Celtic’s top scorer Scott McDonald was the surprise omission for the second leg of the Parkhead side’s Champions League last-16 tie with Barcelona in the Nou Camp.

Barcelona will look to close the gap on bitter rivals Real Madrid to one point when they host the Primera Liga leaders at the Nou Camp on tomorrow night.

Barcelona are facing an injury crisis and defender Eric Abidal admits they will need to somehow find a way to cope with the “physical” challenge posed by Rangers.

ALAN SMITH enjoyed a dream debut for Newcastle with the only goal in a pre-season friendly against Sampdoria.

Sam Allardyce has challenged Celestine Babayaro to prove himself worthy of a place in Newcastle’s new-look back line.

Chelsea utility man Geremi is expected to become Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce’s fourth summer signing later today.

Newcastle will resume talks with Barcelona over their move for Brazilian defender Edmilson on Monday.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has flown to Barcelona to try to push through a move for World Cup winner Edmilson.

Brazil playmaker Kaka has accused England of rough-house tactics in last night's 1-1 stalemate at Wembley.

Barcelona midfielder Jose Edmilson has praised the team ethic at Liverpool which has helped the English side reach the Champions League final for the second time in three years.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez stuck with exactly the same side that produced such a shock result in the Nou Camp a fortnight ago.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has recalled playmaker Deco and defender Lilian Thuram for tomorrow's Champions League last-16 second leg with Liverpool at Anfield.

THREE-TIME African Player of the Year Samuel Eto’o has been left out of the Barcelona squad to face Liverpool in their Champions League last 16 first leg match tonight.

TWO late goals from Portugal stunned Brazil and handed Dunga his first defeat as coach.

Brazil 0 Portugal 2

DAVID BECKHAM returned to the international stage with a dynamic display that justified his recall and raised further questions about Steve McClaren’s original decision to drop him.

BARCELONA will look to avoid an embarrassing early exit from the Champions League and an unwanted place in the history books tonight.

BARCELONA look set to be without rising star Leo Messi until well into the new year after he picked up a foot injury during Sunday night’s Primera Liga game with Real Zaragoza.

Andriy Shevchenko lost his fight to overcome a thigh problem in time to join Chelsea’s attack in Barcelona.

Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0

Barcelona 1 Valencia 1

Brazil 3 Argentina 0

Brazil midfielder Edmilson has been ruled out of the World Cup.

WHERE to begin? Appropriately at the beginning, or nearly so. Conveniently, the moments that defined last night’s Champions League final in Paris — and reshaped football history — arrived chronologically.

Barcelona 2 Arsenal 1

Arsenal and Barcelona have announced their teams for tonight's eagerly awaited Champions League final.

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has been rewarded for a good season at club level with an expected place in Brazil’s 23-man squad for the defence of the World Cup.

BARCELONA will meet Arsenal in a Champions League final that will delight football purists around the world after holding AC Milan to a goalless draw last night.

Robbie Fowler starts up front as Liverpool travel to Upton Park tonight.

BARCELONA will wipe out one of their bitterest memories in European competition if they can knock AC Milan out of the Champions League when the teams meet in the second leg of their semi-final tonight.

AC Milan 0 Barcelona 1

AC Milan: Dida, Stam, Kaladze, Nesta, Serginho, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Kaka, Shevchenko, Gilardino. Subs: Kalac, Cafu, Maldini, Rui Costa, Vogel, Ambrosini, Amoroso.

AC MILAN coach Carlo Ancelotti believes his team’s greater experience in Europe will give them the edge in tonight’s Champions League clash against Barcelona.

Barcelona 2 Benfica 0 (Agg: 2-0)

Benfica 0 Barcelona 0

JOSE MOURINHO has told his players he will take the heat in the Nou Camp today as baying Barca fans prepare a ‘welcome to hell’ reception for Chelsea.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho was without versatile French defender William Gallas for the last-16 first-leg tie against Barcelona in the Champions League.

BRAZIL midfielder Edmilson has been ruled out of the World Cup.

Barcelona 2 Celta Vigo 0

Barcelona president Joan Laporta expects action to be taken by the Spanish authorities over the racial abuse suffered by Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho from Getafe fans on Saturday.

BARCELONA striker Henrik Larsson could miss the remainder of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

MARTIN O’NEILL yesterday told Celtic supporters to hold back on the hero-worshipping of returning legend Henrik Larsson once the first whistle blows in their Champions League showdown.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill fears his side may be making up the numbers when the Champions League starts next week.