The Cottagers had looked down and out after an early goal by David Trezeguet had stretched Juventus

BARCELONA: Little Argentine magician Lionel Messi turned yet another masterclass performance as he struck two goals and an assist in Barcelona’s 4-0 blanking of Stuttgart in the Champions League last 16 second-leg match at Nou Camp this morning.

LIVERPOOL: Manager Rafael Benitez (pic) told Liverpool that Lille will provide a stern test in the Europa League last 16 secondleg clash at Anfield tomorrow (4.05am).

Lille hold a 1-0 lead from the first-leg and present a completely different challenge to that of the Premier League's bottom club — Portsmouth.

With this win, the champions booked a place in the last eight 5-1 on aggregate.

KUALA LUMPUR: FA of Malaysia (FAM) conditioning trainer Rastislav Bozik is unperturbed over the incident involving an assistant referee’s remark against him during a Premier League match recently.

LONDON: Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti praised manager Jose Mourinho, admitting the Portuguese tactician was the difference between them and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this morning.

Inter defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the Champions League last 16 second-leg match and progress to the quarterfinals — a feat the Italian club have been unable to achieve in four seasons.

“Mourinho was the most decisive for us this evening. He had the courage to make certain choices over the past few days, and because he also put a very good team on the pitch,” said Moratti.

LONDON: Chelsea striker Didier Drogba hailed Inter Milan's performance after the Italian champions claimed a 1-0 win in the Champions League last 16 second-leg clash at Stamford Bridge this morning.

KUALA LUMPUR: A new dimension in the sports industry. This was the observation by Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek who congratulated Telekom Malaysia’s (TM) latest collaboration with the England FA in conjunction of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa this June.

MOSCOW: CSKA Moscow star midfielder Keisuke Honda has respects for Sevilla as they are one the biggest teams in Spain.

That's why he believes that CSKA will face a tough task in their Champions League last 16 second-leg match against the Andalucians at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan tomorrow (3.45am).

KUALA LUMPUR: It is seen as a slap in the face for some and a blessing in disguise to others. Either way, FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy-president Datuk Seri Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad strongly believes the issue about Harimau Muda's trip to Slovakia could have been avoided had the State FAs allowed them to participate in the M-League instead.

The cubs were prevented from playing in the M-League — for reasons best known to the State s — while their application to play in the S-League was turned down. This resulted in the team playing in Slovakia — amidst controversy.

MILAN: Veteran AC MILAN midfielder Clarence Seedorf is overjoyed to have come on as a substitute and scored the winning goal against Chievo at San Siro this morning.

The Dutchman's goal one minute into stoppage time meant that the Rossoneri managed to close the gap to just a point from leaders and champions Inter Milan in the race for the Seri A title.

"I am very happy about the goal that I scored. Tonight was a very tough match, but now we have reduced the gap to one point, and Inter know that we are only a point behind them," Seedorf told Milan's website.

Like they say "don't just talk but do it".

This may well be the case for big spenders Real Madrid who have gone to the top of Primera Liga standings ahead of bitter rivals Barcelona but sadly dumped by Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday in front of their fans at Santiago Bernabeu despite all the talk and cockiness.

MADRID: Big spenders Real Madrid’s dreams of a Champions League final in May at Santiago Bernabeu were
shattered by Lyon this morning.

Real, who spent over €250 million  last summer in buying among superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, were held dumped by the French club who managed to hold them to a 1-1 draw in the last 16 second leg match at the gigantic stadium.

LIVERPOOL: Manager Rafael Benitez (right) told Liverpool to tackle their Europa League last 16 first leg match against Lille at Lille Metropole tomorrow (2am) as if it was their "most important game of the season".

Considering the state of the current campaign, his comments have more than a ring of truth to them.

SHAH ALAM: A lapse of concentration saw Pos Malaysia score a goal against mighty Selangor — an incident that worries Selangor defender P. Gunalan.

Despite having won 5-1 against the postal team in the first leg of the FA Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday, the reliable leftback admitted that such instances could prove detrimental as the Red Giants aim to defend their FA Cup and Super League titles this season.

Gunalan assured he and his teammates would be at their best when Selangor play Kelantan in Kota Baru tomorrow.