Barcelona will begin the defence of their Copa del Rey title with a last-32 tie against former UEFA Cup finalists Alaves, with a possible semi-final showdown with arch rivals Real Madrid further down the line.
Alaves enjoyed a fairytale run in the 2001 UEFA Cup en route to a final showdown with Liverpool, which they lost 5-4 after extra-time. Since then, however, they have slipped down to the third tier of Spanish football.
Barca, who beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in last season’s final, last met Alaves in the cup in the 2006/07 season when Javier Saviola scored all five goals in a 5-3 aggregate win.
Suso signs new Liverpool contract
Liverpool’s promising young midfielder Suso signed a new contract with the Premier League club yesterday.
Suso, 18, has been rewarded with a new long-term deal after playing his way into Brendan Rodgers’ team this season.
The Spaniard, who joined Liverpool from Cadiz in 2010, told the Reds’ website: “I am really happy. Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and this is the right place for me.”
Suso was given his senior debut for Liverpool in the Europa League win over Young Boys last month.
Ferguson hits out at Roberts
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has condemned Jason Roberts for refusing to wear a Kick it Out shirt ahead of this weekend’s games.
The Reading striker has taken the stance as he believe the anti-discrimination body has failed to tackle racism.
However, Ferguson believes Roberts is misguided.
“I have to disagree with Jason Roberts. I think he is making the wrong point,” the Scot said.
“Everyone should be united, with all the players in the country wearing the Kick it Out warm-up tops.”
Allardyce unhappy over Reid call-up
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has criticised New Zealand’s football federation after All Whites defender Winston Reid was called up for their recent internationals with Tahiti.
Reid made the 24-hour journey from England despite being unlikely to play as he had a back injury and that proved the case as he missed both matches this week.
“I don’t see any sense in calling them over and particularly that far, because they are injured,” Allardyce said.
“On one hand I’m all for international football but it doesn’t make any sense to take them because they can’t play. I don’t understand that at all.”
Parker could be out till Christmas
Andre Villas-Boas fears Totten-ham Hotspur could be without Scott Parker until Christmas.
Parker has yet to play this season due to an Achilles injury and although Villas-Boas is en-couraged by the 32-year-old’s progress, he is uncertain how soon he will be ready to play.
“It’s difficult for him as he still feels pain and is still disturbed in his recovery,” said Spurs manager Villas-Boas.
“It prevents him from being on the pitch but he has been in the gym with the medical depart-ment. It will take two or three weeks but we could be looking at Christmas.
“Hopefully, it will be less.”
Ex-Spurs keeper Aleksic dies
Tottenham yesterday paid tribute to Milija Aleksic, the goalkeeper in their 1981 FA Cup-winning team, who has died aged 61.
Aleksic, who joined Tottenham in 1978, made just 32 appearances for the London team, but one of those games remains among the most memorable in the club’s history.
He played in both the 1-1 draw against Manchester City in the 1981 FA Cup final and the epic 3-2 replay victory made famous by Ricky Villa’s superb solo winner at Wembley.
But within a year of that high-point in Aleksic’s career, he had joined then non-league side Barnet and never played at the top level again.
Pasquale extends Udinese contract
Udinese midfielder Giovanni Pasquale has signed a new three-year contract at the Serie A club.
The 30-year-old is now tied to the Italian side until June 2016, with the new deal coming a day after Giampiero Pinzi also extended his contract with the club.
Pasquale’s contract was set to expire at the end of the season, but the midfielder’s agent revealed the new deal was quickly agreed.
“It’s been a very quickly done deal. We arrived in Udine, stayed one night and reached an agreement,” Giuseppe Bonetto said.
Pasquale joined Udinese from Livorno in 2008.