Benitez: We need five more signings

Rafael Benitez has admitted it could take five new signings to turn Liverpool into trophy challengers once more.

The Merseyside giants crashed out of the Europa League semi-finals to Atletico Madrid thanks to Diego Forlan's extra-time strike at Anfield.

Although Liverpool finished 2-1 victors, Forlan's away goal proved decisive, condemning Benitez's team to end the campaign empty-handed.

They do still have the fourth Champions League place to aim for, but even that is a forlorn hope and would require victory over title favourites Chelsea on Sunday.

Benitez acknowledged there is plenty of work ahead if Liverpool are to regain their former status.

He said: "Someone said we needed four or five players. I would more or less agree with that. That is what we have to do.

"Liverpool is a massive club. There has been a change in the last two or three years. We have had to balance the books and manage in this way.

"I do not know whether I will have any funds. We will find out in the summer. But the name is there and we have to do our best for it."

Whether Benitez remains to undertake such a massive rebuilding job remains to be seen.

Juventus are said to be keen on the Spaniard, who saw his hopes of leading Liverpool to a third European final under his charge collapse after they had found themselves in such a promising position.

Benitez was cagey about his future, refusing to look any further ahead than the two games his side have left.

"The future is Chelsea. And then Hull," he said.

The exit was a microcosm of Liverpool's season.

There was lots of effort and a bit of finesse in the first half, Alberto Aquilani providing the latter with a superb finish to put the hosts in front.

Although there were no more goals in normal time, Yossi Benayoun struck at the start of the additional 30 minutes and seemed to have set up an all-English final with Fulham in Hamburg on May 12.

Forlan wrecked those dreams, leaving Benitez to pick his players up once more, after he ran out of experience to make a difference from the bench.

"Everything seems to have been against the players this season," he said.

"It is clear that we had some problems. We had too many injuries and were lacking forward options. But the players worked so hard tonight and I am very proud of them.

"Now we have to concentrate and do our best in the next two games."

For Atletico it was a glory night, allowing them to revel in the joy of becoming the only Spanish side to reach a European final this season.

"No one would have expected this," said coach Quique Sanchez Flores.

"We are happy to represent our country and be Spain's only team in a European final.

"It was an amazing night. You can't come to Anfield without knowing you are going to suffer some difficult moments but we were the stronger side in extra-time and deserved to go through."

Now they must deny Fulham a magical end to one of the most staggering seasons in the London club's proud history, and Sanchez Flores is wary.

"Never trust any team that goes all the way to the final," he said.

"Any English team will be very competitive and Fulham are no exception."

Premier League:Kalou wants Chelsea to take initiative

In-form striker Salomon Kalou feels Chelsea must take the game to Liverpool if they want to avoid a repeat of the defeat to Tottenham.

Kalou feels Chelsea failed to take the initiative against Spurs and that led to a 2-1 defeat.

The Ivory Coast striker scored a hat-trick against Stoke in Chelsea's 7-0 win last weekend to ensure the Blues take a one-point lead going into this weekend's Premier League games.

With two games remaining, Chelsea cannot afford to drop points against Rafael Benitez's Liverpool side. The Reds, who were knocked out of the Europa League by Atletico Madrid on Thursday, still have slim hopes of finishing fourth and the final Champions League qualification place in the league.

"We have to go there and take control of the game," Kalou said, according to The Independent.

"I feel at Tottenham, we let them play. We let them get comfortable with the ball and we have to go to Liverpool and play differently.

"We need to keep the ball and play our own game and not wait for Liverpool to take the initiative.

"Anfield will be a difficult journey, but we will be very motivated and know that if we win there, everything can be in our hands at home against Wigan."

Liverpool will be without Fernando Torres for the game, who will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, but Kalou doesn't believe the absence of the striker makes the task at Anfield any easier for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

"Liverpool at home are still a strong team, even without Torres," he said.

"It's true that if Torres played, it would be a plus for them, but I think they are still difficult to play at Anfield because they have that spirit at home and their supporters will push them 200 per cent."

United face Sunderland this weekend, and while Kalou doesn't rule out the Black Cats causing an upset, he is approaching the game with the mentality that Chelsea must not slip up.

"I think we have to win. There's two games to go and there's no other way of going about it. If you want to keep your chance at your end, you have to win every game," he said.

"I hope Manchester will go to Sunderland and drop some points, but you can only focus on your own game. If we take the three points, we don't worry about what Manchester do."

Premier League:Roy Hodgson hailed an "outstanding achievement" after Fulham set-up a Europa League final against Atletico Madrid with a 2-1 victory ov

Andy Cole wants Manchester United to sign a Fernando Torres-type of striker next season.

And the former Manchester United striker thinks Karim Benzema is the closest match to the Liverpool striker.

Sir Alex Ferguson was beaten to the Frenchman's signature last summer by Real Madrid but the France international has not nailed down a first-team place at the Bernabeu.

Cole feels Ferguson should try again for Benzema - and the Red Devils could get him for a lot less than the £30m Real Madrid paid Lyon.

Cole said: "Karim Benzema is not identical to Torres, but I think he is the nearest you might get to him.

"I think he is fantastic and has great ability. I know Sir Alex wanted him last summer and if he can try again and the lad decided he'd have more chance at Old Trafford, then I think that would be really interesting. It's what United need."

Barcelona midfielder Xavi may be disappointed with his team's Champions League exit but he also feels glad for rivals Real Madrid. The Catalans lost

Roy Hodgson hailed an "outstanding achievement" after Fulham set-up a Europa League final against Atletico Madrid with a 2-1 victory over Hamburg.

Simon Davies and Zoltan Gera struck in the second half after Mladen Petric's stunning free-kick had given the German club a 22nd minute lead at Craven Cottage.

Fulham now face the biggest match in their 131-year history when they return to Hamburg for the final on May 12 and Hodgson insisted they had earnt their success the hard way.

"This club has had some bad times and we've looked into the abyss once or twice," he said.

"Everyone is proud that we're about to start our 10th Premier League season.

"And to have reached a Europa League final - and I don't care if you're Fulham or one of the top four - is an outstanding achievement. That will be recognised by everyone.

"I can only enjoy the moment and make sure that the glory on the players is not deflected elsewhere.

"We're in the final because we've played very, very well throughout and knocked out some very difficult teams, not least Hamburg.

"It's been a wonderful journey that I'm really proud of. The team have produced better football than we're entitled to ask of them."

Hodgson hailed the character his side showed after staging a spirited second-half fightback in their 59th match of a campaign that started in July.

"It was a great performance because it would have been so easy for us to loose our heads after the great goal they scored," he said.

"I thought we were good value for our victory and the character of this team has been proved time and time again.

"Normally success softens you and makes you less determined but that hasn't been the case with this team throughout this season.

"It's been an amazingly long season yet watching the players run around in the second half it didn't look as though we'd played 59 games this season."

Hodgson hopes Bobby Zamora will be available for the final after Fulham's top scorer, who passed a late fitness test on his Achilles injury, limped off in the 58th minute.

"The injection we gave him worked quite well but he was beginning to feel the effects in the second half," he said.

"Now we have two weeks to get him fit for the final. The problem will exist until he gets more treatment on it.

"But if I rest him for one or two of the league matches perhaps he will be fit for the final."

Interim Hamburg coach Ricardo Moniz had no complaints with the result.

"We just didn't do what we needed. We needed to go forward more," he said.

"When we were 1-0 up I told the team to get the ball to the wingers but they couldn't.

"It's a sad evening for us. We lost the game and didn't do well enough and that's that."

ends

Hodgson felt his players had pulled off a "major piece of history" in reaching next month's final in Hamburg.

"After going a goal down against the run of play, I think we've made a major piece of history here tonight. That atmosphere is something I think we'll all remember for a long time," Hodgson told ITV4.

"I'm a little bit drained of emotion at this particular moment in time - you go through a bit of a rollercoaster out there.

"I've had two and bit years now where I know the players are never going to let me down and are always going to go out and try to do the things we practise.

"In a semi-final I suppose they could be excused for losing their heads or losing their discipline, but they didn't do it tonight."

After leading the Cottagers to seventh place in the Barclays Premier League last season, Hodgson has arguably emulated that achievement in this campaign, and the experienced manager concedes his time in the capital has exceeded expectations.

"The time at Fulham has been quite magical for me," he said.

"From the moment I came here I established an immediate rapport with the chairman and he's given us the backing we need.

"It's certainly a reward for those very faithful Fulham fans who have seen some bad times through the years and who can now boast they're going to see their team play in a European final."

Xavi: We saved Real from painful evening

Barcelona midfielder Xavi may be disappointed with his team's Champions League exit but he also feels glad for rivals Real Madrid.

The Catalans lost the semi-final 3-2 on aggregate to Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Barca only managed to win 1-0 at home against ten-men Inter Milan.

Xavi, who helped create the goal scored by Gerard Pique, said making the Champions League final in Madrid 'would've been the best'.

"It is very sad for a Blaugrana faithful like me to go out, as playing the Final at the Bernabeu would've been the best," said Xavi.

"At least in Madrid they're a little more relaxed now, as we have saved them this painful evening."

Xavi also had a parting shot to Inter and insisted Barcelona are proud of their Champions League efforts.

"We played the game we had to and the only disappointment is that we were unable to score more than one goal," he said of the 1-0 second leg result.

"We tried every possible way to hit the back of the net. We are proud of what we did, I don't know if Inter Milan they can say the same."

Barcelona now turn their attention to the La Liga title race when they face a tough game at Villarreal this weekend.

Barcelona 1-0 Inter (Inter win 3-2 on agg)

Barcelona have beaten Inter Milan 1-0 in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, but Inter advance to the final 3-2 on aggregate.

Gerard Pique's late strike at the Nou Camp proved insufficient for Barcelona as a Jose Mourinho-inspired Inter Milan held out for more than an hour with 10 men to seal their passage to a European Cup final for the first time since 1972.

Mourinho's side, protecting a 3-1 lead from the first leg, were reduced to 10 men following Thiago Motta's 28th-minute dismissal, but the Italians defended heroically - and at times cynically - to deny Pep Guardiola's men.

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And for Mourinho, who celebrated triumphantly on the pitch at the final whistle, it was vindication following a turbulent spell in Italy and his controversial departure from Chelsea, where he was unable to deliver a repeat of his remarkable Champions League success with Porto.

Needing a 2-0 win or better to advance, Guardiola opted for an attacking 3-4-3 line-up, with Yaya Toure alongside Pique and Gabi Milito at the back.

Inter made a last-minute change with striker Goran Pandev, originally named in the starting XI, replaced by defender Cristian Chivu.

Such a move is only allowed if an injury has occurred and Inter could yet be asked to provide evidence to that effect.

Barcelona-Inter Milan Player Ratings

As expected, Barca completely dominated the opening stages. The Catalans had around 80% of the possession early on, but Inter were organised and looking comfortable.

Xavi brilliantly turned Wesley Sneijder on the edge of the area, but was unable to set up Ibrahimovic, who was hugely disappointing, as he has been for much of his debut season for Barcelona.

Pedro then tried his luck with a shot from distance, but Barca were struggling for inspiration.

Mourinho would have been content, but the Portuguese coach was less happy as his side went down to 10 men after 28 minutes.

In his pre-match press conference Mourinho had asked for protection from the referee, while Motta had accused Barcelona of being divers.

Although those words were seen as provocative, they also turned out to be somewhat prophetic as Sergio Busquets threw himself to the ground clutching his face after Motta had pushed him in the neck.

Mourinho sarcastically applauded the decision while Barca set about taking the initiative against Inter's 10 men.

And it looked as if they might when Messi skipped past two defenders on the edge of the box and curled a venomous low shot towards the bottom corner, only to see his effort pushed superbly around the post by Julio Cesar.

Barca were camped in the Inter area for the remainder of the half, but essentially little had changed.

Mourinho's men held out until half-time and Barca knew they were in a game, even against 10 men.

Guardiola's side still needed two goals as the second period got under way and things were not getting any easier for the Catalans.

Inter were playing the offside trap to great effect and Barca were reduced to hopeful crosses to Ibrahimovic, who was showing exactly why he has failed to win over the Catalan faithful since his big-money move in the summer.

The Swede finally departed after 63 minutes, replaced by Bojan Krkic, as Guardiola looked to add some much-needed vitality to his floundering forward line.

Barca fans pleaded for a moment of divine inspiration from Messi, but the Argentinian had failed to score in six games against Mourinho sides and that statistic appeared unlikely to change as the time ticked away.

Bojan headed agonisingly wide from Messi's cross late on, but Pique ensured a rousing finale as he collected Xavi's pass in the area, left goalkeeper Julio Cesar floored with a neat touch and rolled the ball into the empty net.

There was a hint of offside, much like Inter's third goal in Milan, but the home fans hardly cared.

The noise was deafening in the final five minutes, plus four of added time, as Barca poured forward, willed on by close to 100,000 loyal fans.

Bojan lashed home in added time, but Yaya Toure was harshly ruled to have handled and Inter survived to set up a final meeting with Bayern Munich.

Mourinho: I will never coach Barcelona

Jose Mourinho has admitted he could never coach Barcelona after crushing their Champions League dream last night.

Inter Milan boss Mourinho oversaw a 3-2 aggregate win following a 1-0 second-leg defeat at the Nou Camp after being almost constantly jeered by the home crowd.

Mourinho is disparagingly known among some Barca fans as 'the translator', having begun his journey in football management in that role alongside Bobby Robson at the Nou Camp in the 1990s, before working as a coach under Louis van Gaal for three seasons.

The Portuguese, who will now face his old mentor Van Gaal as Inter prepare to take on Bayern Munich in the final in Madrid on May 22, knows the chances of him ever landing the top job with the Catalan giants are now virtually non-existent.

Mourinho, who also crossed swords with Barca while in charge at Chelsea, did little to endear himself again to the club on Tuesday by claiming they were "obsessed" with reaching the Champions League final on the home turf of their bitter rivals Real Madrid, and the crowd reacted badly when he raced onto the pitch to celebrate Inter's aggregate success at the final whistle.

"I'm not stupid enough to think that this hate can be turned into love," he said.

"I respect Barca and and I'll never forget what the club gave me in the four years I was here, but something has been created around me that is hard to make positive," he said.

"It is clear that I will end my career without having coached Barca."

Last night's match was the 10th between Mourinho and Barcelona in the last six years, with the Catalans having faced Chelsea on six occasions and Inter four times.

Six of those matches have come in knockout ties, with Mourinho having now eliminated the Catalans from Europe on two occasions.

"If I never beat them, they wouldn't hate me," Mourinho said.

And the Inter coach believes he is now more unpopular even than former Barca winger Luis Figo, who left the club as a a player to join Madrid and was never forgiven by the Catalan faithful.

"Figo (who returned to the Nou Camp last night as an ambassador for Inter) told me he was calm and relaxed because I was the one they hate now, because I was their new enemy," he said.

Bizarrely, Mourinho claimed the key to beating Barcelona was relinquishing possession at the Nou Camp.

"We didn't want the ball because when Barcelona press and win the ball back, we lose our position - I never want to lose position on the pitch so I didn't want us to have the ball, we gave it away," he said.

"I told my players that we could let the ball help us win and that we had to be compact, closing spaces," he added.

But things looked ominous when midfielder Thiago Motta was sent off after 28 minutes for Inter.

Motta, already booked, raised his hand and appeared to push Sergio Busquets in the neck, but the Barca midfielder went down theatrically holding his face and writhed on the ground in apparent agony between glances at the referee.

Motta was disgusted by the player's reaction.

"He always does it, I have seen it on TV and he is holding his face and then looking at the referee - it is terrible behaviour," he said.

Inter held on, despite playing more than an hour against 10 men, but Guardiola says his Barca side will bounce back.

"We lost to a great team and a great coach, but we want to win the league and we will be back - I have nothing to reproach my players for," he said.

Mourinho in paradise, Guardiola moves on

Jose Mourinho led Inter Milan to the final of the Champions League following a 3-2 aggregate win over Barcelona.

Inter held a 3-1 lead from the first leg but were forced to dig deep after Thiago Motta was sent off two minutes short of the half-hour mark.

The Italians defended heroically throughout and held on to advance to next month's final in Madrid, despite Gerard Pique's late goal.

And Mourinho says this victory will be talked about for decades in Italy.

"It was epic and perfect - in 40 years they will talk about this team's heroics in Barcelona," he said after the match.

"My team is in paradise with this victory," he added.

Mourinho was delighted to beat a Barcelona side that had won everything in sight last year and that he considers to be the very best.

"We beat the best team around and I am happy, but we have three finals left," he said, in reference to his side's pursuit of a league, cup and Champions League treble.

"I hope the fans enjoy the win and go to meet the players at the airport - if I could I would give my players a week off because they deserve it, but we have a game at the weekend," he said.

And Mourinho, who admitted he is a bad loser, believes his side deserved a draw on the night.

"To lose the game 1-0 is the biggest defeat of my life - we deserved a 0-0," he said.

Mourinho was forced to change striker Goran Pandev for defender Cristian Chivu after the former picked up an injury in the warm-up, and the Portuguese coach says that switch limited Inter's attacking aspirations.

"The game started badly because Pandev couldn't play. I had to change and play Chivu, who played an exceptional game, but he is very defensive and we lost a lot of our attacking options with that change," he said.

But Inter prevailed to reach a European Cup final for the first time since 1972.

The Italians face Louis van Gaal's Bayern Munich in Madrid on May 22 and Mourinho is relishing the meeting with his former mentor at Barcelona.

"Louis is a winner and I'm a winner - we will both want to win and we are both going for three trophies, so we are in a similar position and neither of us will be saving ourselves for the final, which I think is a good thing," he said.

Meanwhile, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was philosophical in defeat.

"Congratulations to Inter, they have beaten us over two games and good luck to them - any team can choose how they play and I have no complaints," he said.

"We tried through the middle and down the wings, but we couldn't find a way through - it was difficult because there was no space between their defence and their midfield and they defended very well," he added.

Having won six trophies in 2009, Barca's sole chance of a trophy is now in the domestic league this season, and Guardiola says his players will be in the right frame of mind for this weekend's tough game at Villarreal.

"We'll pick ourselves up, the players are professional and they will want to win the league," he said.

United's £25million bid for Modric

Manchester United are readying a £25million bid for Tottenham Hotspur's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric.

The Sun reported that the Red Devils have set their sights on the stylish playmaker who has had an outstanding season for Spurs.

Sir Alex Ferguson apparently sees Modric as a young version of Paul Scholes and wants to use him as the focal point of United's attack next season.

Fergie dropped a big hint before United's game last weekend against Spurs when he mentioned in his pre-match programme notes that he sees Modric as the danger-man for the visitors.

He said: "And I give you another wee man who'll be at Old Trafford this afternoon: Luka Modric, who is playing out of his skin at the moment."

Modric joined the Lilywhites back in 2008 from Dinamo Zagreb for £16.5m but his introduction to English football was not as smooth as expected with then Spurs coach Juande Ramos fielding him as a holding midfielder.

He was also constantly troubled by various injuries and it got worse for him when he suffered a broken leg last August which ruled him out for three months.

When he finally made his return to first-team football in December, he seemed to have found a second wind and has been a key factor in Tottenham's push for a Champions League spot.

If a bid for Modric does come true, Michael Carrick might be thrown into the equation to tempt Harry Redknapp who is a known admirer of the England midfielder since his West Ham days.

Premier League:Yorke: Berbatov is a scapegoat

Dwight Yorke urged Dimitar Berbatov to ignore the critics and focus on trying to bring another league title to Old Trafford.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is pushing himself in a bid to be fit for Sunday's trip to Sunderland, but United's star striker is so short of recent match practice that Berbatov is bound to be an influential figure in the Red Devils camp during the next two games.

As Sir Alex Ferguson's men have faltered this season, Berbatov's contribution has been highlighted, with most observers believing the Bulgarian has failed to live up to his club record £30.75million billing.

Yet Yorke has seen a confident figure on the training ground this week after being invited back to Carrington to prepare for Saturday's 'United Relief Live: The Big Red Family Day Out' at Old Trafford.

And he feels Berbatov needs to remain dedicated to the cause, rather than the whispers about his form.

"He needs to forget about what people are saying," said Yorke.

"People always look for a scapegoat and try to single people out. I am sure Dimitar will be aware of that.

"Everyone expected him to be the person he was at Tottenham and it hasn't been that way.

"But he is working exceptionally hard to turn the situation around and the players support that.

"When things are not going particularly well you need the support of your team-mates. He is getting that in abundance."

Sunday looks like being the pivotal day as two-and-a-half hours before United kick-off at the Stadium of Light, Liverpool entertain Chelsea in a match Carlo Ancelotti's men have to win if they are to remain in charge of their own destiny.

D-day comes 24 hours after Yorke has appeared alongside fellow 1999 Champions League winners Andy Cole, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jaap Stam, Denis Irwin and Ronny Johnsen against 'The Rivals', a team containing Ian Rush and John Barnes.

Yorke is looking forward to his Old Trafford return, although he acknowledges the main event will be played out on Merseyside and Wearside.

Just as there were in 1995, suggestions have already been aired that Liverpool might not be interested in denying Chelsea, knowing they will be playing a major role in handing United a record 19th league championship and erasing their own place in history.

Yet, on the final day 15 years ago, the Reds still defeated Blackburn, a success United could not take advantage of by beating West Ham.

And Yorke is convinced that whilst many Liverpool fans may be living in dread at United's success, inside the dressing room there will be no holding back.

"It is a myth the feeling they are going to throw it in. Professionals don't just turn up and throw games," argued the former Trinidad and Tobago star.

"There is a lot riding on the game for Liverpool in terms of trying to clinch fourth spot. They are also hoping to be in the Europa League final.

"They have to give themselves a fighting chance and winning breeds confidence."

In once again throwing open Carrington's doors, Sir Alex Ferguson has proved the rift he established with Yorke towards the end of the striker's United career has been healed.

And, whether his former club achieve their objective or not this season, Yorke has seen enough fire in his old boss to confirm the belief that Ferguson is in no mood to quit, as has been suggested in recent weeks.

"There is no sign of Sir Alex walking away despite all these rumours," said Yorke.

"People were saying he was going to retire when I was here and that was 12 years ago.

"He has made it absolutely clear that as long as he is in good nick, he will stay.

"Seeing him over the last two days I don't see him letting up."

Busquets: Nobody likes to lose

Sergio Busquets urged his Barcelona team-mates to focus on the La Liga after their UEFA Champions League exit.

The reigning champions managed a 1-0 home win in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan but were vanquished from the tournament based on a 3-2 aggregate over the two legs.

Speaking to Marca after the game, the Spanish midfielder said: "I'm not going to the final, I wanted to but now I will focus on La Liga,

"Nobody likes to lose. Everyone has congratulated the Inter players.

"Winning was very important but we have won many titles,

"The fans deserve it all. They have been with us before the game and after."

Busquets went on to laud praise on his opponents and was also quick to congratulate them for making it to the finals.

He added: "Inter have defended very well throughout the match" he said.

"They defended very well but the goal came too late and then there was a disallowed goal and a few other things, we just weren't able to get past them."

Champions League:Guardiola keeps focus on Barca

Pep Guardiola chose to put the mind games employed by Jose Mourinho to one side ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg.

Guardiola led Barca to a historic haul of six trophies in his first year in charge, but the Catalans' hopes of repeating last season's Champions League success are in the balance after they lost 3-1 at Inter Milan last week.

It was the first time a Guardiola-led Barca had lost a match by two goals and the Catalans will need a stirring fightback to advance to the final, which takes place at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu on May 22.

Mourinho spoke of Barca's obsession of winning the title at their fierce rivals' home ground and hinted that the Catalans go down too easily.

But the Barca coach, who worked with Mourinho when the Portuguese coach was an assistant to Sir Bobby Robson and Louis Van Gaal at the Nou Camp, believes his players must focus on their own game tomorrow night.

"It's a game of football, not a magic night, and we have to be ourselves - we will go out and try to generate as many chances as we always do," he said today.

"We don't know if we are capable of turning this around, but we will give everything against a great team to try and get to the final.

"Inter doesn't matter, nor their great coach, nor their marvellous players - the only thing that matters is that we are ourselves."

Guardiola was Barcelona captain when Mourinho worked at the Catalan club and the 39-year-old says he could not have imagined the Portuguese coach would go on to become one of the top managers in the game.

"I didn't know he was so talented - I didn't have this view and I have to say that had I seen it at the time, I would have told the president to keep him here," the Barca coach revealed.

Mourinho has since become something of an unpopular figure at the Nou Camp after inciting the Catalan fans prior to Champions League clashes as coach of Chelsea and now Inter, but Guardiola says the 47-year-old could go on to coach Barca.

"Maybe in the future he can come and train this club," he said.

For the moment, Guardiola reminded his players they are in a privileged position.

"We are here in a Champions League semi-final and we don't know when we might be back, so we have to make the most of it," he said.

"We are excited and looking forward to the game, in the most prestigious competition in Europe at club level, with a full stadium - people stop you in the street and cheer you on and that inspires you.

"It is wonderful to be in a profession where people talk about your work all the time, it's an honour, the most special thing there is - film directors and authors would be delighted if people spoke about their films or books all the time."

Guardiola followed Mourinho's lead by calling up every single one of his players for tomorrow's game, but Eric Abidal and Andres Iniesta are both set to miss out through injury.

"I'm not able to guess what will happen, but we will see if we are able to do it - we will go out and be ourselves, we are an exemplary club," Guardiola said.

And that means beating Mourinho.

"We have a good relationship, although we don't call each other or even have each other's phone numbers," the Barca coach said.

"He's the best and that's all, but we'll try to beat him."

"Barca obsessed with Bernabeu"

Jose Mourinho claims Barcelona's aim of winning the Champions League at the Bernabeu has become an unhealthy obsession.

Inter lead Barca 3-1 after last week's semi-final first leg in Milan and Mourinho says a first European Cup title since 1965 would be a dream for the Italian side.

But for the Catalans, champions in 1992, 2006 and last year, a triumph next month at the Santiago Bernabeu, home of Barca's fiercest adversaries, has more to do with obsession than a dream, according to the former Chelsea coach.

He said: "When we came here in November (in the groups stages, when Barca won 2-0), the fans were already singing 'we're going to Madrid'.

"What I want to say to my players is to follow the dream, not make it an obsession, because for us this is a dream and not an obsession - for Barcelona it's not a dream, it's an obsession.

"A dream is about pride and my players will be very, very proud to reach the final in Madrid, Moscow, London or wherever, but for them it is different - they reached the dream by winning the final in Rome, by winning the final in Paris. Now it's an obsession.

"And the obsession is called Madrid and Santiago Bernabeu."

Mourinho worked as a translator and an assistant coach at the Catalan club under the late Sir Bobby Robson and Louis Van Gaal, and remembers what winning in Madrid means for Barcelona.

"I was at the (Copa del Rey) final between Betis and Barcelona in 1997 (when the Catalans won 3-2 after extra-time), I was there as a translator but I understood it - to see Catalan flags at the Bernabeu and hear people shouting Barca was a huge thing for them," he said.

"For Inter it is different - it has been more then 40 years since Inter's players have been in a Champions League final, so it is a dream for Inter's players and supporters."

The dream, however, is not his own.

"It's not my personal dream, because I have won the Champions League before and even though I want to win it again and again, it's a dream for Inter, not for me," he said.

Mourinho walked into the Nou Camp press room flanked by two burly bodyguards while his midfielder Thiago Motta was still addressing journalists.

But the former Chelsea coach missed his player accusing Barca, his former team, of being divers.

"We are used to seeing Barca players who dive a lot," the Brazilian said, having opened the dialogue moments earlier by stressing the importance of "measuring what we say in such an important game".

"We are football players, we play clean, with the intention of playing really well and with the intention of helping the referee."

Mourinho, who arrived shortly afterwards and stole the spotlight from his player as he sat down on the floor in front of his dark-suited minders, refused to believe Motta had said such a thing, but added fuel to the fire with further insinuations of gamesmanship in the Catalan ranks.

"The only thing I told my players was that I wanted them to support the work of the referee and if the Barcelona players want to do the same, it will be easy for the referee," he said.

Asked if the bodyguards were in place to protect him from a baiting Catalan crowd, Mourinho said the idea was a club decision.

"I don't need them... I go to the bench and I don't think anybody will jump," he said.

"I came in the bus, I went to the garage, met everyone who knows me from 13 years ago, and they are always very polite and nice to me.

"There is no problem, no drama, we don't need to go to war, it's a game of 90 minutes - it's something completely in reach of a top quality team."

However, Mourinho confirmed former Portugal winger Luis Figo, a hate figure at the Nou Camp after leaving Barca to join Madrid as a player, will be alongside him on the bench tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who was reportedly doubtful with a thigh problem, trained normally on Tuesday and Mourinho said the former Madrid man will start against Barca.

"Sneijder is okay and will play," said the Portuguese. "He still has a little problem but he will play."

Lyon vs Bayern Munich 0-3 Champions League Highlights Goals

An Ivica Olic hat-trick ensured Bayern Munich progressed to their first Champions League final since 2001 as they easily dispatched Lyon.

Olic had already ensured Bayern had one foot in the final with a 26th-minute strike when Lyon had captain Cris harshly dismissed on the hour mark.

The Croatia striker served the killer blow in the 67th minute and capped a great night for him and his team 10 minutes later when he headed home his seventh goal in nine Champions League appearances to seal Bayern's place in Europe's showpiece event at the Bernabeu.

Photo Gallery

With Bayern bringing a 1-0 first-leg lead to the Stade Gerland, Lyon knew they had to score twice to reach their first ever final.

However, they almost got off to the worst possible start when, with less than two minutes on the clock, Olic crossed in towards Thomas Muller who should have finished comfortably but the striker fired wide of the right upright with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Les Gones could have reignited the tie minutes later as a corner was headed on towards an unmarked Cris at the far post but the ball was just too high for him to get any direction on it.

And they were left with a mountain to climb shortly before the half-hour mark when Arjen Robben played in a lovely ball to Muller.

He was swiftly closed down by two Lyon defenders but managed to cut it back to Olic who spun and fired home.

Lyon-Bayern Munich Player Ratings

The hosts should have swiftly levelled as Michel Bastos got on the end of Sidney Govou's cross but the Brazilian, who was completely unmarked, fired wide of the right post.

It was almost worse for Lyon moments later when Robben let fly from outside the area and the shot took a slight deflection before brushing past the right upright.

Bayern came out after the break determined to finish the job and they came close to doing so shortly after the restart as first Bastian Schweinsteiger drove in a 25-yard thunderbolt which flew just over before Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was called into action to prevent what seemed a certain second.

Muller played a ball across the outside of the area to Robben who took a couple of steps before letting fly but Lloris pulled off a good stop to deflect it out for a corner.

The Lyon goalkeeper, reportedly a target for the Bundesliga giants, almost went swiftly from hero to villain as, from the ensuing corner, Lloris was stranded in no-man's land as he took his eyes off the ball but fortunately so too did the Bayern attack and it floated harmlessly out of danger.

Lyon saw their final hopes slip away on the hour mark when Cris was booked for a challenge and was then shown a second yellow for ironically applauding the referee.

To add insult to injury replays showed that the Lyon captain's challenge was a fair one.

However, that seemed to spark Lyon into life and moments later they had their first shot on target when Bayern goalkeeper Jorg Butt, who had been largely a spectator until then, was called on to keep out a powerful Govou effort.

Yet it was during Lyon's best period that Bayern served the killer blow.

Hamit Altintop sent a brilliant ball through to Olic who beat the offside trap with a perfectly-timed run and slotted a diagonal shot into the bottom right corner.

Bayern should have extended their lead moments later but Lloris pulled off a fantastic stop to deny Robben before Jean Makoun's challenge stole the ball off Olic as he was about to let fly with his hat-trick in his sights.

Olic did score a third moments later, however, when he headed home Philip Lahm's cross from the centre of the area.

Champions League:Van Gaal wants Mourinho clash

Bayern manager Louis van Gaalwants to cross swords with Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in the Champions League final.

The Bundesliga club swept aside 10-man Lyon 3-0 to progress to the final 4-0 on aggregate.

They will meet either Inter Milan or defending champions Barcelona with Mourinho's team heading to the Nou Camp defending a 3-1 first-leg advantage.

He told Welt Online: "It's great that we are in the final. We have achieved so much in the last few games.

"Bayern can beat any team, that's why we are here. I hope that Jose Mourinho reaches the final, but I have a commitment to Barcelona."

Bayern president Uli Hoeness said: "It was almost perfection in football. This is what I got from Bayern Munich in an important Champions League game. The way we played was unbelievable."

Three-goal hero Olic did not want to take all the praise and instead hailed Bayern's team effort after they swept aside Lyon, who had Cris sent off in the second half in France.

"Three goals in a game like this is outstanding," he said. "We've all played well together and I scored all three goals."

Bayern Munich striker Arjen Robben also hopes to meet former manager Mourinho in the Champions League final after helping his team book their place at the Bernabeu.

"I want to play Inter, definitely." he told Sky Sports 2. "It's better for us as a team.

"We can have difficulties against Barca.

"But It's also because I want to play against Mourinho and (Wesley) Sneijder."

It was an Ivica Olic hat-trick that ensured Bayern Munich progressed to their first Champions League final since 2001.

And Robben reserved special praise for the Croatia striker who took his tally to seven goals in nine European appearances this season.

"He's great, just unbelievable," added Robben. "He gives more than 100% every game.

"He just keeps running, so energetic.

"He's a great player and so important for us."

The outcome was rarely in doubt as Bayern dominated from start to finish.

And Robben confirmed it was as comfortable as it looked.

He said: "Yes, it was comfortable, it also felt so on the pitch.

"We were much the better team. We played a great game.

"We didn't sit back and wait for them to come. We played aggressively, with attacking football and didn't let them come into the game.

"We played well.

"I'm very proud. Very proud of the team and happy to reach the final.

"It's a great season."

Lyon never really looked like scoring but their slim hopes of reaching the final all but evaporated when Cris was harshly dismissed on the hour mark.

With the score on the night still 1-0, Cris was booked for a challenge and was then shown a second yellow for ironically applauding the referee.

To add insult to injury replays showed that the Lyon captain's challenge was a fair one.

However, coach Claude Puel refused to use the red card as an excuse, admitting Bayern simply outplayed his team.

"We have to realise that they were stronger," he told TF1.

"It's a shame we didn't equalise, we had opportunities in front of goal which would have put us back in the match.

"It was more difficult after Cris' sending off, we had already worked a lot physically.

"The score is heavy compared to what the players put in. There's not really much to reproach them for.

"It leaves the feeling of emptiness."

Robben eyes Mourinho reunion

Arjen Robben claims he hopes to meet Jose Mourinho in the Champions League final after helping Bayern book their place at the Bernabeu.

Bayern Munich swept aside 10-man Lyon 3-0 tonight to progress to the final 4-0 on aggregate.

They will meet either Inter Milan or defending champions Barcelona with Mourinho's team heading to the Nou Camp tomorrow defending a 3-1 first-leg advantage.

And Robben, who spent three seasons at Chelsea under Mourinho, has no doubt who he wants to face.

"I want to play Inter, definitely." he told Sky Sports 2. "It's better for us as a team.

"We can have difficulties against Barca.

"But It's also because I want to play against Mourinho and (Wesley) Sneijder."

Photo Gallery

It was an Ivica Olic hat-trick that ensured Bayern Munich progressed to their first Champions League final since 2001.

And Robben reserved special praise for the Croatia striker who took his tally to seven goals in nine European appearances this season.

"He's great, just unbelievable," added Robben. "He gives more than 100% every game.

"He just keeps running, so energetic.

"He's a great player and so important for us."

The outcome was rarely in doubt as Bayern dominated from start to finish.

And Robben confirmed it was as comfortable as it looked.

He said: "Yes, it was comfortable, it also felt so on the pitch.

"We were much the better team. We played a great game.

"We didn't sit back and wait for them to come. We played aggressively, with attacking football and didn't let them come into the game.

"We played well.

"I'm very proud. Very proud of the team and happy to reach the final.

"It's a great season."

Lyon-Bayern Munich Player Ratings

Lyon never really looked like scoring but their slim hopes of reaching the final all but evaporated when Cris was harshly dismissed on the hour mark.

With the score on the night still 1-0, Cris was booked for a challenge and was then shown a second yellow for ironically applauding the referee.

To add insult to injury replays showed that the Lyon captain's challenge was a fair one.

However, coach Claude Puel refused to use the red card as an excuse, admitting Bayern simply outplayed his team.

"We have to realise that they were stronger," he told TF1.

"It's a shame we didn't equalise, we had opportunities in front of goal which would have put us back in the match.

"It was more difficult after Cris' sending off, we had already worked a lot physically.

"The score is heavy compared to what the players put in. There's not really much to reproach them for.

"It leaves the feeling of emptiness."

Premier League:Rooney: My best season so far

Wayne Rooney declared this season as the best of his career after winning the PFA Player of the Year award.

Rooney beat Carlos Tevez, Cesc Fabregas and Didier Drogba to lift the trophy on Sunday night.

In an interview with manutd.com after the ceremonty Rooney said: "I've scored a lot of goals this season and I think overall my play has been good. It's definitely been my most prolific season in front of goal and I'm pleased with the way things have gone."

"But it would complete it all if we could clinch the title."

Asked about the players he voted for, the striker revealed: " I voted for Didier Drogba for the senior award and Cesc Fabregas for young player" [won by Aston Villa's James Milner].

"To be honest, I was very surprised I was up for the young player award too - I think I won it about eight years ago, didn't I? So I was a bit shocked to be up for it again this year."

Rooney also acknowledged the crucial role played by Antonio Valencia in contributing to his astounding goals tally.

"Of course, as a forward player you rely on the support and service of your team-mates. Without the support of people like Antonio, I wouldn't be scoring goals. A lot of what I think I've achieved personally this season is down to that," he said.

"He's [Valencia is] very physical, he's quick and a strong player. He's scored a few goals himself this season and he has the ability to create goals with his movement and his crossing, which obviously I've benefited from."

"He reminds me a lot of Andrei Kanchelskis who was here a few years ago. They're both very traditional wingers, and I like that. Antonio has settled in very quickly and he's had a good first year at the club which hopefully he can build on."

"Make Inter Milan hate football!"

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has called for the Nou Camp faithful to drum up a stunning atmosphere at the ground.

Barcelona will seek to overturn a 3-1 first leg deficit to reach their second consecutive European final and Pique wants to crowd to act as his team's twelfth man.

Speaking at a press conference in Spain, he said: "I want a Camp Nou that has never been seen before seen, a Camp Nou in which there is not one vacant seat. So when the Inter players enter the field they hate the profession of football for 90 minutes."

"That kind of atmosphere is very good if taken responsibly and with a calm mind. The fans can be animated but we need to assess the whole environment and not get carried away with anxiety."

Pique also pointed out the difference in pitches at the Nou Camp and San Siro.

"The Nou Camp is bigger, the grass is shorter and watered, the ball will go faster and it will take more to stop us. Once the game begins, Mourinho is on the bench and can do nothing because we play eleven against eleven."

The former Manchester United player will have some family support to count on as well.

"My parents and my brother asked me for one of my shirts to wear to the game, something they have not done before. So they all come to encourage Barca with the number 3 shirt."

"I have dreamed of qualifying. It's not a miracle but a dream. I've had many, and fortunately I have been able to achieve them."

Bayern: We will keep our calm

Louis van Gaal says the best way of defending Bayern's 1-0 advantage over Lyon in the Champions League semi-final will be to attack their hosts.

Bayern have one foot in the Madrid final thanks to Arjen Robben's strike at the Allianz Arena last Wednesday and Van Gaal suggested his side should wipe the slate clean and pretend to be starting with the score at 0-0 in order to progress to their first Champions League final since 2001.

"We have got to forget about the first leg because this is going to be a different game," he said.

"But I believe that my players would love to reach the final. Our will is strong."

Bayern will are likely to be without several key players tonight.

Franck Ribery is suspended while defenders Daniel van Buyten, Martin Demichelis and Diego Contento are all carrying knocks.

Furthermore, defensive midfielder Anatoliy Tymoschuk has not made the trip to France due to illness, leaving Van Gaal sweating over his team selection right until the last minute.

"We have many injuries and many problems," he admitted. "We hope that they can play.

"We have brought 17 players and if they cannot play, then we will still have 14 players. We will still be able to field 11 players."

Even if his team is down to the bare bones, Van Gaal knows he can rely on one extra quality which defines a German team.

"When I was coach in Holland, I used to always say that you have not beaten a German team, even if it is the 90th minute and you are ahead," he explained.

"We have many German players in our side and there are many foreigners who have played a long time in Germany.

"These players have learnt a lot from German football and this extraordinary mentality of German footballers.

"That is also why I am here at Bayern Munich."

While Van Gaal may be without Van Buyten, who has severe bruising to his lower leg, and Demichelis, who has pulled his calf muscle, he can welcome Mark van Bommel back from suspension.

And the captain, who played in the final in 2006 with Barcelona, will look to pass on his experience to his team mates tonight.

"We have the advantage of being 1-0 ahead and the important thing is that we keep our calm," he said.

"We cannot complain (about injuries) because that gets us nowhere. Nevertheless, we are confident."

Van Gaal will choose between Miroslav Klose or Mario Gomez in his attack with the former holding a slight advantage after scoring the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend.

That result keeps Bayern on course for a historic treble.

They lead Schalke on goal difference at the top of the Bundesliga with two games of the season remaining before facing Werder Bremen in the final of the DFB-Pokal on May 15.

Seven days later, they hope to be in Madrid, bidding for European glory.

Champions League:Moratti focuses on Barcelona

Massimo Moratti is adamant the shock defeat for Roma will not deflect Inter's focus away from their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

Inter trailed Roma heading into the weekend but they placed the pressure on Claudio Ranieri's men by overcoming Atalanta 3-1 on Saturday.

Roma were unable to respond, losing 2-1 to Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico, meaning Inter now hold a two-point advantage at the Serie A summit with three games to go.

The Giallorossi's defeat was certainly unexpected but that does not mean the Inter players will allow their attention to divert from the crunch game at the Nou Camp, in which Inter will attempt to see off Barca after establishing a 3-1 first-leg lead.

Moratti said: "We are already thinking towards Wednesday evening's game in Barcelona.

"We are all concentrated on this very important Champions League game.

"As for the rest, there might be a point more or a point less in the championship but there are still three important matches to go until the end of the season, both for us and for Roma."

Rooney, Neville rooting for Liverpool

Oh the irony! Die hard Red Devils Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville will be hoping for a Liverpool win on Sunday.

Manchester United currently trail league leaders Chelsea, who face Rafael Benitez's men on Sunday, by a point with just two games to go in the Premier League.

Manchester United have two games they are widely expected to win - a trip to Sunderland and a home fixture against Stoke. Chelsea are also heavy favourites to beat Wigan at home on the last day of the season.

Thus, one of the most hotly contested title-races in recent history could well be decided by the outcome of the match between the Blues and the Reds this coming Sunday.

There is no doubting the camp Rooney and Neville will be in. In comments reported by the Daily Mirror, Neville said:"We're hoping that at some point Chelsea might feel the pressure."

"That's not me suggesting they will, but at this stage of the season strange things can happen."

"We can't afford to make any mistakes as the chasing team."

"Chelsea may win all their remaining games, but the most disappointing thing would be if they make a mistake and we don't capitalise."

"We expect Chelsea to win but you just never know with the way this season has gone."

"And obviously next weekend we both have difficult away games - ourselves at Sunderland and Chelsea at Liverpool."

"Everyone has been talking about it coming down to next Sunday but, and I know it is a football cliche, we can only concentrate on our own job."

"Although we're hoping Chelsea slip up, unless we win our games it doesn't matter."

"When we walk onto the pitch against Sunderland we will know where we are in terms of the title race."

"So when we go onto the pitch at 4pm next Sunday we'll know whether we have a realistic chance or not."

Meanwhile, Rooney - who is out of the Sunderland match with a groin strain said: "I hope Liverpool can do us a favour. I know Liverpool, and I know they wouldn't just give up on a game like next week."

Rooney also spoke of his admiration for England teammate and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.

"The great thing is that I don't even have to have a word with Stevie, because I know the type of player he is.

"Every time you see him play you realise what a good player he is. Even in friendly games he wants to win and I am sure he will want to win this one.

"Liverpool are fighting to get into Europe. Every one of them knows about the pride and the history behind the club.

"That tells me they will want to win that game.

"I am sure they are all determined. It is the last home game of the season. The fans won't really be too pleased if they don't turn up."

Rooney also spoke of his joy at winning the PFA Player of the Year Award, but admitted he would rather win the league title.

"It was a great feeling to know I'd won but I'd swap this right now for the league. You know we are pushing forward and in a decent position and hopefully Chelsea can slip up and we will take advantage."

Premier League:Wenger defends his goalkeepers

Arsene Wenger has come out in defence of the goalkeepers who have cost Arsenal precious points this season.

Both Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski have made howlers at various points in the season, howlers which ultimately cost Arsenal a place in the title-race going into the last few games.

Fabianski's blunder against Wigan, when the young Pole dropped the ball onto the head of Titus Bramble six inches from goal snuffed out the Gunners' slim title hopes.

This was just one in a litany of errors that has seen the goalkeeping situation at the Emirates become something of a farce.

However Wenger, as ever, refused to criticise his own players.

In comments reported by arsenal.com, he said: "The goalkeeper is the most difficult job in the game. Look at Man United, they signed Edwin van der Sar for one more year and he is 40 years old."

"The problem is I don't want to go into any individual things about our players. I have to stand up for my decisions."

The Frenchman admitted he was not an expert on goalkeeping but said he had help in making decisions.

"It is not my speciality to be a goalkeeper [coach]. On that front I take advice from people who are specialists."

Arsenal fans will be hoping the experts advise Wenger bring in some quality between the posts next season.

Premier League:Ancelotti: Title ours to lose now

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti refused to lose his title focus after watching his side demolish Stoke 7-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Victories over Liverpool at Anfield and Wigan at home will now be enough for Chelsea to clinch their first title since 2006.

They responded to Manchester United's 3-1 win over Tottenham by mauling shell-shocked Stoke to go one point clear of their rivals at the summit.

A hat-trick from Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou, a brace from Frank Lampard, including a penalty, and late goals from substitute Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda maintained Chelsea's dream of winning a league and FA Cup double this season.

The critical moment for Chelsea will arrive at Anfield next weekend against a Liverpool side who will still be aiming to finish in fourth place.

Chelsea have now scored 93 goals this season and have eight more than United in terms of goal difference but the only statistic concerning Ancelotti is two wins out of the next two games.

"We maintained good discipline on the pitch for 90 minutes," said Ancelotti. "We played well and quickly, and for that I am happy.

"I told my players at half-time to continue to play. Goal difference was not important for this - we have scored a lot of goals this season in the Premier League.

"But it won't come down to goal difference to decide it. There will be one team that arrives in first place and another who arrives in second place.

"We have scored a lot of goals this season, I think it's 93 in the Premier League now, and that's a very good record for us.

"It will be very difficult at Liverpool. But it is in our hands. Liverpool are a fantastic team still going for fourth place.

"It's ours to lose. But that's a good thing. To have a title in our own hands is a good thing.

"Our destiny is in our hands, so now I am quiet and calm. I am happy because we played very well. It was an important game. We needed to come back to the top of the league after Manchester United's win, and we played very well.

"There was a bit of pressure on us before the game but the team were focused and put in a fantastic performance.

"But we don't need to send a message to the other teams. This is a good message for us. We needed a good reaction after the defeat at Tottenham, and we did that. This is a good message for us, no one else.

"I think United will be able to win their games. They have Sunderland and Stoke, and every game is a different story, but our aim is to win two games.

"I know that, if we win two games, we are champions. I hope we play against Liverpool like we played today.

"They will want to fight against us to reach fourth. That's a very important position for the future of their club."

Ancelotti, who threatened to go to the movies instead of watching Manchester United yesterday, revealed he went for a walk in the park instead.

"I walked in the park yesterday," said Ancelotti. "Maybe Sir Alex Ferguson went to see a movie today."

If he did, Fergie could be forgiven for thinking he had stumbled across the 'Return of the Magnificent Seven'.

Spanish La Liga Weekend Review

Weekend's review of La Liga where Barcelona and Real Madrid both won to keep their title-chasing dreams alive.

Sunday

Champions League-chasing Real Mallorca needed a last-gasp goal from Aritz Aduriz to salvage a 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Malaga.

The islanders came into this match with a fantastic home record, having won 14 of their 16 matches at the Ono Estadi, but they were unable to dispose of a Malaga side who were a man down for the whole of the second half following the dismissal of Milan Stepanov just before the interval for a blatant handball.

Gregorio Manzano's side should have taken the lead there and then, but Gonzalo Castro saw his spot-kick saved by Gustavo Munua and Mallorca almost lost out altogether as Victor Obinna gave the Andalusians an unlikely lead four minutes from time.

But Aduriz headed home an equaliser in stoppage time to rescue a point for the home side.

The point turned out to be a decent result as Sevilla missed the chance to move past Mallorca after going down 4-3 at Getafe in the last match of the weekend.

Getafe boss Michel's son, Adrian Gonzalez, gave the hosts the lead in the 17th minute before a swift double from Luis Fabiano and Fredi Kanoute put Sevilla in front at half time.

However, Michel's tactics paid off as Pedro Leon and substitute Manu Del Moral kept Getafe firmly in the game, either side of Luis Fabiano's second.

There was late controversy when another substitute, Daniel Parejo, earnt a stoppage-time penalty and the former QPR man kept his cool to convert it, despite being asked to retake it by the referee.

Kanoute was sent off for a second bookable offence five minutes from time to cap a miserable night for Sevilla in a match which also saw the woodwork struck four times.

Villarreal struck twice in the last 20 minutes to overturn a half-time deficit against Racing Santander.

Villarreal fell behind at El Sardinero when teenager Sergio Canales struck a superb first-half opener to put 15th-placed Racing ahead.

However, the Yellow Submarine hit back after the break with Diego Godin levelling up the scores in the 70th minute before club record signing Nilmar slotted home the winner with seven minutes remaining.

Juan Carlos Garrido's men remain in sixth spot with the win but are now just four points behind Mallorca.

Real Valladolid gave their chances of avoiding the drop a major boost with a 2-0 victory on the road at Sporting Gijon.

Goals inside the final 10 minutes from Manucho and Javier Baraja were enough to seal a victory that moves Javier Clemente's men just two points from safety with four games remaining.

The late goals were split by an ugly spat which saw Valladolid's Asier Del Horno and Sporting's Francisco Maldonado given their marching orders.

Third-bottom Tenerife went down 3-1 at Atletico Madrid.

January signing Eduardo Salvio's cross-shot was diverted over his own line by Tenerife goalkeeper Sergio Aragoneses for the first goal, before the Argentinian teenager doubled Atletico's lead with a thumping effort from 12 yards out.

Tenerife's Roman Martinez pulled a goal back on the hour-mark but Atletico wrapped up the win through star striker Sergio Aguero.

Espanyol took a huge step towards Primera Division survival thanks to a rare away win at fellow strugglers Almeria.

The Barcelona-based side had failed to win on the road since the third round of the championship, but Luis Garcia's brilliant 54th-minute free-kick was enough to give the Catalans only their second away success of the entire campaign.

Saturday

The placings are unchanged at the top of La Liga with Barcelona still at the summit following victory over Xerez.

La Blaugrana are just one point ahead of Real Madrid who edged past Real Zaragoza.

Barcelona suffered at times but eventually overcame rock-bottom Xerez, who ended the game with nine men.

Pep Guardiola's makeshift side suffered some nervy moments at 2-1 before Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the all-important third goal after 55 minutes.

Barca had looked comfortable following early goals from Jeffren Suarez and Thierry Henry, but Mario Bermejo pulled one back immediately and Xerez missed a couple of great chances to level before Ibrahimovic's strike.

Matias Alustiza and Fabian Orellana were sent off for cynical tackles late on as Xerez's evening ended miserably.

Kaka made a fairytale return to action as he climbed off the bench to net a late winner for Real.

The £56million summer signing from AC Milan had missed the last six weeks with a groin problem but he was back with a bang tonight, netting the decider against 10-man Zaragoza soon after appearing as a 75th-minute substitute.

Earlier, Madrid had taken a 50th-minute lead through Raul but relegation-battling Zaragoza, despite having Matteo Contini sent off two minutes later, still managed to draw level through Adrian Colunga on the hour-mark.

Valencia edged a step closer to a place in next season's Champions League after easing past freefalling Deportivo La Coruna, whose own hopes of returning to Europe now look all but over.

David Villa's first-half penalty earned third-placed Valencia the spoils and Los Che provisionally move seven points clear of fourth-placed Real Mallorca, who play Malaga tomorrow.

Valencia finished the game with 10 men after substitute Ruben Baraja was sent off in injury-time, but it happened too late for ninth-placed Depor to take advantage as the Galician side's miserable run continued.

Match Reports

Sunday

Getafe 4-3 Sevilla

Atletico Madrid 3-1 Tenerife

Mallorca 1-1 Malaga

Racing Santander 1-2 Villarreal

Almeria 0-1 Espanyol

Sporting Gijon 0-2 Real Valladolid

Saturday

Barcelona 3-1 Xerez

Real Zaragoza 1-2 Real Madrid

Valencia 1-0 Deportivo La Coruna

Italian Serie A Weekend Review

Review of the latest round of Serie A where Inter retook the summit from AS Roma.

Sunday

Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini scored twice to secure a surprise 2-1 victory at Roma and prevent the capital club from moving back into first place in Serie A.

Roma captain Francesco Totti opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Pazzini restored parity early in the second half and doubled his tally with five minutes remaining to silence a jam-packed Stadio Olimpico.

The Giallorossi now go into the final three games trailing league leaders Inter Milan by two points, while Samp climb into fourth place and the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Earlier, Juventus boosted their own slender hopes of clinching a place in next season's Champions League by sinking Bari 3-0.

Substitute Vincenzo Iaquinta struck a second-half brace, either side of Alessandro Del Piero's penalty, to help Juve to sixth in the standings, within six points of Samp.

Napoli remain on course for a Europa League place despite only managing a goalless draw at home to 10-man Cagliari in Serie A.

The hosts made a late push when Cagliari substitute Andrea Cossu was shown a straight red card with 11 minutes to play but the islanders held on for a point.

Napoli hold the last European spot and are four points clear of Genoa, whose Europa League ambitions suffered a setback when they lost 2-1 at home to Lazio.

Rodrigo Palacio put the home side in front in the eighth minute, but goals from Andre Goncalves Dias and Sergio Floccari gave Lazio the deserved lead at the break.

Genoa's hopes of a comeback suffered a blow when Salvatore Bocchetti was sent off in the 70th minute and Lazio clung on to move six points clear of the danger zone.

Bologna remain a point behind Lazio after Marco Di Vaio's brace handed them a crucial 2-1 victory over 10-man Parma.

Cristian Zaccardo's sending-off in the 29th minute proved the turning point as the hosts came from behind to cancel out Jonathan Biabiany's opener.

Elsewhere, a first-half brace from Simone Pepe set Udinese on their way to a convincing 4-1 victory over Siena which all but secures their Serie A status while almost certainly condemning the Tuscans to the second division.

Pepe scored either side of Emanuele Calaio's equaliser before Alexis Sanchez extended their lead on the hour mark and top goalscorer Antonio Di Natale boosted his claim to the Capocannoniere trophy.

Siena are now nine points behind Bologna while Udinese are eight points above the drop zone.

Livorno are down despite a 3-1 victory over 10-man Catania.

Cristiano Lucarelli opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot in the 50th minute after Catania's Ciro Capuano had brought down Davide Di Gennaro inside the area.

Capuano was shown a second yellow card and handed his marching orders.

Claudio Bellucci doubled Livorno's advantage on the hour mark and Martin Bergvold made it 3-0 six minutes later before Maxi Lopez scored a consolation goal with three minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, Chievo ensured their Serie A status for another season with an impressive 2-0 victory at Fiorentina.

Sergio Pellissier and Gennaro Sardo struck second-half goals for the Flying Donkeys, who moved 10 points clear of danger with three games remaining.

Defeat for La Viola all but ends their bid for European football next season, with the club now eight points off the final European berth after their fourth game without a win.

Saturday

Inter Milan returned to the top of the Serie A table, at least temporarily, thanks to a 3-1 victory over Atalanta.

Atalanta stunned their hosts when they took the lead after less than five minutes but, just as they had done midweek against Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, Inter hit back.

After a dire opening 15 minutes, Inter began to get back into the game and top scorer Diego Milito levelled before McDonald Mariga gave them the lead with his first Nerazzurri goal 10 minutes from the break.

Cristian Chivu also scored his first goal for the club to wrap up the points for Inter in the 78th minute and send them back to the head of the standings - two points clear of Roma, who host Sampdoria tomorrow.

Atalanta remain two points behind Bologna, who entertain Parma on Sunday.

Elsewhere in Italy, Palermo boosted their chances of Champions League football next season with a 3-1 victory over AC Milan at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

Cesare Bovo and Abel Hernandez were both on target in the opening 18 minutes as the hosts got off to a flyer.

Clarence Seedorf grabbed a goal back for the Rossoneri 10 minutes into the second half but Fabrizio Miccoli wrapped up the points with a stunning strike in the 68th minute.

Palermo moved into fourth, a point above Samp, with Milan six points better off in third spot.

Match Reports

Saturday

Roma 1-2 Sampdoria

Napoli 0-0 Cagliari

Livorno 3-1 Catania

Fiorentina 0-2 Chievo

Juventus 3-0 Bari

Bologna 2-1 Parma

Udinese 4-1 Siena

Genoa 1-2 Lazio

Sunday

Inter Milan 3-1 Atalanta

Palermo 3-1 AC Milan

Fletcher: United will not panic

Darren Fletcher is confident Manchester United will keep their nerve in the Premier League's final week.

For the second Saturday in succession, the Red Devils were forced to wait until late to claim a vital win.

Victory over Tottenham was not achieved with the last attack, as was the case the previous weekend against Manchester City, but it took goals in the final nine minutes from Nani and Ryan Giggs to seal a 3-1 win.

Chelsea responded with a 7-0 thrashing of Stoke, so with two games to play United are still a point behind and by the time they are in action again, at Sunderland next Sunday, the Stamford Bridge outfit will have completed their clash with Liverpool, which is by far the Red Devils' best hope of their rivals slipping up.

But even if things are not going United's way at the Stadium of Light, Fletcher knows the last couple of weeks have proved there will be no sense of panic.

"We just keep believing in the way we play," said the Scotland skipper.

"We don't get desperate. Although we throw players forward we still keep passing, try to get the ball wide and create the right opportunities.

"Sometimes the fans might want the ball forward early but 50-50 balls are no good. We want to keep playing the way we know."

It worked at Old Trafford as Nani scored a wonder goal to put United ahead against a Tottenham side who are still favourites for a top-four berth even though they have been joined by Aston Villa, with Manchester City and Liverpool not far behind.

Liverpool almost certainly hold the key to the title. The Merseysiders also know by avoiding defeat against Chelsea they will open up the chance for United to claim a record 19th championship.

The odds still favour the Londoners, although Sir Alex Ferguson is surprised to have reached this point given the downbeat mood that accompanied United's draw at Blackburn only a fortnight ago.

"I thought that was the end of our title bid," said the United boss. "I felt we were dead and buried."

Instead United are still in the thick of things, although they will have to get by without star man Wayne Rooney, whose groin injury at least does not threaten his participation in the World Cup.

At "two to three weeks" Ferguson's assessment would not even make Rooney a doubt for the friendly against Mexico at Wembley on May 24, or the training camp in Austria that immediately precedes it.

In Rooney's absence, United will rely on Dimitar Berbatov, who was excellent against his former club, plus old stagers Scholes and Giggs, whose first penalty was cancelled out by the excellent Ledley King 20 minutes from time.

King's outstanding performance drew further calls from Harry Redknapp for a place amongst the 23-man squad Fabio Capello will take to South Africa for his captain.

None of that matters to Fletcher, who emphasised the influence Scholes and Giggs can have.

"There are no two better players in pressure situations than Paul and Ryan," he said.

"They have been there and done it for 15 or 20 years and they are still putting performances in.

"It is great experience to have around the place.

"They are born winners. It is what you want in a squad."

Both men will be using their vast experience this week to remind United's players nothing is impossible.

Indeed, Scholes was a substitute when United went to West Ham on the final day of the 1994-95 campaign needing Liverpool to beat Blackburn at Anfield and doubts being expressed about the Merseysiders' desire to help their bitter rivals.

In the end, Liverpool won, only for the Red Devils to fail at Upton Park.

It is proof Fletcher is issuing wise words when he urged his team-mates to concentrate on themselves.

"Since they beat us at Old Trafford it has been Chelsea's title to lose," he observed.

"It is going to be close but we have to concentrate on ourselves and win our games.

"If we don't win, what Chelsea do is irrelevant."

Ranieri rues missed chances

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri rued his team's missed chances against Sampdoria as they fell to their first Serie A defeat since October.

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri rued his team's missed chances against Sampdoria as they fell to their first Serie A defeat since October.

A second-half brace from Italy striker Giampaolo Pazzini handed Samp a 2-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico to prevent Roma from climbing back to the top of the standings.

They are now two points behind defending champions Inter Milan with three games remaining.

"We are disappointed because we played a beautiful first half and we didn't make the most of our chances," said Ranieri.

"Perhaps we could have controlled the game better after the break.

"But as I told my players in the changing room, a draw or a defeat makes little difference."

Roma had taken the lead in the 15th minute through Francesco Totti but Pazzini equalised early in the second half.

With Roma looking for the winner, Pazzini struck on a fast counter-attack with five minutes remaining.

Ranieri added: "Now our future is no longer in our hands and we must try to win our remaining games and hope that Inter don't.

"But Inter are an armada."

Inter won 3-1 against Atalanta on Saturday and travel to the Stadio Olimpico to face Roma's city rivals Lazio next, while Ranieri takes on his former team Parma on Sunday.

Samp, meanwhile, leapfrogged Palermo into fourth place and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

"Our dream of playing in the Champions League continues," said Samp hero Pazzini.

"We didn't play well in the first half and we let Roma take the initiative.

"But we were a different side after the re-start and I have to compliment all my teammates because we played a great game.

"We deserved this victory and if you want to get to the Champions League, you have to go out and win games like this one.

"We achieved this, playing well against all the teams.

"To play in the Champions League would be fantastic."

Pazzini, who has increased his tally to 17 goals, also hopes to make Marcello Lippi's World Cup squad.

"South Africa is closer and I hope to be there," he said.