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Terry: Bridge must applaud Joe






Updated Feb 4, 2011 2:31 PM ET
Chelsea captain John Terry hopes Blues fans give Joe Cole a good reception when he returns to Stamford Bridge for Sunday's game with Liverpool.
The 29-year-old spent seven years with the Blues following his move from West Ham before leaving on a free transfer last summer.

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The England international was a firm fans' favourite during his time at the club and Sunday's game will be first return to his former home as a Reds player.
Terry insists Cole is a "Chelsea boy" and believes that he deserves to be recognised for his efforts with the Londoners.
"Joe gave everything for this club and hopefully the fans will recognise that and give him the reception he deserves," explained Terry.
"He is a Chelsea boy, even when he was at West Ham he said he was a Chelsea boy as a kid.
"I was sorry to see him go, others were too. That's why I'm 100 per cent sure he'll get a great reception."
Terry remains close friends with Cole and despite the fact he has endured a slow start to life at Anfield, he is backing the midfielder to come good.
"He's a great lad and I'm still in contact with him," Terry continued.
"I watched his debut and him getting sent off - he should never have been sent off. Then he picked up a knock but he is confident in his own ability and me too.
"I'm sure he will have a huge part to play for Liverpool."
 
Mourinho says Spanish league is not lost


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Updated Feb 5, 2011 9:34 AM ET
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho says the Spanish league title is not lost, even though his team could provisionally fall 10 points behind if leader Barcelona beats Atletico Madrid.
Mourinho says "we cannot forget the league" as "the numbers say we can still win it."
Madrid has dropped five points in its past three matches ahead of its home match against Real Sociedad on Sunday. Barcelona plays later Saturday.
Mourinho also defended striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who has not scored in his last four outings, saying "if Cristiano didn't score another goal in the rest of the season, we would still have had a fantastic season."
Ronaldo has scored 32 goals in 34 games so far this campaign.

 
Arbeloa: Real face a tough test





Updated Feb 5, 2011 9:27 AM ET
Alvaro Arbeloa is expecting a tough test this weekend as Real Madrid host Real Sociedad and bid to get their La Liga bid back on track.
Madrid slumped to only their second league loss of the campaign, going down 1-0 in Pamplona, and that left them seven points adrift of Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division table.
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Jose Mourinho's men bounced back from that setback in midweek by knocking out holders Sevilla to progress through to the final of the Copa del Rey, but if the Spanish giants want to keep their league hopes alive they know they can ill afford another slip-up this weekend.
Madrid have won their last 20 competitive matches at the Bernabeu, but they had a hard time in their first meeting against promoted Sociedad this season - winning 2-1 at Anoeta thanks to a deflected goal 16 minutes from time - and Arbeloa doubts it will be easy this time either.
"I'm sure it's going to be a nice match, but we are going to have to work hard to win the three points," the Spain international told Bwin.
"Sociedad made things very difficult for us in Anoeta and I'm sure they are also going to make thing difficult at the Bernabeu.
"They have good players in attack and especially on the wings.
"Xabi Prieto, (Raul) Tamudo, (Antoine) Griezmann are doing well, and (David) Zurutuza is also a quality player, and maybe the fact that they are coming here without any pressure will make them feel more comfortable.
"They are good up front, so we will have to be very focused."
Sociedad have enjoyed a fine return to the top flight after winning the Segunda Division title last season and have already picked up 28 points, leaving them seven points off the European places and 10 clear of the relegation zone.
Coach Martin Lasarte, whose side have drawn just once in their 21 games so far, admits it would be "reckless" to assume Madrid would be less dangerous after falling seven points behind Barca in the title race, saying: "I worry about all their players."
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However, he also believes his team can give the capital club some headaches - even though history suggests it will be Madrid celebrating tomorrow night.
In 63 league meetings between the two at the Bernabeu, Madrid have won 44 compared to just three wins for Sociedad.
"We had a great match against them at Anoeta and Mourinho himself admitted to me that we didn't deserve to have lost," Lasarte said.
"We can cause them cause them problems, we've had a good week, we have heart, high hopes and dreams.
"It's not going to be easy to stop them, we will have to be united and not leave any space, but we also have to create chances."
Winger Griezmann added: "Madrid is nothing out of this world. We can do damage on the counter-attack."
 
Villa: More to come from Barca


Updated Feb 4, 2011 8:13 PM ET
David Villa insists Barcelona can still get better and believes Pep Guardiola's side will go on to mark an era in world football.
Barca have already won back-to-back Primera Division titles under Guardiola and completed an unprecedented - for a Spanish side - treble of league, Champions League and Copa del Rey titles in the coach's first season in charge.

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And that could be on again this year, as Barca are still in the Champions League, lead Real Madrid by seven points in the Primera Division and face their bitter adversaries in the final of the Copa del Rey in April after both sides progressed to the showpiece game earlier this week.
"The best is yet to come," Villa told FIFA.com - Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
"The coach has managed to assemble a group of players with some very special characteristics, who've adapted and gelled perfectly - I think we have what it takes to define an era."
On a personal level, Villa says Guardiola has had an important effect since his arrival at the Nou Camp in a big-money move from Valencia last summer.
"He's been a very positive influence. The coach's instructions on attacking and defending are clearly vital, and he helps me a lot," he said.
Although a centre forward, Villa has been played on the left this season to accommodate both Leo Messi and Pedro in Barca's attacking line-up, but the player says he is comfortable in his new position.
"I feel at home and perform equally well in the centre or on either flank. I'm very pleased to be getting along so well," he said.
Villa was rested, along with the likes of Messi, Xavi, Pedro and Victor Valdes, as Barca thrashed Almeria 3-0 on Wednesday to advance to the final of the Copa del Rey with an 8-0 aggregate victory.
All the talk now in Spain is of the first final between Spain's big two since 1990, but midfielder Javier Mascherano says Barca must forget about that meeting for now.
"If we are thinking about the final, we will have problems in the other competitions," he said.
Mascherano started on Wednesday, but is set to return to the bench as Guardiola names his strongest possible line-up for the Primera Division clash at home to Atletico Madrid tomorrow.
Villa, Messi, Pedro and Xavi will all return, while Andres Iniesta is set to overcome a minor injury to be fit for the 22nd round match.
Captain Carles Puyol could also return from injury, but Jeffren Suarez misses out.
Barca have dropped just five points in the league all season and have scored 14 goals in their last three matches at home to Atletico.
The Madrid-based side, in seventh place, are also going through something of a crisis following disappointing defeats against Athletic Bilbao and Sporting Gijon.
Nevertheless, midfielder Fran Merida says Atletico can produce a surprise.
"We have had a difficult week, but the manager (Quique Sanchez Flores) has been giving us his ideas and although Barca are a strong side at home, we have great weapons, great players," he said.
"We can win the game."
Luis Perea is suspended after his contentious red card against Athletic, while Mario Suarez is doubtful.
 
Mascherano hits out at Liverpool




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Updated Feb 3, 2011 6:10 PM ET
Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has criticized former club Liverpool for the way they handled his departure last summer and striker Fernando Torres' exit on Monday.
The Argentina international described as "sad" the manner in which players had to leave a club they had served well.


Following Torres' £50million transfer to Chelsea on deadline day the Spaniard has been castigated for his comments suggesting he is much better off at Stamford Bridge than he was at Anfield.
"I was not surprised about what happened with Fernando," Mascherano is quoted on espn.co.uk as telling a press conference.
"When I left Liverpool, it looked as if I had killed someone. It is sad that the people who did something important with the club have to leave by the back door.
"It is sad that the press and the club try to convince people that it is all the player's fault when the reality is that Liverpool didn't show the interest in keeping us in the club.
"The most important players didn't leave the club well. I spoke with Fernando and I said to him that he doesn't have to be worried because he did his best for the club.
"Even though he didn't win any trophies, he was a very important player and helped this club all the time."
Mascherano's views are, however, slightly ironic considering he was offered a new contract by then Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez last April but stalled on signing it.
Four months later, after it became apparent he did not want to remain on Merseyside, he eventually secured a £22million move to Barcelona.
 
Ade savors maiden Madrid goal




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Updated Feb 3, 2011 1:58 PM ET
Emmanuel Adebayor spoke of his delight after making a goalscoring home debut for Real Madrid to help his side through to a Copa del Rey final.
Adebayor, who joined the Spanish giants on loan from Manchester City for the remainder of the season last week, only replaced Karim Benzema in the 84th minute but in his short time on the pitch had a big influence on the match.

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He was the player scythed down by Sergio Sanchez that earned the Sevilla player a second yellow card, and then in stoppage time he chested down Lassana Diarra's cross and thumped a volley into the roof of the net.
That was the former Togo captain's first goal for the club and helped secure a 2-0 win on the night - Mesut Ozil having put the Spanish giants ahead in the 82nd minute - and a 3-0 win on aggregate.
Adebayor, who made his first appearance for Madrid in Sunday's league defeat at Osasuna, said: "It was a special game for me because I love this club and I've always dreamed of playing here. I made my debut at the Santiago Bernabeu and was able to score, so I'm very happy."
Adebayor also praised the performance of the man he replaced on the night, Benzema, who had a number of decent openings to score himself - none better than in the fifth minute when he missed an open goal after Angel Di Maria's shot had come back off a post - but failed to find the back of the net.
Benzema has found himself under the spotlight after struggling to impress during his time at the Bernabeu but he has started to become more influential in recent weeks.
"I think Benzema played very well. He had several opportunities. He didn't sore, but that's football. He's a good player and he will score many goals at this club," said Adebayor.
Madrid's success against holders Sevilla means they will now face arch rivals Barcelona in the final on April 20, with Pep Guardiola's side cruising through their semi-final with an 8-0 aggregate win over Almeria.
That encounter will be the first time the two Spanish superpowers have met in a final since 1990, when Barca won 2-0 in Valencia.
When asked about reaching a final in his first full week at the club, Adebayor said on his club's website: "We are going to be facing one of the best teams in the world; it's going to be tough but we will have our chances.
"There's still a long time to go until then and now we need to focus on the league."
 
Barcelona goes for record 16th straight league win


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Updated Feb 3, 2011 9:18 AM ET
Barcelona will look to make history Saturday against Atletico Madrid when the league leader goes for a Spanish record 16th straight league win.
Barcelona tied the record of 15 straight wins set by Real Madrid 50 years ago against Hercules, a victory which also allowed it to stretch its lead over Madrid to seven points in the standings.
Madrid knows it can ill afford to drop points over the second half of the season to keep the pressure on the two-time defending champions. Jose Mourinho's side looks to rebound from last weekend's defeat at Osasuna against Real Sociedad on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, where it is 17-0 this season.

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But much of Spain has already written off Madrid's title hopes with such a gap to recover, and now Barcelona can add further credence to the notion that its current team could be the best in Spanish history.
"To share 15 straight victories with Di Stefano's Real Madrid is something that makes us very proud," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "That it hasn't been done in 50 years shows just how hard it is to achieve."
While Argentine great Alfredo Di Stefano led a 1960-61 Madrid team that included Ferenc Puskas, Paco Gente and Jose Emilio Santamaria, another Argentine in Lionel Messi is leading Barcelona's charge.
"He's a phenomenon, a great player, extraordinary," Di Stefano said of Messi. "He's scored goals that look like art and with genius."
Messi has scored 37 goals in all competitions to lead a team that includes Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and David Villa.
With Messi at the helm, Barcelona is on course to break all kinds of league records this season such as season points total, victories in a season, goals scored and fewest conceded.
Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Villa should return Saturday after being rested Wednesday as Barcelona sealed a place in the Copa del Rey final with a win at Almeria. Barcelona looks to stretch its record total of domestic cups to 26 against Madrid, which hasn't won the competition since 1993.
"There's still two and a half months until then and if we start focusing on that we'll lose our way in the other competitions," Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano said Thursday.
The Catalans have won four straight times against Atletico at the Camp Nou, where the Spanish capital club last triumphed five years ago.
Madrid reached its record 37th Copa final Wednesday with a win over Sevilla and Mourinho said restoring pride in that competition may have affected league ambitions.
"We've got to forget about the Copa, which has done us a lot of harm," the Portuguese coach said. "It cost us a lot to get to this final."
While Madrid is perfect at the Bernabeu, its recent performances have suggested the team may be tired from nine games played since Jan. 10. But Emmanuel Adebayor's first goal for the Spanish giant Wednesday showed Mourinho can look to the bench for added scoring power with Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Angel Di Maria looking off form of late.
Kaka has failed to impress since returning from injury, Argentina forward Di Maria looks fatigued and Ronaldo uncharacteristically hasn't scored for four games.
Madrid may also be without midfielder Sami Khedira, who left the Sevilla match with an apparent left leg injury.
Third-place Villarreal looks to maintain its best-ever season against Levante on Sunday as the "Yellow Submarine" sits only six points behind Madrid and four points ahead of fourth-place Valencia.
"We're winning and we need keep doing so," said Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi, who leads the team with 20 goals overall. "There's still a lot of league left and because of that nothing's been achieved. So to think we've already clinched our place in the Champions League is a mistake."
Brazil striker Nilmar could return after recovering from knee surgery that sidelined him in 2011.
In the rest of the 22nd round of games, it's: Athletic Bilbao vs. Sporting Gijon; Zaragoza vs. Racing Santander; Osasuna vs. Mallorca; Almeria vs. Espanyol; Getafe vs. Deportivo La Coruna; Sevilla vs. Malaga; and Valencia vs. Hercules.




 
Germany names squad for friendly against Italy


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Updated Feb 4, 2011 12:20 PM ET
BERLIN (AP)

Germany coach Joachim Loew left long-injured Michael Ballack out of his squad to face Italy next week in Dortmund.
The only newcomer in Germany's squad is 22-year-old midfielder Sven Bender, who will play alongside four of his teammates from Bundesliga leader Borussia Dortmund.
''Dortmund is playing excellent football,'' Loew said. ''Bender has impressed me deeply. He is outstanding in winning the ball.''
Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm will act as captain as Loew stuck with his previously announced decision to leave out Ballack.
Among the returning World Cup players are Mesut Oezil, Arne Friedrich and Miroslav Klose, and Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Loew said he was happy to see Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez find his form. The 25-year-old Gomez is currently the Bundesliga's joint top scorer with 15 goals.
Miroslav Klose retains his place up front, despite his limited playing time for Bayern this season.
''It remains the case that Miroslav always performed for us when it mattered,'' Loew said. ''I'm happy to have two central strikers.''
Germany hasn't beaten Italy in 16 years. In Wednesday's game, the two sides return to the Dortmund stadium where Italy beat Germany in the 2006 World Cup semifinals before winning the title.
''It's a very interesting game,'' the German coach said. ''The Italians play with intelligence and experience, and they have players who have already achieved an unbelievable amount.''
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Germany:
Goalkeepers: Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen), Manuel Neuer (Schalke)
Defenders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburger SV), Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Manchester City), Arne Friedrich (Wolfsburg), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Heiko Westermann (Hamburger SV)
Midfielders: Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund), Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Mesut Oezil (Real Madrid), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Christian Traesch (Stuttgart)
Forwards: Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Cologne)
 
Copa Libertadores Results


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Updated Feb 3, 2011 11:04 PM ET
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)

Results in Copa Libertadores qualifying matches:
Second LegThursdayBolivar (Bolivia) 0, Union Espanola (Chile) 0 (Union Espanola advances 1-0 on aggregate)
Deportivo Petare (Venezuela) 1, Cerro Porteno (Paraguay) 1 (Cerro Porteno advances 2-1 on aggregate)
WednesdayGremio (Brazil) 3, Liverpool (Uruguay) 1 (Gremio advances 5-3 on aggregate)
Tolima (Colombia) 2, Corinthians (Brazil) 0 (Tolima advances 2-0 on aggregate)
TuesdayJaguares (Mexico) 2, Alianza Lima (Peru) 0 (Jaguares advances 4-0 on aggregate)
Deportivo Quito (Ecuador) 1, Independiente (Argentina) 0 (Independiente advances 2-1 on aggregate)
 
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