Only a win will do for Barcelona when they host AC Milan at the Camp Nou in their Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday. The holders looked lethargic in the sides’ goalless draw at the San Siro a week ago and while Lionel Messi and co could not manoeuvre their way around Milan’s miserly defence, many at the club blamed a pitch described as… Read more

Antonio Valencia has dedicated his goal in Manchester United’s 2-0 win against Blackburn to former coach Dragan Miranovic. Serbian Miranovic, who died two weeks ago, coached mainly in Ecuador but also worked at various clubs all over the world. Miranovic, who died of a heart attack, gave Valencia his big break during the winger’s time at Ecuadorian club El Nacional at the start of his… Read more

Lionel Messi’s feat of becoming Barcelona’s all- time top goalscorer is set to be honored in the buildup to the Catalan club’s clash with Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou on Saturday. The Argentina international broke the longstanding record of 232 strikes for the Blaugrana by scoring a hat-trick against Granada earlier this month. The previous holder of the landmark, Cesar Rodriguez, played for the Spanish… Read more

Mario Balotelli cannot be trusted in Manchester City’s crucial title run-in, admitted manager Roberto Mancini. The Italian boss, who lost top scorer Sergio Aguero to an Achilles injury this week, is facing a striker crisis with Edin Dzeko only hitting the net twice in his last 17 games while Carlos Tevez is returning to match fitness after a three-month absence in Argentina. And the burden… Read more

Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal fans not to compare him to former club captain and fellow Spaniard Cesc Fabregas. Arteta arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Everton in August 2011, following the sale of Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri to Manchester City. The former Rangers and Real Sociedad player has made 34 appearances in all competitions during his first season at Arsenal, scoring five… Read more

AC Milan are at home to Roma in the first Serie A match of the round this week, while Juventus await the visit of Inter on Sunday. League leaders Milan sit four points clear of Juve at the top of the standings, and have a chance to extend their advantage when Luis Enrique brings his Roma team to San Siro. Roma are sixth on the… Read more

Andres Iniesta has reached Emilio Butragueno’s record of featuring in 50 unbeaten La Liga matches consecutively after Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Sevilla on Saturday. The attacking midfielder has now tasted victory in 42 of the past 50 matches in the Primera Division in which he has featured, with the remaining eight ending in draws. His last defeat came at the start of last season, where… Read more