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Rutashubanyuma · Feb 14, 2011

Valencia readies for Raul's return with Schalke

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Updated Feb 14, 2011 7:10 AM ET
Raul Gonzalez will return to Spain for the first time since his move from Real Madrid when Schalke plays Valencia on Tuesday in the Champions League.
The former Spain striker helped Madrid win 15 trophies over 18 seasons before moving to the Bundesliga. Raul has scored 12 goals in 28 appearances for Schalke in his

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first season abroad. "I think we have a very good chance of reaching the quarterfinals," said Raul, who has scored 13 goals in 25 games against Valencia, including a Champions League final triumph in 2000. "We've shown in the group stage what we are capable of."
While Schalke has never lost at the Mestalla Stadium, Valencia comes into the match in excellent form. The Spanish club has won six of seven matches for its best start to a calendar year since 1949-50. A 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid on Saturday moved it into third place in the league.
Valencia's offense is hoping to get an extra boost and have forward Juanma Mata back in the lineup after the Spain international missed several weeks because of an ankle injury.
"We are focused 100 percent on Schalke," Valencia coach Unai Emery said. "We have had a lot of people analyzing Schalke, and we want to transmit this excitement, this passion for the game on Tuesday so that we all can enjoy it. We will work hard so that our fans can see their team play well and that we have more options of continuing on in the competition."
Valencia is returning to the knockout round for the first time in four years while Schalke is back after three seasons. Both clubs went on to reach the quarterfinals that last time.
Schalke managed draws in its previous two games at the Mestalla, while the clubs split the two games played in Germany. Valencia hasn't beaten a German opponent on home soil since a 3-0 win over Bayern Munich in 1996.
"We are optimistic," Schalke coach Felix Magath said. "We are going to try to score the away goal that would help us."
While Mata could return, midfielder David Albelda will miss the first leg due to suspension. Brazilian striker Jonas is available after arriving in the January transfer window from Gremio. Valencia striker Roberto Soldado trails only Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Mario Gomez with five goals scored in Europe's top-tier competition.
Schalke is coming off its fifth win in eight games - a 1-0 win over Freiburg - to reach 10th in the Bundesliga after it spent much of the first half of the season flirting with the drop places.
Raul, who scored 323 goals in 741 appearances for Madrid, will move ahead of AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi as UEFA's all-time leading goalscorer with his next goal. The pair are tied with 70 goals each.
Raul is not the only one making his return to Spain. Former Madrid teammate Christoph Metzelder is also coming back and Jose Manuel Jurado is returning after joining Schalke from Atletico Madrid.

Rutashubanyuma · Feb 14, 2011

Bale's struggling, admits Redknapp

Updated Feb 13, 2011 6:03 PM ET
Harry Redknapp has confirmed Gareth Bale's back injury will almost certainly keep him out of Tuesday's Champions League tie with AC Milan.
The 21-year-old winger has had a sparkling first half to the season - highlighted by a brilliant hat-trick in Tottenham's 4-3 group-stage defeat to Inter Milan on their first trip to the San Siro - but is struggling for Tuesday's clash with a back injury.
Asked whether Bale would feature against the Serie A leaders, Redknapp told Sky Sports News: "No. He's struggling, to be truthful.

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"I'd like to be able to scare Milan a bit and say he's going to be available but he's struggling to get over this back injury.
"The specialists don't see too much of a problem that should keep him out too long.
"(But) we're going to make sure he's right. He's a young lad and got a great future in front of him.
"We couldn't take a chance. He doesn't feel he's ready to play. We'll leave it to him.
"He came up yesterday when we were at Sunderland and worked with the fitness coaches. When they started to push him a bit he couldn't go on and didn't feel right so they had to go back a few steps and start again."
Croatia playmaker Luka Modric also looks set to miss out, having undergone an operation to remove his appendix only 12 days ago.
"He trained this morning and felt a bit better again but to push him back into it would be difficult," Redknapp said. "He's not quite up to speed yet."
There was better news regarding Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who has been struggling with a calf strain, but still a big question mark over England striker Peter Crouch.
"[Van der Vaart] should be fit," said Redknapp. "Crouch is touch and go. His back's a bit of a problem - we're not sure he's going to be fit."
Redknapp also confirmed that Sandro and Wilson Palacios would form his central midfield partnership, with Tom Huddlestone injured and Jermaine Jenas suspended.
"[Sandro] will be playing, for sure, because I've only got two central midfielders," he said. "We've got to wrap them in cotton wool and they'll be playing."
Another midfielder definitely available and in contention will be Modric's international team-mate Niko Kranjcar.
The 26-year-old, who might have left White Hart Lane last month, produced a stunning finish to see off Sunderland on Wearside a week after accounting for Bolton in similar fashion to make light of Bale's continued absence.

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With Kranjcar having responded superbly to his chance, Redknapp admitted he might have included him even if Bale was fit.
He said: "I could always stick Niko somewhere else if Gareth was fit because Niko deserves his place in the team.
"He's a top player. He spends time after training every day.
"Every day, he is on the training ground after he finishes doing a half-hour's practice.
"His dad was a top player - his dad is now the manager of Montenegro. He has been brought up with the game.
"He practises, so it is not coincidence that he can strike a ball. His technique is great."
Kranjcar's decisive intervention at the Stadium of Light came 12 minutes after the break as his side recovered from an ordinary opening 45 minutes to assume control.
Asamoah Gyan had given the home side an 11th-minute lead with his 10th goal of the season, although Redknapp was less than impressed with the fact that central defender William Gallas was off the pitch at the time changing his boots.
Redknapp was delighted at the resilience his side showed to fight back from a losing position once again.
He said: "We have done it more than anybody in the league, I would think, this year. We have come from behind so many times.
"We go behind and we keep going, and that's what you have to do.
"But I would rather not go behind. I would rather get in front to start with.
"I just felt if we could get a goal back, we had a good chance. We came in at 1-1 and I fancied us to win at half-time. I thought we could go on and win it."
Redknapp headed south ready to start his preparations for a big night in Italy and already looking forward to the game.
He said: "We have been in great form. They [AC Milan] had a big win - they beat Parma 4-0.
"Tim Sherwood went over with Les Ferdinand for me and I will speak to them on the way home and tomorrow and get a report on what they saw.
"I went last week and watched them and they are a dangerous side. They have got some real quality players.
"The front three have all got goals in them - Robinho, [Alexandre] Pato, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic - they are top-class players.
"It will be a big test, but I think we have got a big chance. I think we have got a real chance and I am looking forward to it."

Rutashubanyuma · Feb 14, 2011

Harry: Champions League for me

Updated Feb 12, 2011 7:51 AM ET
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits the prospect of playing in next year's Europa League fills him with dread.
Spurs have spent most of the season either in or around the four Champions League qualifying places.

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The north London side beat Bolton with an injury-time goal last week to move level with fourth-placed Chelsea.
An impressive debut season in the Champions League has seen Tottenham beat Inter Milan, FC Twente and Werder Bremen on the way to securing qualification to a last-16 glamour tie against AC Milan.
With Manchester City and Liverpool having to endure tough trips to the far reaches of the continent this season, Redknapp admits anything other than qualifying for Europe's premier club competition next season would be a massive disappointment.
"I think everyone that gets in it (the Europa League) wants to be out of it. They put reserve teams out every game," Redknapp said.
"We want Champions League football again next year - it has been enjoyable and we want it."
With only 13 games remaining, Redknapp knows his side are now entering a make-or-break period in their push for qualification.
"The league is all important. That is our bread and butter and we want to do our best," Redknapp said.
"It will be difficult to get into the top four.
"Liverpool are coming into it now so don't write them off. They have some good players and are a good side.
"The manager has them playing and they will be close. Manchester United, Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal - you have to finish above one of them.
"It won't be easy but we have a chance. We have to keep winning, we can't afford to slip up."

Rutashubanyuma · Feb 14, 2011

Milito facing injury lay-off

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Updated Feb 8, 2011 10:28 AM ET
Inter Milan striker Diego Milito is set to miss the Champions League last-16 clash against Bayern Munich on February 23 through injury.
The Argentina international suffered a hamstring problem during Sunday's 5-3 triumph over Roma and could be out of action for a month.

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A statement from Inter read: "Milito underwent tests which have revealed a second-degree hamstring strain in his left leg."
After an extremely successful 2009-10 campaign, in which Milito helped the Italian giants to the treble by scoring both goals in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, the 31-year-old has had a nightmare with injuries this season.
Milito could miss up to six Serie A games, starting with Sunday's clash at Juventus, but Inter coach Leonardo has urged the striker not to rush his return.
"Diego has to be calm and not think about what has happened," he said. "He does not need to prove anything to anyone and he knows he is an important player to Inter.
"He needs to relax and recover in the best possible way."
Milito has scored five goals in 16 league appearances for Inter this season.

Rutashubanyuma · Feb 14, 2011

Nasri to sit out Barca visit

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Updated Feb 2, 2011 11:20 AM ET
Samir Nasri is out the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League tie against Barcelona, while Alex Song and Theo Walcott have picked up knocks.

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Defensive midfielder Song is struggling with a leg problem having been inadvertently kicked by team-mate Laurent Koscielny during the Gunners' 2-1 win over Everton at Emirates Stadium and replaced by Abou Diaby.
Young winger Walcott, meanwhile, completed the full 90 minutes but was left nursing an ankle problem after the final whistle.
The absence of in-form Nasri is the Gunners' biggest blow, however, with Arsene Wenger confirming the Frenchman will be out for three weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury against Huddersfield on Sunday. Barcelona arrive at Emirates Stadium in a fortnight.
Wenger told the club's official website: "For Nasri, the scan shows a hamstring strain. (He will be out for) 21 days."
The Gunners boss added: "Song cannot walk. I don't know what he has got.
"He was kicked, I think it was by Koscielny, he knocks out everybody in our team!
"So we have to see how he responds to that in the next days, but he cannot walk at the moment."

Rutashubanyuma · Feb 14, 2011

Modric injury blow for Spurs

Updated Feb 2, 2011 6:52 AM ET
Influential Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric will be out for around two weeks after having his appendix removed.
The club confirmed on Wednesday that the Croatia international underwent surgery on Tuesday night, meaning he could now miss the Champions League last-16 first leg at AC Milan on February 15.

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He will also sit out Wednesday night's Premier League game at Blackburn and will be unavailable for Saturday's home clash with Bolton and the following weekend's trip to Sunderland.
Tottenham said in a statement: "Luka Modric has undergone surgery to remove his appendix.
"The Croatia midfielder was diagnosed with acute appendicitis after contacting our medical staff complaining of abdominal discomfort.
"He is likely to be sidelined for around two weeks."
The 25-year-old has been in sparkling form for Spurs for the past few months and his loss is a huge blow for manager Harry Redknapp, who is already without key midfielders Gareth Bale (back) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle).
Redknapp has even bigger problems in defence, with Younes Kaboul yesterday undergoing surgery on a knee injury and captain Ledley King also set to go under the knife.
Michael Dawson is suspended and William Gallas is struggling with a hip injury for the game at Ewood Park, meaning Jonathan Woodgate could make his first appearance for 14 months.

Rutashubanyuma · Feb 14, 2011

Scottish Premier League Roundup, Feb. 13

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Updated Feb 13, 2011 10:19 AM ET
Celtic moved five points clear of Glasgow rival Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a 3-1 victory at Dundee United on Sunday.

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Celtic went into halftime at Tannadice with a 2-0 lead thanks to deflected efforts by top scorer Anthony Stokes and Mark Wilson.
The hosts, who came into the match boasting an 11-game unbeaten run, halved the deficit in the 64th minute when David Goodwillie crashed home a close-range finish.
But Celtic wrapped up the win when Daniel Majstorovic headed in from an inswinging free kick, extending its run to 16 matches without defeat.
Second-place Rangers, which beat Motherwell 6-0 on Saturday, has two games in hand over its cross-city rival.

Rutashubanyuma · Feb 14, 2011

Scottish Premier League Roundup, Feb. 12

Updated Feb 12, 2011 3:27 PM ET
Rangers thrashed Motherwell 6-0 at Ibrox on Saturday to close the gap on SPL leaders Celtic to two points, while Hearts and Hibernian also won.
Nikica Jelavic grabbed a hat-trick and David Healy netted a debut goal as Rangers ran riot at Ibrox.

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