Chelsea v Napoli: we need to come out the blocks firing tonight, says John Terry

Chelsea's talismanic captain says the club will look to attack Napoli from the get go as they seek to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

If Chelsea needed any encouragement that their bid to book a quarter-final berth was not an impossible task, they only have look to London neighbours Arsenal who fell just short when faced with a much sterner challenge last week.
Arsenal trailed 4-0 from their first leg at AC Milan but only just fell short of an incredible recovery after beating the Italians 3-0 at the Emirates.
Chelsea's job is marginally less daunting than that even if Napoli are on a run of six successive wins in all competitions.
Returning captain John Terry emphasised the importance of a good start if Chelsea are going to remain in the competition.
"I think what could be important for us tomorrow night is the start which we had against Barcelona when we really needed to, I think we came out of the blocks firing which they didn't expect, and a good start to get the fans ready and make ourselves believe as well, to get off to a good start could be the key factor tomorrow if not, as I said before, we've got the experience and patience to know that it only takes a couple of minutes to score two goals," he said.

Interim manager Roberto Di Matteo admitted that along with a good performance his side would also need a little bit of luck.
"I think we will need a great performance tomorrow night and we need a little bit of luck as well, because in a cup competition you need to deserve a little bit of luck that makes you go through.
"Personally it would be a proud moment but more than anything we just want to do well for the club and our supporters and we want the team to show a very passionate performance and try to turn this leg around," he said.

News From Telegraph.co.uk

Carrick staying grounded - Latest Sports News - Football

Red Devils midfielder guarding against complacency

Michael Carrick is refusing to get carried away over Manchester United's 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Chelsea.

The Red Devils emerged from Stamford Bridge with a one-goal advantage and many believe that United are primed to tackle Schalke in the semi-finals.

However, Carrick is not writing off Chelsea's hopes of exacting revenge in Manchester and believes Sir Alex Ferguson's troops will be guarding against complacency.

Carrick and co have no plans to put their feet up in the return leg and he believes his team-mates will be on their game once again for next Tuesday's encounter.

"We wouldn't be saying the tie was over, no matter where we had got this result," said Carrick.

"Maybe other people would and we are confident, but we are not getting carried away.

"We respect Chelsea. It was only last season that they beat us at Old Trafford in the league and a repeat of that result would knock us out.

"We are in the position we set out to be in but it only counts for so much. Come Tuesday we need to perform again."

Boost

United will be boosted by the availability of Wayne Rooney from his two-game domestic suspension for the Old Trafford clash.

Rooney scored the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge and Carrick believes the striker will relish the big occasion.

"When the big games come around, Wayne tends to come to the fore," said the midfielder.

"He has started scoring important goals for us again. His three at the weekend were vital and the same was true at Chelsea. It is what he loves."
 

Bayern sack van Gaal - Latest Sports News

German giants act after dropping out of Champions League spots

Bayern Munich have sacked coach Louis van Gaal 24 hours after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Nurnberg

The Dutchman was due to leave the club at the end of the season but his departure has now been brought forward, with the club fourth in the Bundesliga and struggling to ensure qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Van Gaal led the club to the league title last season, his first at the club,

and also to the final of the Champions League.

His assistant Andries Jonker has been placed in caretaker charge until the end of the season, when Jupp Heynckes will succeed him as the club's new permanent boss.

A club statement read: "The board, director of sport and president of FC Bayern took this decision together

"After the 1-1 draw in Nurnberg yesterday and the renewed slide to fourth in the table, and with the threat of missing out on the minimum aim of a place in the Champions League next season, this decision was taken in FC Bayern's best interests.

"Louis van Gaal's assistants Frans Hoek, Jos van Dijk and Max Reckers have also been relieved of their duties."
 

Fabregas targets comeback - Latest Sports News Football

Midfielder hopes to face Blackburn on 2nd April

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas hopes to put his 'weird' season of injuries behind him when he returns from his most recent fitness setback.

The Spain midfielder has not played since the UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg defeat at Barcelona earlier in March, when he aggravated a hamstring injury.

Fabregas returned to light running this week and, while he is wary of rushing back, he hopes to be in peak condition when Arsenal host Blackburn after the international break.

"Everything is getting better," said the 23-year-old during a live video stream on Twitter.
Make it right:

"It's been a weird season for me with injuries and I just want to make it right, and I want to come back stronger than ever and fitter than ever so that it won't happen again.

"Hopefully you will see me against Blackburn if I'm fit."

The return of his inspirational captain would be a major boost for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who will be hoping an ankle injury to Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner does not prove too serious.

Bendtner hobbled out of a training session on Wednesday in Helsingor after needing ice packed onto his ankle before being taken back to the team hotel.

Bremen stand by Schaaf - hot sports news

Allofs does not expect under-fire coach to quit

Werder Bremen's general manager Klaus Allofs insists under-fire coach Thomas Schaaf retains the full support of the club's board.

Schaaf guided Bremen to UEFA Champions League qualification last season, but the team are waging a fight for Bundesliga survival this term.

A 4-0 thrashing away to Hamburg at the weekend left Bremen just one point above the relegation zone following a run of one win in nine league games.

There have been calls for Schaaf to be replaced before the end of the season, but Allofs says there are no plans for a change of coach.
Disappointed

"Everyone is disappointed right now and anyone is able to understand that," Allofs told Norddeutscher Rundfunk.

"The manager has the full support from the club and its authorities, there are no contradictions."

Allofs also stressed Schaaf would not step down either, adding: "This is not an issue.

"Looking at how Thomas Schaaf is working on our planning for the new season ahead, you are getting that impression.

"No one would work that hard on a new team if he is eager to quit his job."

Cech - CL defeat unthinkable - Hot sports News

Blues shot-stopper admits exit would be a disaster

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech admits it would be a disaster if his side are knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by FC Copenhagen.

The Premier League champions have endured a wretched season so far and are all but out of the title race, while they lost in the FA Cup to Everton at the weekend.

Pressure is growing on manager Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the trip to Denmark on Tuesday, as the quest for European glory resumes.

Cech, 28, says Copenhagen will not be easy opponents but claims it would be terrible should the Blues see themselves exit the competition.

When asked if it would be a disaster if Chelsea went out, he told his official website: "Absolutely. It's not about the name of our opposition, it's about the distance (in the competition).

"To be eliminated would be very bad for Chelsea and it's not the aim of any big club, after all."

Cech claims Chelsea are still fighting in the Premier League this term but is well aware that the only realistic chance of silverware now comes in Europe.

"Naturally, we are still fighting for the best position possible, we are still in mathematically but it is not at all in our hands now," he added, with the Blues 12 points behind leaders Manchester United.

"We must hope that other contenders drop a lot of points, which is hard to expect.

"That is why the Champions League is basically the last competition we can win."

Wenger wary of Barcelona

But Arsenal will travel to Spain with belief of victory

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that his side remain underdogs in the UEFA Champions League despite their exhilarating victory over Barcelona.

Late goals from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin turned a blistering last-16 first-leg encounter on its head at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night as David Villa's first-half opener was overturned.

Defending Primera Liga champions Barcelona had dominated the first half and even after 60 minutes they had incredibly out-passed their hosts by 412 attempts to 203, but the excellent Jack Wilshere and captain Cesc Fabregas helped turn the midfield tide.

Premier League Arsenal will now begin the second leg at the Camp Nou on 8th March with an advantage in the scoreline, although Villa's away goal will be a reason for caution.

Wenger, having seen his side demolished in Spain by the brilliance of Lionel Messi in last season's quarter-finals, is aware of this and is adamant that his team are far from certain of a place in the last eight of the 2010/11 competition.
Trouble

The Arsenal boss said: "We are not favourites now, but what is important is the belief that we have a chance.

"Barcelona are still favourites. We know now that we can beat them, though. We did not know that last year."

Wenger added: "The problem with their (Barcelona's) possession is that if you are a fraction late you are in trouble.

"You have to be tight with the marking and if you don't it is difficult.

"We were prepared mentally to live with that. Usually we have the ball more than our opponents, but we knew that 60 per cent of the time we would have to be focused on them."

AC Milan v Tottenham preview

Catch AC Milan v Spurs, live on Sky Sports HD2 &2

Tottenham face AC Milan on Tuesday night at the San Siro in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie.

Spurs qualified for the last 16 by finishing top of Group A ahead of Milan's city rivals Inter, while the Rossoneri finished second in Group G behind Real Madrid.

Despite a number of selection problems, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has promised to go on the attack against the Serie A leaders.

Spurs have made the trip to Italy without winger Gareth Bale, who scored a hat-trick against Inter at the San Siro earlier in the competition, because of a back injury.

Niko Kranjcar, who has scored two winning goals in his last two outings, is set to deputise for Bale again wide on the left.

Rafael van der Vaart will return to the side after recovering from a calf problem which forced him to miss the weekend win at Sunderland.

Peter Crouch is expected to shake off a back problem to feature in the squad, while Redknapp will give Luka Modric until the last minute to prove his fitness after undergoing appendix surgery.

Tom Huddlestone, Ledley King and Younes Kaboul are all missing through injury, while Jermaine Jenas is suspended.

Wilson Palacios and Sandro are set to start in midfield if Redknapp decides not to risk Modric from the start with the Croat only returning to training on Sunday.

Milan team news

Milan are missing January signings Antonio Cassano, Mark van Bommel and Urby Emanuelson as they are all ineligible.


Rossoneri captain Massimo Ambrosini and Andrea Pirlo are both sidelined through injury along with former Spurs man Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is set to field a three-man attack with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Alexandre Pato all starting.

Alessandro Nesta, Nicola Legrottaglie, Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonini have all recovered from knocks to take their places in the squad.

Pirlo to miss Spurs tie

Influential Italian schemer sidelined for six weeks

AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo will miss both legs of his side's UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Tottenham.

The influential schemer has been ruled out for six weeks after suffering knee ligament damage.

Pirlo, 31, had been due to return to the Milan side to face Parma on Saturday after three weeks out with a hamstring injury, but he picked up the new problem in training on Friday.

A Milan statement read: "Medical tests carried out yesterday confirmed that midfielder Andrea Pirlo had suffered a second grade strain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

"The player's expected recovery time is six weeks."

Pirlo was making a return from a thigh injury when he picked up the hamstring problem against Bari.

Janssen agrees Twente deal

Roda midfielder to link up with Dutch giants in summer

Midfielder Willem Janssen will complete a move to FC Twente from Roda JC in the summer, the Eredivisie club have confirmed.

The 24-year-old has agreed a four-year deal with the defending champions which will keep him in Enschede until 2015 following months of speculation over his future.

Janssen, who arrived at Roda in the summer of 2007 from VVV Venlo, has made 108 appearances in four seasons with the Kerkrade club, scoring 20 goals.

He told FC Twente's official website: "I see this transfer as a good step in my career.

"Two years ago I was asked which club I wanted to go to for my development and I said FC Twente. It's nice that this is going to happen."
Replacement

Roda have already moved to replace Janssen, announcing they will sign 22-year-old midfielder Donald Mitchell from Ajax on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Mitchell, a youth product at the Amsterdam club, has been prevented from nailing down a place in the first team by a niggling knee injury.

After being sent out on loan to Willem II this season, Mitchell has made the decision to leave Ajax at the end of his contract in hopes of finding regular football.

He said on Roda's official website: "I am mentally stronger after all this and when the injury was over and I was out on loan at Willem II, I made the decision to leave."

Mitchell, who has made 14 appearances for struggling Willem this season, will join Roda on a three-year deal in the summer.

Spurs trio doubtful for Milan

Redknapp sweats on fitness of Modric, Bale and Van der Vaart

Harry Redknapp has admitted Luka Modric, Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale are all struggling to be fit for Tuesday's European clash with AC Milan.

Bale has not played for Tottenham for three weeks thanks to a back injury, Van der Vaart has a calf problem and Modric is still recovering from an operation to remove his appendix earlier this month.

The key trio will miss Saturday's Premier League match at Sunderland and Redknapp is not sure they will be ready for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League tie against Milan next week.

"They are all struggling at the moment. It's difficult to say whether they'll be fit for Tuesday," said the Spurs boss.

"Luka has started jogging but isn't available tomorrow. Rafa has a calf strain and Gareth is coming back slowly.

"We have one or two injuries but hopefully it won't be too long."
Nightmare

Redknapp has a further headache ahead of the visit to Sunderland after Wilson Palacios made the long journey from London to Honduras to take part in his country's friendly against Ecuador on Thursday.

Redknapp is not happy that the midfielder, who has been struggling with a knee injury, was forced to make the trip for the match.

"International week is a nightmare," said Redknapp.

"Wilson played last week when we weren't sure whether he'd be fit and now he has had to go and play in a friendly game all the way to Honduras.

"I'm not sure of the flight time but it's horrendous."

Redknapp maintains that the match against Milan will stay at the back of his mind until after this weekend's encounter with Sunderland.

Much of the attention on the club has centred on their failed bid for the Olympic Stadium, as well as the glamour tie with Milan at the San Siro.

But Redknapp is keen to throw the focus back on Saturday's game in the knowledge that Manchester City's Champions League hopes could be hit in their derby with United.

Key game

A victory will also see Tottenham move ahead of Chelsea, who play Fulham on Monday, and Redknapp has called on his team to build on last week's win over Bolton by recording their third straight triumph.

He said: "Tomorrow is a key game for us. It's the one you worry about.

"We are bang in the frame with the top four and are looking to do our best to keep up there so the league games are all important to us.

"Focusing on Sunderland shouldn't be difficult because the players know the importance of it.

"We have picked up six good points recently and the results last week have put us right into the group again.

"There is nothing between the teams pushing for that fourth spot. We have to focus on that now. That's the key thing."

Tottenham fans have been treated to some entertaining Champions League matches in their first season in the competition - most notably the two games against Inter Milan - and the experience has left Redknapp hungry for more.

"If we got back into the Champions League again it would be great for us," Redknapp said.

"We have had a great run, we have loved every minute of it and we want some more."

Puyol set to miss Gunners tie

Defender still struggling with knee injury

Barcelona defender Carles Puyol is set to miss next week's UEFA Champions League showdown with Arsenal through injury.

Puyol is struggling with a knee injury which has sidelined him since the win over Racing Santander on 22nd January.

The Barca captain is back in light training, but Pep Guardiola admits it is unlikely he will be available for the trip to Emirates Stadium next Wednesday.

"That's the feeling I have. But things could change and he could also go," said Guardiola.

"It's going well but when we ask for a little more, it becomes a problem."

If Puyol misses out against Arsenal, Eric Abidal is likely to continue at centre-back alongside Gerard Pique with Maxwell deputising at left-back.

Bremen foiled in Kranjcar bid

Allofs admits Bundesliga club were interested in midfielder

Werder Bremen have not been able to agree a deal to bring in Niko Kranjcar from Tottenham, the Bundesliga club's general manager Klaus Allofs has revealed.

Skysports.com confirmed earlier this week that Bremen had identified the Croatia international midfielder as a transfer target.

Allofs has now confirmed that Bremen were keen to land Kranjcar, but their pursuit was unsuccessful.

Kranjcar has had limited opportunities to impress at White Hart Lane this season but Allofs has suggested that Spurs are eager to keep him as they plan ahead for a busy schedule.

"We have been looking at the chance to bring in this player," Allofs told Deutsche Presseagentur with regard to Kranjcar.

"Anyway, we were unable to materialise a deal at the very end.

"There was a chance to do that, but obviously the player's club did not want to risk the chance to go far in the UEFA Champions League as well as in the league."
Solutions

Allofs added: "We will keep monitoring the chance to sign new players.

"We intend to find solutions, we want to improve. I am still in talks with player agents."

Kranjcar is under contract until June 2013 but Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp recently admitted he would be prepared to let the 26-year-old go as he wants to leave.

In the wake of Allofs' comments it remains to be seen whether he will now move, but Fulham have also been linked with a January swoop.

Onyewu leaves with apparent back injury

American defender Oguchi Onyewu came out with an apparent back injury in the 26th minute of FC Twente’s Dutch Cup quarterfinal against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.

Onyewu was playing his third competitive match for the club. The 28-year-old made Dutch debut in a league match against Heracles Almelo on Jan. 19 after he was loaned from AC Milan, then played Sunday against Groningen.

Twente won 7-6 on penalty kicks following a 1-1 tie to advance to the semifinals, and Utrecht beat Groningen 3-2.

City one of Lukaku's options

Manchester City join chase for Belgian star

Romelu Lukaku's agent has confirmed Manchester City have joined the chase for the Belgian starlet.

The 17-year-old Anderlecht striker is one of the most coveted players in world football.

He has been playing first-team football since he was 16, and is already a regular for Belgium at international level.

So far this season he has bagged 13 goals in 20 games, and almost every major club in Europe is chasing him, including all of England's big clubs.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal are all keen.

City are the latest of the Premier League giants to join the chase and reports from Belgian even suggested they were trying to do a deal this month.

But Lukaku's agent Christophe Henrotay has denied that is the case, but he confirmed City do want to be kept informed about his situation.

"There is no concrete offer or agreement," he told Belgian Sport magazine.

"I have very good contacts with Manchester City, but they are only one of the clubs to ask about him."

Roberto Mancini has already insisted that City are not ready to make a bid, but they are very much now in the chase for him.

"City did ask me to be keep informed, if other clubs insisted on him," Henrotay continued.

"If someone leaves Manchester City, it is not impossible things could be accelerated - but you have seen the attackers there, but there is also the other clubs who are interested."
Chelsea support

Chelsea and Arsenal have been chasing Lukaku since he was 13, and the former have been regarded as the long-time favourites for his signature given they are his favourite side.

But the youngster admits that he will not necessarily sign for Chelsea because he supports them.

"Chelsea and Arsenal tried to sign me when I was 13, 14," he said.

"Chelsea is my favourite team. I have always said it and I have never hidden it. But it is not because Chelsea is my favourite team that I have to go there.

"There is also Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City. These big five are very interesting. Tottenham are also a good club.

"As a young kid you dream of playing in every big team. It is not because Chelsea is my favourite team that I have to specifically go there.

"I will see. It is something for my father and agent. There are so many clubs and big teams. For a young player sometimes you have to relax for a while and focus on your own team. I'm very happy with the situation at Anderlecht. I have the support of the club and other players. It is my environment and I've grown up here."

Real Madrid have also been strongly linked, and Jose Mourinho knows him well after pursuing him during his time at Chelsea - but Lukaku admits England is his most likely destination.

"My father never talks to me about rumours. Of course, I admire Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid is a great club. But I see England as more likely than Spain," he told Goal.com.

"If I see the games and some action in the Premier League, with my qualities I think I can play there. I'm very fast, I'm very strong and I work a lot. If I train with players with more quality I can be better than I am here. I want to improve.

"My father was my hero when I was still a boy. I looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo and then it was always [Didier] Drogba. As I understand more and more about football I see the qualities I have and I can see myself in him [Drogba]. I have almost the same qualities and I want to follow in his footsteps.

"I want to reach the highest level and win prizes. I want to win the Champions League, the Europa League also. I want to play in the Premier League and win some [league] titles or the Spanish league and win those titles. That is also a dream. Why not?"

Benfica head for London

Chelsea continue talks over Brazilian ace

Reports in Portugal suggest that Benfica are in London to engage in negotiations with Chelsea about defender David Luiz.

The Brazil international has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea for the past weeks as the Blues look to strengthen their backline.

Benfica and Chelsea have so far failed to reach a compromise for David Luiz, who has a release clause of €50 million (£42.5m), with the Portuguese club playing hardball over the fee.

However, it is now suggested that a deal could be in the making after Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira flew to London in the company of agent Giuliano Bertolucci to hold talks with Chelsea over a potential move.

It is believed that the Blues are ready to offer €25million (£21.2m) plus one of their players in order to meet Benfica's demands.

Full-back Paulo Ferreira and winger Salomon Kalou have been tipped as possible bargaining chips, but Portuguese sources report that Benfica are more interested in Chelsea's youth ranks.

Benfica signed Olhanense centre-back Jardel last week in what could be seen as a sign they are ready to cash in on David Luiz, whom they signed from Vitoria in 2007.

LAMPARD'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AIM

Frank Lampard admits the Champions League has become the "Holy Grail" for both himself and Chelsea as he revealed his desperation finally to land club football's biggest prize.

The Blues came within one penalty kick of ending their quest two and a half years ago when they were beaten by Manchester United in the final in Moscow.

England midfielder Lampard, whose equaliser that night ensured a shootout, has also been on the losing side in four semi-finals in the past seven years.

And despite having won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups over the same period, the 32-year-old insists his medal collection will not be complete until he adds a Champions League gold.

"I have won three leagues and quite a lot of the group have won one or more," Lampard told Chelsea TV's Icons Christmas special.

"But we have been so close to the Champions League, it does become a bit of a Holy Grail and I think the fans feel that.

"I would never ever go into a season without the first thing on my mind being the Premier League.

"To win domestically is the biggest thing for me but I don't want to finish my career with five Champions League semi-finals and a final but with no medal.

"It is huge but it is such a difficult competition to win.

"Every year, you play group games before Christmas and you start again in February and you might have injuries or you might be losing form.

"We played Inter Milan last year at a time when we were down, so there are so many little bits that have to come together for you to win it and that is what we are waiting for, that final little bit that we have missed."

Lampard is convinced Chelsea would have gone on to lift the Champions League last season had they overcome eventual winners Inter in the last 16.

He said: "Look at us in the league last year. We were on a run at the end, beating teams by six or seven goals and if we could have translated that into the Champions League last year, if we had got through those Inter Milan game and gone on and played the way we were playing at the end of the season, I think we would have won the Champions League.

"I really believe that because we were playing so well, so it is about form and fitness. You need your big players.

"You can't win the Champions League without your big boys, simple as that, no team can."

Lampard missed all of Chelsea's group games this season through injury but is determined to make up for lost time when the knockout stage begins next month.

And, unlike last year, the Blues have been handed the easiest possible draw in FC Copenhagen.

Lampard said: "When you get to the last 16, you feel the eyes of the world are watching it.

"It is what all the kids like, it is the ultimate club competition.

"I have a goal in a losing final and that is nice in a small way for me but that drives you on more to want to be part of a winning final."

Pique confident of beating Arsenal

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes Lionel Messi will be key when they come up against Arsenal in the Champions League and says the Spanish club are confident of progress.

Pique was in the side as Messi demolished the Gunners with four goals in the quarter-finals last season and maintains that the Argentine - who has just been crowned the best player in the world - will be hungry to repeat the feat again.

"Leo is the best in the world. He's hugely important for Barcelona,'' he is quoted as telling The Sun. "When you win titles you can feel that happiness and you really want to have the same feeling again.

"So we have the same hunger for titles like the Champions League two years ago. We're confident of winning against Arsenal."

Pique was one of six Barca players named in the FIFA/FIFPRO world XI and thinks the praise lavished on the side by the global football community can only increase their confidence.

"These awards give us a tremendous boost to our confidence ahead of the Arsenal games,'' he said. ''We want to win the Champions League again and we are confident we can do it.

"When you see your work is recognised in this way and you are in these type of meetings with so many great players you want to be there every year. You have to work hard and fight to be here. We are ready for that."