Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis reckons Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, which has a capacity of 72,481, is too small to host the Italian Cup final between his team and Juve on May 20.
The two teams have not won silverware for many years raising the expectations and sending the fans rushing to purchase tickets.
“The whole world will be flocking to Rome. Going into a big stadium is exciting, but we’ll have to see if the Olimpico has the right characteristics to host us,” De Laurentiis said.
“From what I can tell, there aren’t that many seats available for a game that is already starting to hit headlines despite the fact we’re in March.”
Wigan history
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez hailed an “historic day” as his side recorded their first win at Anfield with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool to boost their survival hopes.
The win, which extended Wigan’s current run to just one defeat in seven matches, ensured they closed the gap between them and safety from three points to just one.
“It is an historic day for us, Wigan beating Liverpool at Anfield,” said Martinez.
“That is why we are involved in football to defy the odds.”
Defeat was Liverpool’s fifth in their last six league matches and the 10th of a season which is threatening to go into freefall.
Balakov hopeful
Krassimir Balakov remains convinced that he can save Kaiserslautern from relegation despite losing his first game in charge of the club 2-0 on Saturday.
The defeat at fellow strugglers Freiburg means that the Red Devils are now seven points adrift of safety with seven games remaining, but the Bulgarian insists it is not a lost cause.
“I knew what I was letting myself in for and I would not be here now if I did not believe we could avoid relegation,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we made individual errors and we got punished for them. However, I am pleased with the morale. Of course, the table looks bad, but anything can happen in football.”
Bid for Gers
Rangers’ administrators aim to have new owners in place by the end of the season after receiving a fifth bid for the club. Duff and Phelps are believed to have received an offer from a Singapore-based consortium.
They follow offers from former Ibrox director Paul Murray’s ‘Blue Knights’ consortium, Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy, a US-based consortium reported to be Club 9 Sports, and another unknown group.
Paul Clark, Rangers’ joint administrator, said: “Our pre-ference would be for somebody else to be in control of the club by the end of the season so they have got the whole close season, the whole transfer window, they have got proper preparation for the new season.”
Di Matteo silent on AVB ‘advice’
Roberto Di Matteo has refused to reveal whether he has sought Andre Villas-Boas’s advice ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final against Benfica.
Di Matteo last week declined to reveal whether he was still in contact with the sacked Villas-Boas and he has decided to be similarly tight-lipped about whether he had tried to exploit the former manager’s knowledge of Portuguese football ahead of tomorrow’s first leg in Lisbon.
He said: “I’d like to keep that private and confidential. I’m well-documented about Benfica myself. I’ve seen them many, many times and I have a lot of information.”
Hoeness relishing ‘moment of truth’
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has said he is relishing next month’s “moment of truth” showdown when the Bavarians face Dortmund in a clash that could decide the title.
Leaders Dortmund host second-placed Bayern at their Signal Iduna Park stadium on April 11 and Hoeness believes the Bavarians, who have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, have a “very, very good chance” of beating their rivals.
“I am convinced that we will be German champions if we win in Dortmund, no matter what happens before or after,” said Hoeness.
“When we play in Dortmund, that will be the moment of truth.”
Hodgson would take top job
Roy Hodgson has revealed he would take the England manager’s job if it was offered to him.
The West Bromwich Albion manager’s name has been linked to the role, even though Harry Redknapp is the overwhelming favourite to be appointed Fabio Capello’s successor.
“I don’t know that (the England manager’s job) is an ambition as such,” Hodgson said.
“It would be an honour if ever the offer came my way, because it’s the pinnacle of success and certainly of coaching success if you are ever invited to manage your own country.”
Asked if he would take the job if offered it, Hodgson said: “Of course, I think that anyone would.”