FANS TALK DAILY FOOTBALL NEWS

ENGLAND

Barcelona make contract offer to Arsenal's Henry
Glazers hand Man Utd boss Ferguson £50M transfer kitty
Arsenal to offer £6M for Ajax's Babel
Man Utd seek to trump Chelsea for Sidwell
Arsenal's Gilberto tempted by Juventus offer
Sampdoria's Quagliarella: Man Utd want me
Liverpool linked with Reggina's Mesto
Birmingham move for Middlesbrough captain Boateng
Ranieri, Gullit, Puel linked with Fulham post
Takeover bid launched for Charlton
Arsenal continue Adebayor contract talks
Jol: Berbatov happy at Spurs
Villa boss warns England off Agbonlahor
Arsenal to thrash out deal for Bolton kid Bartley
Marseille, CSKA Moscow move for Leeds striker Healy
Arsenal to listen to offers for Senderos, Flamini
Roeder sends best wishes to Newcastle fans
Stoichkov: English football too good this season
Zaragoza step up bid for Everton's Arteta
Spurs, Fulham linked with Messina defender Zoro
Agent: Man Utd would love AC Milan's Gattuso
Everton, Spurs want Caracciolo - agent


SPAIN

Beckham: Unity key to Real Madrid success
Barcelona's Giuly keen on Juventus move
Agent reveals Real Madrid, Atletico battle for Belluschi
Morientes fears Valencia will lose Silva
Iniesta: Barcelona would've exploded with Capello in charge
Real Madrid tracking Porto's Anderson
Ajax confirm rejecting Valencia offer for Sneijder
Barcelona's Saviola reveals Juventus, Real Madrid offers
Lyon's Tiago in Barcelona sights
Espanyol secure Juanma, Bessone to new contracts


ITALY

Juventus have struck personal terms with Real Zaragoza defender Gaby Milito.
Secco: Juventus need Werder Bremen's Frings
Juventus chief Secco admits following Stuttgart's Gomez
Roma keen on Palermo keeper Fontana
Lazio president Lotito hints at big-name signing
Rimini coach Acori in Livorno sights
Roma decide against Wilhelmsson deal
Reggina eyeing Torino striker Stellone
Rocchi wants Lazio stay
Empoli president invites Almiron offers
Ruggeri: Vieri will make final decision on Atalanta future
Agent admits Fiorentina keen on Udinese's Zapata
Del Neri gets Chievo vote of confidence
Atalanta president confident keeping Colantuono
Agent expects Livorno exit for Lucarelli
Gattuso staying with AC Milan
Caracciolo leaving Palermo - agent
Galliani confirms coaching job for AC Milan's Costacurta
Italian clubs queue for Valencia's Tavano
Lecce's Valdes reveals Lazio interest
Foschi urges Palermo to get Euro points
Cairo: De Biasi will get deal if Torino beat drop


FRANCE

Franck Ribery claims he would be interested in a move to Man Utd, Arsenal or Chelsea.
PSG's Youssouf Mulumbu claims that Man Utd have been in contact with him.
Tottenham have reportedly begun talks with Auxerre over Younes Kaboul.
Jean-Michel Aulas is keen to keep coach Remi Garde out of the clutches of Arsenal.
Christian Wilhelmsson is desperate to extend his stay at Roma.


GERMANY

Schalke have handed promising defender Sebastian Boenisch a new two-year deal.
Stuttgart have confirmed the signing of Hansa Rostock defender Gledson.


HOLLAND

FC Twente midfielder Kennedy Bakircioglu looks poised to join Ajax.
Erik Nevland is excited about the proposed link-up between Groningen and Chelsea.
Reports in the press claim Sevilla are interested in signing Ajax winger Tom De Mul.


SCOTLAND

Neil Lennon has told Sky Sports News he was determined to leave Celtic on a high.
Kilmarnock striker David Fernandez will undergo an operation on his knee this week.
Andrea Caracciolo's agent claims Everton, Tottenham and Rangers are all interested.
Jimmy Calderwood has criticised Hearts for appealing against Laryea Kingston's ban.
Rangers No2 McCoist "embarrassed" about second-place.
Strachan targets "three great signings" for Celtic

FANS TALK FOOTBALL HEADLINES

ENGLAND

Man Utd boss Ferguson plans three big signings
Ferguson slams Man City fullback Ball
Charlton relegated after Spurs defeat
Pearson to take charge at Newcastle
Arsenal win FA Women's Cup final
Coventry No2 Flowers denies Dowie quit reports
Wigan boss Jewell blasts Liverpool selection
Man City won't stop Dabo going to courts
Anderton signs new Bournemouth deal
Preston's Nugent won't go cheaply
Wenger: Emirates move hurt Arsenal season
Dudek prepares for emotional Liverpool exit
Blackburn's Roberts delighted with Benni partnership
AC Milan rival Liverpool, Arsenal for Eto'o
Lyon president admits interest for Man Utd striker Saha
Lyon battle Arsenal to keep Garde
Liverpool to offer Cisse for Benfica's Simao
Barcelona concern as Chelsea make Dos Santos contact
Galliani: AC Milan waiting for Chelsea's Shevchenko
Man Utd eyeing Bordeaux's want-away Faubert
"Man Utd fan" Beckham delighted for Ferguson
Man City boss Pearce admits Corradi hasn't worked
Man City keeper Schmeichel hopes for Falkirk stay
Sevilla coach Ramos rivals Allardyce for Newcastle job
West Ham chairman blasts back at relegation rivals
Roeder walks away from Newcastle with cool £1M
Birmingham move for Man Utd keeper Foster
Sheffield Utd to bid for Leeds striker Healy
Liverpool, Everton to trump Chelsea for Gosling
Reina demands new £8M Liverpool deal
Chelsea ponder move for Bayern Munich striker Pizarro
Wolves rival Middlesbrough for Arsenal's Aliadiere
Juventus to trump Inter Milan for Chelsea's Crespo
Portsmouth keen on Reggina striker Bianchi
Arsenal boss Wenger to send Baptista back to Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid chief rules out Arsenal's Reyes


SPAIN

Real Madrid super-sub Guti: My best minutes of season
Real Madrid's Van Nistelrooy: Guti a dream to play with
Ronaldo against AC Milan going for Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho: No problems with Barcelona president Laporta
Kaka dig at Barcelona: I hope Real Madrid win Liga
Valencia's Silva calm over Real Madrid, Barcelona rumours
Saviola: I'll consider Barcelona offer seriously
Valencia ponder recall for Sporting Lisbon defender Caneira
Depor winger Estoyanoff reveals Valencia talks
Villarreal keen on Fenerbahce star Tuncay
Getafe will only consider Verpakovskis as free agent
Betis make two-year contract offer to Fernandez


ITALY

Inter Milan plan mega offer for Roma ace De Rossi
Bumper AC Milan contract offer unsettles Mexes
AC Milan to shake-up management team
Inter Milan coach Mancini blasts Berlusconi media
Juventus president Cobolli Gigli: We'll fight to keep Buffon
Ancelotti position still shaky at AC Milan
AC Milan chief Galliani insists no problems over Nesta deal
Sampdoria's Quagliarella calm over future
Coda wants Udinese deal
Benfica want to keep Juventus striker Miccoli
Sampdoria coach Novellino won't rule out Palermo switch
Prandelli insists no problems with Fiorentina deal
Fiorentina coach Prandelli: Toni is ours
Livorno eyeing AC Milan striker Borriello
Inter Milan president Moratti: I wanted Capello
Deschamps: Scudetto out of reach for Juventus
Livorno boss fancies Sampdoria striker Bazzani
AC Milan's Ambrosini flattered by Fiorentina link
Palermo president Zamparini wants Parma boss Ranieri
Cafu delighted with new AC Milan contract
Recoba U-turn over Inter Milan departure
Atalanta's Vieri drops Fiorentina hint
Bolchi accepts Messina relegation

FRANCE

Mamadou Niang scored the winner for Marseille against Monaco.
Jean-Michel Aulas has hinted Lyon would be keen to sign Man Utd striker Louis Saha.
Lyon winger Florent Malouda claims he has offers to leave that he 'cannot refuse' .
PSG extended their unbeaten run to six games with a 1-1 draw against Lyon.
Pape Diouf claims Marseille will not change their approach if they qualify for Europe.
Claude Makelele has rejected suggestions he has had a bust-up with Jose Mourinho.
Marseille on Yepes trail .


GERMANY

Cesare Prandelli is hoping Bayern Munich target Luca Toni will stay at Fiorentina.
Werder Bremen remain in the Bundesliga title race following a win at Hertha Berlin.
Schalke retained their lead, while Borussia Monchengladbach were relegated.
Hannover leapfrogged Energie Cottbus in the table after a 2-0 win at AWD-Arena.
Hertha Berlin midfielder Pal Dardai has agreed a new two-year contract extension.
Babic to leave Leverkusen
Butt set for Bayer exit


HOLLAND

Ajax clinched their 17th Dutch Cup courtesy of an enthralling win over AZ Alkmaar.
Poland coach Leo Beenhakker has been appointed as Feyenoord's caretaker boss.
Utrecht are being linked with a move for Shimizu S-Pulse forward Cho Jae-jin.
Dunfermline keeper Dorus de Vries says his ambition is to play in the Premiership.
Clubs from England, Italy, Spain and Frnace are chasing Heerenveen's Lasse Nilsson.
Vitesse Arnhem have reached agreement to sign Harrie Gommans.


SCOTLAND

Aberdeen boss Calderwood slates Hearts foreign policy.
Amoruso: Foreigners can't handle Rangers pressure.
Rangers confirm Rae release
Hibs fullback Whittaker happy to wait for Premiership chance
Webster ordered to pay Hearts £625,000
Bulut: Tugay urged me to grab Rangers chance
McCormack snubs Celtic for new Hibs deal
Kilmarnock confirm Clyde talks over Bryson
Kilmarnock trio still to pen new deals
Hibs boss Collins targets four signings


SCANDINAVIA

Clubs from England, Italy, Spain and Frnace are chasing Heerenveen's Lasse Nilsson.
Leicester defender Nils-Eric Johansson is considering offers from a number of sides.
Ajax have joined the growing list of clubs keen on Helsingborgs starlet McDonald Mariga.
Schalke striker Soren Larsen has pledged his future to the club.
IFK Goteborg are hoping to sign Leicester City defender Nils-Eric Johansson.

VIDEO UEFA CUP 1/2 FINALS

Werder Bremen 1 - 2 Espanyol
Uploaded by tzonner

Seville 2-0 Osasuna
Uploaded by boules13010

Report CUP UEFA 1/2 finals second leg

FC Sevilla - RCD Espanol in Glasgow final


Werder Bremen - RCD Espanol 1 -2

Ferrán Corominas and Jesús María Lacruz were on target as RCD Espanyol secured a place in an all-Spanish UEFA Cup final against Sevilla FC. Their 5-1 aggregate triumph against Werder Bremen does not tell the story, however, of a tie that hung in the balance for a long time despite Miroslav Klose's early dismissal. Having lost the first leg 3-0, Bremen enjoyed a dream start at the Weserstadion as Hugo Almeida gave them an early lead, but when Klose was shown his second yellow on 19 minutes for simulation on the edge of the area, their hopes appeared to have been extinguished. Yet they pressed on and looked a real threat until Corominas struck five minutes after the restart. Lacruz soon added to the home team's misery as the Barcelona-based outfit reached their second UEFA Cup final having lost to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the 1988 showpiece. The stadium announcer had warmed up for the game with a deafening rendition of AC/DC's Highway to Hell, and it appeared a pertinent selection as Espanyol endured a torrid start. Less than five minutes had gone when Hugo Almeida reduced their aggregate advantage, dextrously chipping over the advancing Gorka Iraizoz and into the empty net from well outside the box after Diego's block had spun fortuitously into his path. The partisan crowd rose in unison; their pre-match talk had been of the "Wunder auf der Weser", Bremen's penchant for turning around the seemingly impossible, and here it was happening. Coach Thomas Schaaf's attacking triumvirate of Klose, Hugo Almeida and Diego, supported by Aaron Hunt and Daniel Jensen on the flanks, were causing all manner of problems as they interchanged with bustling pace. Klose, in particular, looked dangerous, perhaps attempting to prove himself following speculation linking with a move away from the club. He was cautioned within 90 seconds after an aerial challenge on Daniel Jarque, but was soon in more familiar territory, terrorising the visiting defence. Twice in two minutes Klose was denied by last-ditch interventions from centre-backs Marc Torrejón and Jarque, yet just as the tie seemed to be tipping in Bremen's favour, the Germany striker was needlessly sent off for his second bookable offence. It was an obvious blow though it did little to stem the tide as Bremen continued to press, Hunt and Jensen both testing Iraizoz as they revelled in the freedom Espanyol's ragged defence were affording them. The fact hopeful half-time whistles began emanating from the away section five minutes before the interval spoke volumes. Still, Bremen had to score twice more so Schaaf brought on winger Kevin Schindler at the break, replacing Patrick Owomoyela as the hosts switched to three at the back. It was a gamble, and it soon proved one risk too far as an attack broke down and the ball was quickly swept to the left flank and Albert Reira. The midfielder's low cross looked fairly innocuous but Andreas Reinke, playing in place of the suspended Tim Wiese, fumbled and Corominas was on hand to sweep in the equaliser. Within ten minutes the Spanish side were home and dry as Lacruz nodded in Luis García's corner at the far post to make it 2-1 on the night and ensure Espanyol will be at Hampden Park, Glasgow on 16 May.


FC Sevilla - CA Osasuna 2 - 0

One half of Glasgow will be painted in the red and white of Sevilla FC on 16 May after the Andalusian club completed a 2-0 victory at home to UEFA Cup semi-final rivals CA Osasuna, Brazilian duo Luis Fabiano and Renato making the difference for the holders. Juande Ramos's team will defend their trophy against compatriots RCD Espanyol thanks to a convincing win against valiant opponents who could not protect their 1-0 first-leg advantage. Luis Fabiano lit the way with a combination of skill and strength on 37 minutes, but it was Renato's cool finish eight minutes after the interval that set up another historic occasion for the hosts. These sides knew each other well from Spanish league skirmishes; even so, the spring air crackled with the special kind of electricity European nights invariably generate. And even if Sevilla's evening kicked off with a rendition of their centenary anthem of 2006, there was no question of looking to past glories. Especially not when Osasuna came out determined to close them down, a perseverance that stopped the home side settling early on. Chances slowly began to materialise for Sevilla, although they tended to snatch at these when they did come - José Luis Martí, Luis Fabiano and surprise starter Antonio Puerta all shooting well over. A little more penetration was needed and Sevilla eventually got it when Frédéric Kanouté burst into the box, turned inside César Cruchaga and was only prevented from pulling the trigger by José Izquierdo's sliding tackle. Desperate to draw level in the tie, Ramos's men suffered a blow when Adriano Correia limped off on 27 minutes. No matter: their growing domination continued and Carlos Cuéllar did brilliantly to deny Kanouté's attempt to connect with a threatening cross from substitute Duda. The No5 was helpless to keep out Luis Fabiano on 37 minutes, though, as the 26-year-old Brazilian forward latched on to a bouncing long ball from Christian Poulsen, brushed Cuéllar aside on the penalty spot and, with his sixth touch, rifled a shot past Ricardo López. Cuéllar was then relieved to see Kanouté unable to get sufficient power on his point-black header after his failure to clear left the Malian well placed. The half-time whistle brought relief for the beleaguered visitors, yet they were under pressure again straight from the restart when Renato flashed the ball just wide of the target from 35 metres, closely followed by a Kanouté effort which was gathered easily by Ricardo. Their every touch whistled by the locals, Osasuna seemed thoroughly subdued until Pierre Webó blasted narrowly over. That insurgence proved a false dawn, however, as moments later Renato put Sevilla ahead on aggregate with his outstretched leg, leaping through the air to turn in Daniel Alves's centre from the right. The euphoria in the stadium was almost extinguished when Webó nodded a corner against the post in the hunt for a decisive away goal, yet Sevilla responded immediately through Luis Fabiano, whose own header flew agonisingly wide. Long-range drives from Duda at one end and Osasuna substitute Valdo López at the other – both saved – kept up the frenetic pace.
The Pamplona outfit's dreams of Glasgow were fading by the minute, though, and it was Sevilla who finished the stronger, almost adding a late third through Daniel Alves after he was played in by Aleksandr Kerzhakov on the counterattack. While Sevilla marched on, José Ángel Ziganda's visitors were left to content themselves with a continental campaign that exceeded expectations and won them many admirers along the way.

Preview CUP UEFA 1/2 finals second leg

Werder Bremen - RSC Espanol

first leg 0 - 3

Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf has insisted "anything is possible" as his side ready themselves for the task of overturning a 3-0 first-leg deficit against RCD Espanyol in Germany, with a place in the UEFA Cup final at stake.
The symbol of the city of Bremen is an image of a donkey, dog, cat and cockerel mounted atop one another, taken from the brothers Grimm fable, The Bremen Town Musicians. The consensus, even among the most ardent Werder fans, is that their team require another fairy tale to turn this tie around against Espanyol although Schaaf believes his charges have a chance. "We don't think victory is inevitable but anything is possible," said the 46-year-old, whose side lost 3-2 at DSC Arminia Bielefeld at the weekend. "For now, the most important thing is not the result, but how to achieve it."
The obvious approach is to attack - something Bremen have been doing well all season. The Bundesliga's top scorers by some distance, they have won two of their three UEFA Cup home games by three-goal margins, the other finishing in a 2-0 triumph. Central to that success has been centre-forward Miroslav Klose, who has been heavily linked with a move away from the Weserstadion over recent days but who today stressed he is going nowhere – a timely fillip. "It's important for the supporters to be reassured of his commitment," Schaaf said. "They'll get behind him more than ever."
Bremen need all the help they can get. There were few positives to take from Barcelona last week where strikes from Moisés Hurtado, Walter Pandiani and Ferrán Corominas gave Espanyol a handsome advantage. Clemens Fritz and Tim Wiese both picked up suspensions into the bargain and will watch the second leg from the stands with the injured Tim Borowski. Pierre Wome is back in contention, however, and Schaaf is aware that Espanyol counterpart Ernesto Valverde is similarly hindered. Iván de la Peña is out with a calf strain, Pandiani and Hurtado are banned while Jônatas will undergo a late fitness test after sustaining a groin injury in Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Sevilla FC.
With eleven UEFA Cup goals this term, a return bettered by just three players in the history of the competition, Pandiani will be especially missed. Valverde, understandably, is urging caution. "Talk about Glasgow is tempting fate," said the coach, who has Francisco Chica, Juan Velasco and Luis García available after suspensions. "We have been doing well, performing well, and we want to keep that going for another 90 minutes. But Bremen can quickly turn the situation around, they certainly believe they can. It wouldn't be the first time it has happened."
Valverde speaks from experience. He was part of the Espanyol team that won 3-0 against Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the 1987/88 UEFA Cup final first leg, before being forced to sit out the return in Germany as the lead was squandered, the Catalan outfit eventually losing on penalties. A repeat would be the stuff of Bremen dreams.

Probable teams
Espanyol: Gorka Iraizoz; Jesús María Lacruz, Daniel Jarque, Marc Torrejón, Francisco Chica; Pablo Zabaleta, Ito, Francisco Rufete, Luis García; Albert Riera, Raúl Tamudo.

Bremen: Andreas Reinke; Patrick Owomoyela, Petri Pasanen, Naldo, Christian Schulz; Torsten Frings, Frank Baumann, Diego, Jurica Vranješ; Miroslav Klose, Hugo Almeida.

FC Sevilla - RF Osasuna

first leg 0 - 1

Sevilla FC coach Juande Ramos has urged his team to learn from their history as they vie for a place in the UEFA Cup final at home to CA Osasuna on Thursday.
The Andalusian outfit may be the holders but last week's 1-0 loss in Pamplona has undermined their bid to become the first side to successfully defend the trophy since Real Madrid CF in the mid-1980s. And for Ramos, the fear is that surprise-package Osasuna will again revel in the underdog role once familiar to his own players.
"We were in the same position as them in last year's semi-finals when we played a big European team in FC Schalke 04," he said. "We were much smaller, but we eliminated Schalke through sheer persistence and strength. That's why Osasuna's performance in Pamplona makes sense to me. This is a unique and historic opportunity for them." If overconfidence blighted Sevilla's first-leg display, the hosts are determined not to stumble into that trap again. "Fortunately we came back with a result that keeps our dream alive," explained the man at the helm. "I think we needed that little shock to wake up. I just hope it isn't too late, but we'll put all our strength into going through, even if it means sweating blood."
The form book suggests Ramos's charges will have their say yet, having scored at least once in their 12 previous UEFA Cup fixtures in Seville. They also saw off Osasuna 2-0 in the Primera División at the same venue in November and warmed up for Thursday's encounter by overcoming fellow European contenders RCD Espanyol 3-1 on Sunday. That kept them a point off leaders FC Barcelona – with Osasuna in 14th – and despite the demands of their title challenge, Ramos still elected to rest Frédéric Kanouté, Luis Fabiano, Julien Escudé, Javi Navarro and Adriano Correia. Only flu victim Ivica Dragutinović is doubtful, in fact, as goalkeeper Andrés Palop returned to the fray at the weekend.
Their opponents are near to full-strength too, with only Roberto Soldado missing through suspension after scoring last week's winner. In his absence, Pierre Webó is expected to operate as a lone striker, using his pace to punish Sevilla on the break. Further back, fit-again Iranian midfielder Javad Nekounam will form a protective shield in front of defence. Osasuna coach José Ángel Ziganda hopes his men can "enjoy the game", but knowing they have conceded just one goal in their last eight UEFA Cup outings, he anticipates that they will battle hard as well. "The further we go, the more intense the experience becomes," he stated. "At every stage, we thought we could go further, but we've never felt as confident as we do now."
Confidence aside, though, Ziganda, whose side were held to a 2-2 home draw by Real Zaragoza on Sunday, admits the tie is evenly balanced: "We know Sevilla will perform better than last week. They'll be more concentrated, like they have been in the Spanish league all season. But whatever happens, we'll go home with our heads held high, knowing we gave everything."

Probable teams
Sevilla: Andrés Palop; Daniel Alves, Javi Navarro, Julien Escudé, David Castedo; Jesús Navas, Christian Poulsen, José Luis Martí, Adriano Correia; Frédéric Kanouté, Luis Fabiano.

Osasuna: Ricardo López; José Izquierdo, César Cruchaga, Javier Cuéllar, Enrique Corrales; Javad Nekounam; Juanfran, Patxi Puñal, Raúl García, David López; Pierre Webó.

Report and Video : AC Milan - Man UTD (2:0) 3:0

Milan "want's" more Liverpool than Man U

AC Milan are through to their tenth European Champion Clubs' Cup final after overturning a first-leg deficit against Manchester United FC with a memorable 3-0 win in the UEFA Champions League semi-final at San Siro.
First-half goals from Kaká and Clarence Seedorf, and Alberto Gilardino's 78th-minute strike were enough to end United's dreams of a second treble in eight years. Instead the Serie A giants completed their third semi-final success in the competition against their English visitors and set up a repeat of the 2005 UEFA Champions League decider against Liverpool FC in Athens on 23 May.
The torrential rain, thunder and lightning which had broken out shortly before kick-off made for a fittingly dramatic stage upon which two of Europe's most renowned sides were to contest the continent's most coveted prize. The Rossoneri wasted no time in taking to the conditions and Seedorf set his sights as early as the second minute, stepping inside his marker on the D before forcing Edwin van der Sar to tip his shot over the bar.
Milan, trailing 3-2 on aggregate, had made known their intent and they claimed the lead on ten minutes with a beautifully-worked goal. Seedorf showed exceptional vision to head Massimo Oddo's long ball back into the path of Kaká, and as he has done nine times already in the tournament this season, the Brazilian scored with an unstoppable low drive into the corner from 20 metres. United, now behind on away goals, needed to find a way through themselves and were almost gifted the chance when Alessandro Nesta misdirected a header to the feet of Ryan Giggs on 19 minutes, but the Welshman's low strike was clutched by Dida at the second attempt.
Andrea Pirlo and Seedorf were combining well in midfield and it was Milan's No10 who doubled the hosts' advantage on the half-hour after a defensive mix-up. Surprised by Gabriel Heinze's risky pass, Nemanja Vidić lost his footing in his own area and Pirlo dispossessed him before crossing from the right. Although United cleared the immediate danger, Seedorf controlled the loose ball, flicked it past Darren Fletcher and Vidić before firing a fantastic shot from the inside limit of the box. United appeared frozen as Milan surged upfield again, Oddo crossing five minutes before the break for Filippo Inzaghi to blaze wide.
Gennaro Gattuso then epitomised the dominance of Carlo Ancelotti's men with a crunching tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo, celebrated by a punch in the air. Kaká could have enhanced their supremacy early in the second half as he broke clear and cut inside Vidić yet Van der Sar saved. Requiring at least two goals for survival, the English Premiership leaders finally began to push forward, carving out their first noteworthy opportunity on 62 minutes when Wayne Rooney played in Fletcher only for the midfielder to blast wide from 12 metres.
Milan, though, were irresistible and, of the two teams, always looked the likelier to score on the counterattack. Substitute Gilardino, on for Inzaghi, did just that as he raced on to Massimo Ambrosini's measured throughball from deep before curling a shot around the advancing Van der Sar. Tempers flared late on as Gattuso and Ronaldo were booked for clashes with Paul Scholes and Seedorf respectively, but that will not matter to Milan as they eye a mouthwatering rematch with Liverpool.

Preview : AC Milan - Manchester UTD second leg

first leg : 2 -3

As AC Milan prepare to turn around a 3-2 UEFA Champions League semi-final deficit against Manchester United FC, coach Carlo Ancelotti has described the prospect of reaching the final in Athens as "a Utopian dream".
Back in the autumn, Milan were languishing at the wrong end of Serie A. A league points deduction and a shortened pre-season had affected form and confidence; Athens looked a long way off. Now, though, the resurgent Rossoneri stand third in the table and one match away from booking their third final in five years. "At the start of the season I said that getting to Athens was a Utopian dream," said Ancelotti. "But now this dream is becoming a reality. This side showed great unity through the tough times. That has brought them this far and now we're confident because we're playing well and we're close to our objective."
However, that quest has been made harder by the first-leg loss. Milan let a 2-1 advantage at Old Trafford slip, despite themselves rallying after Cristiano Ronaldo's early goal. The competition's top marksman Kaká scored twice only for Wayne Rooney to better the Brazilian with two strikes of his own, the latter coming seconds from the end of a thrilling contest. "Their most dangerous attacking player is without doubt Rooney," added Ancelotti. "But if we concede again it's not a disaster. We know we can score more than once because we've done so twice already."
With the likely return of Filippo Inzaghi, Milan's attack should be all the more potent, the Italian international having registered 36 UEFA Champions League goals in 64 appearances, while morale is high after five straight league wins, culminating in Saturday's 1-0 success at Torino FC. Further good news for the Milanese giants is the return of Gennaro Gattuso (foot) although captain Paolo Maldini has failed to recover from his knee problem. "Getting this far has been a huge achievement," continued Ancelotti. "We've made the cake, now we just need to put the cherry on top."
With the treble in sight, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be thinking similar thoughts. Having taken a five-point Premiership lead and advanced to the FA Cup final, Sir Alex knows he is within touching distance of repeating the triumph of 1998/99. His side showed resilience to turn defeat into victory last Tuesday, and did likewise at Everton FC on Saturday, somehow transforming a 2-0 reverse into a 4-2 win. "We've developed well this season," he said. "Success and confidence has helped the process and some players have done exceptionally well in their first season."
The 65-year-old singled out Milan's Kaká, Gattuso and Maldini for particular praise but insists his team will not be cowed by the sold-out San Siro. The possible comeback from injury of defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić - who both trained on Tuesday - may also compensate for the loss of the suspended Patrice Evra. "This team thrives on the big occasions and tomorrow will be the biggest test yet," continued Sir Alex. "You would expect Milan to score at home but our safety net is an emphasis on scoring. Sitting on the edge of the penalty box doesn't do us any good and it doesn't do the fans any good. So I think if we're going to do it, we've got to do it our way."

Probable teams

Milan: Dida; Massimo Oddo, Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze, Marek Jankulovski; Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini; Kaká, Clarence Seedorf; Filippo Inzaghi.

Man. United: Edwin van der Sar; John O'Shea, Nemanja Vidić/Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Gabriel Heinze; Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick; Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs; Wayne Rooney.

VIDEO Liverpool - Chelsea 1:0 FT 4:1 on penalties

Report : Liverpool FC - Chelsea FC (1:0) 1:0 FT 4:1 on penalties

The Reds reach final, Reina the hero

Pepe Reina saved two spot-kicks as Liverpool FC knocked English rivals Chelsea FC out of the UEFA Champions League 4-1 on penalties to reach a second final in three seasons on a dramatic night at Anfield.
Daniel Agger's first-half shot had taken the semi-final into extra time but with no further goals and the aggregate scores locked at 1-1, a shoot-out ensued in which Dirk Kuyt struck the decisive conversion. After Boudewijn Zenden had tucked away Liverpool's first attempt, Reina guessed right to save Arjen Robben's effort. The next penalties were scored by Xabi Alonso, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard before Geremi was outsmarted by Reina and Kuyt stroked in the clincher.
Anfield had basked under a cloudless sky and brilliant sunshine at kick-off, but as darkness fell and the temperature dropped so it rose to boiling point inside the famous old stadium which, as expected, was full of song and passion throughout. Visibly lifted by the crowd, Liverpool started brightly and had most of the early possession without making inroads until the place erupted in celebration in the 22nd minute.
Gerrard fooled everyone with a low free-kick from the corner of the box which Chelsea expected to be curled up towards Peter Crouch and the mass of bodies around him; instead the Liverpool captain squared it to Danish international defender Agger, who sidefooted the ball past Petr Čech with power and precision. The aggregate equaliser was greeted by near pandemonium and Chelsea struggled to get into the match until Didier Drogba gave Liverpool a scare when he beat the offside trap but not Reina, who blocked his shot from a promising position.
The Premiership title-holders had another decent opportunity to equalise five minutes before the interval, however. Drogba climbed well to nod Lampard's corner towards the Kop End goal, yet Michael Essien could not apply the finishing touch with his header and the ball bounced to safety past Reina's right-hand post.
Although it seemed impossible at the time, the tension increased after the break as both teams went in search of goals. Crouch thought he had done enough to score when he towered above Paulo Ferreira and Essien to meet Jermaine Pennant's cross but his downward header was kept out by the feet of Čech. Soon afterwards, Kuyt went even closer with a header that came back off the crossbar. With so much at stake, errors were commonplace and what the game lacked in fluidity, it more than made up for with intensity.
Determined to fight back, Chelsea went within a whisker of levelling matters on the night when full-back Ashley Cole raided down the left in the 75th minute and cut the ball inside from the byline; Jamie Carragher, in an attempt to deny Drogba, connected from three metres out and saw his clearance skim over the top. As play and the psychological pendulum swung this way and that, Zenden brought another save from Čech, yet the clocked eventually ticked down to 90 without further score, prompting extra time.
Kuyt found the net in the first additional period but an offside flag ruled his effort out after he had followed up Čech's parry from substitute Alonso's stinging drive. Čech frustrated Kuyt again after the stretching Drogba was centimetres away from turning in Shaun Wright-Phillips's enticing centre. Tired minds and weary legs failed to conjure a match-winner, however, and penalties beckoned at the Anfield Road End. Here, Kuyt did get his winning goal and, for the seventh time in their history, Liverpool are through to the European Champion Clubs' Cup final; Chelsea, beaten at this stage for the third time since 2004, still await their first.

PREVIEW : Liverpool FC - Chelsea FC second leg

first leg : 0 - 1

The red half of Liverpool is buzzing with nervous anticipation ahead of Chelsea FC's visit for the UEFA Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, and manager Rafael Benítez is convinced the Anfield crowd will have a massive impact on the second leg as Liverpool FC attempt to retrieve a 1-0 deficit. Opposite number José Mourinho might have other ideas but Benítez said Liverpool's fans are the true "special ones".
The Kop roared Liverpool on to what has become a legendary 1-0 victory against Chelsea in the semi-final two years ago, with Luis García's winner coming off the back of a tidal wave of passionate support, and Benítez is expecting more of the same from the locals this time round. "We will try to use the influence of our people and the atmosphere will be really important," the Spanish coach said. "I am sure that they [Chelsea] will see Anfield is very, very difficult for them. I know they have had this experience before. You can say it's not really a problem but you know it will be a problem for them. Our supporters - they are the special ones." 
For his part Mourinho, who has lost Andriy Shevchenko to a groin problem picked up in training, has promised not to sit back and try to protect a one-goal lead as Chelsea bid to set up a showdown in Athens against either Manchester United FC or AC Milan. "We will attack," he said. "We know if we don't concede goals, we are in the final so of course that is an objective, but we also know that if we score that is a big advantage. You cannot defend perfectly for 90 minutes so I think a very good way to play this game would be to scare the opponents."
Already assured of UEFA Champions League football next season, Liverpool rested most of their first team in Saturday's 2-1 Premiership defeat at Portsmouth FC, while Chelsea suffered a huge blow to their title hopes as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Bolton Wanderers FC, leaving them five points behind leaders Manchester United with three games to play. Mourinho said: "The opponent is at home. They are a team who have had one week to rest and prepare for this game against another team that had to play two days ago and had to fight physically and mentally in the title race, so I don't see our team to be favourites."
Michael Essien returns from suspension for Chelsea, with a likely role at centre-back alongside captain John Terry as Ricardo Carvalho sustained a knee injury against Bolton. Michael Ballack has undergone ankle surgery which will keep him out for the rest of the campaign, so Mourinho will be forced to make the most of his enviable resources. The Portuguese coach predicted that Liverpool's lineup will be "Peter Crouch plus ten", insisting that the giant striker is an "obvious" aerial weapon against his makeshift defence, despite the England forward not starting the first leg in London.

Probable teams

Liverpool: Pepe Reina; Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Álvaro Arbeloa; Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, John Arne Riise; Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt.

Chelsea: Petr Čech; Paulo Ferreira, Michael Essien, John Terry, Ashley Cole; John Obi Mikel, Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole; Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou.