Cesc Fabregas has re-opened the row over Martin Taylor's foul on Arsenal striker Eduardo, insisting the Birmingham defender should take the blame for the incident. Eduardo suffered a leg break after Taylor's two-footed tackle and Fabregas believes the defender is culpable.
"Of course I blame him," Fabregas said. "He did it and he knows why he did it. He is not going to say he did it on purpose, he will never say that.
"But a very good player is injured for a year and the player who committed the tackle is suspended for three little games. It is very, very unfair."
Hitzfeld expects Demichelis back
Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld expects Martin Demichelis back in the squad today after he suspended the Argentine defender for insubordination on Friday.
Demichelis was left at home for Saturday's match at Energie Cottbus by Hitzfeld after he refused the coach's request to fill in for defensive midfielder Mark van Bommel, suspended for an obscene gesture.
"We'll have to wait and see what happens but I assume he'll be back in training on Monday," Hitzfeld said after Bayern were beaten 2-0 by Cottbus.
Moggi says Ranieri will go
Luciano Moggi said Marcello Lippi will replace Claudio Ranieri on the Juventus bench next season. It is not the first time this rumour has circulated, but the former Juve director general maintains it is a done deal.
"I really doubt Ranieri will stay on the Juve bench next term," he told reporters. "His substitute will be Lippi."
According to Moggi, the Juve board asked Ranieri to achieve a UEFA Cup place when he was hired in the summer, but that changed to a Champions League spot following their strong start.
Baldini assessing Beckham's form
David Beckham was watched by Fabio Capello's right-hand man Franco Baldini to assess his form and fitness ahead of England's friendly with France. Beckham is hoping to earn his 100th cap in Paris on March 26.
The 32-year-old played the full 90 minutes for LA Galaxy, in a 0-0 draw in a charity match against FC Dallas.
Beckham said: "Baldini came to see me. Some people might think that adds a little pressure, but from my side, this was not the case."
City no first class team - Eriksson
Sven-Goran Eriksson has warned he will need to spend big if Manchester City are to break into Europe's top echelons. The likes of Thierry Henry and Michael Owen have been linked with a switch to Manchester.
"If we want to win the Champions League in the future then we must look at everything," Eriksson said. "Do we want to be second class or do we want to be first class?
"I don't think we have a squad today which would normally compete with first class standards so we need to take that next step."
Gilberto ponders future
Out-of-favour Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has confirmed he will make a decision on his future this summer. The Brazilian lost the captain's armband at the start of the season to William Gallas before losing his place in the side to Mathieu Flamini.
Gilberto, 31, is tied to Arsenal until the summer of 2009 and has hinted the time may be right to move on.
"I'm trying to adjust to the situation, but I confess it's not been easy," Gilberto said. "I love the club and Arsene is a good man and a good manager - but there are only two months to go and I haven't played much.
"I will wait until the end of the season and then make my decision."
Capello blasts Mancini
Fabio Capello has criticised Roberto Mancini for his handling of the Inter situation after announcing he was leaving the club straight after the Liverpool defeat only to change his mind less than 24 hours later.
England manager Capello, who has always had an extremely fractious rapport with Mancini, said: "I think there are statements to be made at the right times and there are wrong things that can be done at the wrong times.
"I believe that in difficult moments a captain must take control of his ship and stand at the wheel."
Forlan eyeing England return
Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan is mulling on a return to English football. The Uruguayan played for Manchester United for two years after joining in January 2002 from Independiente.
His form in Spain has been sensational with a host of goals for Villarreal before last summer's switch to the Atletico Madrid.
Forlan said: "I didn't get much of a chance in England, but if there is a chance to go back I'd think about it."
Mauri will not leave Lazio
Stefano Mauri has reassured fans he wants to stay at Lazio despite his father's claims coach Delio Rossi was squeezing him out.
Mauri was left at home for Saturday's trip to his former club Udinese, prompting reports he is on a collision course with the club.
"I want to reiterate my desire to stay with Lazio as long as possible," the midfielder said. "For the past two months my agent has been negotiating a contract extension with the club.
"I am in no way responsible for the comments made by my father."