Football news

Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti believes the Champions League trophy is destined for Spain this year, claiming that Real Madrid and Barcelona are “above the rest” of the sides still left in the competition.

“Real and Barca are above the rest,” Ancelotti said.

“Below, it’s very balanced, like Inter-Marseille will be. It will be hard for everyone. Same for Chelsea who are struggling at the moment,” the Italian added.

Ancelotti also thinks that the Premier League would benefit should Jose Mourinho opt to leave Real and return to England, adding that “it would be a good thing for English football.”

Lindegaard out for four weeks

Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard faces at least four weeks on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury, manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed yesterday.

Ferguson said the 27-year-old Danish stopper had suffered ligament damage and would be out for “at least four weeks, maybe five or six”.

News of the injury means Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea is likely to line up against Chelsea in tomorrow’s Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

De Gea’s form has come under the microscope recently following a shaky performance in the FA Cup fourth round defeat at Liverpool last weekend.

Mancini open to Tevez return

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini yesterday refused to rule out a possible return to action for Carlos Tevez, provided he proved his fitness.

Tevez has not played for City since a spat with Mancini during last September’s Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.

“Carlos is not an option at the moment but it is possible in the future if he comes back,” said Mancini.

“I hope for him he has been training in the last three months to help his condition.

“There is only one thing on my mind, the Premier League. But if he comes back – and he is fit – it is possible.”

Pav completes Lokomotiv switch

Roman Pavlyuchenko has completed his transfer from Tottenham to Lokomotiv Moscow.

Pavlyuchenko yesterday put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal after the two clubs reached an agreement for the 30-year-old on transfer deadline day.

Although the transfer fee has not been disclosed by either club, Lokomotiv have paid £8m for the striker’s services.

The Russian had appeared on the verge of leaving Spurs for well over a year and finally was granted a way out of White Hart Lane after manager Harry Redknapp brought in Louis Saha.

Suarez return delights Dalglish

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish admits it is “fantastic” to have striker Luis Suarez back from suspension.

The Uruguay international has served the eight-match ban imposed after he was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United Patrice Evra.

He is available for Monday’s home game against Tottenham.

“It is great for everybody that we have Luis back in the squad,” said the Reds boss.

“He’s been back training a couple of weeks now and he’s stayed pretty fit.

“It is fantastic for us to have him available.”

Palombo deserves Inter move

Sampdoria president Riccardo Garrone said that he feels that Angelo Palombo made the right move in joining Inter.

The former Sampdoria captain signed for the Nerazzurri last Tuesday a few months after deciding to stay with the Genoa club despite their relegation.

“I hope Palombo does well at Inter as he deserves it,” Garrone was quoted as saying.

“The right moment had arrived for Palombo to find an important team. I think that he has achieved his objective.”

The Italian international, 30, has joined the Nerazzurri on loan but they are expected to sign him outright at the end of the season.

Palermo snubbed Lopez, Iaquinta

Palermo turned down the chance to sign strikers Maxi Lopez and Vincenzo Iaquinta during the January transfer window.

Argentine striker Lopez eventually joined Milan from Catania, while Juventus allowed Iaquinta to move to Cesena on deadline day, but only after possible moves to the Stadio Barbera were discussed.

“I was offered Maxi Lopez and Iaquinta,” Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini said.

“I received a few phone calls about them, but they were out of place.

“If we needed a striker then we would have kept Mauricio Pinilla.”