Valencia coach Antonio Lopez believes his former boss Rafael Benitez can outsmart Chelsea when his Liverpool side tackle the Londoners in the Champions League tomorrow.

Police have detained eight Juventus supporters following an attack on a Liverpool fan in Turin last night.

Italy assistant manager Carlo Checchinato insists the Azzurri will have to perform at their very best if they are to stop France from clocking up a big score on Saturday at the Flaminio in Rome.

Italy team manager Marco Bollesan has a dream that will see England ripped to shreds at Twickenham this weekend by an Azzurri side launching wave after wave of unstoppable free-flowing attacking rugby.

Tottenham tonight confirmed they were “in discussions” with Italian side Roma over a deal for Ahmed Hossam Mido, although the striker’s agent maintains they are just one of “15 teams” interested in signing him.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists he will have no qualms about handing a debut to Fernando Morientes on Saturday against Manchester United.

Damian Spellman

Thomas Gravesen’s agent has strenuously denied reports he is in talks with Real Madrid about a possible transfer for the Everton midfielder, but has claimed “around half a dozen” top European clubs have expressed an interest in his client.

Valencia have revealed that Liverpool are interested in their veteran Argentinian defender Mauricio Pellegrino.

Real Madrid supremo Florentino Perez has left the fate of wantaway striker Fernando Morientes in the hands of new coach Wanderley Luxemburgo.

Egyptian striker Mido is unhappy at Roma and is keen for a transfer to the Premiership, according to his representatives.

Striker Adrian Mutu has vowed to rebuild his career and reputation when his seven-month ban for failing a drugs test ends.

Real Madrid’s medical staff have failed in their rehabilitation of defender Jonathan Woodgate – that is the uncompromising opinion of leading Spanish sports scientist Jesus Rico-Sanz.

UEFA have launched an investigation into the incident which saw Swedish referee Anders Frisk struck by an object thrown from the stands during Roma’s Champions League match at home to Dynamo Kiev.

Real Madrid this morning refused to confirm that they have submitted an official bid to Arsenal for Patrick Vieira.

Appeals by Manchester United and Chelsea to Portugal’s football bosses not to take Cristiano Ronaldo and Tiago to the Olympics have failed.

Opinion remains divided on Claudio Ranieri’s time at Chelsea but the popular Italian remains convinced he was a success at Stamford Bridge.

Malaga defender Josemi tonight claimed Rafael Benitez had returned to Spain to make him his first signing since becoming Liverpool manager.

Claudio Ranieri has claimed it was him rather than Jose Mourinho who first broached the idea of adding Didier Drogba to Chelsea’s star-studded squad.

On the day when he is expected to be re-elected as Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez again hinted that the club may make a future move for England striker Wayne Rooney.

All the latest news from Portugal…

Greece’s players believe their German coach Otto Rehhagel has given them the fighting spirit they need to become a respected side on the international scene.

Michael Owen insisted he will wait to find out the identity of the new Liverpool manager before making any final decision on whether to sign a new contract at Anfield.

Manchester United striker Diego Forlan has expressed his determination to stay at Old Trafford beyond this summer.

Highly-rated Deportivo La Coruna defender Jorge Andrade has hinted that he will quit the Spanish club if Manchester United make a move for him.

Roma sporting director Franco Baldini confirmed that his club have opened talks with Chelsea over the possible sale of defender Walter Samuel to the Champions League semi-finalists in the summer.

Italy are out to avenge their World Cup defeat when they travel to Cardiff for their final match of the 2004 RBS 6 Nations Championship against Wales tomorrow.

ITALY winger Nicola Mazzucato says his side must be at their best if they are to beat Scotland in their next RBS 6 Nations match.

Auxerre president Jean-Claude Hamel today insisted that Djibril Cisse will definitely be a Liverpool player next season.

Greg Rusedski “fully expects” to be found innocent at the ATP hearing into his positive test for the banned drug nandrolone.

Mark McNulty has turned his back on his home country of Zimbabwe and pledged allegiance to Ireland.

Atletico Madrid striker Javi Moreno is desperate to join Bolton’s international brigade so he can kick-start his career.

Belgian defender Stijn Vreven looks set to join West Ham on loan until the end of the season, according to his club Kaiserslautern.

Tottenham were today warned that any move to lure Lazio coach Roberto Mancini to White Hart Lane would have to wait until at least this summer.

Lazio have admitted they may also be powerless to prevent their widely-admired but frustrated coach Roberto Mancini abandoning ship.

Valencia president Jaime Orti today claimed the Spanish club may be reluctant to sell the Argentinian international to Chelsea.

Sevilla’s Mexico international midfielder Gerardo Torrado is a transfer target for Everton, according to his agent.

Inter Milan have confirmed they are negotiating with Chelsea, who have renewed their interest in Argentina striker Hernan Crespo.

Inter Milan insist no agreement has been reached with Chelsea over the transfer of Argentina striker Hernan Crespo to Stamford Bridge.

Middlesbrough have almost completed a season-long loan deal for Lazio’s Gaizka Mendieta, according to the player’s club and agent.

Lazio’s Gaizka Mendieta is mulling over three offers from clubs outside of Serie A, his agent confirmed on Wednesday morning.

Stephane Dalmat is set to stay at Inter Milan after Middlesbrough decided against signing the French midfielder.

Chelsea have failed in an audacious bid to sign Raul from Real Madrid.

Manchester United’s summer-long pursuit of Ronaldinho today officially came to an end when Paris St Germain agreed to sell the Brazilian World Cup-winner to Barcelona.