..::Football II::..

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Referee scared of Real Madrid, blasts Terim

The veteran Galatasaray coach was furious with the official after his side's 3-0 Champions League first-leg loss against Real Madrid Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim has blasted the performance of referee Svein Oddvar Moen during his side's 3-0 quarterfinal defeat against Real Madrid on Wednesday, saying the Norwegian official was scared of los Blancos.

Madrid emerged victorious after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain, but the Gala boss believed his side should have been given two penalties, firstly when Sami Khedira appeared to handle the ball before the interval, and then when Burak Yilmaz was fouled in the second half.

And he questioned the referee's competency, telling reporters after the match: "The referee was scared of Real Madrid's name. He's not a referee for this level.

"If you can't see a penalty for handball, then he shouldn't be here. Everyone says penalty, but the referee - he says nothing. Real Madrid are the favorites for this tournament. It didn't happen for us. What can we do?

"Did he defeat us? No. He blew his whistle at some very interesting parts of the game. I haven't seen the penalty shouts, but everyone says it was a penalty.

"Real Madrid don't need referees, but when they don't see what is there, you don't get anywhere. He also gave lots of wrong decisions. However, referees aren’t the subject of the conversation."

Despite the three-goal deficit, Terim refused to rule his side out of the tie, but he admitted it would be a tough task.

"The goals we could have scored in the first half could have changed everything. We will work hard in the second game, but Madrid are better-placed to go through."

“I don't like talking about referees," he added. "I never talk about them. But, the referee was awful."

 

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Mourinho: We defended better than we attacked

The Portuguese suggested his side took Galatasaray more seriously than the Spanish media prior to the match, and insists the foul for Sergio Ramos' booking was not intentional Jose Mourinho has hailed the defensive qualities shown by his Real Madrid side after it cruised to a 3-0 win over Galatasaray in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain struck the goals to put los Blancos in complete control of the tie going into the second leg in Istanbul, but Mourinho reserved praise for his team's defensive efforts.

"I think we defended better than we attacked," he told Sky Sports after the match. "In attacking terms, we lost the last ball, the last pass. We had easy transitions, three against three, three against four, so we could have scored more goals. But I think from a defensive point of view, we had a very good analysis of the situation and the team played very well."

Mourinho then suggested that the Spanish media had played down the strength of their opponents in the build-up to the encounter, insisting his own team never allowed themselves such a mindset.

"We played seriously. The Spanish press were not quite so respectful to Galatasaray, but we were respectful to them," he went on. "We know that they are a great team with good strikers who are dangerous on every attack and we prepared very well from a defensive point of view.

"I know that if we score a goal [in Istanbul], they have to score five. The result is very good, but in football, I have seen so many incredible things that nothing can surprise me and Istanbul is a difficult place to play. They have players with a lot of experience, great character, great personality."

Sergio Ramos picked up a cheap yellow card for kicking the ball away in the closing minutes, ruling him out of the return leg but ensuring he is free to take part in the semifinals, but Mourinho dismissed the idea that the booking was part of his plans.

When asked if the yellow card was helpful to his side, he said: "Not much, because I lost Xabi Alonso and I was going to play Pepe in midfield in Istanbul, but when Sergio got a yellow card he left me with a problem to resolve."

The former Chelsea boss also revealed he spoke with Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder after the match.

"I was with him [Drogba] at the end of the match, and with Wesley. They are family. They weren't during the 90 minutes, but they are family," he added.

 

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Alonso delighted with Madrid victory

The 31-year-old midfielder tipped his hat to his teammates for defeating Galatasaray 3-0 in the Champions League, and goalscorer Karim Benzema also had words of praise Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has heaped praise on his team after their 3-0 victory over Galatasaray in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain have all but secured a place for los Blancos in the last four of the tournament for the third season running, and Alonso was left thoroughly satisfied with the triumph.

"This is a result we wanted, scoring goals and not conceding. It will be a great win if we do go through,” said the 31-year-old told reporters. “The strikers are always longing for a goal, it is great news that they all got off the mark today.”

However, Alonso stopped short of confirming his team’s progression into the last four, and warned that it still had to be professional during the second leg at the Ali Sami Yen in six days.“It is a great result, but a lot can happen in the remaining 90 minutes, and the other team will be competitive and come out with intensity.”

Goalscorer Benzema also echoed Alonso’s sentiments, highlighting his team’s hard work throughout the game as key to their victory.“We played a great game. It was not easy, but the only thing that mattered is we worked hard, and we will have to continue to work hard to keep advancing,” commented the France international.

“We all work well together and I’m always very happy when the team wins,” concluded Benzema.

Madrid will host Levante in the Primera Division on Saturday, before making the trip to Turkey to contest the second leg.

 

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'Everyone wants to be involved in derby games' - Sir Alex Ferguson

The Manchester United boss has conceded that he has a number of tough selection decisions to make ahead of his side's clash with Roberto Mancini's men at Old Trafford Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he faces a difficult task in selecting his team for Monday's Manchester derby.

The Red Devils go into the game 15 points clear of City at the summit of the Premier League, but will hope to underline their dominance with victory in front of an adoring Old Trafford crowd.

However, with his squad recently having played two games in three days off the back of an international week, Sir Alex says he will need to be careful with certain players.

"These are the games that everyone wants to be involved in, the derby games," Ferguson told Inside United. "Over the last few years the derby games have been far more important than they ever were, so we've all been looking forward to them. But we've had a heavy program leading up to the game so we just have to manage it.

"The form in the league has been very good. But the international break came at a difficult time for us, in terms of preparing for the following fixtures. We had the game on the Saturday against Sunderland and then the Cup replay against Chelsea on the Monday, after so many of the players had played two international games.

"And the caliber of player that we have means they always play for their international teams, that's for sure."

Wayne Rooney missed the clashes with Sunderland and Chelsea earlier this week after picking up an injury on England duty, but Sir Alex says the striker should be fit.

"I've no worries about Rooney because he's needing games, he's the kind of player who has to play all the time," he added.

"With Van Persie, we have to monitor it because we still don't know all about Robin, and the kind of seasons he's had. I don't think he had a season of such intensity during his time at Arsenal, so we'll have to look at that.

"Welbeck's looking strong as well, as is Chicharito."

 

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Benitez open to job with 'top side' in England after Chelsea exit

The interim Blues boss, who is expected to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, insisted he is not thinking about the summer and is focused on his job
Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez has suggested he would entertain offers from another "top side" in England at the end of the season.

The former Liverpool boss was appointed on an interim basis following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo but is expected to depart the club in the summer having failed to win over the club's supporters.

But the mixed nature of his reign in west London has not deterred Benitez from seeking another high-profile job in England.

"I like to win and challenge for trophies," he told reporters. "I like to stay in a top side. Why not in England?"

The Spaniard would not, however, be drawn on whether or not he would still be in charge when Chelsea faces Manchester City on May 25 in the USA, preferring instead to focus on Thursday's Europa League clash with Rubin Kazan.

He continued: "I have a contract, I am really pleased with the contract. I will try and concentrate on Rubin Kazan and not think about the summer."

The Blues remain on course for an FA Cup and Europa League double, but are engaged in a hard-fought battle for Champions League qualification.

 

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Rodgers: Reina is staying at Liverpool

Arsenal and Barcelona have been touted as possible destinations for the Spanish goalkeeper in the summer, but the Reds boss is confident the 30-year-old will remain at Anfield.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has rubbished speculation linking Pepe Reina with a move away from Anfield and insists the goalkeeper is part of his long-term vision for the club.

The Spanish goalkeeper's form this term has fallen well below the high standards set in previous seasons although it has done little to deter talk of a summer switch away from the Merseyside club with Arsenal and Barcelona both reportedly interested.

However, Rodgers has moved to quell rumors of Reina's exit and maintains that the 30-year-old will remain an integral part of his squad for some time yet.

"He's never been unsettled and our relationship is very strong," Rodgers told the Guardian. "I have given him and a few of the senior boys real responsibility and I think they have enjoyed that. I see him as someone who is going to be here [next season].

"He is 30 years of age and is someone who looks after his body. The sports science team this year have worked really well with him. I think he's been outstanding and had great focus and hopefully that will continue for us."

Reina’s father, Miguel, revealed that the Reds’ shot-stopper could return to former club Barcelona to replace Victor Valdes, but Rodgers has dismissed the links as pure speculation and is adamant that Reina is committed to Liverpool.

"Pepe and I speak a lot. He's a good man and I've got real respect for him as a player and as a human being," the Northern Irishman added. "He understands everything we are trying to do here and is a great voice in the little debriefing meetings we have with the group and with the defenders and other goalkeepers. He's brilliant.

"And on a personal level we'll sit and have a cup of tea in the office and we'll chat about where he's at with his game and how he can improve. I think a lot of the stuff this year has been based on speculation with [Victor] Valdés going, or possibly going, there have been links they [Barcelona] will be in for another keeper. His dad has said some things and whatever."

 

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UEFA Europa League 2013.04.04 Quarter-Finals 1st Leg Fixtures

UEFA Europa League 2013.04.04 Quarter-Finals 1st Leg Fixtures

Chelsea Vs Rubin

Tottenham Vs Basel

Fenerbhce Vs Lazio

Benfica Vs Newcastle

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Malaga 0-0 Borussia Dortmund: Gotze guilty as visitors rue missed chances

 

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Real Madrid 3-0 Galatasaray: Attacking trio leave semis in sight for Mourinho

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UEFA Europa League 2013.04.04 Quarter-Finals 1st Leg Fixtures

Chelsea Vs Rubin

Tottenham Vs Basel

Fenerbhce Vs Lazio

Benfica Vs Newcastle

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[panchaz]

 

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Benfica 3-1 Newcastle: Cisse strike offers Pardew’s men slim hope

Benfica will take a 3-1 lead into the second leg of the Europa League quarterfinal with Newcastle next week after producing an impressive performance at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon.

The visitors took the lead through Papiss Cisse, but were then pegged back by a Benfica side brimming with creativity. Goals from Lima and Oscar Cardozo after the break sealed the win after Rodrigo had cancelled out Cisse's effort before halftime.

Newcastle made a positive start to the game as Cisse twice got in behind the Benfica defense, but on both occasions the Senegalese forward was thwarted by some instinctive defensive play from the home team's goalkeeper, Artur.

Pardew's side took a deserved lead in the 13th minute when Cisse made amends for his earlier missed chances by connecting well with Moussa Sissoko's sumptuous cross from the right to hammer the ball into the net.

And Newcastle then came close to adding a second when Artur adjusted his body brilliantly to tip a deflected effort from Cisse on to the post.

That Cisse chance seemed to spur Benfica into action, as it quickly equalized through Rodrigo. The Spaniard reacted quickest when Tim Krul parried Oscar Cardozo's dangerous shot, and poked the ball under the Newcastle goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

Jorge Jesus' side grew in confidence as the half wore on and were it not for a handful of great saves from Krul, could easily have gone in ahead at the interval. The Dutchman made fine stops from Nicolas Gaitan, Cardozo and Rodrigo before the end of the half.

Rodrigo in particular was proving a mischief for the home side, as he flittered between Newcastle’s midfield and defense to initiate a number of his team’s most dangerous moves.

Newcastle started the second half in a similar vein to that of the first, as Cisse raced onto a tempting through ball from Sylvain Marveaux and lifted a delicate chip over Artur that flicked agonizingly off the post and away from danger.

The Eagles began to push forward as they sensed Newcastle tiring, and they went ahead in the 65th minute after a terrible back pass from Davide Santon. The Italian's wayward pass went straight to Lima, and the Benfica substitute took the chance brilliantly by gliding past Krul and sweeping a shot into the net from a tight angle.

Within minutes the home side had made it 3-1 after it was awarded a penalty following a handball from Steven Taylor. Despite being made to take the spot kick twice by the referee, Cardozo showed great nerve to hammer the ball past Krul on both occasions.

Benfica looked the more likely to score in the closing stages of the game, as Newcastle struggled to create chances.

The result leaves Pardew's side with a big task on its hands when it welcomes the Portuguese giants to St James' Park for the return leg on April 11.

 

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Chelsea 3-1 Rubin Kazan: Torres double has Blues within touching distance of last four

Chelsea produced an efficient display to comfortably beat Rubin Kazan 3-1 in the Europa League quarterfinal first leg at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening, courtesy of two goals from Fernando Torres.

The hosts took the lead early on after Torres poked home from inside the area after collecting a superb pass from David Luiz, and they had a second before the break after Victor Moses smashed a fantastic hit on the half-volley right into the top corner.

However, the visitors pulled one back after Terry was adjudged to have blocked a Christian Ansaldi shot with his arm, leaving Natcho to dispatch the penalty, before Torres managed to grab his second of the evening and Chelsea's third after climbing highest in the box to nod home Juan Mata's accurate delivery from the left.

Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez made six changes from the side that beat Manchester United in the FA Cup clash on Monday, with Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, John Mikel Obi, Oscar, Eden Hazard and Demba Ba making way for Torres, Terry, Frank Lampard, Ryan Bertand, Torres and Moses while Yossi Benayoun was handed a rare start.

After a slow start from both sides, Torres handed the hosts the lead in the 16th minute after bundling home inside the six yard box after latching on to a magnificent long pass from Luiz.

Following a flowing move which saw Sergei Ryzhikov tip away a Torres header, Chelsea kept the move alive with Benayoun working the ball inside the box to Moses, who let fly with a vicious strike into the top corner in the 32nd minute to double the Blues' advantage.

The visitors managed to pull a goal back before the break, though, when a Ansaldi strike hit Terry's arm inside the box in the 41st minute. Natcho stepped up to send Petr Cech the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Chelsea started the second half in the ascendancy again, though, with only a wonderful save from Ryzhikov keeping the scores the same as he got down low to tip away a fizzing Mata strike.

With the Russian outfit offering little to no threat going forward, Chelsea extended its lead in the 70th minute with Torres grabbing his second of the evening, after he powerfully headed home Mata's excellent delivery from the left in the 70th minute.

Despite a number of efforts from distance, Chelsea was unable to add a fourth and any extra gloss to what represented a surprisingly serene evening against a more-than-accomodating opponent.

 

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Tottenham 2-2 Basel: Bale injury sours Spurs comeback

Tottenham overturned a two-goal deficit to rescue a 2-2 draw from the first leg of its Europa League quarterfinal tie against Basel but lost Gareth Bale to a nasty ankle injury at White Hart Lane.

The Welshman was stretchered off in the final minutes after Valentin Stocker and Fabian Frei had sent the Swiss side into a shock first-half lead before Emmanuel Adebayor initiated the comeback by striking shortly before the break.

Gylfi Sigurdsson's deflected effort brought the home team level but Basel will welcome its English counterparts to St Jakob Park with the tie level and two away goals to their name.

Spurs were missing Jermain Defoe due to a muscle injury so Adebayor started in attack alongside Bale. Brad Friedel, meanwhile, got the nod in goal after Hugo Lloris picked up a knee injury on international duty, although the Frenchman was on the bench.

Marco Streller led the line for Basel, with Mohamed Salah and Stocker offering support from either wing. Murat Yakin's team, then under the management of Heiko Vogel, will be most known to English fans for knocking Manchester United out of the Champions League last season.

They have since lost impressive youngster Xherdan Shaqiri to Bayern Munich but knocked out Zenit St Petersburg in the last round of the competition. Spurs, if they were not already, were quickly made aware of the threat posed by their opponents when Streller tested Friedel before Markus Steinhofer volleyed over the bar.

Bale and Kyle Naughton went close as Spurs belatedly woke from their slumber but Basel's significant threat on the break remained and Andre Villas-Boas' side could have few complaints when Stocker converted into an open goal after Streller had turned to receive Salah's cross and hit the post.

Soon after, the hosts were left to pick up the pieces of their promising Europa League campaign when Frei headed home at the back post following Jan Vertonghen's inadvertent flick-on from a corner.

Friedel may be disappointed not to have saved the midfielder's header and Stocker took advantage of more shambolic Tottenham defending when he ran past Vertonghen and Naughton only to chip narrowly wide of goal.

Despite losing Aaron Lennon to injury, Spurs finally mustered a response as the half drew to a close. Bale's cross from the right squirmed through to Scott Parker at the back post and his volley back across goal was smashed into the roof of the net by Adebayor.

Parker should have leveled the tie when Lewis Holtby was denied following a brilliant through ball by substitute Sigurdsson but the former Chelsea man inexplicably shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Naughton, though defensively suspect at times, was proving a active in attack and forced Sommer into a flying save with a volley 10 minutes after the break. The goalkeeper could do nothing, though, when Sigurdsson stepped inside from the left flank and took aim from 25 yards only to see his attempt deflect off Fabian Schar and loop into the top corner.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto was withdrawn for Michael Dawson, with Vertonghen moving to left back, but that did not immediately quiet the excellent Salah on the Basel right. The Egyptian sped through on goal immediately after Sigurdsson's leveller but could not keep his left-footed shot down.

And Basel, undeterred by the Spurs comeback, finished the game in the ascendancy. Salah and Steinhofer continued to combine to great effect and substitute Jacques Zoua should have converted the latter's cut-back. On this evidence, a real challenge awaits Spurs in Switzerland, and they may face it without Bale after their star was hauled off in some pain.

 

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Fenerbahce 2-0 Lazio: Webo and Kuyt put Turks in charge

Fenerbahce took a significant step towards the Europa League semifinals after recording a 2-0 first-leg victory over Lazio in the last eight on Thursday.

A pair of late strikes from Pierre Webo - who netted a penalty - and Dirk Kuyt put the Turkish giants in the driving seat ahead of next week's return fixture, which will be played behind closed doors at the Olimpico.

Despite playing on away soil, the visitors appeared to look most at home in the opening stages as they took the fiery atmosphere of the Sukru Saracoglu well within their stride.

Their midfield trio of Hernanes, Ederson, and most notably Antonio Candreva did their best to drive Lazio forward, and a succession of early warning shots rained in on Volkan Demirel.

But it was Fenerbahce which came closest to breaking the deadlock when Senad Lulic's poor clearance fell to Moussa Sow, but the Senegalese forward's effort was denied by the post.

The second half sprung into life with Ogenyi Onazi's red card for a second bookable offense. The Nigerian midfielder's lunge into the back of Cristian was excessive in the eyes of the referee.

The Biancocelesti were then fortunate moments later as Raul Meireles, on the edge of the box, bent an effort towards goal which beat Federico Marchetti but deflected off the post.

And the ex-Cagliari goalkeeper was forced to stay on his toes as Meireles hit another attempt from distance before Sow and Webo began to infiltrate the Italians' box.

Nonetheless, Lazio was still in with a fighting chance after it showed great determination to continue plugging away in Istanbul, and Miroslav Klose's introduction further underlined its intent.

But, to the Romans' chagrin, it was not to be as Stefan Radu controlled Caner Erkin's header with his hand, allowing Webo to send Marchetti the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Lazio's European fate then took a subsequent blow in the first minute of injury time as Erkin's vicious free kick stung the palms of Marchetti, leaving Kuyt to decisively sweep up the remains.

 

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Guardiola's first Bayern game announced

The former Barcelona manager will take charge of the Bundesliga powerhouse for the first time in a friendly against Hansa Rostock in July.Pep Guardiola will make his long-awaited coaching comeback in a friendly match between his Bayern Munich side and Hansa Rostock on July 14.

The 42-year-old took a one-year sabbatical after leaving Barcelona at the end of the 2011-12 campaign, but the Bavarians announced in January that he would replace Jupp Heynckes at the season's end.

And his first game in charge of his new team will be against the cash-strapped 3. Liga side, who are seeking to make up a deficit of about 6.6 million euros.

"The willingness of this world-famous club to support us is phenomenal. Bayern Munich have managed to stay a family club with a heart despite their size," Hansa CEO Michael Dahlmann told the club's official website. "We take our hats off to them and sincerely thank them for their help."

Guardiola's first appearance in the Allianz Arena dugout will be against Barcelona 10 days later in a friendly for charity.

 

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Sir Alex Ferguson backs Van Persie to end goal drought

The Manchester United boss says it is normal for strikers to have lean periods in front of goal and is disappointed that the Dutchman was not awarded the winner against Sunderland Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed concerns over Robin van Persie's current goal drought in the Premier League.

The Dutchman has netted 19 league goals in his debut season for the Red Devils, but he has not scored since tallying against Everton at Old Trafford on Feb. 10. Ferugson believes droughts are simply a reality for all forwards, though, and expressed disappointment that the 30-year-old was not awarded the winning strike in the 1-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

"The goals will come. All strikers have little dry spells - you always hope it ends quickly. It's just part of being a striker," Ferguson told reporters. "It's disappointing he wasn't awarded the goal at Sunderland - I can understand that because it took a wicked deflection. His shot was fantastic - it was hit with such venom that it's not surprising it took a deflection."

Ferguson went on to reflect on his own time as a player in Scotland, citing self belief as the key element for a forward to get back on the scoresheet after a dry spell.

"I didn't have dry spells [as a striker]!" Ferguson joked. "I remember I had a spell at the start of one season when I had a little knee injury and didn't score until October, and I still ended up with 30-odd goals!

"You have to get through that period and not lose your faith and belief in yourself. My dad always used to say make sure you batter the ball when you're in there, don't tap it or try and sidefoot the ball in the net, batter it!

"That's what I always tell strikers - when you get in the position make sure you hit it. If the goalkeeper saves it, you can say 'what a great save'. But if you try to sidefoot it in and the keeper just catches it easily, you'll get criticized for that.

"It's just being sensible and realistic. Robin's shot last week could have come off any defender, because it was hit so well and that's the right thing to do."

 

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Common RVP!

 

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Inter faces Palacio injury blow

The Serie A side is set to be without its striker for three weeks after he suffered a muscle strain against Sampdoria on Wednesday.Inter is set to be without Rodrigo Palacio for at least three weeks after the striker suffered a strained muscle in his left leg.

The Argentine picked up the injury during the side's 2-0 victory over Sampdoria, and the 31-year-old will now be monitored to determine the extent of the strain.

"We have yet to see if the stretch is of first or second degree," Inter doctor Piero Volpi told SkySport24. "In the first case he will be out for 20 days, in the second about 40 [days]. But with a little luck he could take the field against Roma [on April 17], and maybe heal in eight to 10 days."

However, a statement on the club website later added that the strain would likely require longer period of rehabilitation.

"Tests were carried out on the attacker Rodrigo Palacio which showed a lesion miotendinea second degree on his left hamstring," it stated.

"Recovery times from the injury will be evaluated in the coming days."

 

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Victor Valdes hints at interest in joining the Premier League

The Blaugrana's goalkeeper is set to leave the Liga side at the end of the season and has seemed to suggest England as a possible destination.Barcelona's Victor Valdes has hinted that he would consider a move to the Premier League after his departure from Camp Nou.

The 31-year-old is expected to leave Barca in the summer and a host of clubs are thought to be interested in the shot-stopper's services, including Arsenal.

The Spaniard praised the Premier League and spoke of his admiration for the supporters and the atmosphere at games in England.

"I like the Premier League, of course," he told FourFourTwo. "I like the respect of the crowd towards footballers in England. It’s a different way of living football. They clap a simple tackle in England. We’re not used to that. I like it."

Valdes, who has made over 350 appearances for the Camp Nou side, admitted he has enjoyed his career to date with Barca but now wants a fresh experience.

"I’ve had great times here, I love it at Barcelona," he continued. "I will always come back here, but I have this wonderful job which allows me to travel. And I want to travel.

"I want to try new cultures, new football, new challenges," he added.