Liverpool Will Fight To The End - Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers stressed that his team would give everything to qualify for the Champions League after a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Monday left them four points behind Manchester City in the Premier League.

With fourth-placed City reeling after Sunday's defeat by Manchester United continued a torrid run in which the champions have lost six of their last eight games, Liverpool needed a win over Newcastle to retain hope of a Champions League spot.

Liverpool fans would have been excused for feeling a little jittery after back-to-back league defeats, but Raheem Sterling set Rodgers's side on their way before Joe Allen scored a late second to close the gap on struggling City with six games left.

"We are going to fight till the very end," Rodgers told reporters.

"There is always a price when you lose big games. We are a group that's learning. We knew we had to respond to those defeats.

"I still think there will be changes and points dropped. The players are very motivated and we've shown we can put wins together.

"I thought we showed attacking intent in the game, won the ball back quickly and controlled the game until the last five six minutes in the first half, when we started to give the ball away too cheaply."

If Liverpool are to qualify for the Champions League then Rodgers hopes his attacking duo of Philippe Coutinho and England international Sterling can continue to torment defences.

"I think Philippe Coutinho was incredible, sensational," Rodgers said.

"He played in that hole between the midfield and their defence and was outstanding. He showed why he is one of the best players in the best league in the world.

"He is very valuable. He is a kid who's non-stop, he wants to learn and improve himself. I thought he was outstanding tonight. Wonderful skill and ability for his goal."

Sterling Faces Rodgers Over 'Shisha'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will speak to striker Raheem Sterling after footage emerged of the England international apparently taking nitrous oxide.

Images published on The Sun's website appeared to show the 20-year-old Sterling passing out unconscious after taking the substance, which is described as a legal high.

Sterling, who scored the opening goal in Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at Anfield on Monday, is currently stalling on a new contract and admitted recently that he had rejected a new £100 000 a week deal.

"He's a young kid who has been in the spotlight now so he knows the demands of being a top class player and a top class professional," Rodgers told reporters after Liverpool's victory over Newcastle.

"When you are a professional sports person it's not something you should be doing but I'll speak to him on that.

"We want players here that are super pro and focussed on their football.

"It's not just on the field, it's off the field as well but I will speak with him on it and we'll move on."

Over the weekend a picture also emerged of Sterling on social media where he appeared to be smoking from a shisha pipe.

Liverpool, who play Aston Villa in an FA Cup semifinal at Wembley on Sunday, are fifth in the Premier League with 57 points from 32 matches.

Messi Tries To Forget Last Year's Troubles

Four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has admitted that he struggled to overcome injuries in Barcelona's first trophyless campaign for six years last season.

As well as the disappointment at club level, Messi suffered the devastation of losing the World Cup final with Argentina and saw Cristiano Ronaldo oust him to win the World Player of the Year for a second consecutive year.

"Last season, I had an inconsistent season. I was out for a long time with injuries and I missed a lot of games," Messi told Barcelona's website.

"When I returned to playing I didn't feel good. It was a year I have tried to forget quickly to get back to my best with the effort, work and joy with which I have always had and thankfully now I feel very good."

Messi has stormed back to form since this season with 45 goals in 44 games to put Barca in position for just the second treble in the club's history.

Luis Enrique's men lead Real Madrid in La Liga by two points with seven games to play, face Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final and travel to Paris Saint-Germain for the first-leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday.

"We went through times that we won everything, every year we would win a title and sometimes the fans and us didn't value what we were doing," Messi added.

"We had a bad year when we didn't win anything and now, when the success comes, we give it the importance it deserves and we enjoy it more because we know how difficult it is to achieve."

The one area of Messi's game that has let him down in recent months has been from the penalty spot as the 27-year-old has missed five of his last 11 spot-kicks, including against Manchester City in the last 16 of the Champions League.

"It angers me. Both with Barca and the Argentine national team I am the penalty taker and the goalkeepers study you and know you better every time.

"It is true that a well-taken penalty is very difficult to save, but at the moment it is more difficult for me when I'm taking penalties.

"These things happen in football, but I do get very annoyed when I miss, like against Manchester City when the goal would have given us a much bigger advantage."

Bale Returns To Training

Real Madrid have confirmed Gareth Bale has returned to training two days before the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.

The Welsh winger missed Saturday’s 3-0 win over Eibar due to a foot injury but was back training with Real coach Carlo Ancelotti on Sunday.

The reigning European champions face their local rivals across town at Atletico’s Vicente Calderon on Tuesday, and Bale could be ready to play.

Bale had scored five goals in as many games in all competitions before injury struck.

The starting XI that led Real to victory in La Liga against Eibar were given a light session on Sunday.

Messi Frustrated By Penalty Problems

Lionel Messi will continue as Barcelona’s penalty taker, despite his patchy record from 12 yards.

Argentina star Messi has missed four penalties for club and country this season, but he is determined to improve.

“Yes there is a lot of frustration that I have missed a lot of penalties, both for the club and for Argentina,” Messi told Barca’s official magazine. “I am the designated penalty taker, but when the goalkeepers study you they know your ideas more.

“It is true to say that a well taken penalty is very difficult to stop, but now it’s more complicated when it comes to taking a penalty.

“These are things in football, but it’s true that I have made poor decisions, such as against Manchester City, when the goal would have given us a very important advantage.

“[But] like everything in football, we are fortunate that every three days there is another game, you cannot keep regretting what happened.”

Ribery, Schweini To Miss Porto Trip

Bayern Munich will be without midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Franck Ribery when they travel to Porto for Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal first leg.

Frenchman Ribery is not yet fully fit following a five-week absence with an ankle injury while Schweinsteiger has had a virus for the past few days.

"Bastian and Franck will not be with us against Porto. That is bitter," sports director Matthias Sammer said on Monday as the problems started to pile up for the treble-chasing Bavarians.

Medhi Benatia, David Alaba, Javi Martinez and Arjen Robben had already been sidelined by injuries.

Jerome Boateng, who was rested for Saturday's 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt due to a minor muscle problem, is back in the squad.

"Those who are with us have our full trust," Sammer told reporters ahead of the team's departure for Portugal later on Monday. "The team is hungry."

Bayern are 10 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and are also through to the German Cup semifinals.

Drogba Dismisses Retirement Talk[READ STORY]

Chelsea veteran Didier Drogba insisted on Monday he intended to play for at least one more season.

The 37-year-old Ivory Coast forward is out of contract with the Premier League leaders at the end of the current campaign, having returned to Stamford Bridge after two seasons abroad.

Drogba, asked if he had decided on his future, said: "Yes I have and it's not going to be my last season."

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said last week he had still to speak to Drogba regarding his future.

"We have a lot of talks to do," Mourinho said. "I don't know what he wants.

"There are people who, during their careers, earn the right and the power to make decisions and not wait for others to make decisions for them.

"What he did at this club for so many years puts him in a great position."

Mourinho, then in his first spell as Chelsea manager, signed Drogba from Marseille in 2004.

The powerful forward scored 157 goals in his initial eight-year stint with Chelsea, including the winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final shootout victory.

However, Drogba has been largely a squad player this season and made just his fourth league start of the season in Sunday's 1-0 west London derby away to Queens Park Rangers after injuries to Diego Costa and Loic Remy.

Drogba could start against Manchester United this Saturday as Chelsea look to move one step closer to clinching the English top-flight title.

"It's difficult when you don't play and then have to go into these kind of games," he said. "But I always try to give my best.

"I tried to give the best of my physical capacity against QPR, so if the manager needs me against United and Arsenal, I'm ready."

Dream Team, Falcons Get AAG Foes

The national men’s under-23 team's qualification for the football event of the 11th All Africa Games will see them slug it out with Egypt, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Sudan and host Congo-Brazzaville for the gold medal at the Africa sports fiesta this September.

Coach Samson Siasia and his wards were able to see off a spirited Zambian under-23 side 2-1 on aggregate after a hard earned 2-1 away win at the National Heroes Stadium last weekend.

Nigeria and Zambia drew 0-0 in the first leg at the National Stadium Abuja, but were able to turn the tables in Lusaka through a brace by Taiwo Awoniyi to book their passage to the event.

The Dream Team make a return to the All Africa Games after recent failure to qualify for the last event in Algiers in 2011.

The Falcons, who have also qualified for the event after hammering Mali 8-0 at the National Stadium, Abuja for a 9-1 aggregate win will have their hands full against Cameroun, Tanzania, South Africa, Cameroun, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau.

Nigeria will also meet Mali next month for the qualifiers of the 2016 Rio Olympics. The winner of that tie will book a ticket to for the games in Brazil.

Nigeria’s Falcons failed to qualify for the last All Africa Games female football event as well as the Olympics in London.

Dream Team opponents:

Egypt, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Ghana, Senegal, Congo-Brazaville.

Falcons opponents:

Tanzania, Egypt, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Cameroun, Ghana

Uche Dedicates Goal To Musacchio

Nigeria international striker, Ikechukwu Uche says his goal on Sunday in Villarreal’s 1-1 draw with Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez is for teammate Mateo Musacchio.

Uche scored from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute to give the Yellow Submarine the lead but the hosts levelled matters 12 minutes later through Diego Castro.

The Nigerian attacker has now taken the time to speak about the setback which befell his Uruguayan teammate, who fractured his ankle in the game, wishing him a quick recovery in a touching act of companionship.

"We are sorry for the injury to Musacchio. Nobody wants their partner or the opposing team to get hurt that way. From here we send a lot of strength to be restored," Uche said after the game.

He however acknowledged that such injuries are part of the game while adding that he would “not wish anyone" to suffer such a fate.

"It's hard to have this (kind of injury in this kind of) profession. I hope he recovers quickly from this because we are all saddened in the team (as a result of the development)," he said.

Uche concluded by discussing his side’s chances of qualifying for the Uefa Europa League next season explaining that despite the team’s poor run in recent matches, the objective was still achievable.

"We have a good mentality and know that we still have seven games and we will fight for them (and) try to win (all) seven.

"We want to continue as always, game after game we're going to try to win everything and see where (it takes us)," he said.

'Mali Not Falcons' Benchmark'

Super Falcons psychologist Kasia Muoto has said Mali will not serve as benchmark for the reigning African champions.

On Friday in Abuja the Falcons edged West African opponents Mali for a place at the upcoming All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

Both sides will contest the 2016 Rio Olympics ticket in a two-legged encounter commencing on May 9.

Muoto said the seven-time African champions are still a work in progress with regards to the side’s Olympics, World Cup and other engagements.

“Mali is not definitely the benchmark of the quality of opposition the Super Falcons will confront at the upcoming Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada.

“There is lots of conditioning and mental work to be done to make the side perfect ahead of the World Cup competition.

“Even in the 8-0 demolition of the Malians in the All Africa Games qualifier we saw lots of flaws which a stronger side can ably leverage on to make nonsense of their effort.

“We believe that Mali have a lot to prove in the Olympic qualifying match next month because it’s certain to be a different ball game when both sides clash for a spot at the Olympics.

“That’s why we’ve repeatedly reminded them not to be too complacent or confident as Mali are capable of springing up surprises.

“So my work with the side is not a one off thing, rather a round the clock exercise. We’re done with the All Africa Games we’ll move on to the Olympics then the World Cup.

“I’ll start one-on-one sessions with the players aimed at correcting some age long misconception and wrong perception of things.

“I understand the psyche is not in the right place. I’m going to correct the loose ends to instill self-belief in them especially as we prepare for the World Cup where they’ll confront the likes of former world champions, USA, Sweden and Australia.

“We’ll work very quickly to demystify the person to person fear complex and culture so that they’ll see reality exactly as it is.

“So we must rise above the Malis or similar challenges in order to get it right at the world,” said Muoto to supersport.com.

The Nigerian women’s national team mental conditioning and performance coach's first assignment with the Falcons was the AAG qualifying match 8-0 demolition of Mali on Friday in Abuja.

Juventus Can't Be Complacent vs. Monaco As Treble Talk Increases

"It would be nice if they had to move the Coppa Italia final," Juventus coach Max Allegri admitted last Tuesday. You could be forgiven for thinking that when they scheduled it for June 5, the FIGC had little confidence in a representative from Serie A reaching the Champions League final, which is due to be played in Berlin the day after.

Allegri's team will definitely be at one of them after Juventus booked their place in Rome, where they will meet Lazio, by accomplishing something they had never done before in their illustrious history: advance to the next round of Italy's domestic cup competition after losing the first leg at home.

The subsequent 3-0 win at Fiorentina ranked as arguably Juventus' greatest show of strength this season as a second string without the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez put in a performance that matched the best of the first team.

Accused in the past of having a "short bench," never had trust in the team's depth been so high, nor could the timing for that conviction to develop have been any better. The players were different but the mentality was the same and so was the result. Juventus triumphed 3-0 on the road in another delicate eliminator just like they did in Dortmund in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 last month.

After the win in Florence, Giorgio Chiellini talked about how Juventus have matured. "Think about it," he said, "A couple of years ago, aside from the old guard -- Buffon and Pirlo -- there were very few players on this team who could boast international experience and who had a number of big 'in or out' games behind them. That increased after our [2012-13] participation in the Champions League and the next one when we also played in the Europa League. Even though it left a bitter taste in our mouths, we needed it to get more experience.

"With a defeat in the first leg to come back from and a hostile and intense atmosphere to play in, maybe two years ago we would have managed the game in Florence completely differently," Chiellini continued. "The same goes for both legs against Dortmund as well. We walked out on the pitch at the Westfalenstadion calm, self-assured and convinced that we'd have our say. It was exactly the same at the Franchi."

For the first time, there's even talk of a treble in the media, although you won't hear it voiced from the coach or the players. While granting the fans have every right to dream, Chiellini has insisted: "We have to live in the present." Most Juventini, however, are either cautious or superstitious. You won't catch them pronouncing the word triplet. It has been left to the papers instead.

Jose Mourinho Plans Another Raid Of Atletico Madrid For Joao Miranda

As the summer window draws ever closer, the transfer rumours and gossip continue to spread.

Mourinho to raid Atletico again?

Jose Mourinho's side are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League, thanks in no small part to the performances of Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois, two of Atletico Madrid's key players in their 2013-14 title-winning side.

Brazilian left-back Filipe Luis hasn't had quite the same success as his former Atleti teammates at Stamford Bridge, but that won't stop Mourinho's plundering Diego Simeone's side for more defensive talent, according to AS.

The Spanish outlet reported the Blues sent technical director Michael Emenalo to watch centre-back Miranda during Atletico's 2-2 draw at Malaga on Saturday evening.

The 30-year-old has a year left on his Rojiblancos contact and has been linked with a move to Manchester clubs United and City, but just last week he said he was planning on staying in Madrid, despite being "proud" of the transfer links.

However, Atletico are reportedly open to selling the defender for what the Mirror called a "cut-price fee," rather than losing him for nothing in 2016, and Chelsea's Brazilian contingent could pave the way for another deal between the two clubs.

Van Gaal eyeing Bayern duo?

While Louis van Gaal and his squad savour a Manchester derby victory, there is no rest in terms of United transfer rumours. The latest suggestion from the Star was the Dutch coach will turn to former club Bayern Munich and attempt to land Robert Lewandowski and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Lewandowski has not had a glittering first season in Bavaria, but the former Borussia Dortmund striker has hit form of late, scoring a stunning volley against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. Although he will more than likely stay at the Allianz Arena, United might test the waters with an enquiry for the 26-year-old.

Schweinsteiger, however, could be tempted to work with Van Gaal once again, and the 30-year-old German national captain is reportedly available for as little as £10 million.

Liverpool youngster to agree to extension?

With Sunday's gossip that Jordan Henderson is closing in on a new Liverpool deal, the Express reported Jordan Ibe is the next Anfield youngster on course to seal a contract extension.

The 19-year-old winger has been impressive in his breakthrough season on Merseyside and will reportedly commence talks on an incentivised, £30,000 a week deal before the end of April.

Tying Ibe down for the long term would be another success for Brendan Rodgers in a season that is turning into a major disappointment. Now there's just the small matter of Raheem Sterling to attend to ...

Magpies to move for QPR star?

Spare a thought for Newcastle United fans in the transfer market this summer; after living through the Joe Kinnear "Yohan Kebab" years, the club have decided to do "due diligence" on future transfers after current head coach John Carver admitted "something's not right" with the current players.

Owner Mike Ashley is suitably alarmed with the Magpies' form that he is apparently considering a £10 million move for QPR talisman Charlie Austin, according to The Sun.

The paper reported Ashley will look to bring an "old-fashioned No. 9 hero" to the club in order to win over the St. James' Park faithful -- that's code for a decent, cheap goal-scorer.

Any potential bid would be helped, were QPR to be relegated, so Austin can probably avoid a move to Newcastle if he starts banging in the goals to keep his side up.

Saints star coy on future

The future of Toby Alderweireld seems far from certain beyond this summer, with mixed messages coming from parent club Atletico Madrid and the player himself.

Various British newspapers have picked up on the 25-year-old defender's saying he is focused on completing a "special season" on loan at Southampton, amid Atleti's Jose Luis Perez Caminero suggesting the Spanish side will invoke a clause to nullify the Saints' pre-agreed £6.8 million deal for the Belgian.

"I saw something in the Spanish papers," Alderweireld said. "I don't know. I didn't hear from them. We will see." With Manchester United, Man City, Tottenham and (obviously) Southampton all interested, the race for his signature could turn into a bidding war this summer.

United after Inter goalkeeper?

Until David De Gea puts pen to paper on a new Manchester United contract, rumours will keep swirling about potential replacements at Old Trafford. The latest name to appear from the transfer ether is Inter Milan goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, with the Express linking the 30-year-old to Old Trafford.

His current deal expires in 2016, and the shot-stopper told reporters this weekend: "I still don't know what the club wants to do. So far there have been no steps forward." Inter director Piero Ausilio responded by saying: "He knows how much Inter respect him, and we'll see what happens over the next few weeks."

Handanovic's comments could be a classic case of bumping up any prospective new offer from the Nerazzurri, but the chance to play for United might be too tempting to turn down if De Gea does in fact make a move to Real Madrid this summer to replace Blancos legend Iker Casillas.

Chelsea Warned About Fellaini

Chelsea will have to be wary of the danger posed by the in-form Marouane Fellaini when Manchester United visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday, according to his teammates Ashley Young and Chris Smalling.

Fellaini has played a key role in United's run of six straight league wins and the towering Belgium midfielder received a standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd when he was substituted near the end of Sunday's 4-2 victory over Manchester City.

"Felli has been brilliant," Young told the club's in-house TV channel. "Everyone will say the same.

"He's been fantastic. I've said before that very few people can handle him. On his day he's unplayable."

Young opened United's account against City with a close-range finish before supplying an inch-perfect cross for Fellaini to head the second goal.

Smalling, who completed the scoring on Sunday after Juan Mata had slid home the third goal, also heaped praise on former Everton player Fellaini who is back to his best after an awful first season at United last term.

"Felli's been a handful for every team and there hasn't really been an answer to him," said England defender Smalling.

"He needs two players to mark him so he frees up a lot of space. He's been terrific."

Fellaini has had his share of doubters among the United faithful since his 27 million pounds ($39.45 million) move but manager Louis van Gaal said Sunday's ovation showed he had won them over.

"The fans see that he is very important for the team," said the Dutchman. "He scores goals and lifts the pressure when we need it.

"He always plays the ball to a red shirt, that is also very important."

Third-placed United's stunning sequence of results has given them an outside chance of lifting the title but they will need to inflict Chelsea's first home league defeat of the season to cut the deficit on the leaders to five points.

Van Gaal's side have six matches left this season while Chelsea have a game in hand on United and second-placed Arsenal who are seven points off the pace.

Mou Sees Champion Quality In Chelsea

Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea's gritty 1-0 win at QPR had all the hallmarks of champions-elect.

Mourinho's side moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after Cesc Fabregas's 88th minute goal settled a scrappy west London derby at Loftus Road.

The Blues need 12 more points from their remaining seven matches to be certain of claiming the English crown for the first time since 2010 and, although they were well below their best on Sunday, Mourinho was encouraged by the way they emerged unscathed from a tricky test.

It took a poor clearance from QPR goalkeeper Robert Green, seized on by Eden Hazard and eventually converted by Fabregas, to give Chelsea a win that even Mourinho admitted was probably more than they deserved.

But it was the way Chelsea kept their composure in such a heated contest that impressed Mourinho and reminded him of the way his previous title-winning teams, at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, all found a way to triumph in unpromising situations.

"Every time I was a champion I remember a couple of matches that my teams won in the last minute. It is like a little light that shines for the team that will be champions," Mourinho said.

"It is difficult to play here, the pitch is small and 1.30pm is maybe not the best time to go into the game with intensity.

"They gave us a difficult match but we kept good emotional control and never lost balance. If we have to go home with 0-0 ok, but we kept going and got the goal. One point would have been fair but we played well with the circumstances."

Crucial showdowns

With crucial showdowns against Manchester United and then Arsenal looming over the next two weeks, Chelsea's refusal to settle for a point could prove invaluable as it gives them more margin for error when they face their title rivals.

Asked if Chelsea's victory would be a psychological blow to second placed Arsenal, who had closed the gap to four points on Saturday, Mourinho responded by demanding that his team be given respect for sitting joint top or top of the table since the opening day of the season.

"I don't know if it hurts Arsenal or not but it is not normal for a team to be top of the table in August and arrive in April still top of the league," Mourinho said.

"That is the team that deserves the credit. Other teams have had good runs, but we have had a good run since August."

While Mourinho was right to praise his players' steely focus, the Blues were indebted to Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who made amends for some recent mistakes with two fine saves to deny Charlie Austin and Matt Phillips.

Courtois gifted Hull a goal in Chelsea's win at the KC Stadium and was caught off his line by Charlie Adam's 65-yard wonder-goal for Stoke last week.

"I said after Hull and Charlie Adam he needed to give us a couple of points. We needed a couple of saves and he did it," Mourinho added.

The defeat was cruel on QPR, who remain two points from safety, and manager Chris Ramsey was left to rue one lapse in concentration that ruined an otherwise immaculate gameplan.

"I'm disappointed with the manner we let the goal in. I'm not blaming Rob. It wasn't his best kick but we had plenty of time to defend, and for the first time in the game we didn't deal with it," he said.

"I would have been more accepting if they had done something clever to pull a goal out of the bag. We could have defended miles better.

"All that running that everybody did has gone to waste. Saying that, the players were fantastic and hopefully that performance against a top team has given everybody hope."

Oboabona: Eagles Must Work As A Team To Qualify For 2017 AFCON

Nigeria international Godfrey Oboabona has disclosed that the Super Eagles must be at their best and strive to learn from past mistakes if hope to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former African champions will face Egypt, Chad and Tanzania in the race for a place in the biannual football showpiece billed for Gabon.

The Rizespor player insists that all hands must be on the deck to ensure the country is not shut out of the competition again after missing out of the 2015 edition staged in Equatorial Guinea.

“I have seen the draws and what I have to say is that it is a good and difficult group and we must start work immediately, Oboabona told Goal.

 “The administrators must do their part while we the players too are not left behind. We must be focused and work as a team.

“We must see it as a collective task and we must all be determined to do Nigerians proud this term after the disappointment of missing the 2015 edition.

“We must take all our opponents serious and we must not show respect for any of them from Egypt to Chad. We need to ensure that we pick all the available points either home or away. This is the only way by which we can get our desired result,” he concluded.

Messi Has Always Been My Idol- Lucas Moura

The Brazilian says his nation's rivalry with Argentina hasn't stopped him from idolising the four-time Ballon d'Or winner

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lucas Moura has revealed Barcelona's Lionel Messi has "always been his role model in football".

The 22-year-old moved to the French capital from Sao Paulo in January 2013 and took time to adapt to European football before emerging as one of Laurent Blanc's key men this season.

Having previously been criticised for his lack of end product, Moura has scored eight goals so far this term and will hope to add to that tally against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.

PSG face the Catalans in the first leg on Wednesday having already met in the group stage of the competition before Christmas, with the forward relishing the chance to face the man he says is the best in the world.

"He has always been my idol," he told AS.

"For some time I've been obsessed with his way of playing. I think he's the best player in the world, above all the rest.

"We must be realistic and Messi is the best. Of course, there is always a rivalry between Brazil and Argentina but we are a football country.

"It will be very difficult to play against him. We will have to work hard to stop him. If we get the victory it will be close.

"It's always nice to play against them. It will be a challenge and a very close tie. We are very excited."

Moura also had kind words for fellow Brazilian Neymar, who returned to goalscoring form with a sublime free-kick against Sevilla on Saturday.

"He's a football genius. I'm happy to say he is my friend. I love to watch him play for Barca, they will help him a lot."

Tevez Says: "Juventus Can Win The Champions League"

The forward has compared the Manchester United side he was part of that won the Champions League in 2008 and the Bianconeri's current squad

The Bianconeri face Monaco in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday after beating Borussia Dortmund 5-1 on aggregate in the last eight.

However, Massimiliano Allegri's side suffered a shock defeat to Serie A whipping boys Parma on Saturday, though Tevez is confident the loss was nothing more than a minor blip.

"Parma was an accident," he told La Repubblica.

"Dortmund has shown that we can go far. It only depends on us. Juventus can beat anyone and we've shown that. Nobody is out of our reach."

Tevez won the Champions League with Manchester United in 2008, scoring his side's first penalty in the 6-5 shootout victory over Chelsea.

The Argentina international was part of a squad featuring a host of star names but says his Juventus team are very different in their make up.

He continued: "That was a different situation. There were some amazing examples: Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes.

"I think that now there is a team instead. We are very hard to beat."

The Argentine believes Juve can take heart from Atletico Madrid's run to the final last year, but is hoping for a better ending than Diego Simeone's side's 4-1 extra-time loss to Real Madrid.

"We can be like Atletico but with a better ending," added the 31-year-old.

Tevez has been in superb form individually this term, scoring 25 goals in all competitions, and praised his team-mates and coach for his goalscoring exploits.

"My team-mates and Allegri give me so much confidence. I'm happy with how the coach asks me to play.

"We made some kind of deal: when I get the ball I can do whatever I want but I have to perform very specific tasks in defence.

"I like being in contact with the ball. If you don't give it to me, I'll get it."

Drogba, Messi And Ronaldo Are The Best I've Faced - Pique

The Barcelona defender is set to make his 300th appearance for the club this week and named his three toughest opponents.

Barcelona defend Gerard Pique  says Didier Drogba, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the three best players he has encountered as he prepares to make his 300th appearance for the club.

The centre-back departed the Catalans as a teenager and joined Manchester United but returned to Camp Nou in 2008 and has since developed into one of the game's finest defenders.

In that time he has lifted the Champions League on two occasions and La Liga four times, while doing battle with some of the game's finest attacking players.

"I grew up at La Masia, dreaming of playing for the first team one day so you can only imagine what it means to wear this shirt 300 times," he told Mundo Deportivo.

"Many people have been fortunate to enjoy it. And all the titles we won are very special.

"Both Barca and I have had the honour of reaching the final stages of major competitions, meeting the best teams and best players.

"There have been many but I would highlight, Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi every day in training!"

The Catalans stand two points clear of Real Madrid in La Liga, face Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final and meet Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Pique understands that there is a lot of hard work ahead of him and his team-mates but believes a first piece of silverware in two years is within their grasp.

"We to be very close and very focused.

"I hope it's a historic season. PSG have one of the best defences in the world and can beat anyone."

Van Gaal: Manchester United Are Better Than Man City - It's A Fact

The former Barcelona boss believes his team have adapted to his philosophy excellently in their strong recent run and singled out Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini for praise

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes his side have proven themselves to be better than Manchester City following their emphatic derby win.

Goals from Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling secured a 4-2 victory for the Red Devils to move them four points clear of City in third and maintain their push for a Champions League place.

"You are playing for the fans. In the beginning of the season, it was not so fantastic to be a United fan," Van Gaal told reporters.

"This week, they can go on the street and lift their hats, and say we are this year the better team.

"At this moment we are four points ahead [of City] so that's a fact. We still have six matches to go and that can be changes again."

Marouane Fellaini delivered another strong performance and received a standing ovation from the Old Trafford faithful when he was replaced in the second half.

"He is very important for the team, he has scored goals under big pressure when we needed him. He always plays the ball to the same colour which is very important. I'm very happy for him.

"Fellaini from day one is the player who always did what I asked. You can say not always very good but never badly. That's always important for a manager that a player gives a certain level of performance."

Van Gaal's philosophy has been questioned by many since his arrival at Old Trafford, though Phil Jones claimed on Saturday that the team were starting to understand the way in which the Dutch coach wants them to play.

And the former Barcelona boss feels his players should be praised for handling the pressure and managing a switch in formation to 4-3-3 in recent weeks.

"We have made already big steps in the last six games, because after the defeat against Arsenal [in the FA Cup] it was very difficult of course for my team to stand up and to maintain our confidence in the philosophy," he added to Sky Sports.

"I have to say all the credit to the players because they have to do it under pressure, under the expectations of the fans because the fans were expecting today that we would win, and of course after the match you can say we have won but it is not so easy, you can see also the stress of the players in the first 10 minutes."

As well as netting United's first goal, Young also claimed two assists in his role as a left-winger as the England international put in another encouraging performance.

And Van Gaal was full of praise for the ex-Aston Villa man despite Sergio Aguero's late consolation being created down his flank.

"Yeah I think Ashley Young was man of the match… I've seen it [on television]! So I think that is right because I found that also, he was very good.

"He was involved with the first three goals, very important goals, and he did his job as a left winger. When he was left midfielder he let in one goal but OK, I can…how do you say… I can accept it."

Van Gaal also revealed Michael Carrick is set for further tests after he was withdrawn from the action late on with a tight calf muscle.

Madrid Can't Make Atletico Mistakes Again - Pepe

Pepe has warned his Real Madrid team-mates they cannot afford a repeat of the mistakes they have made in previous games against Atletico Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League clash.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have been second best in recent derbies against their neighbours, losing both La Liga games, their Spanish Supercopa meeting and Copa del Rey last 16 tie this term.

Their most recent meeting was a 4-0 drubbing at the Vicente Calderon but the Portugal international is hoping for a different outcome at the same ground this time.

"It’s a difficult match for us but also for them," he is quoted as saying by AS.

"I think that we must not commit the same errors that we committed in previous matches against Atletico.

"If we go out with the intensity and the humility that the team showed last year and in these matches right now, I think that we will surely produce a good performance."

Madrid closed the gap on Liga leaders Barcelona to two points this weekend after the Catalans let a two-goal lead slip at Sevilla on Saturday.

Pepe started his side's 3-0 win over Eibar on the bench and is holding out hope they can pip their old rivals to the title.

"To be within two points is important for us, it’s a lift that we have but a lot is left and we still have to fight hard," he added.

"We have to face every game with great seriousness and that is what we are doing. It is our objective to fight until the end, what we are trying to do. It’s often difficult but it’s what we have to do."

'Toure Didn't Want To Mark Fellaini' - Young Blasts Star

Manchester United winger Ashley Young has hit out at Yaya Toure, claiming the Manchester City man failed to do his job in marking Marouane Fellaini during Sunday's derby.

Young and Fellaini combined as the Belgian nodded in United's second goal during their 4-2 win at Old Trafford, with the England international also getting on the scoresheet himself.

And though the former Aston Villa man concedes Fellaini is difficult to play against, he felt Toure did not do enough to challenge the ex-Everton midfielder.

"Felli has been brilliant," Young told MUTV. "Everyone will say the same. Since he’s come into the team, he’s been fantastic.

"I’ve said before that very few people can handle him. On his day, he’s unplayable. I don’t think Yaya Toure wanted to be tracking back, he wanted to be at the other end of the pitch but he had that job to do on Felli.

"When Felli is in the box and you can find him, you’ve definitely got a chance of scoring.

"I saw him at the back post and hoped he’d get on the end of it and score and, thankfully, he managed to do that."

Man City Manager Takes Responsibility For Club's 'Garbage' Season

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has accepted full responsibility for his ailing side's dismal derby defeat at Man United which all but ended their Premier League title defence.

The fallen champions crashed to a 4-2 loss at Old Trafford on Sunday evening, the latest in a string of miserable results in 2015.

City have now lost six of their last eight games in all competitions and have won just four from 12 in the league since pulling level with Chelsea at the top of the table on New Year's Day.

The result is certain to increase the already considerable pressure on Pellegrini, who admitted before Sunday’s clash that his side had thrown their season 'into the garbage’.

And asked if he needed to question his own performance, the Chilean said: "I always think it is my responsibility, always."

The 61-year-old was then asked at his post-match press conference how the team could change their fortunes.

"By winning," he said. "That is the only way."

Pellegrini would not comment on his own future.

"I am not talking about my position," he said. "It is not important."

City now find themselves fourth in the table and, rather than looking upwards, perhaps facing a battle to retain a Champions League spot ahead of the likes of Southampton or Liverpool.

Pellegrini, however, insisted he was not thinking that way.

He added: "We are concerned about trying to win the next game. We have to play six games more. We have been the whole year in first or second position and maybe in the last week, losing these two games, we are in fourth.

"But United and Arsenal have to play against Chelsea. We have 18 points more to play for so we must not try make it a dramatic moment.

"We now have two games at home, we must try to recover from this defeat and we must try to win the next game."