Reports said yesterday that China has offered to host the Roma vs Lazio Coppa Italia final at the Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing.
Authorities in Italy continue to disagree over the date and kick-off time of the showdown with the match originally pencilled for May 26 at the Olimpico.
However, recent problems between rival derby fans put all that in doubt.
The stadium in Beijing has already played host to several editions of the Italian Super Cup.
However, it seems both Roma and Lazio have already rejected the idea.
Bayern hungry for more success
Bayern Munich director Matthias Sammer has promised his side’s motivation will not waver as they search for even more records.
Since clinching the title two weeks ago, Bayern have beaten Nuremberg 4-0 and Hanover 6-1, as well as thrashing Wolfsburg 6-1 in the cup semi-final.
“We wanted to win because we wanted to beat 81 points for a season, which is the record up to now,” Sammer said after Satur-day’s 26th win of the Bundesliga campaign.
“You’ve got to pay the team a huge compliment.”
Victory took Bayern on to 81 points with four games of the season remaining.
Mariners win the A-League title
Central Coast Mariners beat Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0 in the A-League final in Sydney yes-terday to win their first Australian championship.
Dutch defender Patrick Zwaanswijk headed in the 44th minute opener and striker Daniel McBreen sealed the win with a 68th minute penalty to dash Western Sydney’s hopes of a dream finish to their debut season.
The Mariners celebrated wildly in front of 42,000 fans, having finally broken their drought after losing the inaugural final in 2005-06, and twice more in 2007-08 and 2010-11.
St Etienne break cup drought
St Etienne’s Brandao struck an early goal to earn a 1-0 win over Stade Rennes in the French League Cup final as his side claimed their first major trophy in more than 30 years late Saturday.
The Brazilian got the extra-time winner in last year’s final for Marseille. He now has four straight League Cup winners’ medals, having won the previous three finals with Marseille.
St Etienne, who dominated the match in a friendly atmosphere at the Stade de France, picked up their first silverware since the last of their record 10 French league crowns in 1981. The victory secured a place in next season’s Europa League play-offs.
Barry keen to extend City stay
Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has stressed his desire to remain with the club for “as long as possible”.
The 32-year-old signed a five-year deal when he arrived from Aston Villa in 2009 and wants to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium beyond summer 2014.
Barry said: “I am happy here and very settled. I spent 12 years at Villa and I’ve spent four years at City and I’m not really one for moving around. I’d like to stay as long as possible.
“For a player to feel settled and feel very comfortable, you generally want to be playing regular football – and I’ve been lucky enough to feature in a lot of games this season.
“That’s one reason why I am happy to stay.”
Benitez confident about future
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez is confident he will not be out of work for long as he seeks to conclude his short-term contract at Stamford Bridge on a high.
Before making his first return to Liverpool as an opposing manager yesterday, Benitez was asked about his personal future.
Will he be in football next season?
“Yes, for sure... 100%,” he said.
And, would he would be interested in staying at Stamford Bridge, if given the option.
Benitez said: “If I say ‘yes’ someone will maybe interpret it in a different way. I don’t want to create a situation that might destabilise where we are at the moment.”
Abidal options
As well as putting Barcelona a step closer to winning La Liga, Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Levante showed that defender Eric Abidal is fit enough to play a full match after making a re-markable recovery from a liver transplant.
The former France international played at centre-back alongside Adriano, the first time the 33-year-old has completed 90 minutes in more than a year, and proved he is a viable option to partner Gerard Pique in the middle of defence.
“It’s a very happy day for everyone,” Barca’s assistant coach Jordi Roura said.
“Abidal completed a full match and he felt very good. In footballing terms, I think he played at a very high level and he knew perfectly how to pace himself.”