Barça and Arsenal show mutual respect

Arsène Wenger is respectful about but unworried by FC Barcelona's strength after the 2006 finalists were paired in the last eight, leaving Gerard Piqué praising the Gunners' style and ability.The UEFA Champions League quarter-final between FC Barcelona and Arsenal FC not only rematches the participants in the memorable 2006 decider in Paris, it also brings together two teams who produced stunning displays in the first knockout round.Holders Barcelona underlined their intent to become the first team to win the UEFA Champions League two years running...

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Champions League Draw: Barcelona Face Arsenal, Bayern Munich Draw Manchester United

The path to Madrid has been blazed.The Champions League quarter-final draw has been completed in Nyon, with Arsenal against Barcelona the undoubted tie of the round.Elsewhere, there is an all French clash as Lyon will play Bordeaux, Bayern Munich will tackle Manchester United, while Inter will pit their wits against CSKA Moscow.The path to the final at the Santiago Bernabeu was all mapped out, with the draw also made for the two semi finals. The winner of Bayern and Man Utd will play the victor of Lyon and Bordeaux in one semi, while the other...

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David Beckham: My World Cup Place Is Not Assured

Former England skipper fearful he will not go to South AfricaAC Milan midfielder David Beckham is fearful that he might not be chosen to represent England at this summer’s World Cup.Beckham recently returned to Old Trafford in Milan’s 4-0 thrashing at the hands of his former club, Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, and the former captain of the Three Lions is afraid he might not make it a onto England’s final squad..“I am not guaranteed to go to South Africa at all,” he told the Daily Mail.“I'm going...

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CR9 To CR7 Again?

Sir Alex Ferguson: Cristiano Ronaldo Coming Back To Manchester United Not Out Of The Question The Portuguese star moved to Real Madrid last summerSir Alex Ferguson believes that the door is not closed for a possible return to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo, who was transferred to Real Madrid in the summer window for a record £80million.Real Madrid crashed in the Round of 16 of the Champions League for the sixth consecutive season when they lost out to Lyon 2-1 on aggregate, and there is a lot of pressure from the Spanish press to see the...

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Lyon send Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid packing

Florentino Pérez did not spend £240m for this. The second galácticos era has opened as the first closed – with failure. This season was always going to be defined by the European Cup, the tournament Real Madrid consider their own. The final will be held at the Bernabéu but Madrid will not be there, except as frustrated hosts at someone else's party. For the sixth successive season they have been eliminated at the first knockout stage. "We'll be back," declared the banner at the south end of the stadium. Not this season they won't. When it comes...

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