Bayern Munich have often been referred to as FC Hollywood while David Beckham, with his Los Angeles tan still intact, continues to act as leading man since moving to France; but the events of the last 24 hours have proved that nobody in European football can put on a show quite like the Moscow State Circus of Stamford Bridge.

Lionel Messi has gone home to Argentina to fry in the Christmas sunshine with his partner Antonella, infant son Thiago and all the other Messis.

Chelsea face a backlash from their own supporters after they named former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez as the interim successor to sacked Roberto Di Matteo.

When English-based Spanish journalist and broadcaster, Guillem Balague, started to work on a biography of Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola, he must have hoped to dig deep into the psyche of a football genius; but what he didn’t expect was to find such a tortured soul so close to the surface.

Fernando Torres insists he was perfectly willing to take a penalty in Chelsea’s Champions League final shoot-out on Saturday night, but admitted manager Roberto Di Matteo wouldn’t let him.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has reportedly asked Liverpool to keep negotiating with Chelsea, after the Merseyside club received a bid for the player last night.

Liverpool are not about to sack manager Rafael Benitez on the brink of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

Liverpool may have to wait until European champion Xabi Alonso returns from holiday before they can sort out the Spanish midfielder’s future.