Lucas Moura named on Brazil's seven-man World Cup standby list

Lucas Moura named on Brazil's seven-man World Cup standby list - Brazil has named its list of seven players who will be on standby for this summer's home World Cup, with Lucas Moura the star among the backup options.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has already named his preferred 23-man selection for the tournament, but has now confirmed the list of those who will be held in reserve should any late changes to the squad be required.

Lucas Moura named on Brazil's seven-man World Cup standby list

Atletico Madrid defenders Filipe Luis and Miranda are in the seven-man list of backups, as is Bayern Munich right back Rafinha.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva, Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura and Sao Paulo striker Alan Kardec have also been asked to be ready if called upon.

Fluminense goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri rounds off the list and will step in for the tournament if there are any issues with Julio Cesar, Jefferson or Victor.

The announcement means some of the notable absentees from the original squad, including Kaka, Robinho, Ronaldinho and Philippe Coutinho, have not even made Scolari’s top 30 for this summer.

Brazil has warm-up matches against Panama and Serbia before it begins its World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 12.

Brazil standby list: Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Alan Kardec (Sao Paulo), Lucas Moura (PSG), Rafinha (Bayern Munchen), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Miranda (Atletico Madrid), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense). // goal.com

READ MORE - Lucas Moura named on Brazil's seven-man World Cup standby list

Terry 'deserves' final place, says Mourinho

Terry 'deserves' final place, says Mourinho - The Champions League "owes something" to Chelsea captain John Terry due to the previous disappointments that he has endured in the competition, according to manager Jose Mourinho.

Terry, 33, has been passed fit to play in the second leg of Chelsea's semi-final at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday after limping off with an ankle injury in last week's first leg, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Mourinho initially ruled Terry out until at least the final, which takes place in Lisbon on May 24, but his return to fitness suggests that his luck in the tournament may be beginning to turn.

Terry 'deserves' final place, says Mourinho

Terry could have given Chelsea their first ever Champions League trophy in the 2008 final against Manchester United in Moscow, only to slip as he took a spot-kick in the penalty shootout, sending the ball wide.

A subsequent failed attempt by Nicolas Anelka gave United the trophy and although Chelsea prevailed on penalties in the final against Bayern Munich four years later, Terry did not play due to suspension.

He was also banned for last season's Europa League final success against Benfica, although, as he had done in 2012, he received the trophy in his full kit alongside his teammates.

Results of the Champions League semi-final match on Tuesday (AFP Photo/)

"I think the Champions League owes him something," Mourinho said during Tuesday's pre-match press conference.

"I think he deserves more than the Champions League has given to him till now. He lost a few semi-finals in special circumstances. He lost the final also in special circumstances.

"He won a final, also in special circumstances, because he couldn't play the final."

- No England U-turn -

Terry seemed to be getting eased out at Stamford Bridge under former interim manager Rafael Benitez, but he has been rejuvenated since Mourinho's return last year, marshalling the meanest defence in the Premier League.

Atletico Madrid's David Villa (R) trains at Stamford Bridge in London on April 29, 2014, on the eve of the team's Champions League semi-final second-leg match against Chelsea (AFP Photo/Glyn Kirk)

"My captain is playing at the same level as when I left Chelsea in 2007-08," Mourinho added.

"Six or seven years later, he is playing at his best level. It's fair to say that. It's also fair to say that the people that surround him are playing also fantastic.

"I think his partnership with (Gary) Cahill is fantastic and people that work together in the same areas, they are doing a fantastic job.

"I'm really happy to see a player like him, six or seven years later, to be back to the same level."

Terry's displays have prompted calls for him to return to the England fold, 19 months after he retired from international football following the Football Association's decision to strip him of the captaincy over allegations he had racially abused Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand.

However, despite the apparent lure of a potential place in manager Roy Hodgson's squad for this year's World Cup in Brazil, Terry said that he had no intention of reversing his decision.

"For me, 100 percent, I'm going to be on my holidays in the summer, I'm going to be nowhere else," he said.

"I've made that very clear. My thoughts are very strong on that. Maybe people don't realise how strong. I certainly wish the England side and Roy the very best." ( AFP )

READ MORE - Terry 'deserves' final place, says Mourinho

Several ways to get Franck Ribery as angry as Pep Guardiola believes he needs to be

Several ways to get Franck Ribery as angry as Pep Guardiola believes he needs to be - One of Bayern Munich's problems in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid was the disappearance of Franck Ribery. The UEFA Best Player in Europe award winner has been enjoying yet another stellar season and if Bayern are to come back from the 1-0 deficit, they'll need Ribery to be at his best. Luckily, Bayern manager Pep Guardiola thinks he knows the key to getting that out of him.

(Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images)

From Reuters:

"He was playing angry against Bremen [in Bayern's 5-2 win on Saturday]. Franck needs this aggression, he needs to play angry. He keeps fighting and that is why fans love him. He is one of the best players in Bayern history, he has always performed at the highest level and we need the best Ribéry."

But how do you ensure that Franck Ribery is suitably angry? Well, there are few methods worth trying...

• Tell him that Cristiano Ronaldo definitely deserved the Ballon d'Or more than him.
• Stick him with a mascot that's too tall for his liking.
• Have all of his teammates relentlessly chase him with glass boots full of beer.
• Tell him Cristiano Ronaldo said that he didn't deserve to win the Ballon d'Or.
• Tell him Cristiano Ronaldo laughs at him while he polishes the Ballon d'or trophy.
• Tell him Cristiano Ronaldo thinks his name is "Franck Rickery."
• Just say "Cristiano Ronaldo" in his presence.
• Show him this image...

Sorry Im not sorry, bro. (Nike) 

(sports.yahoo.com )

READ MORE - Several ways to get Franck Ribery as angry as Pep Guardiola believes he needs to be

I Made A Mistake

Pep Guardiola: 'I made a mistake' - Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola took responsibility for his side's UEFA Champions League semifinal loss to Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos struck braces in Real's 4-0 second-leg thrashing of the Bundesliga champions at the Allianz Arena, completing a 5-0 aggregate victory.

Guardiola: I made a mistake

Guardiola said it was his error that led to Bayern's loss, while he was unhappy with the way his team used the ball after having the majority of possession in both legs.

"We played badly when we had the ball. That's my responsibility. I made a mistake," the Spaniard told a news conference. "It was a bit better in the first leg, but congratulations to Real Madrid."

Guardiola lamented his side's defending from set pieces, with Ramos heading in a corner and free kick in the first half. Ronaldo netted on the counterattack before halftime and completed the scoring with a cheeky free kick that went under a jumping Bayern defensive wall.

"We have to carry on now. If you don't play well and you defend set pieces badly, that's just how it is. You are being punished," Guardiola said. "We are at the highest level in Europe; such mistakes are punished right away."

Guardiola said he had been hopeful Bayern could reproduce the performances it put in against Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United earlier in the knockout stages.

"What we did against Arsenal and Manchester (United) did not work today," he said. "Also in the first leg in Madrid we had more control than today and at least a couple of chances. Today, just a few. That's why we have lost the semifinal. You play with the ball and if you don't have it that doesn't work." ( Goal.com )

READ MORE - I Made A Mistake

Keeping Franck Ribery saved Bayern Munich

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: Keeping Franck Ribery saved Bayern Munich -- When Karl-Heinz Rummenigge speaks, you listen.

And his advice, if you want to be the best club in the world, is: Never, ever sell your best players.

"I believe a very important point in our history came in 2008," Rummenigge, a legend in German football and executive board chairman of the all-conquering Bayern Munich, told CNN.

Franck Ribery has been a key player in Bayern Munich's domestic and European success. The France international winger, who was shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or, attracted the attention of major rivals after his first season in Germany. 

"We received big offers from England and Spain for the transfer of Franck Ribery to big clubs and we decided not to accept," added the 58-year-old, referring to an official bid from Chelsea and an inquiry from Real Madrid for the player who had cost Bayern $40 million in 2007.

"That was very important. I believe because from that point onwards all clubs in Europe understood that Bayern Munich was not a selling club. It's a buying club and that's it."

Rummenigge is all too conscious that it could have been so very different for his beloved Bayern, where he spent the first decade of his senior playing career and won numerous honors.

Back in 2004, the Bavarians finished second in the German Bundesliga behind Werder Bremen and were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the last-16 by Real Madrid.

Not since 2001 had Bayern lifted Europe's most coveted trophy, as teams from the English Premier League, Italy's Serie A and Spain's La Liga dominated.

For a club that enjoyed such glorious years in European Cup football between 1974-76, winning the title on three consecutive occasions, the prospect of being left behind by the continent's elite was frightening.

Rummenigge -- who played in the 1976 success and was an unused substitute in the previous year's final -- was all too aware of Bayern's precarious position.

It wasn't just the interest other more avaricious clubs had in Bayern's leading players; the new money flooding into European football also potentially threatened the Germans' status.

"About 10 years ago I thought we had no chance when gentlemen from Russia and from the Arab countries came into the business," said Rummenigge, referring to the various takeovers of major European clubs by Middle East groups and also Roman Abramovich's investment in England's Chelsea.

Bayern Munich: The best in the business 

"Then we found a very good philosophy at the club -- being a bit patient, and buying good players.

Do Bayern Munich need Pep Guardiola? 

Football gloom in Munich 

"The story began in 2007 when we bought Ribery, Luca Toni ... and we continue this story to today."

A buying club indeed -- Bayern has become a European power to rival Barcelona and Real Madrid by attracting some of the world's top players.

That it is able to do so owes much to the commercial model Rummenigge has created along with club president Uli Hoeness.

Helped by the presence of so many of its great players on the board, Bayern is a club which understands not just what happens on the pitch, but off it too.

According to the Deloitte money report, Bayern is the third richest club in the world, with its revenue growing by 17% over the past year to $592 million.

It is the first time in 11 years that Bayern has been in the top three of the Money League and comes following a Champions League triumph from which it gained a 31% increase in broadcast revenue.

Its average home attendances of 71,000 led to matchday revenue of $4.6 million -- more than any other Bundesliga club and less than only four others in Europe.

Commercial revenue, merchandise, sponsorship and advertising have all increased markedly, while deals with partners have also boosted the coffers.

Extensions to deals with Coca-Cola and Lufthansa, on top of the club's longstanding partnerships with Adidas and Allianz, which holds the naming rights to the stadium, have put Bayern miles ahead of its domestic rivals.

That is part of the reason why it has been able to raid the likes of Borussia Dortmund for talents such as Mario Gotze, who joined at the start of this season, and Robert Lewandowski, who will arrive in Munich when it finishes.

"That is not our will," Rummenigge says when asked about poaching from rival clubs.

"Our will is where you find the best players in the German Bundesliga. In England it's not different that the big clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United are interested especially in players from Arsenal, from Liverpool and so on. I believe that is the normality of the business."

Such is the talent at Bayern that Pep Guardiola, who took over from treble-winning coach Jupp Heynckes at the end of last season, was able to name Germany internationals such as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Muller as substitutes for last week's 2-0 win at Arsenal in the Champions League.

Already 19 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, unbeaten in 47 league games, Bayern looks set to win a record 24th championship without much hassle.

Bayern and Arsenal on top 

Football's Rich List 

Bayern eases past Arsenal 

Sunday's 4-0 victory over Hannover -- its 14th successive league win -- means only an absolute disaster can prevent Bayern from coasting to a successful title defense, making Dortmund's two-season reign seem long ago.

Even more impressive is that Bayern's fans can enjoy this success while paying prices which English Premier League counterparts could only dream of.

Bayern's 225,000 members hold an 82% share of the club, and Rumenigge has made football accessible to all supporters with some season tickets available for just over $200.

Indeed, the low-cost deals offered by all Bundesliga teams are the envy of many within the European game.

Bayern, the 2013 Club World Cup champion, is seeking to extend its dominance and will reportedly open the club's first overseas office in New York from April 1 to help break into the North American market.

Guardiola's team will begin a U.S. tour in late July, including a match against the Major League Soccer All-Star lineup.

Under the guidance of the Spaniard, the possibilities appear endless for Bayern -- a heavy favorite to become the first team to retain the European title since the advent of the Champions League in 1992.

It makes Bayern's acquisition of the former Barcelona coach even more frightening for those who are trying to compete within the same sphere.

"From the very first meeting, I had a feeling that he was something special," Rummenigge said of Guardiola.

"He's different. Obsessed by football in a very, very nice and good way. When I talked to our players six months ago they said this guy doesn't stop our success story. This guy brings us ahead."

If they move any further ahead, then the others will only look on with fear. ( CNN )

READ MORE - Keeping Franck Ribery saved Bayern Munich

Barcelona maintains momentum but Bayern Munich finally drops points

Barcelona maintains momentum but Bayern Munich finally drops points -- The Spanish title race might have taken another twist Saturday when Barcelona visited mid-table Espanyol in the Catalan derby. For more than 75 minutes, the home team blanked Lionel Messi and the rest of the Barcelona attack.

But just like in El Clasico on Sunday, Messi had the last word as he struck a late penalty to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory and all three points.

Espanyol keeper Francisco Casilla was sent off against Barcelona for handling outside the area. 

His goal in the 77th minute over Espanyol temporarily put Barcelona two points atop the league standings ahead of Atletico Madrid but Atletico later rallied to defeat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 to regain its one-point advantage.

Messi and Neymar missed good chances in the first half, while Espanyol's Pizzi also squandered a fine opportunity.

But there were fewer chances in the second half, although Barcelona defender Gerard Pique struck the crossbar.

With time running out, referee Clos Gomez ruled that Espanyol's Javi Lopez handled in the area and Messi made no mistake from the spot.

Lopez then had to play goalkeeper after Francisco Casilla's handball outside the area stopped a Messi shot in the 83rd minute. Casilla was shown a straight red and Espanyol had already used all three of its substitutes.

Iker Muniain put fourth-place Athletic ahead but Diego Costa leveled in the 22nd minute and Koke got the winner in the 55th. Aymeric Laporte saw red for hauling down Costa in the dying stages.

Real Madrid, reeling from defeats to Barcelona and Sevilla, had its own derby late Saturday. It blanked Rayo Vallecano 5-0, getting two goals from Gareth Bale, and once again moved to within three points of Atletico.

Barcelona and Atletico square off in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal next week.

Rare stumble by Bayern

Under-strength Bayern Munich finally dropped points in Germany's Bundesliga, drawing Hoffenheim 3-3 to end a 19-match league winning streak that dated back to October.

Bayern wrapped up the league title in record time this week and faces Manchester United in the Champions League quarterfinals Tuesday but it appeared as if Pep Guardiola's men were focused enough to claim three more points.

It led 3-1 -- at home -- only for Sejad Salihovic to pull a goal back and Roberto Firmino to equalize in the 75th minute. To make matters worse, Spanish international midfielder Thiago Alcantara suffered a knee injury.

Borussia Dortmund, which meets Real Madrid in the Champions League, maintained second place with a morale boosting 3-2 win at Stuttgart thanks to Marco Reus' hat-trick.

Stuttgart led 2-1 but Georg Niedermeier conceded a penalty and received a second yellow in the 67th minute. (CNN)

READ MORE - Barcelona maintains momentum but Bayern Munich finally drops points

5 things to know about the Spanish league

5 things to know about the Spanish league  — Real Madrid's advantage at the top of the Spanish league has been squeezed down to a single point over Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid is only three points behind.

Barcelona can add pressure with a victory at Valladolid on Saturday, a day before Madrid faces Levante. Atletico has a tough trip to Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Real's Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, celebrates his goal with teammate Gareth Bale, right, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, March 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Here are five things to know about this weekend's Spanish league matches:

___

Atletico's Gabi , left, celebrates his goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, March 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Gabriel Pecot)

TREBLE HUNT

Barcelona remains in the hunt for the treble despite feeling a wind of change is coming.

Real's Karim Benzema, second right, scores a goal past Atletico’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, left, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, March 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Lionel Messi is scoring but, surprisingly, his future remains in doubt as rumors swirl that Manchester City is ready to pay his 200 million euro ($275 million) buyout clause. There are also reports that the Argentina captain's teammates are frustrated by his tendency to disappear during games.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino's future also continues to be questioned, and Neymar's arrival has been marked by the saga surrounding his transfer from Santos.

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes had already said he would leave the club at the end of the season, and defender Carles Puyol announced Tuesday this would be his last season with the club, too.

"My generation and the one before don't know about a Barca without Puyi in defense," Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique wrote on his Facebook page. "I suppose nothing will be the same again."

___

NO DRAMAS

While Atletico looks to keep pace and Barcelona looks to avoid internal combustion, Real Madrid is remarkably enjoying a season without much drama.

The Spanish team remains in the hunt for the treble with forwards Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale all in good form, and the rest of its squad reinforced at nearly every position without injury worries.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has even managed to keep his goalkeepers happy despite relegating Iker Casillas to a backup role, although the Spain captain is the team's choice in the Champions League.

It's quite a change to three previous seasons under Jose Mourinho, who took a stab at his players' vanity in an interview this week.

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, center, reacts after scoring with his teammates against Almeria during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, March 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

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TEMPER TANTRUMS

Atletico Madrid has had to scrap and fight harder than Madrid and Barcelona to remain in the hunt for the league title, but part of that cost will be felt Saturday in Vigo.

Striker Diego Costa is banned because of an accumulation of bookings, as is midfielder Arda Turan. Assistant coach German Burgos also begins serving the first of a three-game ban for his aggressive protest in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Madrid.

Diego Costa's absence should provide David Villa with a rare start, while midfielder Diego Ribas should get the nod for Turan.

FC Barcelona's Carles Puyol reacts after scoring against Almeria during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, March 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

FC Barcelona's Carles Puyol reacts after scoring against Almeria during a Spanish La Liga soccer …

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CELTA'S SUCCESS

Barcelona has played a big hand in Celta Vigo's impressive season.

Much like his older brother Thiago Alcantara at Bayern Munich, Rafinha has been a key driving force to his club's success this season in guiding Celta's attack to put it 11th in the stadnings. Rafinha, who is on-loan from Barcelona, was deemed the league's most outstanding player in February.

Celta coach Luis Enrique is a well-known former Barcelona player who has managed to exploit Rafinha's potential.

FC Barcelona's Neymar, from Brazil, second right, duels for the ball against Almeria's Rafael Ramos. second left, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, March 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

FC Barcelona's Neymar, from Brazil, second right, duels for the ball against Almeria's Rafae …

Celta has drawn its past two games at Balaidos Stadium while Atletico has lost two straight on the road.

___

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ASPIRATIONS

Athletic Bilbao travels to Valencia on Sunday entrenched in fourth place, which secures the league's final Champions League qualifying place.

The Basque team, which hasn't played in Europe's top-tier competition in more than a decade, holds a six-point advantage over neighbor Real Sociedad and is seven points ahead of Villarreal.

"We would have all signed on the dotted line to be in this situation at the start of the season," Athletic midfielder Ander Iturraspe said. "But a lot of games remain, we've still got a lot to show right up to the end of the season."

Real Sociedad faces Rayo Vallecano on Monday, and Villarreal is at Granada on Sunday. ( AP )

READ MORE - 5 things to know about the Spanish league

Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season

Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season - Barcelona captain Carles Puyol announced on Tuesday that he will leave the club at the end of the season after a hugely successful 15-year career at the Camp Nou.

The 35-year-old, who did not reveal whether he will continue playing elsewhere, has been plagued by injuries over the last couple of seasons and has undergone three knee operations.

"At the end of the season I will leave FC Barcelona. The club are aware of this and we are in agreement," he said.

"We will rescind the final two years of my contract that were still to run."

Puyol signed a new deal with the club in January last year, but admitted in June that he would not stay if injuries continued to prevent him from playing a significant part on the field.

And having featured just 10 times this season in all competitions, he said it was time for a new challenge in a less physically demanding environment.

Barcelona's midfielder Carles Puyol poses prior to an announcement at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on March 4, 2014 (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene) 

"After the last two operations it has been difficult for me to recover the level I need to be able to continue here, more than I expected and more than surgeons said. That is why I have taken this decision."

- Next destination still unknown -

Puyol didn't reveal where he would go at the end of the current campaign and insisted he will give everything in what remains of the season to help Barca succeed on three fronts.

"I am not leaving today, there are still three months of the season remaining and those that know me know that I will not give up until the end. I will continue fighting to help the team improve and achieve our objectives this season.

"I don't know what I will do on June 30. What I do know is that I will need time to rest. I have had four years without a break due to the injuries. That is what I will do and then we will see."

Barcelona's midfielder Carles Puyol (R) leaves after an announcement at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on March 4, 2014 (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene) 

The announcement brings to an end an extraordinary career in the Barcelona first team that began in 1999. Puyol is the club's second most decorated player of all-time, behind only teammate Xavi Hernandez, having made 593 appearances.

After beginning his career as a right-back, Puyol was converted into one of the most successful centre-backs in world football over the past decade as he won three Champions Leagues and six La Liga titles with his boyhood club.

A number of Puyol's teammates past and present paid tribute to an historic figure in Spanish football.

"I will continue to enjoy being at your side until the end of this season. It has been an honour. I wish you the best for what is to come. There is no one like you captain," Andres Iniesta wrote on his official Facebook page.

"Thanks captain for all you have taught me. Good luck," Cesc Fabregas said in a tweet alongside a photo of the two of them just after Fabregas re-signed for the club in 2011.

Puyol was also a key part of the Spanish sides that won the European Championship in 2008 and the country's first World Cup in 2010, memorably heading home the goal that took his side to the final in South Africa with a 1-0 win over Germany.

"Carles is an example for everyone on and off the field," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said on Tuesday.

In total he has represented Spain 100 times with his last appearance coming in a 3-1 friendly win over Uruguay in February 2013, making him one of only eight players to have won a century of caps with La Roja.

"He is a natural leader, a person that when you hear his name you think of Barcelona," added former Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara, now of Bayern Munich.

"In the time I was there he was a reference on and off the pitch. Everyone knows him and whilst Puyol is in the world of football, he will be an example for everyone." (AFP)

READ MORE - Carles Puyol to leave Barcelona at end of season

Arjen Robben Vs Franck Ribery

Robben v Ribery put on hold - Arjen Robben will miss out on the chance of playing against his Bayern Munich team mate Franck Ribery after pulling out of the Netherlands squad for Wednesday's friendly against France in Paris.

Robben has stayed with the Dutch squad for the World Cup warm-up match but has a thigh injury suffered in last weekend's Bundesliga win over Schalke 04.

Bayern's Arjen Robben of the Netherlands celebrates after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Schalke in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, March 1. 2014. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)

 

Frank Ribery (R) of Bayern Munich challenges goalkeeper Diego Lopez of Villarreal during their Champions League Group A soccer match in Munich, November 22, 2011. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski  

"It is not feeling good and it is better not to take any risks," he told reporters.

The Dutch football association said on Tuesday it had called up Ajax Amsterdam captain Siem de Jong in place of Rafael van der Vaart who was also added to the squad as a replacement.

Van der Vaart and goalkeeper Michael Vorm are both ill and did not travel to the French capital. (Reuters)

READ MORE - Arjen Robben Vs Franck Ribery

Vince McMahon, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Vice

Vince McMahon, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Vice - There are always a lot of dumb rumors going around that media outlets are all too eager to spread and that people are all too willing to believe. So as a public service, we here at DT bring you the reality check that will keep you from looking like a gullible Guti. 

WWE chairman Vince McMahon interested in buying Newcastle! (A website no one's ever heard of) — What's not to believe about a report on a random website citing an anonymous source? For starters, it makes no mention of this rumor being around since 2011 and the fact that the Guardian debunked it last month. 

Cristiano Ronaldo with Detective Sonny Crockett. (Getty)

David Beckham might name his MLS team "Miami Vice"! Like the TV show! And the less popular Colin Farrell movie! (Palm Beach Post) — This is one even I want to believe because it would be wonderful, but NBC Universal, which owns the rights to the show and film, would probably sue the David Beckham brand underpants off of MLS if they tried this. Plus Beckham's publicist, Simon Oliveira, already denied it and basically said you're stupid if you ever believed it. 

David Beckham wants to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for the Miami Vice in 2017! (The Sun) — I'm sure he also wants to sign Lionel Messi, all of Bayern Munich and 1958 Pele. You know, like every other football club owner on the planet. But the man doesn't even know the name of his club, when they will start playing or where they will do it, so signing Ronaldo or a reanimated George Best in three years is pretty far down the list of priorities. 

Mario Balotelli to Arsenal! With the help of Puma! (Daily Express/Metro) — Rumors of sportswear companies engineering megadeals to bring their sponsored athletes and their sponsored clubs together pop up from time to time. This one was inevitable since Arsenal and Balotelli both signed with Puma very recently, but if these things happened, Nike's biggest footballer (Cristiano Ronaldo) wouldn't be playing for Adidas' Real Madrid and Adidas' biggest footballer (Lionel Messi) wouldn't be playing for Nike's Barcelona. 

So that's the Puma angle out. But what about Mario to Arsenal anyway? Well, he can't stop saying how happy he is to play for Milan "especially in difficult moments" and he also says the only thing he misses about England is Man City fans. He's probably not going to Arsenal (or any other English club) then. 

David Moyes resigns himself to just winning the Champions League this season! (Dirty Tackle) — False. Moyes actually still believes Man United can win the FA Cup even though they were knocked out way back in the third round. Being optimistic helps limit the Sir Alex Ferguson night terrors to just the hours he's asleep. ( yahoo.com )

READ MORE - Vince McMahon, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Vice

Pellegrini turns on ref as City lose to Barca in Champions League

Pellegrini turns on ref as City lose to Barca in Champions League - Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini risks a UEFA sanction after launching a scathing attack on the match referee after his side's 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League.

Barcelona took charge of the last 16 tie thanks to a second-half penalty from Lionel Messi and a late Dani Alves strike at the Etihad Stadium in Tuesday's first leg, and Pellegrini blamed match official Jonas Eriksson for his side's defeat.

In a wide-ranging attack, Pellegrini accused Eriksson of making two mistakes over the penalty decision and even questioned why a Swedish official had been given control of the game.

He also said that Eriksson should not have been in charge because he had been criticised by Barcelona following his performance in their 0-0 draw at AC Milan in the quarter-finals of the 2011-12 competition.

Eriksson sent off City defender Martin Demichelis for bringing down Messi in the incident that yielded the 54th-minute penalty and Pellegrini said: "I think that the referee decided the game.

"Before the penalty there was the foul on (Jesus) Navas, when he (Eriksson) was three metres from the player, so he saw it without any problem.

Manchester City's Belgian defender Vincent Kompany (2nd R) reacts after Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes makes a save near his line at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 18, 2014 (AFP Photo/Paul Ellis)

"From the beginning I felt that the referee was not impartial to both teams. The penalty on Martin Demichelis was not a penalty -- it was outside the box."

Asked why he had spoken to Eriksson at the final whistle, Pellegrini replied: "Just to tell him that he had decided the game. He must be very happy, because he decided the game."

The Chilean added: "He didn't have any control of the game. He decided for Barcelona from the beginning until the end.

"I think it was not a good idea to put a referee from Sweden in such an important match and a referee that made such important mistakes against Barcelona (in an earlier match)."

When he was asked to explain his reservations about Eriksson's nationality, Pellegrini said: "I think there are more important football (nations) than Sweden in Europe.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring from a penalty kick at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, on February 18, 2014 (AFP Photo/Paul Ellis)

"It was a big game with two important teams. I think maybe in that kind of game, you need a referee with more experience.

"I think the best (biggest) mistake was to put a referee that damaged Barcelona in the stage of group (sic).

"This referee whistled the Barcelona-Milan game and he made an important error against Barcelona. Today he arranged (atoned for it)."

With Pellegrini preoccupied by his gripes about Eriksson's performance, it was left to captain Vincent Kompany to vow that City had not given up on the tie.

"If the tempo was in this game, it would have been to our advantage," he told ITV.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi's successfully takes a penalty kick at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on February 18, 2014 (AFP Photo/Paul Ellis)

"If the game is the same as today, and we manage to stay away from some fouls, we have got a chance."

Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino felt that the outcome of the game was "fair", but he warned against complacency ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou on March 12.

"I'm not necessarily confident (about going through), but it's true that we've done a good game in the away leg," he said.

"We just have to repeat the same performance."

Media focus prior to the game had centred on the extent to which Barcelona have lost their mantle in the light of their 7-0 demolition by eventual champions Bayern Munich in last season's semi-finals.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho described Martino's side "as the worst Barcelona of many, many years" and Barca midfielder Cesc Fabregas said that he and his team-mates were pleased to have silenced their critics.

"We had a point to prove, and we did it very well," he told ITV.

"Some people were talking a bit too much before the game and now they have to shut up for a few days." (AFP)

READ MORE - Pellegrini turns on ref as City lose to Barca in Champions League