Torres earns surprise Spain World Cup call up

Torres earns surprise Spain World Cup call up - Fernando Torres has been named as a surprise inclusion in Spain's 30-man provisional squad for the FIFA World Cup.

The Chelsea striker has not received a call up since the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, where he scored five goals as Spain was beaten in the final by World Cup host Brazil.

Torres earns surprise Spain World Cup call up

Torres endured a disappointing 2013-14 season for Chelsea, scoring just 11 goals in all competitions. However, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has shown faith in the 30-year-old as Spain looks to retain the trophy it won for the first time in South Africa in 2010.

Meanwhile, uncapped Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has been selected as the third goalkeeper ahead of Real Madrid's Diego Lopez. Real's Dani Carvajal could be in line to earn his first cap at the tournament, earning a reward after firmly establishing himself in the first team at the Bernabeu. However, club-mates Isco and Alvaro Arbeloa have both been left out, with the latter omitted despite his extensive experience at international level.

Right back Arbeloa has 56 senior caps in his career, but Atletico Madrid's Juanfran and Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta - who have just 11 caps between them - are included ahead of him.

Spain will start the bid to defend the title against the Netherlands on June 13 in Salvador, before taking on fellow Group B contenders Chile and Australia.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David de Gea (Manchester United)Pepe Reina (Napoli)

Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Juan Mata (Chelsea), Jesus Navas (Manchester City), Pedro (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City), Xavi (Barcelona)

Forwards: Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Llorente (Juventus), Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), David Villa (Atletico Madrid) // ( goal.com )

READ MORE - Torres earns surprise Spain World Cup call up

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

Fernando Torres never hides : Jose Mourinho

Fernando Torres never hides - Jose Mourinho says Fernando Torres won't "hide" against former club Atletico Madrid during Chelsea's Champions League semifinal.

The Spaniard has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge but is in line to face the Liga leaders in Tuesday's first leg clash after Samuel Eto'o did not travel with the squad because of a knee injury.

Jose Mourinho: Fernando Torres never hides

Torres came though the youth ranks at the Vicente Calderon, scoring 91 goals during seven seasons in the first team before joining Liverpool in 2007, but Mourinho is not concerned by his striker's state of mind ahead of the fixture.

"Playing in the Champions League is a big motivation for every player. Everyone wants to play. Those chosen are happy those who aren't, are not," he told reporters. "I am not saying that Fernando Torres will start, I am saying that he never hides. We feel that every day. He is a real Atletico supporter, I would say a big one. We talk about Spanish football every day.

"He is a professional. I have no doubts that the minutes he will be on the pitch tomorrow he will do everything for Chelsea given the professional that he is."

Mourinho also refuted claims that Atletico Madrid counterpart Diego Simeone is a superior coach to him.

"I don't agree," he said. "It is difficult to compare coaches; in fact it is not fair to do so.

"It is not fair to compare someone with 15 years of experience as a coach to one with less than that. It is something that I don't like to do."

After suffering semifinal defeats to Liverpool during his first spell in charge of Chelsea, Mourinho insists those disappointments do not provide extra motivation.

"I have no unfinished business with Chelsea in in the Champions League," he said. "I did my best. I always do my best. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

"In one semifinal we lost on penalties and in the other we lost because of a goal that wasn't a goal [a reference to a shot from Luis Garcia that was adjudged to have crossed the line], but that's football." ( goal.com )

READ MORE - Fernando Torres never hides : Jose Mourinho

Ronaldo's Real double foils fighting Galatasaray

Ronaldo's Real double foils fighting Galatasaray - Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid, aiming to become kings of Europe for the 10th time, foiled a dramatic fightback by Galatasaray on Tuesday to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Ronaldo, top scorer in the competition, took his goal tally for the season to 11 to make sure that Jose Mourinho's side went through to the last four 5-3 on aggregate despite losing the second leg 3-2 in Istanbul.

Mourinho praised the passionate support generated by the home crowd and the spirit of the Galatasaray players.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (top) jumps over Galatasaray's Selcuk Inan during their Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match in Istanbul April 9, 2013. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

"We always want to play in an atmosphere like the one in the stadium tonight," he told reporters. "I don't think our players were affected by it but the Turkish players were really affected.

"They used the atmosphere in the second half and played a fantastic match. They were knocked out but if only all clubs would go out in the same fashion - they put their heart and pride into it."

Real went ahead on the night when Ronaldo slid the ball in from two metres following a low cross from the right by Sami Khedira after seven minutes.

Emmanuel Eboue then galvanised Galatasaray into action with a piledriver of an equaliser from the edge of the area in the 57th minute.

Wesley Sneijder made amends for a glaring miss moments earlier when he added a second goal for Galatasaray by sending the ball between the legs of Real defender Raphael Varane before supplying a neat finish.

Didier Drogba, Chelsea's hero in last year's final, then sent the noisy crowd into raptures with a delightful back heel following a cross by substitute Nordin Amrabat.

ARBELOA DISMISSAL

Real substitute Alvaro Arbeloa was sent off in the closing stages for a second caution but Ronaldo settled his team's nerves by adding his second goal in stoppage time after good work by Karim Benzema.

The Madrid team, who romped to a 3-0 win in the first leg at the Bernabeu, were in complete command after Ronaldo's seventh-minute goal in Istanbul.

The Portuguese almost doubled the lead with a long-range drive that keeper Fernando Muslera did well to stop.

Real winger Angel Di Maria also missed an excellent opportunity after 24 minutes when a deft back-heel from Ronaldo sent him through on goal and Muslera kept the ball out with an instinctive save.

Despite the raucous support of the home fans, Galatasaray were unable to make much of an impression early on.

It was only in the latter stages of the first half the hosts began to exert any meaningful pressure.

Diego Lopez saved well when Sneijder fired in a shot from the edge of the area in the 38th minute and soon after Drogba just failed to latch on to a through ball that would have put him clear.

Umut Bulut then had another effort from the edge of the area that flew over the bar.

At the start of the second half nine-times European champions Real appeared content to sit on their lead but Eboue's goal transformed the atmosphere and it sparked a period of sustained pressure from the home team.

Sneijder dragged his shot well wide when he was unmarked eight metres out before the Dutch international struck Galatasaray's second goal.

An upset looked possible when Drogba made it 3-1 on the night but Ronaldo had the last laugh.

Coach Fatih Terim said he was delighted with the home team's second-half fightback.

"I gave my word to the fans that whether we won or lost, it would be with a Galatasaray team they could be proud of," he explained.

"Our fans were also magnificent. There was a fantastic atmosphere and when they enjoy the game, we do too." ( Reuters )

READ MORE - Ronaldo's Real double foils fighting Galatasaray

Zorro unmasked

Zorro unmasked - That is three more than Wayne Rooney, who has admittedly featured in fewer matches than the Spaniard, but it is also only four less than Robin van Persie.

Van Persie’s goalscoring exploits at the start of the season have effectively won Manchester United the Premier League title ahead of schedule, but his worrying loss of form – he has only scored once in the last 12 matches – has coincided with exits from both the Champions League and the FA Cup.

At Chelsea, Torres has impressed in fits and starts this campaign and – while he has not hit the heights of his pomp at Liverpool – El Nino (it seems strange to call a 29-year-old The Kid) is in far better nick than the washed-up has-been that was all but written off this time last year.

Fernando Torres has scored 19 goals for his club this season.

Where – and against whom – Torres has found his goals is arguably a major sticking point though.

Only seven of Torres’s 19 goals have come in the Premier League, and most of them have come against weaker opposition. Indeed, discounting the strike against Manchester City in the Community Shield, Torres has only managed one goal against Chelsea’s nearest rivals, in the 2-1 win at Arsenal earlier in the campaign.

However, quality of opposition has not necessarily been the problem – Torres found the net against an excellent Shakhtar Donetsk side, and Rubin Kazan are a decent outfit, certainly one who would be challenging for the minor European places if they were suddenly transported to England.

What was impressive about Torres’s match-winning brace last night was the manner in which he took his goals – both brave, swashbuckling efforts – and the bright and inventive nature of his build-up play.

I watched Torres regularly when he was at Atletico Madrid, having been based in the city for some time in the mid 00’s, and even then the hype was tempered by a relative inconsistency, the feeling that he – like many strikers – is a confidence player, and that his confidence was particularly brittle.

Indeed, Torres went eight Liga matches without scoring towards the end of the 2004-05 campaign, but crucially he was at his hometown club, a side with relatively low expectations supported by fans willing to give their hero a chance to regain his form.

Current Chelsea fans have greater expectations than Atletico fans back then, and display a certain ruthlessness that they expect from their heroes.

While Torres may have lost a smidgeon of the pace he so willingly displayed at Liverpool, he has regained some of the confidence that appeared terminally lost. Demba Ba has taken the heat off him somewhat (he will hit a lean streak soon, and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the inevitable backlash), while Rafael Benitez’s appointment does seem to have helped him, albeit not in the manner we may have expected.

Tactically, Torres is being used in his preferred role – the central striker position that Didier Drogba hogged prior to his departure – but the main help has come from the lightning-rod effect that Benitez has unwittingly provided: Chelsea fans are too busy hating on Agent Rafa to get on Torres’s back, and he appears calmer and happier as a result.

Torres needs to start doing it in the Premier League – where opposition fans are giving him the grief that he escapes in Europe – and if he hits double figures in that competition by the end of the season Chelsea will view that as a decent return.

Maybe he needs to continue wearing that ridiculous mask, which could bizarrely give him the cloak of anonymity needed for him to stop overthinking his moves when he gets in the positions he has always been capable of finding.

Either way, talk of his demise appears to have been premature and, given that he is an intelligent man and a willing worker, there could be a long-term lease of life as he adapts his game to account for less searing speed. It worked for another Madrileno after all – and Raul didn’t do too badly into his 30s. Reda Maher – on Twitter @Reda_Eurosport

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QUOTE(S) OF THE DAY

“It’s a pity. City pay big money, but do not understand that human relations mean more than anything. Yaya feels the club do not want him” – Yaya Toure’s agent before his client signed a bumper new contract.
"I will never forget how I have been treated here by the fans, the club and the owners and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to finish my career as a Manchester City player” – Yaya Toure after signing a bumper new contract.

FOREIGN VIEW

"The club has written to UEFA due to a series of incidents on the pitch in the understanding that objectively speaking it was evident that the referee did not apply the rules of the game. When two players from the same team are on the floor the referee should stop the match, which did not happen” – What about when those two players are probably faking it, as many of your team do on a regular basis? Whinging Barcelona start to lose the sympathy of the wider football world for the less appealing side to their game.

COMING UP

Tranny-spotter Joey Barton may have Tweeted himself out of a starting role for Marseille when they face Bordeaux in what promises to be a fiery all-southern Ligue 1 clash on Friday night, while Premier League expert Jim White does his thing and Pitchside Europe picks its European Match of the Weekend.

By Eurosport | Early Doors – 11 hours ago

READ MORE - Zorro unmasked

Europa League - Torres shines as Chelsea gain advantage over Rubin

Europa League - Torres shines as Chelsea gain advantage over Rubin – Europa League quarter-final first leg, Stamford Bridge – Chelsea 3 (Torres 16, 70, Moses 33) Rubin Kazan 1 (Natcho 41 pen)

Fernando Torres scored twice as Chelsea beat Rubin Kazan 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Goals from the much-maligned Spaniard and Nigeria forward Victor Moses gave the hosts a deserved 2-0 lead, but they stepped back leading into half time and paid the price when John Terry’s handball allowed Natcho to convert from the penalty spot.

Eurosport - Chelsea's Fernando Torres (C) celebrates his goal with teammate Frank Lampard during their Europa League first leg quarter-final soccer match against Rubin Kazan at Stamford Bridge in London April 2013

The second half was a less frantic affair but Chelsea managed to put daylight between them and the Russians when Torres headed home his second of the night and 19th of the season after a fine cross from Juan Mata.

Rafael Benitez made six changes from the FA Cup win over Manchester United, with two enforced after Ashley Cole was injured and Demba Ba cup-tied.

Their refreshed XI started brightly as Yossi Benayoun impressed on the left, while a masked Torres looked more confident than usual as he led the line for the hosts. Rubin, meanwhile, surprisingly dropped striker Salomon Rondon to the bench, and it showed as replacement Vladimir Dyadyun toiled up front.

It was 1-0 after 16 minutes as Torres was rewarded for his energy and bravery after taking down a long ball by David Luiz – with goalkeeper and defender flying in, the Spain striker hurled himself at the second ball to bundle it home.

Rubin, who initially sat deep and looked for the counter attack, did respond as Natcho’s long-range drive stung the palms of Petr Cech.

But the hosts were knocking it about nicely and Ryan Bertrand was denied a wonder-goal by visiting skipper Roman Sharonov’s vital clearance after the reserve left-back beat three men and clipped the ball over goalkeeper Sergei Ryzhikov.

So the second goal was richly deserved, coming after Torres once more caused the Russians problems, his header palmed away by Ryzhikov and follow-up cross only half-cleared for Moses to rifle the ball into the top left.

As with the opener, Rubin did respond, although this time with greater effect as Chelsea found themselves on the back foot.

And four minutes before half-time they got their reward when Terry stuck an arm out as attacking left-back Cristian Ansaldi fired a curler after cutting inside past Branislav Ivanovic.

Terry was booked for the handball and Natcho made no mistake from the spot, sending Cech the wrong way as he claimed a vital away goal.

Ansaldi almost got a second just before the break when another long-range effort dipped just wide, and having dominated much of the half suddenly it was Chelsea who were happier to hear the whistle blow, but Rubin made the half-time change as Rondon replaced Dyadyun, who had picked up a knock.

The Blues started the second half stronger though, as Mata forced a smart stop from Ryzhikov while Cesar Azpilicueta saw a low finish blocked at a corner.

Chelsea were still having their moments at the back though, with Cech flapping not for the first time as Sharonov almost headed in from a corner.

Down the other end Terry, desperate to atone for his earlier error, went close with a similar effort but after the hour mark both sides seemed to run out of gas as the tempo slowed somewhat.

Benitez acted by introducing Eden Hazard, but the withdrawal of Moses seemed unusual, with Frank Lampard ineffectual until that point.

However, Lampard had a role in his team’s third, releasing Mata down the left, with the former Valencia man’s excellent cross met by a flying Torres, who buried a thumping header into the top right.

With the two-goal cushion restored, and Rubin clearly tiring, Chelsea could afford to sit back again as they held on to the ball for much of the latter stages.

Rubin were exhausted, with the closest the Russians coming to a goal threat a corner in the dying seconds that Chelsea cleared.

The away goal will have boosted Kurban Berdev’s side, but Chelsea’s two goal advantage makes them favourites to reach the semi-finals as they seek to be the first club to win Europe’s secondary club competition the season after the Champions League.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Fernando Torres (Chelsea: Took his goals bravely and was a constant threat against the Russian side. Led the line with power and – unusually – confidence.

PLAYER RATINGS

CHELSEA: Cech 5, Azpilicueta 6, Luiz 6, Terry 5, Bertrand 7, Ramires 7, Lampard 6, Moses 7, Mata 7, Benayoun 6, Torres 8; Subs: Hazard 6, Oscar N/A, Marin N/A.

RUBIN: Ryzhikov 6, Navas 6, Kuzmin 6, Kaleshin 6, Ansaldi 6, Orbaiz 5, Sharonov 7, Eremenko 6, Natcho 7, Karedeniz 6, Dyadyun 5; Subs: Rondon 5, Kasaev N/A.

By Reda Maher - on Twitter @Reda_Eurosport | Eurosport – 11 hours ago

READ MORE - Europa League - Torres shines as Chelsea gain advantage over Rubin

Mourinho relishing war of egos with sidelined Casillas

Mourinho relishing war of egos with sidelined Casillas - There are two lines of questioning that are rolled out before Jose Mourinho at every press conference and interview: which club will you be managing next season, and what game are you playing with Iker Casillas?

The Portuguese's answers to the former are ever more cryptic; his responses to the latter are ever more juvenile.

Last evening, Mourinho decided to respond to both questions at the same time, in one rambling answer that resembled a stream of consciousness.

"I want to come back to Inter, but I will not coach them next year. They won’t be my team next year," he told Sky Italia. "Casillas? If Diego Lopez keeps on playing like this, he will be the regular instead of Casillas. The team always come first."

Lopez spent most of the quarter-final first leg against Galatasaray pacing the edge of his penalty area and flapping unconvincingly at occasional balls into the box - it was hardly a performance that merited particular post-match praise. This was more about Mourinho extolling Lopez's virtues in terms of the selfless team ethic he so clearly believes his more illustrious team-mate lacks.

Casillas is the only player currently at the Bernabeu who has won the Champions League previously with Real Madrid, but if anything that is a deterrent for Mourinho, who is attempting to inspire his players to achieve something he continues to bill as 'against the odds' and 'in the face of recent history'. Indeed, throughout his career he has always targeted and prioritised 'hungry' players without bulging trophy cabinets.

He has even preferred to include Jesus Fernandez and Antonio Adan in his squad ahead of him - much to the ire of the Spanish media and many supporters. But we would be fooling ourselves to think that he even remotely cares about what anyone else thinks, and he is entirely right to not let anything else bother him besides picking the players he deems most focused and determined to achieve success this season.

The former Chelsea manager became the first boss to drop Casillas in over a decade when he left the player out of Real Madrid’s team to play Malaga last year, but what has been more striking of late has been the way that he has been at pains to point out that the keeper is fit and ready to go. As if to say, 'yes, I can pick him - I just don't want to'.

In the build-up to his side's clash with Galatasaray, Mourinho pulled a note out of his pocket in contrived Benitez-esque fashion and proceeded to project his voice in reading out a series of statements made by the journalist who had the audacity to ask the question and had accused him of not being particularly impartial.

"There should be no law that says any particular player should play," Mourinho read out. "No one should play for what they have won in the past." This did not sound like a coach in any great rush to positively nurture a previously injured player back to match fitness with the intention of introducing them back into the side.

How long will the Spanish number one have to wait? At this stage it has gone way beyond simply picking the best available goalkeeper, and Mourinho is off at the end of the season. Who can blame him for only having the short term in mind? He is not exactly renowned for his long-term development projects at clubs. His only focus should be on galvanising his squad to produce the best possible results in the few big matches still to come.

When the keeper broke his hand two months ago he pushed for the signing of Sevilla's Lopez. It was the perfect opportunity to make his point, and he fully intends to stick with his new man until the bitter end of a very mixed campaign that he hopes - and no doubt fully expects - will culminate in a glorious triumph at Wembley Stadium on May 25.

It is, of course, patently clear to anyone that the Casillas issue will remain the elephant in the room for the remainder of the campaign, and Mourinho will no doubt take great delight in praising Lopez at every opportunity as he retains his place in the side. This Champions League run is all about the manager - in the manager's eyes - and not the return of the harshly neglected club captain.

As barbed remarks go, Mourinho's curt answer to the 377th Casillas question earlier in the week was a pretty prickly one: "Individuals are not important". Indeed, the only important individual to Mourinho is himself, and he uses his stubbornness as an additional motivation for proving people wrong.

Mourinho's assistant Aitor Karanka said last week Casillas lacked the "competitive edge" necessary to return to the team, further suggesting that either the keeper is not mentally ready to play - which is unlikely - or that his continued omission will be justified by any means possible. If he was to be considered for a comeback, the 1-1 draw at Real Zaragoza in La Liga on the weekend would have been an ideal opportunity, but despite having been passed fit, he was not.

Spanish newspaper Marca reported in January that Casillas - and Sergio Ramos, incidentally - informed club officials that they would be handing in transfer requests should Mourinho remain in charge at the beginning of next season. Well, he won't be in charge next season, and he will continue to enjoy the tumultuous relationship he has with an ego that has clashed with his own so publicly.

This season is increasingly looking to be a write off for Spain's number one, as Mourinho eyes the glorious sign off.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: 

"In the last few hours, on social networks, unacceptable remarks have been made by Marseille player Joey Barton against Paris St Germain player Thiago Silva. These attacks are serious and go beyond mere verbal jousting. The directors of the club, the players and the coaching staff are supportive of Thiago Silva and cannot accept such statements. They reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the values of respect that should govern our sport. Thiago Silva and Paris St Germain reserve the right to take any action they deem necessary." - PSG criticise and threaten legal action against Joey Barton after the Marseille midfielder used Twitter to liken Thiago Silva to an "overweight ladyboy", as you do. It was never going to get him into any trouble, was it...

FOREIGN VIEW: 

A Brazilian player has been banned for six games for entering the pitch without permission and stopping a certain goal by heading the ball off the line - one of the most heroic, and well... stupid, acts. Bangu defender Celsinho had been receiving treatment for cramp behind the goal when he leapt up and intervened after goalkeeper Getulio Vargas dribbled the ball out and was left looking remarkably silly as he lost the ball. Celsinho, for saving his goalkeeper's blushes with an extraordinary diving header, was found guilty of 'unethical behaviour'.

COMING UP: 

Three Premier League clubs are in Europa League quarter-final action as Chelsea take on Rubin Kazan, Newcastle host Benfica and Tottenham face FC Basel. Oh, and Lazio are up against Fenerbahce. Big Jan Molby will also file for us in the afternoon.

By Eurosport | Early Doors – 5 hours ago

READ MORE - Mourinho relishing war of egos with sidelined Casillas

Bayern will challenge Barcelona and Madrid for Champions League glory

Bayern will challenge Barcelona and Madrid for Champions League glory - Arjen Robben is brimming with confidence ahead of the first leg of Bayern Munich's Champions League quarterfinal tie against Juventus, and believes the Bundesliga leader can challenge pre-tournament favorites Barcelona and Real Madrid for the title.

The Bavarians made it to the final of the competition last campaign, and Robben feels they have what it takes to make it to this year's showpiece at Wembley too, even though he realizes Juventus will not be a pushovers in the quarterfinals.

Robben: Bayern will challenge Barcelona and Madrid for Champions League glory

"We showed last season that we can be up there with the best in Europe, so we want to be in the final at Wembley. We will challenge the likes of Barca and Real for the title," the Dutchman was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

"If you look at last year's final against Chelsea, again we should never have lost it. But we’ve improved from last year. We are in the quarterfinals and we are top of our league, so you can’t ask for more.

"The tie against Juventus is going to be a tough challenge for sure. They are a team with so many experienced players — people like Andrea Pirlo — and we know how hard they will make it for us."

The Netherlands international then went on to discuss his future at Bayern, and dismissed rumors that he could be on the move this summer.

"Sometimes it's ridiculous what gets written. I have another two years on my contract and I am looking forward to seeing it through," he continued.

"Of course I didn’t want to be on the bench. When you’ve recovered from a few injuries like me, then you’ll understand. I love being on the pitch. When I’m out there, I just want to play football."

By Stefan Coerts | Goal.com – 7 hours ago

READ MORE - Bayern will challenge Barcelona and Madrid for Champions League glory

Chelsea has had a 'great' season

Chelsea has had a 'great' season - Chelsea is enjoying a "great" season which could get even better, claims manager Rafa Benitez.

The 52-year-old is in a fine mood after his side overcame Manchester United in their FA Cup quarterfinal replay on Monday to set up a Wembley clash with Manchester City, while the team remains in the hunt for Champions League qualification and faces Rubin Kazan in the Europa League.

"It's a great season. It could be even better. It's important for everyone here. We worked so hard at Old Trafford [in the first game] and we deserved to win in the end," Benitez told reporters after the win.

"Against a very good United team, we had one or two chances to settle the game. They had one or two to score but we deserved it."

Benitez: Chelsea has had a 'great' season

The Spaniard was criticized for making a number of changes to the side which fell to a 2-1 loss at Southampton on Saturday but insists that he did what he had to do to negotiate a schedule of six games in 16 days and warns against overreaction over a single result.

"Before the international break, we played against United, Steaua Bucharest and West Ham. We were the best in the world after those games," Benitez added. "Then we lost against Southampton on Saturday and we're the worst in the world. You have to have balance.

"The priority for us is to finish in the top four, we know that, but at a top side you have to win each competition."

By Husmukh Kerai | Goal.com – 1 hour 9 minutes ago

READ MORE - Chelsea has had a 'great' season

Liverpool needs reinforcements to challenge top four

Liverpool needs reinforcements to challenge top four - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists the club needs reinforcements to challenge for a place in the Champions League next season.

Brendan Rodgers' side is currently seventh in the Premier League table, seven points behind Chelsea in fourth, and though it still retains a slim chance of reaching the Champions League, the Reds captain says it will edge closer with some more key additions.

"We know what the problem is and it's inconsistency," Gerrard told reporters. "In the minority of games we've played well enough to be higher than where we are in the league.

"But when you look at performances like Southampton, Villa at home, West Brom away, Arsenal at home, there's a handful of games where this team hasn't turned up.

Gerrard: Liverpool needs reinforcements to challenge top four

"That's the reason why we are sitting where we are in the table. In between those games there have been some fantastic performances, well worth a top four finish. So we know we're not far away.

"But I think if you say that you haven't got what you deserved then there's an element of feeling sorry for yourself.

"If there's a few improvements in the summer to the squad, we believe we can put in a better challenge to the top four next season."

Despite Rodgers confirming Gerrard will be offered a new contract in the near future, the 32-year-old is maintaining his focus on finishing the season well.

"For me, [a new contract] is not a priority at the moment," he added.

"The most important thing for me now is to move on to the West Ham game. I want to finish the season strong. I'm feeling good.

"Of course, I'm happy that the club are mentioning new contracts, but it's not important at the moment.

"What we need to do is put pressure on for that European place. A lot of the teams above us need to play each other. We're hoping there's a few slip ups above us and we can capitalize, but it's important that we take maximum points."

By Joe Doyle | Goal.com – 4 hours ago

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