Bogdan signs new Bolton contract

LONDON (AFP)– Bolton reserve goalkeeper Adam Bogdan has signed a new contract which will see him remain at the Reebok Stadium until 2014, the club confirmed today.

The Hungarian 23-year-old, who is being groomed as a successor to Jussi Jaaskelainen, joined Bolton from Vasas SC in August 2007 and has so far made only a handful of first team appearances.

However Bolton boss Owen Coyle sees Bogdan as a player of the future along with younger talent such as Mark Davies, Fabrice Muamba and Lee Chung-Young.

"We're delighted that Adam's committed himself to a new contract. It shows that we're investing in young players and trying to build the football club with that nucleus of those young players," Coyle said.

"Mark Davies, Fabrice Muamba and Lee Chung-yong have all committed themselves to new deals at the club and Adam's the same.

"Since I came to the football club he's been outstanding and to have a young goalkeeper of that ilk commit himself is great news for everybody."

Coyle said Bogdan would benefit from working alongside veteran Jaaskelainen, 35, widely regarded as one of the best keepers in the league.

"Jussi has probably been one of, if not the, top performers in the Barclays Premier League for the last 10 years and for Adam to work with someone of that quality, it can only help him," he said.

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Spanish judge bars league strike

MADRID (AFP)– A Spanish judge on Wednesday barred the country's football league (LFP) from staging a strike this weekend to protest broadcast rights.

The judge backed a suit filed by six first division clubs who had opposed the planned walkout.

Madrid Judge Purificacion Pujol decided to"suspend ... the agreement adopted by the (LFP) on February 11. As a result, the official calendar of the first and second divisions of the league cannot be changed," she said in a ruling.

Pujol on Tuesday heard depositions by the parties concerned: representatives of the LFP and those of six clubs opposed to the strike.

The LFP said it"respects the decision" of the judge but maintains its"demands of the government."

The association announced on February 11 its decision to call the strike for the weekend of April 2-3 to protest a long-standing rule that one first division match per weekend is broadcast for free on television.

Negotiations followed with political leaders to find a solution, but the LFP reiterated its decision last week.

But Espanyol Barcelona, Villarreal, Zaragoza, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Sevilla then took legal action to try and prevent the strike.

They described the proposed action as"a disproportionate, untimely measure that is contrary to the interests of the clubs, the competition and the fans and is, in addition, contrary to the law".

The managing director and deputy chairman of Sevilla, Jose Maria Cruz, resigned on Tuesday from his post as vice-president of the LFP, the league said in a statement. It gave no reason for the decision.

A 1997 law allows one first division match per weekend to be broadcast for free on television, rather that on pay-per-view or cable.

Spanish media has said the LFP could receive an additional 150 million euros if the law was scrapped.

The strike would have meant the Spanish league season being extended to the weekend of June 11-12 instead of May 21-22.

A lawyer for the six clubs, Juan de Dios Crespo, had said Tuesday that if Pujol ruled their favour the other clubs would be legally obliged to play their scheduled matches or face sanctions.

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City's Richards to miss FA Cup semi-final

LONDON (AFP)– Manchester City defender Micah Richards faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a torn hamstring playing for England's Under-21s, it was confirmed Tuesday.

Richards will now miss the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on April 16 as well as the bulk of City's matches in the title run-in after a scan revealed a grade two muscle tear.

"It is not what I wanted to hear at all. I felt sick when I was told. I knew from experience when I did it that it felt like a bad one but I was hoping for the best," Richards said on Manchester City's website.

"All I can do now is concentrate on getting back as quickly as possible. I must admit I did think'why me?' for a while when I heard the news.

"Of all the games to miss, a Wembley date with United is the last one any player would choose."

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Barry to captain England against Ghana

LONDON (AFP)– Fabio Capello has confirmed Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry will captain England in Tuesday's friendly against Ghana at Wembley.

Barry has been handed the skipper's armband because England coach Fabio Capello has allowed his recently reappointed captain John Terry to miss the match as a favour to Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney and Michael Dawson have been sent home by Capello to rest ahead of a busy period for their clubs, who are all competing in the Champions League, and that left Barry as the most senior players remaining in the squad.

Barry wasn't even in Capello's 18-man matchday squad for Saturday's 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Wales in Cardiff, but the absence of so many other experienced players made him the best captaincy option for the Italian.

"Barry will be the captain," Capello said at Wembley on Monday."He played all the games with me apart from the last one.

"He is a good player and a good captain. Also he is the player with the most England caps."

Capello's decision to give Terry the night off comes just a week after he was criticised for the way he handled his move to replace previous captain Rio Ferdinand with the Chelsea defender.

The England boss has now used seven different captain's during his three-year reign, although Barry has some previous experience of leading England.

He took the armband for the second half of a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago in June 2008 and also had brief spells as skipper during the latter stages of friendly wins against Egypt and Denmark.

The 30-year-old also led Aston Villa for three years before his move to Eastlands and Barry is confident he won't be affected by the extra pressure of captaining his country.

"Obviously it's going to be a massive moment in my carrer. I'm really looking forward to doing the job," Barry said.

"I will be the same player I always am. You don't put the armband on and change.

"I've got experience of three years captaining Aston Villa. There is some extra responsibility but I won't change the way I play."

With Capello set to make at least seven changes to the team that beat Wales, Barry is aware that he will have to keep an eye on the newer players in the line-up to ensure they don't lose sight of their roles.

"There are a few chances for people with the players going home," he said.

"There will be one or two champing at the bit to stake their claim and at some points there might be some help I can pass across."

Barry understandably felt disappointed not be make Capello's squad on Saturday and taking over the captaincy has gone some way to easing his frustration.

"I was disappointed not to be involved on Saturday but in football things can change quickly," he said.

"I didn't play against Wales then two days later I have been asked to captain my country. That's how much can happen in a short space of time."

Ghana's visit to Wembley has drawn a sell-out crowd of over 80,000 and Capello's decision to rest so many key players is bound to disappoint some fans.

But Barry backed Capello's move because he believes it is more important to preserve players' fitness for the crucial final weeks of the season.

"I can certainly see the reasons for this decision. It's a tough part of the season now," he said.

"There are a lot of games in a short period of time and they are big games.

"I know the fans have bought their ticket to see certain individuals perform for England, but at the same time the rest of the players were in the squad from the start. They weren't just called up at the last minute."

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Klose has sights on record

BERLIN (AFP)– Two more goals at international level against Kazakhstan on Saturday has brought Miroslav Klose to within seven goals of the German record currently held at 68 by legendary striker Gerd Muller.

And the 32-year-old Polish-born marksman said after the 4-0 win that he was bent on catching and even passing the man known simply in his heyday as"The Bomber."

"Now that I am so close naturally I want to move past him," said Klose after winning his 107th cap in the Euro 2012 qualifier.

"I have already spoken to Gerd about it and he told me he wouldn't be angry with me if I take away his record.

"He even told me he would be happy for me. In any case he will always be The Bomber and no-one can take that away from him."

Muller's 68 goals were scored between 1967 and 1974 including the winner in the 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the 1974 World Cup final in Munich. That proved to be his last goal for the national side

Klose has scored in his last six games for Germany and if he plays in the friendly against Australia on Tuesday he will move up alongside Jurgen Klinsmann as the second most capped player for Germany with 108 caps.

He doubts, however, that he will ever pass record cap holder Lothar Matthaus who played 150 times for his country.

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Nigeria to pick Moses in Kenya friendly

LAGOS (AFP)– Nigeria plan to pick Wigan Athletic winger Victor Moses for Tuesday's friendly against Kenya after he was dropped for a 2012 Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia because FIFA are yet to clear him for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria announced Friday that Moses would not play in Sunday's crucial Nations Cup qualifying tie against Ethiopia in Abuja as FIFA are yet to approve his application to switch allegiance to Nigeria after he featured for England at Under-17 and Under-21 levels.

"We are discussing with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the possibility of having Moses for the Kenya match. We would like him to wait behind to play the friendly," said Nigeria assistant coach Simon Kalika.

The England-based forward trained with the rest of the Eagles squad Friday night along with two injury doubts, Osaze Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins.

Nigeria are sweating on the fitness of West Bromwich Albion striker Odemwingie, who has a torn muscle around the thigh, and Birmingham City star Martins, who is nursing a groin complaint.

Both players now face a late fitness test later Saturday ahead of Sunday's Group B qualifier against visiting Ethiopia.

Nigeria are second in the group with three points from two matches, alongside Ethiopia, while Guinea lead the standings on six points.

The overall winners of this group will earn an automatic ticket to next year's Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

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Bayern Munich name Heynckes new coach

BERLIN (AFP)– German giants Bayern Munich said Friday that Jupp Heynckes has been appointed coach from July 1, replacing Louis van Gaal who is leaving at the end of the season.

"We are very happy to have agreed a two-year contract," club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said."I am convinced that our cooperation with Jupp Heynckes will be successful."

Heynckes, 65, won two league titles with Bayern between 1987 and 1991, then took over again for five games at the end of the 2009 season. He also won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 1998.

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Six Spanish clubs challenge league strike

MADRID (AFP)– Six Spanish first division clubs have taken legal action to prevent a strike by the country's professional football league (LFP) next month.

"Espanyol Barcelona, Villarreal, Zaragoza, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad and Sevilla launched (on Wednesday) an action in the courts of Madrid to condemn the agreement passed by the general assembly of the LFP on February 11," the clubs said in a joint statement.

The LFP announced on February 11 its decision to strike on the weekend of April 2-3 to protest a long-standing rule that one first division match per weekend is broadcast for free on television.

Negotiations followed with political leaders to find a solution, but the LFP reiterated its decision late on Tuesday.

The decision means the Spanish league season could be extended to the weekend of June 11-12 instead of May 21-22.

The six clubs believe that the strike is"a disproportionate, untimely measure that is contrary to the interests of the clubs, the competition and the fans and is, in addition, contrary to the law."

A 1997 law allows one first division match per weekend to be broadcast for free on television, rather that on pay-per-view or cable.

Spanish media said the six"rebel" clubs also reject the current distribution of revenues for television rights.

According to the sports daily AS, Real Madrid and Barcelona, the country's top two clubs, receive 125 million euros per season, several times more than any others.

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Dortmund's Kagawa to continue recovery in club

OSAKA (AFP)– Japan and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa returned to Germany on Wednesday as he continues to recover from a foot injury, hoping to be back on the pitch next month to help his club's title bid.

"I've healed to a point where I'm running again," Kagawa, who underwent surgery two months ago, told Kyodo news agency before leaving from Osaka's Kansai international airport.

"Ideally, I want to come back in mid to late April. I want to head back and rejoin the team as soon as I can. I want to help out the team in any way I can so we can win the championship," the 22-year-old said.

Table-topping Dortmund are leading Bayer Leverkusen by seven points in the Bundesliga race, chasing their first title in a decade.

Kagawa broke a metatarsal in his right foot during Japan's semi-final victory over South Korea at the Asian Cup in January. He underwent surgery in Tokyo on January 30 and has been recovering in Japan.

He moved to Dortmund from J-League side Cerezo Osaka in July and scored eight goals in 17 Bundesliga games to help Dortmund's charge to the top of the table before the winter break.

With four Europa League goals to his credit as well, Kagawa had reportedly come onto the radar of Spanish clubs Villarreal and Atletico Madrid as well as Juventus and Tottenham before his injury.

He missed last year's World Cup as then Japan coach Takeshi Okada made him only a non-playing support member of his squad in South Africa.

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Real Madrid eye Roma star De Rossi - report

MADRID (AFP)– Real Madrid are eyeing up Roma captain Daniele de Rossi to reinforce the Spanish giants' midfield next season, sports daily Marca reported on Tuesday.

The nine-time European champions are already planning for the 2011-12 season and their priority is to sign a midfielder who is similar to Xabi Alonso, the newspaper reported, with De Rossi topping the list of candidates.

"He has the profile that coach Jose Mourinho wants," said the paper.

Real and Roma could close the deal for 25 million euros ($35.6 million), Marca added.

De Rossi, 27, is one of the brightest stars in Serie A and scored in the penalty shoot-out to help Italy win the 2006 World Cup.

He has also reportedly sparked interest from Manchester United as a possible replacement for Paul Scholes, whose contact ends at the end of the season.

However, Rome-born De Rossi is seen as an iconic figure at Roma and the combative midfielder has been quoted in the past as saying he intends to finish his career with the club from the Italian capital.

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Chelsea wins to retain EPL title hopes

LONDON– Chelsea boosted its slim chances of retaining the Premier League title by beating Manchester City 2-0, while Liverpool closed in on fifth-place Tottenham with a 2-0 victory at Sunderland on Sunday.

Brazil internationals David Luiz and Ramires scored in the final 12 minutes to settle a hard-fought match at Stamford Bridge, lifting Chelsea a point above City into third place and nine points adrift of league leader Manchester United with a game in hand.

"The longer the game went on, the better we got going forward,"Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said."It was a big win for us."We have nine games to play and we have to do our best. Our form is good."

City, which was without injured Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, is four points above Tottenham having played one more match. With the team's title hopes all but over, its focus could now be on staying in the top four.

"We played three days ago against Dynamo Kiev (in the Europa League), and in the last 20 minutes we were so tired,"City manager Roberto Mancini said."Until 70 minutes, it was normal that Chelsea had more possession but we conceded nothing before then."

A controversial penalty, scored by Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt in the 34th minute, set Liverpool on its way to victory at the Stadium of Light. Video replays showed Jay Spearing was fouled outside the box by John Mensah but the assistant referee awarded a penalty.

A wonderful solo effort from Uruguay striker Luis Suarez in the 77th minute clinched the three points for Liverpool before Mensah was given a straight red card for hauling down Suarez as he chased a long punt upfield by goalkeeper Jose Reina.

The Reds are four points behind Tottenham but have played a game more.

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BARCELONA, Spain (AP)— Osasuna scored twice in each half to thrash Hercules 4-0 for its third straight win in the Spanish league.

Javier Camunas scored Osasuna's 10th-minute opener after Enrique Sola set the Spanish winger up inside the area.

Right back Nelson Tomar doubled the lead in the 35th before goals by Krisztian Vadozc and Sola in the second half.

Osasuna moved six points clear of the relegation zone, while Hercules is last after its fourth straight loss.

Jose Rondon scored twice as Malaga defeated Espanyol 2-0 after a dominant first half.

The Venezuelan striker rifled in a long pass that Espanyol defender Jordi Amat failed to clear in the eighth minute, and he stabbed in a cross from Francisco Portillo in the 26th for his 12th goal of the season.

Malaga is only one point from safety after its second straight win.

Levante stayed undefeated in five matches after beating Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 from Ruben Suarez's 90th-minute free kick.

Miguel de las Cuevas scored to give Sporting Gijon a 1-0 win over Almeria, and Racing Santander beat Real Sociedad 2-1.

Villarreal moved into third as Marco Ruben scored in the 58th minute for a 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao. Valencia dropped to fourth when it lost 1-0 at home to Sevilla, with Ivan Rakitic volleying in a rebound of Alvaro Negredo's 70th-minute shot.

On Saturday, leader Barcelona beat Getafe 2-1 to remain five points clear of Real Madrid, which downed Atletico Madrid 2-1 to claim its fourth Spanish capital derby this season.

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ROME (AP)— Inter Milan moved within two points of Serie A leader AC Milan by beating Lecce 1-0, while Roma captain Francesco Totti became only the sixth player to break the 200-goal barrier in the Italian league.

Giampaolo Pazzini scored in the 52nd minute at the San Siro, setting up the possibility for Inter to take the lead when Serie A resumes with the Milan derby in two weeks.

However, key Inter center back Lucio picked up a yellow card that will rule him out of the April 2 derby.

Still, Inter has the momentum, having also advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals with a thrilling comeback win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Milan lost 1-0 at Palermo on Saturday and drew 1-1 with last-place Bari the previous weekend in a match where Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off for punching a defender in the chest. The incident triggered a three-match ban that rules Ibrahimovic out of the derby.

"Milan is a great squad and the derby is a special game, but it's not decisive because there will still be several more matches,"Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar said."In any case, it's definitely going to be a big (match)."

Totti scored the 200th and 201st goals of his Serie A career in a 2-2 draw at Fiorentina.

Silvio Piola, who won the World Cup with Italy in 1938, tops the all-time scoring list with 274 goals, followed by Gunnar Nordahl (225), Giuseppe Meazza (216), Jose Altafini (216) and Roberto Baggio (205).

Also Sunday, Antonio Di Natale scored his league-leading 25th goal as fourth-place Udinese beat Catania 2-0. Third-place Napoli defeated visiting Cagliari 2-1 as Edinson Cavani scored twice to raise his total to 22 league goals.

Milan leads with 62 points, Inter has 60 and Udinese and Napoli have 56 each.

Juventus snapped a four-game winless streak with a 2-1 win over Brescia, with captain Alessandro Del Piero dribbling by two defenders to score the winner in the 68th.

Also, it was: Bari 1, Chievo Verona 2; Bologna 1, Genoa 1; and Sampdoria 0, Parma 1.

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BERLIN (AP)— Bayer Leverkusen moved within seven points of Bundesliga leader Borussia Dortmund by beating Schalke 2-0, after an early strike by Eren Derdiyok and an own goal from Christoph Metzelder.

Derdiyok's fifth goal of the season came in the 19th minute, with the striker running onto Michael Ballack's perfectly timed pass before unleashing a powerful dipping effort into the top right corner.

Metzelder's own goal doubled the lead in the 27th, the Schalke defender's attempted clearance of Renato Augusto's cross sailing past the helpless Manuel Neuer.

With seven rounds remaining, Leverkusen is second behind Dortmund, which was held to a 1-1 draw by Mainz on Saturday.

Schalke, which fired its coach Felix Magath in midweek, remains 10th.

In Sunday's late game, Stuttgart's Georg Niedermeier scored in the fourth minute of injury time in a 1-1 draw at home, to deny Magath a win in his first game in charge of Wolfsburg.

Magath returned on Friday to the club he led to the 2009 Bundesliga title, two days after he was fired by Schalke.

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PARIS (AP)— Defender Gabriel Heinze scored on a free kick in the 17th minute and Andre Ayew put Marseille ahead for good in the 35th minute of a 2-1 victory over visiting Paris Saint-Germain.

Clement Chantome had tied the score in the 27th minute at Stade Velodrome.

Marseille is in second place, one point ahead of Rennes and two ahead of fourth-place Lyon. PSG is fifth.

Morocco striker Youssef El Arabi scored his 14th league goal of the season as Caen beat last-place Arles-Avignon 2-0 to move six points clear of the relegation zone.

Monaco stayed in the drop zone after stumbling to a 1-0 home loss to fellow struggler Nancy, which scored an early goal when Brazilian defender Andre Luiz headed in powerfully from Julien Feret's 19th-minute corner.

Monaco is in 18th place and is three points behind 17th-place Auxerre. Arles is rock bottom and looks certain to be relegated, having only won one game out of 28 in the league this season.

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AMSTERDAM (AP)— Otman Bakkal scored in the 54th minute to give PSV Eindhoven a 1-0 win over FC Utrecht to stay on top of the Dutch league.

Bakkal headed in a Stanislav Manolev cross to secure the victory for PSV.

Midfielder Theo Janssen netted twice, including a 67th-minute penalty, to give defending champion FC Twente a 2-0 win over 10-man Excelsior Rotterdam.

PSV, who holds a one-point lead in the league, travels to second-place FC Twente in a potentially title-deciding match after the international break.

Timothy Derijck scored a last-gasp winner as ADO The Hague beat Ajax 3-2.

Also Sunday, goals by Anouar Hadouir and Mads Junker gave Roda JC a 3-0 victory over Feyenoord to end the club's six-game winning streak.

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ISTANBUL (AP)— American striker Freddy Adu scored the first goal in Rizespor's 2-0 win at Akhisar Belediyespor in a second-division match in Turkey. It was Adu's second goal for the club.

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GLASGOW, Scotland (AP)— Rangers won the Scottish League Cup thanks to Nikica Jelavic's extra-time goal in a 2-1 victory over Glasgow rival Celtic at Hampden Park.

The Croatia striker slipped home a finish in the 98th minute to deliver manager Walter Smith another trophy in his final season at Ibrox.

Rangers had taken the lead in the 23rd when Steven Davis' shot from 20 meters crept in off the base of the post, but Wales midfielder Joe Ledley tied seven minutes later with a close-range header.

It was the first piece of silverware won in Scotland this season. Celtic and Rangers are also the top two teams in the Scottish Premier League.

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Japan hero Honda freed for quake charity game

OSAKA (AFP)– Japan's World Cup hero and CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda will join the national team for a charity match to help the victims of the quake-tsunami tragedy.

European clubs have released Honda and three other players for the match in Osaka on March 29 pitting the Blue Samurai against a J-League select side, the Japan Football Association said Sunday.

The number of Europe-based players in the 26-strong national squad has expanded to 12, including Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo, Schalke defender Atsuto Uchida and Japan captain and Wolfsburg midfielder Makoto Hasebe.

"I could not sit still as I watched images of the disaster on television and the Internet every day," Grenoble midfielder Daisuke Matsui said Sunday as he arrived at Osaka airport.

"I want to play well and reach out to the victims through football," said the 29-year-old Matsui, the first of the 12 Euro-based stars to come home.

European clubs -- who have signed up an increasing number of Japanese players since the Blue Samurai reached the last-16 at the World Cup in South Africa last year -- have shown sympathy for Japan after the March 11 disaster.

They are not obliged to release the players as the charity event is not an official international friendly designated by FIFA.

The 9.0-magnitude quake and monster tsunami have left nearly 21,000 dead or missing along Japan's eastern Pacific coast and crippled a nuclear power plant, 250 kilometres (155 miles) from Tokyo.

Many foreign companies and embassies have relocated their employees to Osaka, 400 kilometres from the capital, as a precaution.

Japan had originally planned a friendly with New Zealand in Tokyo for March 29, but the All Whites opted out due to safety worries even after the Japanese FA moved the venue to Osaka.

The 12 Europe-based players to join the 26-strong Japan national team are:

Goalkeeper: Eiji Kawashima (Lierse SK/BEL)

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (Inter/ITA), Tomoaki Makino (Cologne/GER), Maya Yoshida (VVV Venlo/NED), Atsuto Uchida (Schalke/GER)

Midfielders; Yuki Abe (Leicester City/ENG), Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg/GER), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Hajime Hosogai (Augsburg/GER)

Forwards: Daisuke Matsui (Grenoble/FRA), Akihiro Ienaga (Mallorca/ESP), Shinji Okazaki (Stuttgart/GER)

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Schalke and Magath withdraw threats of legal action

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AFP)– Champions League quarter-finalists Schalke 04 and former coach Felix Magath put an end to their threats of legal action on Saturday.

Schalke 04 cleared Magath in a statement over accusations by club president Clemens Toennies that he had organised transfers without the permission of the board of directors.

However, Schalke did not clarify whether they were going to pay 57-year-old Magath compensation for sacking him on Wednesday which could be as much as 12million euros.

Magath, who guided both Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg (who he rejoined on Friday) to the Bundesliga title, was sacked because of his transfer policy and his authoritarian treatment of the squad.

Magath guided Schalke to second in the Bundesliga last term and though they have struggled in the league this season - they are 10th, 28 points adrift of leaders Borussia Dortmund - they are in the German Cup final, having beaten holders Bayern Munich in the semi-final.

They are also the only German club still in the Champions League where they play holders Inter Milan.

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Man United set for Chelsea clash

NYON, Switzerland (AFP)– English Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea are set to clash in the Champions League quarter-finals after being drawn in a rematch of their 2008 European final here on Friday.

Premier League leaders United will travel to reigning English champions Chelsea for the first leg and will have the home advantage at Old Trafford for the return leg.

United beat Chelsea on penalties in the final in Moscow three years ago.

Chelsea have never won the Champions League and are desperate to do well in Europe as they sit nine points behind United in the Premier League.

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona meanwhile could be set for a semi-final showdown should they advance.

Tournament favourites Barcelona are drawn to meet Ukrainian newcomers Shakhtar Donetsk as Real Madrid take on surprise English side Tottenham, who dumped AC Milan out of the tournament in the last 16.

Tottenham look to have a tough task against the record nine-time winners but can take heart from the fact that Real have not won any of their last five meetings with English teams, and Jose Mourinho's side have not won the competition since 2002.

Should the Spanish clubs advance they could meet four time in less than a month. They are also due to play in the Spanish league on April 17 and in the King's Cup final on April 20.

Holders Inter Milan have been drawn against Schalke 04, and are favourites to advance past the Germans having already eliminated Bayern Munich from the tourament.

The quarter-final first legs will be played on April 5 and 6 and the return matches the following week on April 12 and 13.

Quarter-finals (April 5/6 and April 12/13)

Real Madrid (ESP) v Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)

Barcelona (ESP) v Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

Chelsea (ENG) v Manchester United (ENG)

Inter Milan (ITA) v Schalke 04 (GER)

Semi-finals (April 26-27 and May 3-4)

Inter Milan or Schalke 04 v Chelsea or Manchester United

Real Madrid or Tottenham v FC Barcelona or Shakhtar Dontesk

Final

May 28 at Wembley, London

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Blatter hints at future retirement plans

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP)– Sepp Blatter, hoping to win a fourth term as FIFA president, hinted Thursday it could be his final stint as the head of football's world governing body.

"Possibly yes," the 75-year-old said when asked if the upcoming election would be his final bid.

"There is a moment when you really have to step down and when you are not intelligent enough to tell yourself when shall be the end, then perhaps our Lord will say'stop it now'."

Blatter, on a whirlwind tour of Asia including East Timor, Myanmar, Laos and Malaysia, spoke amid speculation that Asian football chief Mohamad bin Hammam will run against him.

"I just passed on 10th of March 75 years. But I think I am full of energy and I have not yet finished my work to develop football and organise competition," he said.

"I am willing to go on for the next four years. This is my wish and we will see what the congress will say."

The FIFA presidential election is due to take place in Zurich on June 1. The Swiss president has been at the FIFA helm for 13 years.

Earlier, he held talks with Football Association Malaysia president Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Blatter said he welcomed any challenge for the top FIFA post, adding that he had support among Asian and Middle East countries.

"I think competition is always very good," he said.

Bin Hammam was once a close ally of Blatter and a driving force behind his campaign to be elected in 1998 but the pair fell out two years ago.

Blatter said he was unable to meet Bin Hammam as both had busy schedules. The Swiss will return to Zurich via Singapore later Thursday.

Bin Hammam's stunning success in securing the 2022 World Cup for Qatar provided a stimulus for him to consider the world football body's top post.

The 61-year-old Qatari is scheduled to hold a news conference at the Asian Football Confederation headquarters in Malaysia at 0500 GMT on Friday.

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Captain vows Chelsea fight for Champions League glory

LONDON (AFP)– John Terry has warned Chelsea's European rivals that his side are finally in the right frame of mind to fight for Champions League glory.

Carlo Ancelotti's team had been stuck in a rut for several months as injuries and poor form derailed their attempt to retain the Premier League title, but they have rediscovered their momentum just in time to push for victory in Europe's elite club competition.

Terry believes the turning point was Chelsea's 2-1 win over Manchester United, a result which may have come too late to reignite a title challenge but has definitely lifted morale at the west London club.

Although the Chelsea captain still harbours hopes of overhauling United, Terry knows a successful run in the Champions League is a more realistic aim.

The Blues go into Wednesday's last 16 second leg against Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge already within touching distance of the quarter-finals after beating the Danish champions 2-0 in the first leg.

"We won't give up chasing or fighting. All we can do is win our own games, keep going to the end and see what happens at the top," Terry said.

"Our fans have kept faith with us this season and we owe it to the supporters to finish the season strongly, showing the quality we have and picking up big results."

If, as expected on the evidence of a one-sided first leg, Chelsea cruise past Copenhagen, the draw for the last eight should hold few fears for Terry and company.

Barcelona are the one team the other side sides would like to avoid, but even they have had difficulties against Chelsea in the past.

Terry has more reason than any other player at Chelsea to want to win the Champions League.

The England defender still has trouble talking about the penalty miss against Manchester United which cost the Blues so dearly in the 2008 final and it would be a career-defining moment if he could lift the trophy at Wembley in May.

"We could still make this a good season and we're up for the challenge," Terry added."It's time to show what we're capable of. This is a massive time for us."

The prospect of Sunday's vital Premier League game against Manchester City - who are battling Chelsea for a place in the top four - could persuade Ancelotti to rest one or two players, but he is likely to keep Fernando Torres in his line-up.

Torres has failed to score in his first five games since his British record£50 million transfer from Liverpool and the visit of Copenhagen represents another opportunity to break his duck.

The Spain striker has looked just as tentative for Chelsea as he did for much of the season with Liverpool, sparking suggestions that he is homesick, while others claim he can't cope with the pressure of such a big transfer fee.

Those accusations would easily be dismissed with a strong end to the season and Torres's fellow Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou is convinced he will come good soon.

"I don't think he has pressure, he's a top striker and he has been through that kind of thing before," Kalou said.

"He has changed teams in the middle of the season, which is never easy, so I think he is going to need time to adapt.

"He's going to play and you can only have pressure on you if you're not playing the next game and not scoring. He's going to have the opportunity and he's a top striker."

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Terry set to regain England armband

LONDON (AFP)– England manager Fabio Capello is set to restore John Terry as captain for this month's Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales amid doubts over Rio Ferdinand's fitness.

Capello has confirmed he will meet Ferdinand at Old Trafford later Tuesday to discuss his plans for the captaincy ahead of England's crucial match against Wales in Cardiff on March 26.

British press reported at the weekend that Capello had taken the decision to replace Ferdinand with Terry, with some reports indicating that the Chelsea star may even regain the armband on a permanent basis.

Terry was stripped of the captaincy last year after lurid tabloid revelations about his relationship with the ex-girlfriend of England squad member Wayne Bridge.

At the time, Capello said Terry would never don the England armband again but the Italian has softened his stance in the face of a mounting injury crisis that means Ferdinand and vice-captain Steven Gerrard are both unavailable for the must-win game at the Millennium Stadium.

Capello told reporters he was also unhappy at events during England's friendly against Denmark in Copenhagen last month, when the armband was passed around between three players.

Although Capello does not plan to confirm his captain until the eve of the Wales game, the England manager has signalled his intention to reinstate Terry.

He told reporters he plans to receive a briefing from Ferdinand about the Manchester United star's fitness before making a decision.

"First of all I want to know what happened with Rio's back and when he will be fit because he is a really important player for us," said Capello.

"After that I will explain what I am going to do in the next week, if I will decide on a new captain or about John Terry or something else.

"Why will it be a difficult conversation? It is not because he is not a good captain.

"I will explain what happened in Denmark and what I think. I would understand if he is not happy. But I am the manager. I have to take decisions.

"I don't want to pass the captain's armband around," said Capello.

"I was really upset about what happened in Denmark, when I saw the players saying who is the captain?

"After one year of punishment, it was not the best moment for John Terry to see this. For that reason I need to make a decision - and it will be a permanent decision, not just one game."

British media reported on Tuesday that Ferdinand was angered that he had first learned of Capello's plan to restore Terry via press reports.

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Our character will see us through: Fergie

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP)– Alex Ferguson says his Manchester United side will draw on all their experience and character to get them over the finishing line this season.

United face Arsenal in an FA Cup quarter-final showdown at Old Trafford on Saturday after back-to-back Premier League defeats that have eroded their lead at the top of the table in the closing stages of the campaign.

Ironically it is Saturday's visitors Arsenal who are best placed to capitalise on United's failure to hit top gear.

But Ferguson backed his players to keep their heads and demonstrate their resilience in the run-in.

"We have that experience to recover. It?s happened a few times," Ferguson told reporters on Friday.

"At any club you never go through a period of the season where everything is rosy. When you get the bad moments you have to recover from it. It's another day in the history of Manchester United.

"That's what it is and you take that history into games. The ability to do so over the years is a tremendous credit to every team we've had here."

Manchester United have a big Champions League tie with Marseille on Tuesday to spark a key run of games that could shape their season.

The prospect of silverware remains on the club's radar, with Ferguson?s side fighting on three fronts.

"We've got to look forward. There?s big opportunities at the club and we have a lot of challenges ahead for the rest of the season," he said.

"It's terrific to be involved in March, when every game you play is of an importance.

"We have pretty important games coming up. We have Marseille on Tuesday and then we have Bolton in a league game. It goes on and on.

"That's why you hope to get to March and be involved in all these things, and we are."

Ferguson confirmed that winger Nani will not return to action until after this month's international break.

The Portugal international departed on a stretcher in their 3-1 defeat at Anfield last time out after sustaining a deep gash in a first-half tackle by Jamie Carragher.

The Liverpool defender was shown a yellow card by referee Phil Dowd although replays show that Carragher was lucky to escape red.

Ferguson revealed that Nani will sit out the next few games in a body blow to the club's end-of-season prospects.

"We have managed to stitch the injury, which is good news," Ferguson said.

"We need to guard against infection and swelling. It is difficult to say exactly when he will be ready to return but we won't get him back for the Bolton match next Saturday."

Antonio Valencia is at least closing in on a return after seven months out with an ankle ligament injury.

The Ecuadorean is set to figure in the run-in, even though the veteran Scot refuses to rush the winger back after such a serious injury setback.

"It's a more difficult one to assess in the fact he?s been out for so long.

"He's training very well and taking part in a few private matches between the players.

"It's deciding when to put him in the cut and thrust of a real game because, as you know, timing and being out for so long is a question mark. But at some point you are going to have to try it."

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Schalke's Magath skips training as future in doubt

BERLIN (AFP)– The morning after his side reached the last eight of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over Valencia, Schalke coach Felix Magath missed training on Thursday amid reports he is set to be fired.

Goals either side of half-time by winger Jefferson Farfan and striker Mario Gavranovic sealed the home win as Schalke fought back after Valencia took an early lead through Ricardo Costa.

But despite having steered Schalke to the quarter-finals for only the third time in their history, Magath's future at the club remains in doubt.

"We need to pull the emergency cord, totally independently from the Champions League," Schalke chairman Clemens Toennies told German magazine Kicker.

"Things are ablaze at the club behind the scenes."

In the build-up to Wednesday night's victory at the Veltins Arena, which sealed a 4-2 aggregate win, the German media was full of reports of Magath's imminent departure, but the coach insisted he is staying.

"It's not interesting for me what the papers say," he said on Wednesday.

"I have a contract until 2013."

On Thursday morning, Magath's assistants Seppo Eichkorn and Bernd Hollerbach took training, which is not unusual after a big game.

Magath arrived after training began and left round midday, without making comment and stopped only briefly to pose for a few photos with fans.

According to the club, Magath will field questions during Friday's press conference the day before Schalke face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.

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Spurs boss Redknapp vows to attack AC Milan

LONDON (AFP)– Harry Redknapp has promised Tottenham will go on the attack when they face AC Milan in the second-leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.

Redknapp's side are in pole position to reach the quarter-finals after Peter Crouch's goal secured a 1-0 win in a tempestuous first-leg at the San Siro last month.

In the circumstances it would be easy for Redknapp to employ a low-risk defensive strategy aimed at frustrating Milan, but the Spurs boss is adamant he will stick to the cavalier approach that has already produced several high-scoring wins in the competition.

"I think we've got enough to hurt Milan at home. We'll be positive," Redknapp said."We will play an attacking team. We'll play (Aaron) Lennon and probably Gareth Bale and have a go."

Redknapp's commitment to attack is understandable given the wealth of creative talent as his disposal, especially since Wales winger Bale returned from six weeks out with a back injury in Sunday's 3-3 draw at Wolves.

Dutch playmaker Rafael Van der Vaart could also feature after recovering from a calf injury, but it is the presence of Bale that is most likely to worry Milan.

His virtuoso displays against Inter Milan in the group stage established Bale as one of Europe's brightest young stars and Redknapp can't wait to unleash him on the Italian league leaders.

"When Gareth came on and started to run with the ball at Wolves it was exciting. We've missed that for the last five or six weeks," Redknapp said.

"That was his first real exertion for six weeks. He started straight away to run with the ball and, when he does that, he scares people to death.

"He carries the game at the opposition and that makes a massive difference.

"Peter Crouch has had a great European campaign as well. And Van der Vaart has a good chance for Wednesday. I hope he will be fit."

Massimiliano Allegri's side have been the most formidable team in Serie A this season, but Italian football is at a low ebb at present and it would be little surprise if Tottenham followed in the footsteps of Arsenal and Manchester United after their Premier League rivals also dumped out Milan in recent years.

Milan underlined their dominance in Italy with a 1-0 win at Juventus on Sunday, but they will be without several experienced players at White Hart Lane.

Gennaro Gattuso is serving a suspension after being booked in the first leg, although his absence might be a blessing as the veteran midfielder had enraged Tottenham with his astonishing touchline row with Redknapp's assistant Joe Jordan.

Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini are also sidelined and Allegri will need exceptional performances from Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to overturn the deficit.

If Milan are to successfully subdue a sell-out Spurs crowd that is sure to be at fever pitch, Allegri could do with former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini keeping his emotions in check on his return to north London.

Flamini's ugly first-leg foul left Spurs right-back Vedran Corluka with badly damaged ankle ligaments, but the Frenchman insists he isn't a dirty player.

"In four years in the Premier League I've never injured an opponent. I was never sent off in England," he said.

"I am not a dirty player. I didn't have a bad intention. I apologised for what I did.

"Unfortunately he got injured but I went to the dressing room and apologised to Vedran personally and he accepted it."

Allegri remains certain Tottenham are beatable if Milan play at their best and he added:"It must be said that despite playing good football, Tottenham are not among the strongest in Europe.

"But we mustn't make mistakes against them because they profited with a good counter attack to beat us 1-0."

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Barca missing key defenders for Arsenal clash

BARCELONA (AFP)– Barcelona have defensive worries ahead of Tuesday's Champions League showdown with Arsenal which midfielder Seydou Keita has described as crucial for their season.

Keita scored the only goal as Barcelona kept up the pressure at the top of La Liga with a 1-0 win over Zaragoza at the weekend and now they turn their attention to Europe where they must overturn a 2-1 defeat at the Emirates to progress to the quarter-finals.

"Against Arsenal we have to go out with a strong mentality as this is probably the most important game of the season," said Keita.

"The key is not to let them score a goal because I'm sure that (Leo) Messi, (David) Villa and Pedro (Rodriguez) will get on the scoresheet in attack for us."

The bad news though for the Catalan side is that both their first choice centre-halves will be missing with Gerard Pique suspended and Carles Puyol injured.

Puyol had hoped to be ready in time after a knee injury he suffered in mid-January but following a training session on Sunday he was finally ruled out.

His commanding presence at the back will be a big loss as will Pique's ability to bring the ball out of defence and open up the opposition with his range of passing.

Against Zaragoza, a make-shift side was put out by coach Pep Guardiola as he looked to rest players ahead of Tuesday's game.

Keeper Victor Valdes returned from injury but Eric Abidal, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and David Villa were all on the bench.

Abidal has been in excellent form in recent weeks and he is expected to move from full back into the centre alongside the injury prone Gabi Milito, whose Barca career has been blighted by long spells in the treatment room.

The rest of the team though should be at full strength and it will be an ominous task for the Arsenal defence as they face a forward line which has already scored 78 goals domestically.

They are arguably a stronger proposition than last season when the pair met in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Arsenal drew that time at home but in the return leg they were taken apart 4-1 thanks to a majestic performance from Messi who scored all four goals.

Since then Barça have off-loaded Zlatan Ibrahimovic and brought in Villa who has fitted in seamlessly into the side's quick, two touch attacking football.

It is true that Arsenal have also improved and will have learnt from their experience last season when they tried to play Barca at their own game and came off a clear second best.

Arsenal's second place in the Premier League is clear indication of their development with Jack Wilshire having emerged, among the exciting talent, in midfield alongside Cesc Fabregas.

While Wilshire has described himself fit after picking up a knock on his ankle in the 0-0 draw with Sunderland on Saturday, Arsenal too have important injuries with Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie out while Cesc and Alex Song are doubts but expected to be fit.

Keita, who is likely to be on the bench for Barca with Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets making up the midfield, expects a tougher clash this time round.

"It will be a different game because Arsenal will come here with more experience and with new ideas of how to face us. We are though playing well in the la liga and that gives you confidence for the other competitions," he said.

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Pele warns money is a'danger'to game

HONG KONG (AFP)– Brazilian football legend Pele warned Monday that soaring players' salaries and powerful agents who squeeze clubs for higher fees represent a"danger for the future" of the game.

Speaking to reporters in Hong Kong, the three-time World Cup winner bemoaned the number of players pocketing big salaries only to"disappear" after a short career.

"Players should never forget to play for the love of the game and team... players love whoever pays a little bit more, that's the danger for football," he said, mock-kissing a badge on his blazer to illustrate his point.

"Sometimes I tease them (players) and say'you get in one year what I would have to play 10 years to get'."

Decrying the role of agents in the modern game, the 70-year-old said:"They do not care if the player is good or not. They want to sell the player and get the money. That's the danger for the future of football."

Pele, considered by many to be the greatest footballer ever, also raised concerns over the potential impact of goal-line technology currently under discussion at FIFA.

"We need a little bit more time, football is not Formula One or tennis.

"It is about quick movement... you cannot stop a counter-attack to see if it was a goal," he said, stating his preference for an extra referee behind each goal to resolve disputes over penalties and balls crossing the line.

Pele does want one rule revised, to force players who foul around the penalty area to stand in a one-man wall in front of the ensuing free-kick.

Citing his famous mazy runs through the opposition as an example of the need for a rule change, the Brazilian said:"The last defender would make a foul on me... they put all nine players who I pass in the wall against me.

"Everybody I pass is now in front of me. That is not fair."

Pele, who amassed more than 1,200 goals in a career spanning three decades, was speaking on a promotional visit for the New York Cosmos, a revived club vying to join Major League Soccer in 2014.

Although they are yet to build a team, Cosmos officials are touring Asia to attract support, sponsors and potential investors for their return to US football.

Pele, the club's honorary president, featured for the first Cosmos team during three seasons in the 1970s at the end of his stellar career.

He said helping to rebuild the Cosmos would complete his"mission" to boost football's popularity in the United States.

The original New York Cosmos played from 1971 to 1985. But following the collapse of the North American Soccer League, the club's fortunes rapidly faded and it went out of business in 1985.

Targeting Asia makes sense for a new sports brand with global aspirations, according to Cosmos chairman Paul Kemsley.

"People in Asia are very entrepreneurial and they love football," he said, adding the club had already identified a central New York site for a stadium.

Pele said the standard of Asian football had risen dramatically since he first toured the region with Brazilian club Santos.

"The level is fantastic, it's very hard to come here and play. What they need is an opportunity to win the World Cup, and the coaches and players to experience other leagues to raise their level," he said.

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We must bounce back, says Man United manager

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP)– Sir Alex Ferguson has told his Manchester United players that they must show the character of champions and bounce back against Liverpool on Sunday.

The Premier League leaders have endured a rotten few days after throwing away the lead to lose 2-1 at Chelsea before Ferguson was charged on Thursday by the Football Association for improper conduct.

It is hardly the ideal preparation for one of United's biggest games of the season as they look to surpass Liverpool in terms of domestic title success.

Currently locked with Liverpool on the most number of English top-flight titles won - 18 apiece - United would dearly love to take a huge step towards overtaking their bitter rivals by winning at Anfield on Sunday.

United start the weekend four points clear of nearest rivals Arsenal although Arsene Wenger's side will reduce the gap to a just single point should they defeat Sunderland on Saturday.

"At this club, you have to recover," said Ferguson, who is demanding an immediate response following the events at Chelsea, where United finished with 10 men after Nemanja Vidic was sent off in the dying stages.

"That result has put us back but we have to recover for Sunday's game against Liverpool."

Midfielder Michael Carrick, who has just penned a new three-year contract, echoed his manager's thoughts.

"We have to forget it and move on," said Carrick."It's a huge game on Sunday and we'll be ready for it.

"We can move on quickly. We have to. We're used to doing that and we're usually good at it. Hopefully we can bounce back again."

With Vidic suspended and Rio Ferdinand (calf) and Jonny Evans (ankle) both injured, Ferguson has something of a defensive crisis on his hands.

The United manager has confirmed that West Brown will partner Chris Smalling in the centre of defence while Patrice Evra failed to finish the game at Chelsea because of a knee problem.

"I don't think it is very serious, and anyway I'm a warrior," said the French left-back.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish suffered defeat at the hands of United in his first game back in charge of the club two months ago, Ryan Giggs' second minute penalty eliminating the Merseyside club from the FA Cup.

Since then Dalglish has restored a winning mentality at Anfield although his side go into this game on the back of a 3-1 reverse at West Ham.

"Every game's very important for this football club but Liverpool versus Manchester United is a game that a lot of people look forward to," said Dalglish, who could include£35 million signing Andy Carroll if the striker can prove he has recovered from a thigh injury which has delayed his debut.

"But you get the same rewards for it regarding points, although maybe a bit more credit and you might get a few more inches in the newspaper columns if you get a positive result.

"Everybody plays football to play at the highest level they possibly can and the games between Liverpool and Manchester United are what you term as the highest category of game you can get."

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Rossi: Italy stuck in past as Spain, England surge

VILLARREAL, Spain– Italian soccer is stuck in the past, according to Giuseppe Rossi, and that's why Spanish and English clubs have been dominating European competition in recent years.

Rossi, a forward from New Jersey who plays for Italy's national team, has been with clubs in all three leagues.

He told The Associated Press in an interview that Italian soccer is still playing as if it's the late '80s or early '90s, when Marco van Basten-led AC Milan and Juventus had the country at the peak of continental competition.

"Time changes, and you have to change with time. You can't stay with the same idea you had back then. (Italian soccer) hasn't made this evolution yet,"said Rossi, who has four goals in 17 appearances for Italy's national team and who captained the Azzurri against Romania in November."You're always going to watch an English game or a Spanish game before Serie A, and this is because they were both able to evolve."

Inter Milan's Champions League triumph last season was Italy's third— AC Milan won in 2003 and '07— since 1997 in a competition dominated by Spanish and English clubs.

Although Spain has five trophies and England three over the same period, Italian clubs have recently struggled to reach the latter stages of the tournament with only Inter reaching the semifinals in the past three years.

English and Spanish teams have reached the final four on nine occasions since 2008, and Serie A will lose its fourth Champions League berth to Germany's Bundesliga in the 2012-13 season.

No Italian club has won the UEFA Cup-Europa League since Parma's victory 12 years ago with four Spanish wins since then.

Rossi, a fan of Spain's technical game over traditional Italian tactics, said Italy coach Cesare Prandelli recognizes that possession— the key to Spain's World Cup title run last year— is worth adopting.

"Prandelli sees that teams that win now are teams that keep the ball and possession,"said the Clifton native, who rejected the chance to play for the U.S. national team."He's really trying to change it. So far it's going well."

While Rossi has been critical of his low goal tally with Italy, he is enjoying a breakout season with Villarreal, where he was teammates with fellow American Jozy Altidore during the first half of the season.

Rossi leads the Yellow Submarine with 22 goals— 13 in the league— and has 67 from 128 appearances since joining Villarreal from Manchester United in 2007.

"I think (the Spanish league) does suit me best. It's about always playing with the ball, keeping possession, keeping it at your feet,"Rossi said."I've been here four years and I love it."

Villarreal's ambition is what drove the 24-year-old Rossi to sign a contract extension through 2016 earlier this year despite interest from Juventus and Tottenham. But Rossi said the Yellow Submarine isn't likely to challenge Barcelona or Real Madrid in the Spanish league, and that dominance could lead to a talent drain in the coming years.

"There's too much of a gap between them and the rest. That could be a problem because every player's dream is to win titles, to basically have some glory. And if you're not able to get this glory with teams like Sevilla, Atletico Madrid or Valencia, and you can't get onto Barca or Madrid, you're going to look somewhere else,"Rossi said."It could be a drawback for young players coming in, who may look elsewhere. Luckily, so far it hasn't."

Barcelona or Madrid have finished first every year since Valencia in 2004.

Rossi said having to play for the honor of"best of the rest"means Villarreal's season objectives were easy to set: going for titles in the Europa League and Copa del Rey and finishing among the top four to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Despite exiting the domestic cup, Villarreal has reached the last 16 in Europe and is in fourth in the league at 15-6-5, 10 points ahead of fifth-place Espanyol.

"You do have to be realistic and know what are the objectives of your system. We did put that down that the Liga was going to be very difficult to do because of these two monsters in front of us,"Rossi said.

Still, the prospect of playing for either"monster"is also with him.

"Everybody wants to play for the best teams in the world. Everyone dreams about that stuff and I'm no different,"Rossi said."Of course I dream about things but I'm always focused on what I'm doing right now. You never know. In soccer you never know."

Rossi lives as an Italian playing in Spain, but his American ways are as discernible as his thick Jersey accent.

Rossi has more than 100,000 followers on Twitter, he craves M&Ms and Oreos, and he is not shy to admit he's a fan of"Jersey Shore"and"The Wire."The loan of Altidore to Buraspor for the rest of this season has left him as the lone American, but Rossi enjoys Spanish life and most of its traditional customs.

"(The lifestyle) is pretty cool because it's pretty similar to the Italian way of living. The food is awesome, people are great and open, chilled and calm,"said Rossi, who also had spells with Newcastle and Parma."(But) I hate the bullfighting because they just kill poor innocent bulls. The time I went I was actually rooting for the bull to hit the guy. I think he got him once and I was the only one cheering."

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Fletcher signs new Man Utd deal

LONDON (AFP)– Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has signed a new four-year deal with the club that will see him stay at Old Trafford until 2015, it was announced Friday.

The 27-year-old Scottish international joined the club in 2000 and has become an important part of the English Premier League side's set up, making 288 appearances and scoring 21 goals.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson welcomed Fletcher's new deal.

"Darren has been at the club since he was 15," Ferguson said."I am extremely proud that he came through the ranks of our youth academy and am delighted Darren has signed a new contract.

"He has developed into a top-class midfielder."

Fletcher has won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup during his time at United.

"I take great pride in playing for Manchester United," said Fletcher.

"I have won many trophies in my years playing here and I am looking forward to winning many more in the seasons to come."

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Cisse is Bundesliga's most effective hot-shot

BERLIN (AFP)– Freiburg's Senegal forward Papiss Demba Cisse is the Bundesliga's most effective striker in terms of helping his side earn league points, according to new figures released Thursday.

Based on points awarded when a player's goals have equalised, won a match or put his team ahead, Cisse's 16 goals in 22 games have been converted into 18 points to put him top of the German hot-shots.

It makes him the most effective striker for his German league team compared to Hanover's Didier Ya Konan (13.5), and Eintracht Frankfurt's Theofanis Gekas (13).

The league's top scorer, Germany's Mario Gomez of Bayern Munich, scored only 12.16 points under the scheme, according to figures released by Munich firm Sports Media Service.

Gomez is the league's top scorer with 18 goals from 22 games with Cisse second on 16 and Gekas third with 14.

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Guardiola brushes off back pain for Valencia trip

MADRID (AFP)– Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will travel to Valencia for Wednesday's league match despite suffering back pain that forced him to miss training the previous day, the club said.

"Guardiola has been having back trouble in recent days, but despite missing training on Tuesday, he will be travelling to Valencia," Barca said in a statement on the club website.

Barca, league leaders with a seven-point advantage over rivals Real Madrid, have gone 19 games and 13 months without losing an away league match. Valencia are in third place, 17 points behind Barcelona.

Valencia's Mestalla ground is the only top flight stadium where Guardiola has never won as a manager, the team said.

The club added:"Breaking that duck would be a good omen for another visit to the same venue on April 20, this time to face Real Madrid in the cup final."

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Poland scrambles to accommodate Euro-2012 fans

WARSAW (AFP)– With football fans set to provide a hefty boost to tourism into Poland for the Euro 2012 championships, organisers are scrambling to make sure the four cities hosting games will be able to find accommodation for them all.

The pace will certainly pick up from Tuesday with the official launch of Euro 2012 ticket sales.

Hotels, motels, university student residences and even campsites are being drafted-in for those making an extended stay during the three-week-long football extravaganza starting June 8, that Poland is co-hosting with neighbour Ukraine.

UEFA officials and tournament sponsors - anyone considered part of"the UEFA family" of European football's governing body - can be sure to sleep soundly as organisers have already booked out swish hotels.

But regular fans attempting to book rooms already risk hearing the dreaded"No Vacancy". For fans who are short on luck with hotel bookings, championship organisers are considering pitching giant camp sites.

Organisers estimate 100,000 beds will be needed in the capital Warsaw and claim there are an estimated 101,000 available.

But Warsaw tourism authorities are less optimistic.

"There are around 33,000 beds, with about two-thirds of them in hotels," Barbara Tekieli, the director of Warsaw's tourism office told AFP.

Euro 2012 accommodation coordinator Rafal Rosiejak explains that UEFA's calculations are based on"a geographic area comprising a region within two hours travel surrounding Warsaw as well as university dormitory rooms."

Rosiejak is urging universities to rent dorm rooms for 40-50 euros (55-69 dollars) per night, but availability is also at issue as students would normally still be in residence.

Under pressure from the sports ministry, Poland's education ministry is proposing that students start their summer vacation several weeks early in 2012 in order to free up dorm rooms for football fans.

Barbara Kudrycka, Poland's minister for higher education, has sent a carefully worded request to university rectors.

"The minister cannot oblige universities, but we hope to co-operate on a good understanding. There are 100,000 beds in university residences located in the (four) host cities. We hope to have at least 50,000 for fans," Bartosz Loba, an education ministry spokesperson, told AFP.

Some universities, among them one in the south-western Polish city of Wroclaw near the German border, have declared their willingness to cut courses short in 2012.

Professors at the polytechnic institute in the Baltic port city of Gdansk are proposing that the three weeks of courses that would be cut due to the early vacation be squeezed into timetables earlier in the year.

But not all universities are proving as flexible or enthusiastic.

"Timetables and budgets for 2011/2012 have already been finalised and we're not planning to make any changes," says Anna Korzekwa, spokesperson for Warsaw University which has about 3,000 dorms at its disposal.

"Between 30 to 40 percent of students stay in dorms through the summer and others use them while taking various courses. It would be very difficult to free up our infrastructure. Moreover, we have no guarantee that the costs of possible damage would be covered," Korzekwa told AFP.

Talks are underway in the western Polish city of Poznan, which is just a three-hour train ride from the German capital Berlin. Rafal Rosiejak is optimistic about the city, adding that in some places"capacity is greater than need."

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