

The Uruguayan struck either side of half-time before Marco Di Vaio rounded off victory in injury time.

Simon Kjaer had equalised after Zalayeta's first goal, but Palermo could not break down a resilient home defence after the interval as their winless run extended to three games.

On Saturday, Juventus had moved back to within four points of leaders Inter with an impressive 5-2 win at Atalanta.

Mauro Camoranesi scored twice in the space of as many first-half minutes to give Juventus, who also had three goals disallowed, a comfortable lead at the break.

Jaime Valdes reduced the arrears early in the second half, but Felipe Melo soon restored Juve's advantage.

Fabio Ceravolo brought Atalanta back into it again, but late goals from Diego and David Trezeguet completed the win for Ciro Ferrara's side.

Napoli remain in sixth place after their goalless draw at Catania.

Takayuki Morimoto had a number of opportunities for Catania while Cristian Llama tested the Napoli goal but the hosts remain second from bottom.

Achille Emana has revealed his frustration at finding himself on the fringes of the Real Betis first team.

The Cameroon international was the subject of much transfer talk over the summer following Betis' relegation into the Spanish second division.

However, despite much reported interest, the 27-year-old midfielder saw the speculation mount to nothing.

Emana initially expressed his willingness to remain at Betis and help the club secure promotion back into the Primera Liga at the first time of asking.

A lack of opportunities has dampened his enthusiasm, though, with too much time spent watching on from the bench.

"I am here at Betis but I am not playing as much as I can or want," Emana told skysports.com.

"I stayed here because I wanted to help the club back into the top division, but to be honest I am not liking it much at the moment.

"I am a professional and I respect the manager's decision, but this is not good.

"The club did not let me go because they priced me out of the market, they asked for a big fee, so it is strange that I am not playing."

Sevilla winger Jesus Navas has been named in the Spain squad for the upcoming friendly internationals against Argentina and Austria.

Navas has long been considered one of Spanish football's most promising players but he has yet to represent the senior national side, mainly due to his problems with anxiety and panic attacks when away from home for extended periods.

However, the 23-year-old last week made himself available to coach Vicente del Bosque, and the quicksilver wideman has been included in a 23-man squad that otherwise has few surprises.

Liverpool duo Fernando Torres and Albert Riera, and Villarreal's Santi Cazorla and Marcos Senna, all miss out through injury, having been included in the last squad Del Bosque named for the World Cup qualifiers against Armenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Osasuna's Nacho Monreal also drops out, with the men to come in being the fit-again David Villa, Pablo Hernandez, Alvaro Arbeloa as well as Navas.

Spain, who won all 10 of their World Cup qualifying matches and are amongst the favourites to triumph in South Africa next year, face Argentina at Atletico Madrid's Vicente Calderon stadium on Saturday before travelling to Vienna to take on Austria the following Wednesday.

Squad: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Diego Lopez (Villarreal); Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Andoni Iraola (Athletic Bilbao), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid); Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona); Dani Guiza (Fenerbache), Pablo Hernandez (Valencia), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), David Silva (Valencia) and David Villa (Valencia).

Real Madrid have announced they will not allow Cristiano Ronaldo to play for Portugal this week.

Real's doctors have told the player that if he plays for his country after being named in the squad for the forthcoming World Cup play-offs he could suffer a major setback in his rehabilitation from an ankle problem.

Marca have revealed the Spanish giants are digging their heels in and have sent all the relevant medical reports to the Portuguese Football Federation regarding the ankle injury that they claim will take another month to six weeks to recover from.

"Cristiano Ronaldo will not travel to Portugal," the Spanish paper states a Real spokesman as telling them. "He will not be leaving here.

"On Monday we have sent all the medical test results to the Portuguese federation, with our results and those of Doctor Niek van Diyk in Holland, that clearly state Cristiano Ronaldo is injured and cannot play."

Portugal are set to play Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday and again on Wednesday as they attempt to and earn a place in the World Cup finals next summer, but will have to do so without their star performer.

The national team's medical staff have been invited to Madrid to give Ronaldo a series of their own tests to prove that he is injured, and they are said to be considering the option.

After suffering the initial injury against Marseille in the Champions League last month, Ronaldo aggravated the problem while playing for Portugal against Malta.

Real coach Manuel Pellegrini said: "He has a medical treatment that he is following.

"He wants to play and it's normal that the coach wants him, but there is a medical issue and I believe its very difficult (for Ronaldo to be able to play).

"The doctors are the ones who know in this regard."

The Madrid coach added: "There is no player in the world who doesn't want to play for his country when they are trying to qualify for the World Cup."

Madrid won all of their opening seven matches this season with Ronaldo in the team, during which spell the summer signing scored nine goals.

Since Ronaldo has been sidelined, Madrid have won three, lost three and drawn twice.

Racing Santander sacks Juan Carlos Mandia

Racing Santander have parted company with coach Juan Carlos Mandia following the team's poor start to the season.

Mandia only took charge of Racing this summer following the resignation of Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz, but he could only guide the Cantabrian side to one win in their opening 10 Primera Division matches.

The final straw for the Racing board was Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao at El Sardinero, a result that left the team 17th in the standings on seven points and with just one point from their five home games.

Racing also lost the away leg of their Copa del Rey fourth-round tie with Segunda Division side Salamanca 1-0 a fortnight ago, and they face the return meeting on Wednesday.

The 42-year-old Mandia, who had penned a one-year contract this summer, had never before coached a top-flight team but he caught Racing's eye after almost leading Hercules to promotion from the Segunda Division last term.

Looking to reach the Primera Division for the first time since 1997, Hercules finished fourth, three points behind Real Zaragoza and Tenerife, who claimed the two promotion spots behind champions Xerez.

Racing president Francisco Pernia admitted the poor results had been the deciding factor.

"I want to stress that the club gratefully acknowledges the work done by Mandia and his team. But the results that we expected have not arrived and we have taken this decision when there is still enough time (to recover)," Pernia said at a press conference this evening.

Mandia, speaking at the same press conference, said: "This club is run by real gentlemen, who are tremendously respectful of the work of the coaches. They have given a freedom to work that is difficult to find elsewhere.

"The results haven't been great but there is a great deal of room for improvement in the squad, which I hope will help the board and the players reach their objectives.

"Racing are a team under construction, as much in defence as attack."

Juan Jose Gonzalez and Federico Castanos will take charge for the second leg of the Copa del Rey tie against Salamanca.

Werder Bremen moved up to second place in the Bundesliga and extended their unbeaten run to 19 games with a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund.

Mesut Ozil gave Bremen the lead after 36 minutes only for Lucas Barrios to equalise nine minutes into the second half.

Thomas Schaaf's team were not at their fluent best but were able to extend their impressive streak domestically and in Europe.

The hosts needed time to build up some offensive pressure.

And the first real chance also turned into the opening goal after 36 minutes.

Aaron Hunt ran onto Neven Subotic's header and burst down the right before crossing to the left edge of the area where Ozil converted with a left foot shot from 13 yards.

The hosts went close to doubling the lead two minutes before the break as Per Mertesacker diverted Hugo Almeida's shot goalwards but Mohamed Zidan cleared off the line.

Dortmund had a chance two minutes into first-half stoppage-time but Bremen keeper Tim Wiese tipped Nuri Sahin's free-kick over the bar.

Barrios scored eight minutes after the break but had the 'goal' disallowed for being off-side.

The Argentinian was not to be denied and a minute later equalised.

Wiese could not gather Nelson Valdez's shot and Barrios pounced on the rebound for his fifth goal in the last five Bundesliga games.

Subotic found space six yards out with 22 minutes to play but his shot was deflected over the crossbar.

Valdez missed another chance with nine minutes left . He was fed in the area but was unable to beat Wiese.

Robinho's father has admitted his son's future at Manchester City is far from certain.

The Brazilian forward has been linked on a number of occasions with a move to Barcelona, and the player himself has hinted at his desire to play for the Catalans at some point in the future.

Robinho's father Gilvan da Souza, who is also the player's agent, refused to confirm that his son would be leaving Eastlands, although he did say that there is interest from Barca.

"We are waiting for Manchester City to tell us something about the future of my son," he told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

"I am very aware of what is said and published in Barcelona in relation to my son.

"Until the two clubs do agree and we officially have a decision, we must keep them guessing.

"Robinho is a professional who is bound to City, with whom he has a contract, but if your club (Barca) agrees, the choice is very exciting. Let's see."

The former Real Madrid star is currently sidelined with an ankle injury and is the subject of a club-v-country row as Brazil want him to link up with the squad for upcoming friendlies against England and Oman, despite City's objections.

"Now it is important to know that Robinho is fully recovered from his injury," da Souza added.

"He has a very important game on the 14th in Qatar with Brazil against England and then on the 17th in Oman.

"These meetings should help strengthen our bid for the World Cup."

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz intends to call up Cristiano Ronaldo for the upcoming World Cup play-offs against Bosnia-Herzegovina, despite the latest medical reports from Real Madrid saying the forward will be out of action for at least two more weeks with his ankle injury.

Ronaldo has missed Madrid's last seven matches after suffering an injury to his right ankle during the Champions League match with Marseille on September 30, and then aggravating it while while playing for Portugal in their World Cup qualifier against Hungary on October 10.

The world's most expensive player on Thursday met with Dutch specialist Professor Niek van Dijk in Amsterdam after tests conducted by Madrid on Wednesday revealed that no improvement had been made on Ronaldo's injury since undergoing an MRI scan a week before.

Van Dijk, who operated on the 24-year-old's right ankle in the summer of 2008, advised Ronaldo to continue his treatment before returning for a fresh evaluation in 15 days' time.

That means he will almost certainly be ruled out of both of Portugal's World Cup play-off matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina, with the first leg taking place in Lisbon on November 14 and the return meeting scheduled for Zenica four days later.

However, former Madrid coach Queiroz insists he is still planning on including Ronaldo in his squad for the fixtures, telling Portuguese television channel TVI24: "I'm going to call up Cristiano Ronaldo and I hope that he can help us, even if it is only for a few minutes.

"The specialists have to make the decision on if he can play. Naturally we are concerned, because the most important thing is the player. We want a great Ronaldo, we want a fit player and the first consideration is to know whether he is able to play and contribute anything to the national team."

Queiroz is set to name his squad on Sunday.

Sevilla look set to welcome back striker Fredi Kanoute and midfielder Adriano as they seek a second successive win in La Liga against Villarreal.

Kanoute has been struggling with a calf problem, while the Brazilian has been absent since suffering a thigh injury in the Champions League win away to Stuttgart on October 20.

Acosta has also resumed full training but Manuel Jimenez's side will be without midfielder Aldo Duscher, who tore a muscle in his right leg in Wednesday's return clash with the Germans.

Arouna Kone, who suffered damage to his ribs in the same game, and Ivica Dragutinovic, who has a muscle injury, are also doubtful as the Yellow Submarine arrive at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Last week's 2-0 success against Xerez saw Sevilla return to the form which had seen them pick up five successive league wins prior to taking just one point from two matches against Deportivo La Coruna and Espanyol.

But they squandered a lead to draw with Stuttgart and defender Julien Escude admits they face another difficult test against Ernesto Valverde's men.

"(Villarreal) have had two very good results, they are scoring goals and now they are at their level," Escude told Marca.

"Their season started badly, but now they have such confidence that the game will be very difficult and complicated.

"What happened on Wednesday (losing the lead) should be kept in mind for the remaining games. With that in mind, now we have to change the chip - it is another competition and we must go for the three points."

Villarreal ended their dismal start with back-to-back league wins over promoted sides Xerez and Tenerife.

While the 2-1 win over the former was somewhat fortuitous, they have since kicked on, slamming five goals past Tenerife and taking that form into Thursday's 4-1 Europa League win over Italian side Lazio.

Those results have eased the pressure that was already mounting on coach Ernesto Valverde - in charge only since early July - and he has targeted a repeat performance this weekend.

Valverde said: "We're going to Seville to try and win and we will put everything into it.

"Sevilla are powerful and quick and will be a good test for us. They have a dangerous attack and that is where we must be very careful."

Valverde is dealing with a number of injuries, with Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla undergoing specialist treatment on a herniated disc in his back.

Joseba Llorente and Diego Lopez were withdrawn against Lazio with ankle and groin injuries respectively, while Marcos Senna and Ariel Ibagaza missed that match and are again doubtful.

Jonathan Perreira, Giuseppe Rossi and David Fuster are in contention to deputise, and Valverde continued: "We cannot complain because we approach the game as best as possible."

Two sides coming off the back of morale-boosting European victories will lock horns in Serie A on Sunday as Inter Milan play host to Roma at the San Siro.

Jose Mourinho's Inter claimed their first Champions League group-stage win of the season with Wednesday's 2-1 triumph at Dynamo Kiev, a result which ended a frustrating sequence of three straight draws in continental competition.

The win lifted the Nerazzurri to top spot in Group F, and they will now seek to extend their winning run in Serie A to six games when Claudio Ranieri's men come visiting.

The midweek win over Dynamo underlined Inter's battling qualities, with both of their goals coming in the final four minutes, and Mourinho was delighted with what he saw.

"My players played a perfect second half," said Mourinho. "They were perfect and did a great job to come from behind and win this game.

"This result is a starting point in our Champions League adventure."

But it is Inter's Serie A adventure which takes centre stage this weekend, as Inter bid to extend what is already a seven-point lead after only 11 games.

Wesley Sneijder shrugged off an injury to take his starting place in the Inter line-up in midweek, the Dutchman underlining his importance to the team by hitting the winner in the final minute, and should again take his place in the heart of the midfield on Sunday.

Sulley Muntari, Thiago Motta and Mario Balotelli were also nursing knocks ahead of the European match, but all made the bench in Kiev and should again be in contention.

The game pits Ranieri against the man who replaced him as Chelsea manager in 2004, but history will be the last thing on the Roma tactician's mind as he bids to turn around the capital club's domestic fortunes.

A 2-1 win over Fulham in the Europa League on Thursday has moved Roma into one of the qualification berths to reach the last 32 in that competition, but it is the league where things must improve markedly.

Roma halted a run of three consecutive league defeats with a 2-1 win over Bologna last weekend, a result which saw the Giallorossi climb into 14th place as Mirko Vucinic ended his goalscoring drought in Serie A this season.

"The most important thing is not that I have scored but that we have won," said Vucinic.

"Now we must pick up where we left off and try to get a positive result against the best team in the competition.

"It will be no easy task but we must try."

Roma are still without vastly influential captain Francesco Totti, who is out with a knee injury.

AC Milan midfielder Ignazio Abate has identified Sunday's match against out-of-form Lazio as an ideal opportunity to build on their recent revival.

Milan recovered from a stuttering start to be one of the form teams in Italy in October, going unbeaten through the month in Serie A, while they have also claimed four points in back-to-back Champions League games against big-spending Real Madrid.

Sunday's match pitches them against another under-performing team in the shape of Lazio, who have managed just two league wins in 11 matches this season.

Abate told the Milan Channel: "We must go to the Olimpico to try and bring home the three points.

"We're fine. We're playing good football, we want to improve further our league position.

"Maybe Lazio are not in their best moment, but on the pitch the teams go on to give their best, they will do so, but we will do so too."

Abate has urged the Rossoneri fans to get behind goalkeeper Nelson Dida.

The Brazilian, in the team as Christian Abbiati and Marco Storari are both injured, courted headlines for the wrong reasons with a prominent gaffe in their 3-2 Champions League win at the Bernabeu last month.

Since then, though, he has improved and Abate believes it is time for everyone to get behind the error-prone stopper.

He added: "With regards to Dida, I say that the mistakes which happened to him in Madrid are made by everyone, only that when it happens to a goalkeeper there's no team-mate who can make up for it.

"But Nelson proved straight away, in that same game and the one after, that he is still a great goalkeeper."

Abate himself has had an eventful few weeks, picking up an ankle injury against Roma before seeing red in a 2-2 draw at Napoli 10 days ago.

He was on the bench for this week's game against Madrid.

"I'm fine," he said. "I'm recovering from the injury to the ankle which I picked up against Roma.

"I was hoping to return sooner after healing, but instead I'm training regularly only now."

Milan's poor start means they are now nine points behind city rivals Inter, but coach Leonardo is happy with how his side have bounced back

"We have found our balance," said Leonardo. "The team has grown in terms of confidence and self-belief.

"The maturity of my players has been important to overcome the initial problems we faced this season."

Lazio are desperate for the sort of recovery Milan have had, but that looks some distance away after a 4-1 humbling by Villarreal in the Europa League on Thursday.

Lazio were 3-0 down after just 14 minutes with a man sent off at El Madrigal as everything conspired to go against them.

There is speculation coach Davide Ballardini could now be fighting for his job, with Sinisa Mihajlovic reportedly waiting in the wings.

For Sunday's game, Julio Cruz is likely to miss out with a thigh problem, while Ousmane Dabo is also injured.

Milan will be without Gennaro Gattuso, who picked up a muscle tear in training on Wednesday and is set to be out for two weeks.

Rio Ferdinand is facing an extended period on the sidelines as Manchester United try to get to the bottom of his latest injury concern.

Ferdinand has already been ruled out of Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after failing to recover from a calf injury that has been plaguing him for a couple of weeks.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson now fears the injury may be related to a lower back complaint.

"There has been no improvement," said the United boss.

"We are having to look at something different because usually you are back from a calf injury within two or three weeks.

"But there is no sign of recovery from this injury so we are looking at whether it is to do with his lower back."

The injury is bound to rule Ferdinand out of England's friendly against five-time World Cup winners Brazil in Qatar next week, as well as raising long-term fears for the player, who will celebrate his 31st birthday on Saturday.

Ferdinand has featured in only four out of England's last 11 internationals and, although Fabio Capello's men are not due to play again until March, it is bound to be a concern given the central defender's importance to the Three Lions.

With Gary Neville also out through suspension, Ferguson is shorn of some experience for the Chelsea encounter.

However, there is some good news, with Nemanja Vidic ready to return after his own calf problem while Dimitar Berbatov is expected to recover from a knee injury.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie and Fulham's Roy Hodgson have been named Barclays player and manager of the month for October respectively. Van Persie has scooped the award after an electrifying month that saw the 26-year old score five goals and set up another two as the Gunners went through the month unbeaten.

He notched up his first goal in the 6-2 demolition of Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates Stadium, drilling a low shot beyond Paul Robinson after fine work from Cesc Fabregas. This was then followed by the opening goal in the 3-1 win at home to Birmingham City.

The flying Dutchman was again instrumental in the 2-2 draw at West Ham, scoring the opener before delivering an inch-perfect corner for William Gallas to nod in a second for the Gunners.

Van Persie completed his impressive month by netting a brace in the 3-0 victory over North London rivals Tottenham, taking him to seven Premier League goals for the season.

This is the second time that he has won the award, having previously claimed the prize in November 2005.

The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.

Hodgson picked up October's gaffer gong after guiding the Cottagers through an unbeaten month despite a tricky fixture list.

His charges kicked off the month with a 2-2 draw at West Ham and were only denied three points by Hammers striker Junior Stanislas' last-gasp equaliser. This was followed by a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Hull City before the team came back from two goals down to secure an excellent draw away at Manchester City.

Fulham completed the month with a fine 3-1 victory over Liverpool, a win that saw the club move into mid-table and away from the relegation danger zone.

This is the third time Hodgson has won the award and comes almost 12 years since he last scooped the prize in December 1997, while manager of Blackburn Rovers. He also won the award in August 1997.

Fernando Torres returned to Liverpool's Melwood training complex on Friday after a whistle-stop trip to Valencia for a second opinion on his groin injury.

The striker visited a Liverpool hospital on Thursday for further tests after flying back to Merseyside with the rest of the squad following the 1-1 Champions League draw with Lyon.

Torres then visited a Spanish specialist who has worked with him before and is also favoured by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez from his time at Valencia.

It is now expected the 25-year-old will do light training over the weekend and is still in contention to play against Birmingham on Monday.

Torres is believed not to want an operation on the problem, which is not a full hernia but a deeper groin injury affecting his adductor muscle.

He is also thought to want to play for Spain against Argentina next Saturday at his former home ground, the Vicente Calderon stadium of Atletico Madrid.

Exactly how Liverpool will feel about that is unclear but only a serious breakdown in Torres' fitness will make it possible for them to stop him travelling to join the Spain squad.

Steven Gerrard, who also has a groin problem, has also done light training this week and is not ruled out of the Birmingham game yet.

France veteran Patrick Vieira has lashed out after he was left out of Raymond Domenech's squad for the World Cup qualifying play-offs against the Republic of Ireland.

The former captain is struggling for first-team football at Inter Milan and, despite his 107 caps, has not been included for Les Bleus' crunch clash this month.

Vieira feels Domenech has made the wrong decision and has vowed to do his utmost to ensure he is included next summer should France qualify for South Africa.

"I know that, in my position, there is no one better than me in France at the moment," he told L'Equipe. "This could seem pretentious but I am sure of that.

"I have set myself the target of featuring in the next World Cup. What is certain is that I will do the maximum to be there. After that, there is a coach who will make his choices and take responsibility for them."

Speculation has been rife that Vieira will leave the San Siro in January if his playing opportunities do not improve, with a return to France a possibility.

And the 33-year-old knows he has to get a regular starting position.

He added: "I know my delicate situation in that I am not an unquestionable starter for my club. I am getting back to my top level, which is encouraging. I have overcome this stage.

"Now, I have to build up a run of matches and be a regular player."

Germany coach Joachim Low has included Aaron Hunt in his squad to face Chile and the Ivory Coast in his side's last two friendly matches of the year next week.

Hunt, who this week declared he had no interest in playing for England despite being eligible for both countries, is one of two new faces in an experimental squad named by Low.

Bayern Munich's rising star Thomas Muller is the other new addition in the 24-man party which also sees Stefan Kiessling return after a lengthy absence.

Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness had discouraged Low from including Muller by saying recently the 20-year-old was "too young" and had not yet proven himself, but Low wants to nurture him into the national team and sees these two games as the perfect opportunity.

"Thomas should be given three or four days with us to get a taste of the atmosphere with the national team," said Low.

"But it is part of our concept, and this has also been agreed with Under-21 coach Rainer Adrion, that he will play in their important European Championship qualifier in Belfast first."

Hunt, meanwhile, will spend the whole week with the senior national team for the first time in his career after impressing as part of a Werder Bremen side which has moved up to second in the Bundesliga on the back of a three-month unbeaten record.

"We now have the opportunity to give him a chance," explained Low.

"He has played consistently well this season and taken a step forward."

Kiessling last played for Germany in February, but with seven goals in the Bundesliga this season, Low could no longer ignore the clamour for the 25-year-old to return, particularly since Cacau misses out through injury.

Low's squad will meet in Bonn on Tuesday to prepare for the clash with Chile in Cologne's Mungersdorfer Stadion on Saturday.

Four days later, they host the Ivory Coast in Gelsenkirchen's Arena AufSchalke.

Germany squad: Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen), Manuel Neuer (Schalke), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen); Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim), Jerome Boateng (Hamburg), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke); Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Christian Gentner (Wolfsburg), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart), Marko Marin, Mesut Ozil (both Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg); Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Muller (all Bayern Munich), Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen), Lukas Podolski (Cologne), Aaron Hunt (Werder Bremen)

Schalke manager Felix Magath has laughed off suggestions Bayern Munich are in crisis and has given coach Louis van Gaal his backing.

Magath knows better than anybody how high the expectations are in Munich having been sacked as their coach shortly after leading the club to back-to-back league and cup doubles.

Many believe a defeat for Bayern against Schalke on Thursday will see Van Gaal become the fourth to lose his job with the Bavarians since Magath was dismissed in 2007, but the Royal Blues coach does not see the situation at his former club so dramatically.

"When you are only four points behind the league leaders, then it's hard to talk of a crisis," he said.

"They just have perfectly normal problems when a team gets a new coaching team and has to adjust to a new system.

"But Bayern remains the number one favourite to win the league as far as I'm concerned."

Bayern lost 2-0 to Bordeaux in the Champions League on Tuesday and that defeat practically guarantees their exit from the competition.

And Magath believes this could be an advantage to his side.

"Bayern had to play 90 minutes in the Champions League during the week and they will have lost a bit of energy," he said.

"We, on the other hand, were able to relax and that gives us the chance now to go and get points in Munich.

"We can travel there in a fully relaxed mood and see if we can get the best out of it."

Van Gaal gave his players the day off yesterday but asked them to spend it considering what had happened on Tuesday and working out what must be done this weekend to improve the situation.

"Many of my players have watched the game again and got even angrier about it," revealed the Dutchman.

"The players are very annoyed and slept badly. Everybody has their own thoughts."

Daniel van Buyten could return after he was suspended on Tuesday while Arjen Robben could be ready for more than just a substitute appearance.

Schalke arrive with Lewis Holtby back in training after recovering from a foot injury while Heiko Westermann and Bayern target Rafinha are also available.

Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro is refusing to press the panic button as Inter pull clear in the Serie A title race.

Jose Mourinho's side are seven points clear after second-placed Juve lost 3-2 at home to Napoli last week.

But Cannavaro is determined his side will bounce back against Atalanta on Saturday, having taken the positives from Tuesday's Champions League win away to Maccabi Haifa.

"Against Napoli our lights went out in the second half but against Maccabi we played a good match," he said.

"In Bergamo we will play a great match but it will be difficult.

"It is true we are seven points behind but we look only at ourselves and we are sure we will do well."

The suspension of striker Amauri brings about the only change to the squad which travelled to Israel, where Mauro Camoranesi defied a head injury to score the only goal.

The injured Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Jonathan Zebina and Mohammed Sissoko remain on the sidelines.

Ciro Ferrara's side will come up against a side coached by Antonio Conte, a former Bianconeri team-mate of both Ferrara and Cannavaro.

"Conte is a friend and a very charismatic coach," the latter added.

"He is not going through an excellent moment but I am sure that he will soon recover because in the past he did really well."

Atalanta go into the match having suffered back-to-back defeats, but Conte remains upbeat ahead of the meeting with his long-time employers.

The Bergamaschi lie 16th in Serie A following a 1-0 loss to Livorno and a 3-0 hammering at Cagliari.

But Conte insisted: "We didn't get over-excited when we had a run of five positive results before just as we are not down now.

"We had problems back then and we still have them, but we must resolve them."

Those problems intensified this week as defenders Paolo Bianco, Maximiliano Pellegrino and Gianpaolo Bellini were ruled out of training by illness.

In addition, Robert Acquafresca, Diego De Ascentis, Ivan Radovanovic, Adriano Ferreira Pinto and Thomas Manfredini all worked out separately from the bulk of the squad.

And Conte acknowledges his side - who face English Premier League side Hull in next week's 15th renewal of the Trofeo Bortolotti - face an uphill struggle.

"I have to do without several key players through injury and we know our task is difficult," he said.

He retains a fondness for Juventus, but claims that will be put to one side when the match kicks off.

"I spent 13 years at Juventus, and you cannot forget this easily," he said.

"However, this doesn't mean anything. I want to do well with Atalanta and work for the club in the long term.

"Juventus are a tricky team. I saw them against Napoli and they played well. It will be a tough game, but one like the others."

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