Ballack: Influential midfielder Michael Ballack will miss Bayern Munich's Champions League Group A opener with Rapid Vienna today after turning an ankle in training. Ballack has been told to take a three-day break, the club said. The Germany captain will also be doubtful for Bayern's Bundesliga clash with Hanover 96 on Saturday. Bayern coach Felix Magath did receive some good news this week when Dutch striker Roy Makaay was passed fit for the game after recovering from a knee injury.

Messi: Spain's governing bodies of football are responsible for deciding whether Barcelona's Lionel Messi can compete in the Primera Liga as an "assimilated" player, sports minister Jaime Lissavetzky said yesterday. The 18-year-old has not played a league game for Barcelona this season because of doubts over whether he can be considered a so-called "assimilated" player because he came up through the club's youth ranks. Spanish Federation rules only allow Primera Liga sides three non-EU players in their squads.

De la Pena: Espanyol midfielder Ivan de la Pena has hit back at comments by his coach Miguel Angel Lotina that he lacked commitment to the club. "I will not allow anyone, including the coach, to question my commitment to this club because I think I have demonstrated it more than once," De la Pena said. "I am going to continue training with the same commitment and enthusiasm as I always have. What I don't like are the lies."

Ortega: Former Argentina forward Ariel Ortega has denied reports that he is leaving Newell's Old Boys to re-join River Plate, the club where he began his career. "For the time being, I'm staying at Newell's, where I have to report for training on Thursday," he said. Ortega has missed his team's last two games, fuelling speculation that he is returning to River and that he has fallen out with the team's Chilean coach Juvenal Olmos.

Mascherano: Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano faces a possible foot operation and could be out of action for the rest of this year, according to his Brazilian club Corinthians. Fallopa said the 21-year-old would have a number of tests today.

MFA Div. II/III KO: Balzan vs Zejtun 6-1; Melita vs Sirens 1-1.

In Italy: Serie C1 A - Genoa vs Fermana 3-0.

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