Montoya: Barcelona full-back Martin Montoya has agreed a four-year contract extension until the end of the 2017-18 season. A product of Barca’s academy who has featured in the Spain squad without making his international debut, Montoya has been second choice at right-back this season after the club’s Brazilian international Daniel Alves.
Rossi: Injured Italy and Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi yesterday was back in the gym looking to recover from a knee injury that will keep him out of the game for several weeks. Last week, Rossi, 27, was given the all-clear by his doctors in the US to start light training. Rossi suffered the injury two months ago during a league match.
A-League: George Bratton’s goal two minutes into stoppage time saw Brisbane Roar clinch the Premiers Plate with a 1-0 win over second-placed Melbourne Victory, yesterday. Brattan fired in from the edge of the area just as it appeared time had run out on Roar’s bid to wrap up the silverware. The win, their 15th from 24 games, lifted them 12 points clear of Victory.
Pique: Barcelona have Gerard Pique back for tonight’s ‘Clasico’ at leaders Real Madrid but captain and fellow centre-back Carles Puyol is out injured. Pique missed last weekend’s 7-0 home win over Osasuna with an ankle problem but is in the squad for the clash at the Bernabeu when third-placed Barca will seek to trim Real’s four-point advantage and keep alive their bid for a fifth title in six years.
Scotland: Scotland will play their Euro 2016 qualifier with Germany in September at the home of Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund. Gordon Strachan’s side will kick off their quest to reach a first major finals in 18 years on September 7 at the Westfalenstadion. The Scots last visited Germany in September 2003, when they also played in Dortmund. Back then, the hosts won 2-1.
Keita: Lazio are expected to offer Keita Balde Diao an extension to his contract and stave off the interest of Liverpool and Tottenham who want to sign the young striker in summer. Keita, who joined Lazio from the Barcelona youth academy, turned 19 this month. He is expected to get around €400,000 a year in salary less bonuses.