Football news

Patrice Evra is relishing the chance to carry out a key role for Manchester United in Wednesday's Champions League final. The France left-back will again be tasked with nullifying Barca dangerman Lionel Messi at the Stadio Olimpico.

It was a job he managed faultlessly as United progressed past the Spanish champions in last year's semi-final.

Evra, 28, insists there is no special preparation for facing the Argentina winger.

"Messi is a great player. I might stop him 10 times, but if on the 11th he goes past me and scores, people will say I have played badly against him," Evra said.

"I need to concentrate for all the game and win every challenge. Last year the boss told me I could win the game for United. I was very proud about that."

Barca target CL after La Liga title

Barcelona might have suffered a shock 1-0 home loss to Osasuna before lifting the league trophy but coach Pep Guardiola has now targeted Champions League victory to round off the club's stunning season.

A Walter Pandiani goal late on Saturday gave Osasuna a 1-0 win against a Barca side made up largely of reserves with Guardiola resting players ahead of the Champions League final on Wednesday against Manchester United.

Speaking on the pitch to the crowd after lifting the trophy, Guardiola said: "We will not let you down on Wednesday but now we must go and sleep to prepare ourselves.

"I wanted to coach these players and now I congratulate them on winning two trophies but the biggest is still to come."

Wolfsburg confirm Veh as new coach

Ex-Stuttgart coach Armin Veh has been confirmed by newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg as their new trainer for next season to succeed Felix Magath.

Wolfsburg chairman Hans-Dieter Poetsch confirmed Veh will take over for next season on German television channel ZDF on Saturday and an official announcement is expected today.

Veh, 48, was sacked by Stuttgart last November with his side struggling for form having led them to the 2007 Bundesliga title.

Having steered Wolfsburg to their maiden Bundesliga title, Magath will take over as team manager and coach at Schalke 04 next season.

Maldini urged to make it a 1,000

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has urged club captain Paolo Maldini to change his mind about quitting the game and target his 1,000th match in a Rossoneri shirt.

Galliani was speaking during a presentation of a special award to Maldini who is set to hang up his boots at the end of the season.

"Maldini has played 900 games in 24 years," Galliani said.

"I told him he has until July 6 to change his mind and try to get all the way to 1,000 games. I think nobody has been able to play 900 official matches for the same team at the highest level.

"I believe his is a record that will remain in the history books throughout the ages."

Maldini's no.3 jersey will be retired.

Bayern Munich drop Dzeko, Gomez hint

Bayern Munich ended the season in the rare position of runners-up but strikers Edin Dzeko and Mario Gomez have already been ear-marked as possible recruits.

Barely had the celebrations begun following Wolfsburg's 5-1 win over Werder Bremen, before Bayern's bosses were name-dropping potential targets after their 2-1 win over Stuttgart.

"Gomez is a player who is very interesting to us," said Bayern team manager Uli Hoeness after the Stuttgart striker scored his 24th goal of the season at Munich's Allianz Arena.

And Wolfsburg's Dzeko has also attracted Bayern's attention.

"We have already spoken to him," admitted Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer.

Italian fan dies after stadium fall

A 19-year-old Vicenza fan has died after falling six metres off a barrier at an Italian Serie B match at Parma.

Eugenio Bortolon, who died in hospital, was leaning over the barrier when he slipped into a gap between sections of the ageing Stadio Tardini on Saturday.

Supporters in the Vicenza end quickly urged the players on the pitch to stop so that the focus all around the stadium could be on helping the unfortunate fan.

The match was held up for several minutes while he was taken away by ambulance.

Drogba wants to stay at Chelsea

Didier Drogba told reporters he wants to stay at Chelsea, quashing all rumours of a transfer this summer outside England.

The Ivory Coast forward has been linked with a move to Inter to team up with former coach Jose Mourinho again. However, Drogba claims he hopes to continue playing at Stamford Bridge.

"I believe the future of Chelsea will be splendid because we have created something for which now many want to come to Chelsea," he said.

"This club was already historical but it will become even more so.

"I am very proud to be part of all of it and I want to stay here as long as they want me."