Roberto Mancini faces a daunting start to life as Galatasaray coach in tonight’s Group B clash away to Juventus.

Real Madrid 3 Galatasaray 0

Real Madrid 3 Galatasaray 0

Tito Vilanova insisted Barcelona were not a one-man side after Lionel Messi scored twice and set up another as the Catalan club powered on at the top of the Primera Division with a 3-1 victory over Real Zaragoza.

Alex Ferguson is happy to let Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea alternate as his goalkeeper to allow both to further their Manchester United experience.

Alex Ferguson acknowledges a settled defence will be crucial for Manchester United in Europe this season.

MARCO Tardelli has ruled Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni out of contention for the vacant Turkey job.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s assistant insists there is “absolutely no truth” to reports that the Republic of Ireland coach is considering taking over the reins of the Turkish national team.

THERE was a lot riding on the European Championships this summer even if — indeed, especially because — the build-up in this neck of the woods had been comparatively low key.

TURKISH striker Nihat Kahveci has been ruled out of the rest of Euro 2008 with a thigh injury he picked up in the quarter-final win over Croatia.

Croatia 1 Turkey 1 (Turkey won 3-1 on penalties)

COLIN KAZIM-RICHARDS is set to complete his journey from League Two to Euro 2008 quarter-finalist when Turkey face Croatia in Vienna tonight (7.45pm).

CROATIA coach Slaven Bilic believes Turkey’s two stunning comeback victories during the group shows both the strengths and the weaknesses of their quarter-final opponents.

Turkey captain Nihat Kahveci admitted it was an “unbelievable feeling” to see his team recover from a two-goal deficit to earn a last-gasp 3-2 win over the Czech Republic in a Group A thriller in Geneva.

Turkey 3 Czech Republic 2

CZECH Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech has had some recent practice if tomorrow’s Group A decider (7.45pm) against Turkey finishes in a penalty shoot-out.

Switzerland 1 Turkey 2

Czech Republic 1 Portugal 3

SWITZERLAND and Turkey renew rivalries tonight in a game both teams must win to keep their Euro 2008 dream alive (kick-off 7.45pm).

THE Turkish Football Federation has condemned the treatment of its national side in Saturday’s World Cup playoff against Switzerland, fuelling tensions for the return leg in Istanbul tomorrow night.

Alpay’s future in England will be decided by the board of Aston Villa, claims the player’s agent.

LIVERPOOL and Manchester United will lead the £15m transfer chase for Ajax’s Rafael van der Vaart if he quits Holland.

There is no stage finer for a player with a point to prove than the World Cup, and Turkey’s Hakan Sukur will be eyeing the finals as an opportunity to establish himself in a principle role.

Nuno Gomes was relegated to Serie B with Fiorentina after a tortuous season, but there remains little question of his top-drawer quality.

Roberto Mancini, recently on loan at Leicester City, has been appointed new coach to Italian Serie A side Fiorentina, the club's vice-president Mario Sconcerti has announced.

Roberto Mancini will miss Leicester's FA Cup clash with Bristol City amid speculation that he is being lined up to take over as coach of Fiorentina.