Barcelona coach Tata Martino was able to side-step his suspension during victory over Almeria.
Martino had been banned from the dugout, but took a seat just behind the coaching area for the 4-1 win.
Jordi Roura was seated alongside the Argentine for the game.
AS Roma captain Francesco Totti admits he would love to win the Champions League before he retires.
Roma are sure to qualify for next season’s competition.
ﾡﾰI know time is short, but I have a dream and I want to realise it,ﾡﾱ he told Rai Uno. ﾡﾰI want to win the Champions League.ﾡﾱ
Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has dismissed criticism of the current squad.
Barca returned to winning ways on Sunday with victory over Almeria.
ﾡﾰThere are several world class players in this team,ﾡﾱ said Cesc. ﾡﾰI think itﾡﾯs all in our heads. There is no squad to compare with the one we have.ﾡﾱ
He added: “I am feeling fine. This season I have been physically and mentally stronger than ever. I feel important to the team and that builds my confidence. I always try to give it my very best. Iﾡﾯm very grateful to Tata, heﾡﾯs giving me tremendous confidence. I am understanding all of the other players much better too.”
Juventus coach Antonio Conte has won the Panchina dﾡﾯOro award for the second successive year.
Conte was named Coach of the Year at a ceremony yesterday.
ﾡﾰIt is never easy to win this for a second time,ﾡﾱ he told reporters. ﾡﾰBut Iﾡﾯm delighted to have been given this award.
ﾡﾰConsidering this is voted for by Coaches, it is really very gratifying.
ﾡﾰBehind this achievement is a lot of hard work and a lot of passion ﾨC they are essential components for any Coach, as well as the sacrifice and the time it takes away from your family.
ﾡﾰI want to dedicate this to them, as well as the club, my players and all the staff.ﾡﾱ
Ateltico Madrid striker David Villa says Spain’s players are looking forward to their friendly against Italy.
Villa says it will be a great occasion.
ﾡﾰWhen you have the possibility to play against a country like Italy it is never a friendly,ﾡﾱ Villa said at a promotional event for Gillette.
ﾡﾰItﾡﾯs very different to the club scene, every result a national team has remains in the history books so we are going to approach the game with intensity.ﾡﾱ
Saphir Taider admits he’s frustrated at Inter Milan.
The midfielder has struggled to find a way into coach Walter Mazzarri’s plans this season.
ﾡﾰItﾡﾯs a strange time. This is the first time this season that I have remained on the sidelines for a few games without playing,ﾡﾱ reflected Taider.
ﾡﾰItﾡﾯs a situation that I have to accept, that is the price you pay when you play in a big European club.
ﾡﾰYes, it bothers me, when you are ambitious you always want to play every game to the 90th minute.”
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli stands by his selection of Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini for the friendly against Spain.
Juve management are upset as Chiellini has only just returned from injury.
ﾡﾰWe are always in close contact with all the club Coaches,ﾡﾱ Prandelli said.
ﾡﾰOur doctors are in contact with the club doctors two weeks before the announcement of the squad.
ﾡﾰIf a player can be named on the bench for his club, it is my right to call him up as well.
ﾡﾰIt is also our last friendly before the World Cup, so it is important to be here even if you are not playing.ﾡﾱ
Lazio president Claudio Lotito is confident Miroslav Klose will sign a new deal.
The veteran striker has been linked with a move to MLS.
But Lotito told Tuttomercatoweb: “There is no problem on our part.
“I think Klose has been happy in Rome. I think we can soon find a solution in keeping him.”
Fredy Guarin says he’s happy with his form at Inter Milan.
Guarin has been welcomed back into the Inter team after a January move to Juventus fell through.
ﾡﾰIn the last six months I have played more as an attacking midfielder but now I am starting to play a little bit further back,ﾡﾱ Guarin said.
ﾡﾰIﾡﾯm pleased, on a personal level, with what I am doing.
ﾡﾰI always try to do my best, we must always concentrate in order to do well.ﾡﾱ
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti insists he did not set out to insult Juventus over the weekend.
Verratti was quoted ruling out a move to Juve as it would be a “step back”.
But he explained yesterday: “My words were a bit misunderstood, I did not try to snub Juventus.
“I’m fine where I am. PSG is a club that in the coming years could win everything. On Juve, I say it would be a step backwards to go now, it’s a team that is not among the top four in the world.”
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