Adrian’s brilliant second-half strike booked Atletico Madrid’s place in the Europa League final at the National Stadium in Bucharest on May 9.

BARCELONA defender Gerard Pique has hailed team-mate Lionel Messi as the finest player in the world as the Argentinian waits to discover if he has won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for 2011 today.

Chelsea 3 Valencia 0

JEFFERSON FARFAN struck twice as Schalke fought back from an early deficit to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Valencia last night.

RAUL scored his 71th goal in European competition as Schalke recovered from a goal down to force a draw in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Valencia at the Mestalla last night.

Alex Ferguson has handed Ben Amos only his third Manchester United start as the Red Devils look to secure the Champions League point against Valencia at Old Trafford that will confirm them as Group C winners.

MANCHESTER United new-boy Javier Hernandez chose the perfect time to net his first competitive goal for the Red Devils as his 85th-minute winner proved too much for Valencia.

MANCHESTER UNITED aim to avoid getting caught up by a general strike in Spain today – and set up their own blockade against Valencia instead.