Football news

Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic believes the club will have to give up hope of bringing Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas to the Bernabeu.

"It's is obvious that we could do with a player like Cristiano Ronaldo," Mijatovic told Marca. "But he is at a big club in Manchester United. I see it as being an impossible signing.

"It is the same with Cesc. We aren't the only team that would like to have a player like Cesc, but he belongs to a big club in Arsenal and it is almost impossible to sign him."

Messi hopes and prays

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi said his team have no option but to pray that rivals Real Madrid start losing games in the second half of the season if they are to make up their seven-point deficit on the champions in the title race.

"The truth is Real Madrid are in good shape, they are winning what appear to be difficult games without any problem," the Argentine international told a news conference.

"We have to win our games and then hope and pray that they slip up."

Bianchi on way to joining Lazio

Manchester City striker Rolando Bianchi is in Italy finalising a loan move to Lazio. The 24-year-old Italian has struggled to settle since signing for City in an £8.8m move from Reggina in the summer.

Bianchi has also complained about the English lifestyle, and boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has agreed he can leave.

Lazio have moved in and he is now set to undergo a medical and sign until the end of the season, with the option of a permanent £9m move in the summer.

A Lazio spokesman said: "There are still all the practicalities left to sort out, such as the medical and signing the contract, but the deal should be completed this week."

Albelda still bemused by purge

Former Valencia captain David Albelda said he remained bemused at the Primera Liga club's decision to exclude him from the first team squad.

Albelda, goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and winger Miguel Angel Angulo were axed last month by coach Ronald Koeman and told they would not play for Valencia again this season.

"I'm still waiting for an explanation, for someone to say something," the Spain midfielder said.

"I can assure you that I've never had any argument or incident with Koeman or the president (Juan Soler), but one day I was playing and the next day I was out."

Sissoko set for Juventus switch

Unsettled Mali midfielder Momo Sissoko confirmed he is close to leaving Liverpool for Juventus.

"It's a question of a few days - everything will de decided in three days, four at the maximum," the Mali international told reporters.

"Wearing the shirt of Juventus would be the top for me. I have supported Juventus since I was a child. When I was little, I was obsessed with (Zinedine) Zidane and if you loved Zidane, you loved Juve."

Tamudo to undergo surgery

Espanyol's Spanish international striker Raul Tamudo will undergo surgery today after suffering a broken arm in training.

Club doctors said Tamudo, who is the team's top scorer with 10 goals this season, is likely to be out of action for up to two months.

He is the second Espanyol player to suffer a serious injury this week. Goalkeeper Inaki Lafuente is out for up to six weeks after suffering a thigh injury.

Burley ratified as Scotland boss

Southampton manager George Burley is the choice of the Scottish FA (SFA) to take charge of the national team, it said yesterday.

He was ratified as the "preferred candidate", an SFA spokesman told Reuters. "The board has to speak to the candidate now and sort things out," he said.

Burley is set to quit Southampton and replace Alex McLeish as Scotland manager once compensation is agreed between the club and SFA.

Italy coach critical of Totti, Nesta

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has criticised Roma striker Francesco Totti and Milan defender Alessandro Nesta for quitting the national team.

"Totti and Nesta are like two children who have stomach ache to skip an exam," Sky television quoted Donadoni as telling a group of school children.

The duo retired from international football last year, saying their fitness was not up to playing for club and country.

'Don't ruin minute's silence'

The government has urged football fans not to ruin a minute's silence to remember those who died in the Munich air disaster 50 years ago.

The silence will be observed before the Man. United-Man. City Premier League clash at Old Trafford on February 10.

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said he "hoped the minute's silence will be dealt with in an appropriate way".

Liberal Democrat John Leech added: "I do think there is a case for having a minute's applause rather than a minute's silence to ensure that no-one dares ruin the occasion."