Latest La Liga News

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MOURINHO PUTS FOOTBALL FIRST Which Club will Mourinho be at the start of Eng Prem

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has no plans to discuss his future until after the Champions League final on May 22.

The Nerazzurri head into the final Serie A match of the season at Siena on Sunday two points clear of second-placed Roma and with a big date with Bayern Munich to look forward to in Madrid later this month too.

Mourinho has a contract at the San Siro until 2012 but continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid - particularly after further endearing himself to the Spanish club's fans by knocking Barcelona out of the Champions League.

But the Portuguese insists there will be no developments on the matter until at least May 23.

"My immediate goal at the moment is to beat Siena to secure the Scudetto and another very near goal is that we do the same against Bayern Munich to lift the European Cup," he told Spanish daily AS.

"The rest we'll see. I told my agent, Jorge Mendes, I will not discuss the matter at least until May 23 - after the Champions League final.

"The immediate objectives are what I said. But I still have things to do in football.

"Of course part of my plan is to train in Spain, and maybe also be Portugal coach some day - but that's when I'm old, maybe in 15 or 20 years.

"Is there a hurry? I have important things I do in the coming days. From May 23 we'll see what happens. For now, we must ask Mendes."

Mourinho insists he has had no contact with Madrid as yet.

"I have not," he said. "Personally, I only speak with Inter."

Asked whether one day he would like to coach Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, he replied: "Well, I said I want to be coach of Portugal in 15 or 20 years."





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MOURINHO: I'LL MANAGE REAL MADRID


Jose Mourinho has fuelled speculation he will move to Real Madrid this summer by admitting he will coach the Spanish giants "sooner or later".

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho is currently preparing his Inter Milan side for this weekend's Serie A climax where they go into the final round of fixtures two points clear of Roma.

Then comes the Champions League final, in Madrid, against Bayern Munich on May 22.

Recent reports have suggested the Bayern clash will be Mourinho's last on the Inter bench before he switches to Madrid and he was doing little to quell the rumours in an interview with Panorama magazine published on Friday.

He said: "What they write about me having one foot in Madrid and one in Milan is false.

"(But) Sooner or later I will coach Real Madrid. I coached a big team in England, I am coaching a big team in Italy, and then I will coach a big team in Spain."

Mourinho has already led Inter to the Coppa Italia this season and is closing in on a treble.

But he has frequently expressed his dissatisfaction with life in Italy.

He added: "I have won everything in three countries and I don't need anything.

"But, what makes me laugh is when some presidents compare me to their own coaches who haven't won anything.

"The hypocrisy of Italian football...people come to me and pat me on the back and say 'you're a great coach'.

"But as soon as I turn my back they attack me. I don't like all this."






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FABREGAS WANTS FUTURE RESOLVED


Cesc Fabregas wants his future to be resolved before the start of the World Cup finals, but has reiterated he is in no rush to leave Arsenal for Barcelona.

The midfielder came through the youth ranks at Barcelona before joining the Gunners at the age of 16 and has repeatedly been linked with a move back to the Primera Division leaders.

Reports suggest he could be the subject of an offer this summer as Barcelona prepare for their presidential elections at the end of the season.

Fabregas readily admits that he does want to play for Barca at some point in his career, but is adamant he is not pushing for a move away from Arsenal.

However, the 23-year-old is keen to ensure any uncertainty regarding his club future is put to bed before Spain start their World Cup challenge in South Africa.

"I want to make a decision about my future before the World Cup," said Fabregas, who expects to recover from a cracked fibula in time to be fit for the tournament.

"It's impossible to perform at a tournament such as the World Cup if you're not fully focused on the sporting aspects of the game. It does not benefit anyone.

"If I ever leave Arsenal it will be to play for Barcelona. I would like to go, whether they want me or not is another matter.

"I am 23 years old and I have a long career in front of me. I've never hidden the fact that playing for Barcelona is a dream that I would like to fulfil.

"I'm very happy at Arsenal. I'm in no hurry to leave the club.

"Barcelona are still playing for the Liga title and I'm still an Arsenal player. It would be a lack of respect to discuss a transfer now.

"No candidates for the Barcelona presidency have approached me, so I don't feel used."







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XAVI PLEASED WITH BARCA DISPLAY FC Barcelona v Ceuta.

Barcelona playmaker Xavi felt his side's first-half display in their 3-1 away win over Getafe was their best of the season.

However, the Spain international admits they need to try to wrap games up when they are on top after seeing Getafe threaten a comeback in the second half.

Barca took the lead at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez through Lionel Messi in the 23rd minute and another goal from David Villa 11 minutes later gave the visitors a 2-0 advantage at the break.

Pep Guardiola's men could have been much further ahead at that point but they added a third goal in the 65th minute when Pedro netted following a defensive mistake.

That should have seen the match wrapped up, but Barca found themselves on the back foot when Getafe forward Manu del Moral pulled a goal back with a 70th-minute penalty after Gerard Pique had been sent off for handball.

Fortunately for Barca, Getafe could make no further in-roads before they too were reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute when Derek Boateng was handed his marching orders.

Reflecting on the match, Xavi felt there were both positives and things that they needed to work on, saying: "We had an excellent first half, the best of the season.

"In the second half they were more aggressive and had man-to-man marking in the middle of the pitch, but we managed to get another goal.

"The pity is that we didn't kill the game off, we must finish games off. That's the only thing we lack, the third and fourth goals that would finish games off."

Of Barca's 12 victories in all competitions this season, only four have been by a winning margin of more than two goals, leaving the Spanish champions susceptible to late slip-ups.

Regarding his own situation Xavi, who has been struggling with an Achilles tendon problem this season, admits he felt in good health after playing 77 minutes of the encounter.

"I'm better. I'm feeling patient, I'm being given breaks and I'm feeling better all the time," said the Spain international on his club's website.

"I have a little pain, but it's not like a month ago."


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REYES RUES ATLETICO MISTAKES

Atletico Madrid winger Jose Antonio Reyes bemoaned his side's defensive errors and what he deemed was a bad referring decision as the Rojiblancos slumped to yet another derby defeat at the hands of Real.

Atletico went into last night's match at the Bernabeu having not beaten their bitter rivals in over a decade and having lost 11 of their previous 17 encounters.

And it was to be another night of disappointment as early goals from Ricardo Carvalho and Mesut Ozil earned Real a 2-0 victory.

Former Real winger Reyes felt things could have been different though, especially if the referee had not waved play on in the 29th minute after Sergio Aguero's attempted hook into the middle struck Xabi Alonso's hand inside the area.

Reyes said: "Their goals arrived from our mistakes. The first goal was a blow, but the second knocked us for six.

"It was hard for us to recover, but little by little we got back into the match and we had chances to get a goal.

"Then came the penalty against Xabi Alonso due to a clear handball. It could have been a penalty and a red card. The match would've been very different."

The defeat, which was Atletico's fourth of the season, left Quique Sanchez Flores' men in seventh place in the standings and already a massive 12 points behind pacesetters Real.

That would suggest a title challenge is already beyond Atletico with just 10 rounds gone, but Reyes admits their main target for this season is a top-four finish in any case.

"Our objective is not the league, it's getting in the Champions League. We must try and lift our heads as soon as possible and pick up as many points as we can to be up there at the top," he said on his club's website.



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RAMOS KEEPS HIS COOL

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has warned against getting too carried away with his side's fine start to life under Jose Mourinho, pointing out there is still a long way to go before they get close to any silverware.

Ramos also believes his side need to try and start killing matches off sooner to avoid suffering any nervy moments later on.

The Spain international was speaking after his side's 2-0 home win over local rivals Atletico - a victory that kept intact an unbeaten record against their neighbours that stretches back to 1999.

The win also kept Real a point clear of Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division standings, while it improved their impressive record under Mourinho to 11 wins and four draws from 15 competitive matches.

Real, who have already booked their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League as well, could hardly have asked for a better start to the campaign, but Ramos preferred to keep things in perspective.

"Whenever you win there's euphoria because it's important to win the derby and continue in first place. (But) at the moment we can't go around with our chests stuck out because there's a long way to go," he said.

"We are happy and pleased, but are staying calm."

Ramos also believes there are areas of Real's game that need improving.

Mourinho's men stormed into an early 2-0 against Atletico thanks to goals in the opening 20 minutes from Ricardo Carvalho and Mesut Ozil, but the home side could not add a third goal and they survived a few scares as Atletico threatened a comeback.

Real ended up winning relatively comfortably but, as in their victories over AC Milan, Espanyol and Osasuna, Ramos would like to have seen the contest settled earlier.

"We went out from the start looking to win the game, but we need to learn how to finish matches off," he said.

"Nobody doubts the quality of Atletico Madrid and you noticed that because we relaxed a little and they took advantage.

"We need to continue improving throughout the season. Hopefully the good run will continue."




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RONALDO WINS LIBEL DAMAGES


Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages on Monday over a claim that he put his injured ankle at risk by "living it up" in a Hollywood nightclub.

The soccer star was not at London's High Court for the settlement of his action against Telegraph Media Group Ltd over a July 2008 story 'Ronaldo back in the limelight'.

His solicitor Allan Dunlavy told Mrs Justice Sharp that it caused embarrassment, offence and distress to the player who, as a professional, was concerned both as to his own reputation and how it might be perceived by his then club, Manchester United, manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the fans.

Mr Dunlavy said that the newspaper now accepted the allegations were untrue, apologised, and had agreed to pay Ronaldo substantial damages and his legal costs in full.

The agreed statement settling the case was read out on the day that a five-day trial of the action was due to start, with Ronaldo scheduled to give evidence on Tuesday.

Mr Dunlavy said that the story appeared alongside a photo of Ronaldo on crutches in Los Angeles, where he had travelled to attend a sports award ceremony to which he had been invited and nominated for Best Male International Athlete.

The newspaper reported that on arrival, Ronaldo "headed straight for" a trendy nightclub where he put his crutches down to take to the dance floor with four models before being served "£10,000 worth of Cristal champagne".

It alleged that the sight of the footballer "living it up" in LA would dismay Ferguson.

"In fact, the truth is that these events did not happen and the claimant did not behave unprofessionally.

"The claimant was in Los Angeles, having gone there on holiday in the knowledge and with the advance permission of his club, his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, his surgeon and his physio, and while he did attend the nightclub in question, he did not drink any alcohol at all whilst there, nor at any time whilst in Los Angeles.

"He does not, as a rule, drink alcohol because he takes his health, fitness and recovery from injury very seriously.

"Nor did he put his crutches down to take to the dance floor despite the risk to his injured ankle.

"Instead, he sat in a private corner as arranged in advance, along with friends who had travelled to Los Angeles with him, resting his foot as advised and drinking non-alcoholic energy drinks at all times under the care and supervision of the respected Portuguese national team physio Antonio Gaspar, who had also travelled to Los Angeles at the request of the claimant and with the agreement of Manchester United.

Mr Dunlavy said that Ronaldo now considered that he had been fully vindicated.

The newspaper's solicitor, Helen Morris, said it accepted the allegations were false and ought never to have been published.

"It is therefore happy to set the record straight and to apologise to the claimant."

In a statement, Ronaldo said: "I am delighted with this outcome. I take enormous pride in my professionalism. I treat my training and recovery from injury very seriously and would never have drunk and danced in a nightclub without my crutches as the Daily Telegraph falsely claimed.

"I felt I had no choice but to begin and pursue these legal proceedings.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane and the others who were ready to appear as witnesses at the trial which had been due to start today."

Ferguson commented in a statement: "The article was entirely false. Cristiano is the consummate professional and he takes his health and fitness very seriously.

"He is one of the best players I have ever worked with. I was ready and willing to appear as a witness and I am delighted that he has resolved this issue successfully."

A statement issued on behalf of Keane said: "The article was false and misleading in every respect, notably by suggesting that I had criticised Cristiano.

"Cristiano is a great football player and is very professional. I am happy to see the record set straight."





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ROSSI SORRY FOR TWITTER COMMENT Villarreal v Polideportivo Ejido.

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi has apologised after making a homophobic remark on Twitter.

The 23-year-old Italy international, who scored for the Yellow Submarine in their 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night, responded to a taunt from one of his followers on the site who suggested he wanted the former Manchester United man to kill himself.

Rossi called the man a h*** but has now apologised, saying through his page: "I realised right now how unprofessional and ignorant my comment was by using the word. Sorry if it offended anyone. I truly apologise.

"I have nothing against anyone, really. It was a comment made from pure anger."






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MATA SET FOR NEW VALENCIA DEAL Spanish Primera Liga.

Valencia winger Juan Mata is poised to sign a new long-term contract with the club until June 2015.

The 22-year-old Spain international moved to Los Che in 2007 after progressing through the ranks at Real Madrid, and has become a leading player for the club.

Mata has been negotiating a new deal for some time and is thought to have earned an increased salary at the Mestalla.

It is also reported that the forward has a minimum-fee release clause in his contract worth €35million (£30.2m), which has been reduced from an original figure of €60m (£51.8m).

Mata's father and agent, of the same name, has hinted that the deal is on the verge of being agreed.

He said: "The kid is happy in Valencia and the club believe he is a leader in the team."

Valencia have made a good start to their Primera Division campaign and face a difficult trip to Sevilla on Monday evening.



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REAL LOOK TO MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN


The spotlight again falls on Real Madrid this week as the in-form Primera Division leaders look to avoid suffering an embarrassing Copa del Rey exit for the third successive season.

Unlike their fellow La Liga big guns Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia and Atletico Madrid, who all look certain of spots in the last 16 following their respective first legs, Real still have work to do see off the challenge of third-tier Real Murcia.

The first leg finished in a 0-0 draw and few expect Madrid, who are unbeaten under Jose Mourinho with 11 wins from 15 competitive games, to slip up in Wednesday's second leg at the Bernabeu.

However, the wounds of recent upsets are still raw at the capital club having being knocked out at this stage by third-tier sides in the last two years, Real Union and Alcorcon the giant-killers on those occasions.

Mourinho knows anything is possible, but insists that when his side do suffer their first defeat under him that they go down with all guns blazing.

"It could be that we will lose in Gijon (against Sporting next weekend) or against Murcia," Mourinho said after his side's 2-0 derby win over Atletico last night.

"You never know when it will come, but when it happens it will be because our opponents have played an exceptional match. What I don't want is to gift anyone our first defeat."

Murcia go into the match having been knocked off the top of the Segunda Division B Group 4 table this weekend after suffering their first league loss of the season.

Their conquerors were Ceuta, who themselves face one of La Liga's aristocracy on Wednesday as they take on Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

However, unlike Murcia, Ceuta appear to have little chance of causing an upset as they trail 2-0 from the first leg.

Atletico, Valencia and holders Sevilla are in even stronger positions than 25-times cup winners Barca.

Atletico recorded the biggest first leg win in the round of 32 as they thumped Universidad de Las Palmas 5-0 away from home, while 2008 champions Valencia downed Logrones 3-0.

Sevilla, who beat Atletico in last year's final, boast a 4-0 advantage over Real Union, who look highly unlikely to repeat their heroics of 2008 against Real Madrid.

There are some chances of upsets, though, and in-form Villarreal will be well aware of the threat posed by Polideportivo Ejido.

Villarreal, who have won eight of their last 12 competitive matches while losing just once, were dumped out 6-1 on aggregate by Ejido in 2008 and they could only record a 1-1 draw from their first-leg meeting this time around.

Getafe, finalists in 2007 and 2008, were also held 1-1 by El Portugalete - the lowest-ranked team left in the competition.

Top flight Racing Santander are possibly at the biggest risk of an upset, though, after they were beaten 2-0 at Segunda Division Cordoba.

In other matches, Espanyol lead Real Valladolid 2-0, Real Zaragoza are 1-0 up on Real Betis, while Levante boast a 3-2 advantage over Xerez and Athletic Bilbao narrowly lead Alcorcon 1-0.

In the all-Primera Division ties, Almeria lead 3-2 against Real Sociedad having trailed 2-0 with 23 minutes remaining in the first leg, Deportivo La Coruna are locked at 1-1 with Osasuna, Real Mallorca are 3-1 up against Sporting Gijon and Malaga drew their first leg with Hercules 0-0.

The second leg of that match should see Malaga under the guidance of new coach Manuel Pellegrini, who was appointed last Friday but only had a watching brief 24 hours later as the Andalusian side suffered their seventh defeat in 10 league games this season at the hands of Espanyol.




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SEVILLA MOVE UP TO SIXTH

Sevilla climbed up to sixth spot in the Primera Division standings after seeing off 10-man Valencia at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan tonight.

Substitutes Alvaro Negredo and Alejandro Alfaro netted second-half goals as Sevilla took full advantage of the 24th-minute dismissal of Valencia midfielder Mehmet Topal.

Sevilla are now level on 17 points with Valencia after the Andalusian side recorded their seventh win in nine competitive games since Gregorio Manzano took charge.

The result also continues Valencia's miserable run at this ground, which has seen them fail to record a victory here since 2004 and now suffer seven defeats in nine visits.

There was little to separate the two La Liga giants early on, with Sevilla forward Luis Fabiano bringing a good save out Cesar Sanchez before Valencia winger Juan Mata did likewise against Javi Varas at the other end.

The match turned in Sevilla's favour midway through the first period when Turkey international Topal was handed his marching orders.

Topal was adjudged to have left his foot up in a 50-50 challenge with Martin Caceres and, with the Sevilla defender rolling on the floor in pain, the summer signing from Galatasaray was shown a straight red card.

Sevilla had to wait until the second half to finally make their numerical superiority count, but once Negredo put them ahead in the 55th minute a home victory looked the only likely outcome.

Caceres' low 25-yard shot was parried by Valencia substitute goalkeeper Vicente Guaita - who had replaced the injured Cesar at half-time - and Negredo was quickest to the loose ball before drilling his shot through the custodian's legs.

Negredo had only been on the pitch two minutes before netting that goal, and it was a similar story later on when Alfaro scored Sevilla's second just three minutes after coming off the bench as Manzano's changes twice reaped immediate rewards.

Mouhamadou Dabo dinked the ball to the far post where the unmarked Alfaro was on hand to power home a header.

That proved to be the final goal of the game, although both teams had chances in the final 13 minutes.

Roberto Soldado saw a good opening saved for Valencia before Sevilla raced down the other end and Negredo was denied by Guaita.

Sevilla, having also hit the post through Luis Fabiano in between their two goals, then hit the woodwork for a second time late on through Diego Capel before Dirnei Renato saw his follow-up shot parried by Guaita as the hosts looked to finish the game with a flourish.





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CASILLAS SUPPORTS MOURINHO

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has defended manager Jose Mourinho after his side's 1-0 win at Sporting Gijon.

Mourinho served the first of a two-game touchline ban at El Molinon, and had been heavily criticised by Gijon boss Manolo Preciado in the build-up to the game.

Earlier in the season Mourinho criticised Gijon for the side they fielded against Barcelona, with Preciado suggesting last week that had the Portuguese still have been coaching in England, his comments would have seen him "thrown in jail."

The over-hyped build-up made for a hostile atmosphere in Gijon last night, with Real eventually taking the win through Gonzalo Higuain's late goal.

"The game was complicated for many reasons, such as the comments made before the match, the atmosphere at the stadium," Casillas said.

"We stepped up to the challenge and earned three vital points. In all fairness the atmosphere was hostile. The home crowd supported its team 100%, which is normal.

"We responded well to that. Regarding what was said, I limit myself to defending my coach. I respect other opinions, but I do not share them. I stand by my coach, who is the best."



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CARVALHO CONCERN FOR PORTUGAL

Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho is a doubt for Portugal's clash with Spain on Wednesday due to an ankle problem.

The 32-year-old suffered the injury in Sunday's 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon, although he managed to last the 90 minutes.

A statement on Real's website read: "Ricardo Carvalho sustained a bruised left ankle during Sunday's match against Sporting and is being monitored."




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MATA OUT OF SPAIN SQUAD

Juan Manuel Mata has withdrawn from the Spain squad for Wednesday's friendly against Portugal because of injury.

The Valencia forward, who was a member of this summer's World Cup-winning squad, is struggling with a knee problem and, according to his club, is a doubt for this weekend's Primera Division derby against Villarreal.

Aside from Mata, neither Fernando Torres or Sergio Ramos trained with their Spain team-mates on Monday evening, although both will travel to Portugal with the rest of the squad the Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced on their website.

Striker Torres suffered an ankle ligament strain during Liverpool's Barclays Premier League defeat at Stoke while Real Madrid defender Ramos picked up a knock during last night's Primera Division win at Sporting Gijon.

Spain, the reigning world and European champions, face Iberian neighbours Portugal in Lisbon on Wednesday in their final match of 2010.




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BARCA AGREE AFELLAY DEAL


Barcelona have reached an agreement with PSV Eindhoven for the transfer of the Holland midfielder Ibrahim Afellay.

The deal, which was announced on both clubs' websites on Monday evening, is still pending an agreement between the Spanish champions and the player, but if all goes to plan then the Holland international will move to the Nou Camp when the January transfer window opens.

A statement on fcbarcelona.es read: "PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona have reached an agreement on a deal to bring Ibrahim Afellay to Barca, subject to successfully settling personal terms between the player and the Catalan club over the coming weeks.

"Until the deal is finally settled, Ibrahim Afellay wishes to concentrate on the upcoming important games for PSV."

The 24-year-old Afellay's contract with PSV was due to expire at the end of the season and it was announced last month that he would not be penning a new deal with the Dutch outfit, with whom he has spent his whole career so far.





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BARCA FOCUSED ON EUROPEAN TEST

Barcelona will put all thoughts of next week's mouthwatering Primera Division showdown with Real Madrid to the back of their minds on Wednesday night as they take on Panathinaikos looking to secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Barca host arch rivals Madrid at the Nou Camp next Monday and will be looking to replace Jose Mourinho's side at the top of the standings, with one point currently separating the two Spanish giants.

However, before then Barca have the chance to not only progress through to the knockout stages of the Champions League but also guarantee top spot if they can beat Panathinaikos in Athens and the other Group D match goes their way.

With two matches remaining, Pep Guardiola's side are a point clear of FC Copenhagen at the top of the table, with Rubin Kazan five points behind and Pana six adrift.

Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta acknowledges there is great interest in the clash with Madrid, but is confident Guardiola's men will be focused solely on their European challenge.

"It's true that since we started the season it seems everyone has been waiting for this game (against Madrid), but the clasico would mean nothing without all the other matches," he said.

"The Champions League is a vital part of the season for us, and so this game is very important for qualification, for first place and everything that happens later in this competition."

He added: "I've never seen this team hold anything back. They like competing. They are very good at focusing on the important aims. The game with Almeria was a good example of that, if you don't get caught napping in the league then it's difficult for that to happen in the Champions League."

Barca warmed up for the trip to Greece by thrashing Almeria 8-0 on Saturday - equalling the club's biggest-ever away win in La Liga.

Lionel Messi struck a hat-trick in that match, which was his sixth treble of 2010 for Barca and took his tally to 15 goals in his last 10 appearances for the club.

Panathinaikos also enjoyed a victory at the weekend, beating Iraklis 4-2 to move joint top of the Greek standings with Olympiacos.

Jacek Gmoch was in charge for that match following the departure of coach Nikos Nioplias, but Jesualdo Ferreira was named as Pana's new coach on the same day.

Ferreira was recently sacked as coach of Barca's Primera Division rivals Malaga just a few months into a three-year contract.

Pana are not in such good shape in the Champions League having recorded just two points and one goal from their opening four games, but nevertheless Zubizarreta is anticipating a testing time for Barca at the Spiros Louis Stadium - where Pana have lost only three of their last 58 league games.

"Whenever we go to Greece we expect highly competitive teams, and a lot of noise and pressure from the stands. I don't know what we'll find, but that's what we're expecting. We have the utmost respect for an important ground and a great, historic team, with good, experienced players."



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MOURINHO UNFAZED BY NOU CAMP CLASH

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho admits he expects to be a "persona non grata" at the Nou Camp next week as his in-form side take on Barcelona in 'El Clasico'.

Mourinho, whose team go into the clash with a one-point lead over second-placed Barca at the top of La Liga, was once on the coaching staff at the Catalan giants but he believes events last season will assure him of a heated reception from the home fans on Monday.

With the 2010 Champions League final being held at the Bernabeu, Barca would have relished the chance to be able to defend the title they won 12 months previously at the hallowed home of their arch rivals Madrid.

However, having got to the semi-finals and seen Madrid yet again knocked out at the last-16 stage, Barca's dreams were ended by eventual winners Inter Milan - with Mourinho the man on the bench of the Italian side.

In the first leg at the San Siro, Inter stunned Barca with a 3-1 win and that was enough to put them through do the final despite losing the second leg 1-0 at the Nou Camp following a backs-to-the-wall performance with 10 men.

During that match in Spain Mourinho was almost constantly jeered by the home crowd, some of whom disparagingly refer to the Portuguese as 'the translator' having held that role alongside Bobby Robson at the Nou Camp in the 1990s, before working as a coach under Louis van Gaal for three seasons.

Mourinho, who also crossed swords with Barca while in charge at Chelsea, admitted at the time that he could never coach the Catalans due to the hatred of the fans towards him, and he is under no illusions about what could await him on Monday night.

"The fans in the Nou Camp will never forgive me for denying them the opportunity to win the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu," Mourinho told www.fifa.com.

"I'm a persona non grata as far as Barcelona supporters are concerned, so I'll get a hostile reception.

"That's just football. I beat them with Chelsea, then with Inter and now I'm coaching their fiercest rivals, Real Madrid. That's too many things in quick succession. The past (Mourinho's history at Barca) doesn't matter, it's what's happened recently that counts. That's the way football works."

Mourinho is not getting carried away with the importance of the match itself, though.

Last season the clashes between the two Spanish superpowers were crucial, with Barca beating Madrid twice en route to finishing three points clear of their rivals at the top of the table, and all signs point to it being another two-horse race this season.

With only 12 rounds gone, there is already a seven-point gap between Barca in second and Villarreal in third, while fourth-placed Espanyol are a further two points back.

Mourinho, who has yet to suffer defeat in any competition as Madrid coach, said: "But I'm going there (Nou Camp) to play a football match and that's that. It's like I always say: if we win on Monday then it'll be Tuesday the next day. And if we lose on Monday then it'll still be Tuesday the next day.

"That's why we have to keep working hard and enjoying ourselves just the same, whatever happens."

Meanwhile, Mourinho heaped praise on opposite number Pep Guardiola, who he believes Barca should be looking to tie down as coach for the next half-century.

"If I were Barca president Sandro Rosell I'd give him a contract for the next 50 years," said Mourinho.

"Because he's a club man who's been steeped in the Barcelona way since birth. He knows the place inside out and he knows the kind of football that Barcelona fans want. He's the ideal man to coach Barcelona for as long as he wants to."

Mourinho, who admitted he would also want Guardiola as Madrid coach if he were in charge of the nine-time European champions, also believes there is a mutual respect between the two managers.

"We used to work together at Barca and I have only positive memories of that period. Now we're rival coaches but I get the feeling that we respect each other. In my view that's a good thing, and it'd be perfect if it stayed that way," he added.

"I first said he'd end up being an excellent head coach years ago."




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THIAGO WOULD SNUB REAL OFFER

AC Milan defender Thiago Silva would not welcome offers from either Real Madrid or city rivals Inter.

The 26-year-old defender has been linked with a move to the Spanish giants, but leaving Milan is not an option his family would want.

Thiago is settled in the city and he would not have a problem seeing out his career with the Rossoneri, just as Paolo Maldini did.

The former Fluminense stopper had previously been linked with Inter, but Thiago would not even contemplate the switch due to his loyalty to AC Milan.

"My wife Isabel was the first one in the family to say no to Madrid as she prefers to stay in Milan," said Thiago.

"I also like Milan very much as we're very comfortable in this city because we have all what we need. I expect to stay as much time as possible here. I wouldn't have a problem playing many years in Milan like Maldini did.

"Before Milan called I had been told that Inter had also showed interest in me but then I didn't have any more news about them and that's why I've always said yes to Milan.

"Now that I'm in this team I would never think about the chance of playing at Inter. I am very thankful to my club so I wouldn't even think about the chance of playing for Inter."



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UEFA TO PROBE REAL RED CARDS

UEFA's disciplinary unit has launched an investigation into whether Real Madrid players Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso deliberately incurred red cards.

The two players were sent off for time wasting late in Real Madrid's 4-0 win against Ajax in Amsterdam, and their suspensions will rule them out of the dead rubber against Auxerre next week, while wiping their disciplinary records ahead of the knock-out stages.

UEFA confirmed they were aware of the incidents and have instructed disciplinary officials to look into them before deciding whether any charges are to be brought.

Under article 5.1 of UEFA's regulations dealing with loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship both players could be charged and have their suspensions extended.

Substitute goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek apparently relayed a message that Alonso and Ramos, having already been booked, should time waste and seek a second yellow so as to get any ban out of the way. Alonso delayed taking a free-kick and Ramos delayed taking a goal-kick for Iker Casillas.

Dutch broadcaster NOS also showed footage of Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho speaking to Alonso on the touchline before he picked up his second caution.

However Mourinho has denied instructing his players to seek deliberate red cards.

Mourinho said: "I spoke with many players throughout the game, not only with Ramos and Alonso. The two red cards were the result of strange referee bookings in an easy game to monitor.

"I didn't like them one bit, but if Ramos or Alonso can't face Auxerre others will take their place. We will not give our game against the French away. We want to win all our matches."




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JACK WARNER 'DISMISSIVE' OF BBC

FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has renewed his attack on BBC Panorama's investigation into World Cup bidding by claiming the programme will have "negative fall-out" for England's World Cup bid.

Panorama are planning to screen a programme on Monday, three days before the vote, and have written to Warner as well as FIFA president Sepp Blatter asking for responses to a number of allegations.

On Monday, Warner said he believed the programme was a personal vendetta and he has now insisted he was not worried about the contents of the investigation.

Warner told Trinidad newspaper Newsday: "I leave here on Sunday to go to vote on the bid. I haven't yet made up my mind how I'm voting, but the BBC, I'm totally dismissive of the BBC."

Asked whether Panorama could negatively affect the vote for England, he said: "I believe it might. I don't know really how much it would do that but I would imagine there must be some negative fall-out, how much I really don't know."

Warner added: "I don't want to dignify the foolishness by the BBC and what they want to show. If the BBC want to show anything, they could show it, what more could the BBC say about Jack Warner, come on, and while the BBC is doing its nonsense, I am doing my work, so I'm not worried about that."

England face competition from Russia, Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium for the 2018 tournament.





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