Hoffenheim midfielder Boris Vukcevic has not given up hope of one day playing football again following his near-fatal car accident.
The 24-year-old is still recovering from the September 2012 crash, which left him in a coma for almost two months.
On Sunday, he returned to the Rhein-Neckar Arena for the first time to see his team-mates beat Augsburg 2-0.
“It is my biggest wish to be able to play football again,” said the former Germany U-21 international.
“That is what I am working towards. I was delighted to be back in the stadium. It was very exciting and it’s great that the lads won.”
Holland hails match-winner Ba
Chelsea assistant coach Steve Holland has hailed Demba Ba after his goals kept Chelsea on course for European and domestic silverware.
Ba followed up a clinching strike that booked Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final place at the expense of Paris St Germain by hitting the winner against 10-man Swansea to keep the Blues two points behind leaders Liverpool.
“He’s always working in training afterwards on his own,” Holland said.
“He wants to do different types of finishing, and he deserves to have had the week he’s had.”
Costa will be fine says coach Simeone
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has allayed fears over the severity of the injury suffered by striker Diego Costa in Sunday’s 2-0 derby victory at Getafe, which moved Los Rojiblancos a step closer to the La Liga title.
The 25-year-old Brazil-born forward suffered a worrying-looking injury after colliding with a post in scoring his side’s second goal and left the field on a stretcher, but Atletico moved quickly to play down concerns it could be anything serious.
“Luckily, Diego Costa only has a wound after hitting the post,” the club posted on Twitter.
“He is happy and well. One more cut does not do anything to this tiger.”
Mandzukic going nowhere – Sammer
Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has warned off any clubs who are eyeing a move for striker Mario Mandzukic.
The Croatia forward has been linked with a switch away from the Allianz Arena this summer ahead of Robert Lewandowski’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund.
However, Sammer insisted Mandzukic is going nowhere.
“Nobody should bother making an approach for Mandzukic,” Sammer said.
“He is incredibly important to Bayern. It is simply amazing how much work he does for the team and how much running he does during a game.”
Prandelli has FIGC backing – Abete
National coach Cesare Prandelli has the full support of the Italian football association (FIGC) ahead of this summer’s World Cup, president Giancarlo Abete said.
Prandelli has just signed a two-year extension following months of negotiations but Abete insisted that the FIGC always wanted to keep the former Fiorentina coach.
“There’s no clause that would see us part if we have a negative World Cup,” Abete said.
“We assessed what he did, and came to the conclusion that he deserved longer – second at the European Championship, third at the Confederations Cup and great qualifications campaigns.
“Prandelli has our total confidence and we wanted to have stability.”
Ferdinand keen to stay at Man. United
Rio Ferdinand has revealed he wants to continue playing for Manchester United next season.
Ferdinand, 35, has endured an indifferent 2013-14 campaign at United, and has been in and out of the starting XI under manager David Moyes.
When asked what his plans for next term are, he said: “Hopefully still playing – I want to continue playing. I’m enjoying my football and my legs haven’t given way yet.
“I want to continue – whether that be at Manchester United or somewhere else, depending on what the club want to do.
“Of course, the dream is to stay at United. I’m living the dream and I’d like to continue at United... we’ll have to wait and see.”
Lombardo junior makes Samp debut
Mattia Lombardo, the son of Sampdoria winger Attilio, made his Serie A debut for the Blucerchiati on Sunday.
Lombardo jr came off the bench during a 4-0 defeat to Inter at the Marassi stadium.
“It was an incredible emotion for me,” the 19-year-old told reporters.
“To play in the stadium where my father won so much was very emotional, a real dream come true for me.”
Attilio Lombardo is currently in Turkey, working as part of Roberto Mancini’s Galatasaray staff.