Iniesta returns to Barcelona squad for UCL clash against Chelsea

More to follow...

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Man United vs Sevilla LINE-UPS: Lingard & Fellaini start as Pogba benched

The line-ups of Manchester United vs Sevilla have been announced.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Valencia, 

Bailly, 

Smalling, Young, Matic, Fellaini, Lingard, 

Sanchez, Rashford, Lukaku

Subs: Romero, Lindelof, Pogba, Mata, Martial, 

Darmian, McTominay

Sevilla XI: Rico, Mercado, Kjaer, Lenglet, 

Escudero, N'Zonzi, Banega, Sarabia, Vazquez, 

Correa, Muriel

Subs: Soria, Ben Yedder, Geis, Pizarro, Pareja, 

Nolito, Arana

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UCL Preview: Barcelona take on Chelsea; Man United eye much-needed win against Sevilla

Man United vs Sevilla

Kick off: 20:45 CET

Date: Tue, 13-Mar-18

1st-leg score: Sevilla 0-0 Man United

Probable Lineups

Focus

Paul Pogba managed to take part in some of

Monday's training session after missing

Saturday's 2-1 win over Liverpool but remains

a doubt.

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Anthony

Martial is available again after a two-game 

absence, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic also

 returned to first-team training on Monday.

Marouane Fellaini is an option again after

coming on against Liverpool, but Ander

Herrera, Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Marcos

Rojo are sidelined. Jesse Lingard will serve a

one-match European ban with his next

booking.

Few changes are expected from the side that

beat Liverpool.

Sevilla have confirmed Jesus Navas will miss

Tuesday's trip to Old Trafford through injury.

Sébastien Corchia is also sidelined, while

Miguel Layún is ineligible.

Gabriel Mercado is expected to move out to

right-back with Navas, Corchia and Layun

unavailable. This will pave the way for Simon

Kjaer to start at centre-back.

Few other changes are expected to the side

that held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw in

the first leg.

Sergio Escudero, Éver Banega and Gabriel

Mercado are all a booking away from a one-

match ban.

Prediction

Man United 2-1 Sevilla

Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Kick off: 20:45 CET

Date: Tue, 13-Mar-18

1st-leg score: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Roma

Probable Lineups

Edin Dzeko and Federico Fazio missed

Friday's 3-0 win over Torino through 

suspension but will be fresh to return against 

Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. Rick Karsdorp i

s still sidelined for the hosts.

Maxime Gonalons ended a two-month period

on the sidelines as a substitute against Torino

but will have to settle for a place on the bench

here.

Diego Perrotti is a booking away from a one-

match ban.

Sergey Krivtsov has been sidelined since

picking up an injury in the first leg and is

expected to miss out here. Maksim Malyshev

is also sidelined for the Ukrainian side.

Taison and Facundo Ferreya are a booking

away from a ban.

Prediction

Roma 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk

Besiktas vs Bayern Munich

Kick off: 18:00 CET

Date: Wed, 14-Mar-18

1st-leg score: Bayern Munich 5-0 Besiktas

Probable Lineups

Focus

With Domagoj Vida suspended and Pepe

injured, Besiktas have a big problem at centre-

back ahead of Wednesday's meeting with

Bayern Munich.

Ricardo Quaresma is available for the home

side after missing Saturday's 1-0 win over

Genclerbirligi through suspension.

Quaresma, Pepe, Duško Tošić, Tolgay Arslan,

Caner Erkin and Anderson Talisca are one

booking away from a one-match ban.

Bayern Munich lead 5-0 from the first leg and

Jupp Heynckes may shuffle his pack on

Wednesday as a result.

Robert Lewandowski, Joshua Kimmich,

Sebastian Rudy and Corentin Tolisso and are a
booking away from a ban, which may

influence

Heynckes' selection.

Kingsley Coman, James Rodríguez and

Tolisso

are injury concerns alongside Manuel Neuer.

Prediction

Besiktas 1-3 Bayern Munich

Barcelona vs Chelsea

Kick off: 20:45 CET

Date: Wed, 14-Mar-18

1st-leg score: Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona

Probable Lineups

Focus

Lionel Messi missed the 2-0 win over Malaga

this past weekend due to the birth of his child

but will return against Chelsea on Wednesday.

Nélson Semedo is back in contention after

missing the first leg through suspension but

may miss out this time around through injury.

Ernesto Valverde has a potential problem on

his hands with Andres Iniesta a huge doubt

and Philippe Coutinho not eligible to play in

the Champions League.

Paulinho and Ousmane Dembele are battling

for a spot on the right flank with the former

expected to get the nod.

Denis Suarez and Sergi Samper are also

doubts but neither are first choice anyway.

Ross Barkley, Tiemoué Bakayoko and David

Luiz are all huge doubts for Wednesday's trip

to Barcelona.

Eden Hazard may be tasked with playing

through the middle once again even though

Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud are available.

Conte must decide whether to start Cesc

Fabregas against his former club or play

someone more defensive in midfield like

Danny Drinkwater.

Antonio Rudiger is expected to start in

defence at the expense of Gary Cahill once

more.

Prediction

Barcelona 2-0 Chelsea

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Serena Williams ousted from Indian Wells by sister Venus

Serena Williams ousted from Indian Wells by sister Venus

Serena Williams’ return to tournament tennis came to an abrupt end Monday as she crashed out of Indian Wells with a 6-3, 6-4 loss to her sister Venus.Venus closed out the 29th career meeting between the two on her second match point as Serena sailed a forehand long to end the third round match in front of a main stadium crowd of about 13,000. It was the first meeting between the sisters since they clashed in the final of the 2017 Australian Open, which Serena won before taking a 15-month hiatus due to her pregnancy. Serena said she is still easing her way back into match fitness. “It wasn’t very easy, obviously,” she said. “It was good to play and try to get in the rhythm and get into the swing again. “I can’t really replicate the situation no matter how much I do in practice. I make those shots 10 times out of 10 in practice. “It’s just the nerves, the anticipation you feel naturally. It’s a little bit of everything that comes in a match that just doesn’t normally happen.” The 10th seeded Venus moves on to the round of 16 where she will face Anastasija Sevastova, who defeated 12th seeded Julia Georges 6-3, 6-3. It is rare for the Williams sisters to play this early in a tournament. It is the earliest they have faced each other since their first encounter at the Australian Open in 1998. They arrived outside the stadium together on a golf cart then walked through the tunnel with Serena entering the court first, as many in the crowd stood and cheered. Venus blasted six aces but had eight double faults in the one hour 26 minute main stadium match. Serena is still shaking off the rust after the long layoff as she hit four aces but had her serve broken four times. “I just have a long way to go,” Serena said. Despite the loss Serena still leads their career series 17-12. This was their first encounter with Venus as an aunt and Serena as a new mother after giving birth to her baby daughter, Alexis Olympia, on September 1. – Booing incident – Venus’s victory also comes 17 years after an ugly booing incident led to a 14-year boycott of the tournament by the sisters. For some it brought closure to the once testy relationship between Indian Wells and the sisters who hail from the Los Angeles suburb of Compton. Serena returned to the tournament in 2015 and Venus a year later. Asked about the incident finally being put to rest, Venus said, “It never crossed my mind.” Serena said she is trying not to look too far into the season. “(Get) ready for the next tournament. I have a lot to improve on,” she said. “It’s good that I don’t have to say that this is the best tennis I have ever played and I lost. My room for improvement is incredible. “So I have just got to keep saying at each tournament that my goal is just to be better than the last. I don’t want to go backwards.”

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COUTINHO ADDS TO LIST OF BARCA PLAYERS BACKING NEYMAR'S RETURN

Ivan Rakitic talked up the possibility of the PSG star returning to the La Liga leaders and his fellow Brazilian has followed suit

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Philippe Coutinho said it would be "awesome" to have Neymar back at Barcelona amid speculation over a possible return to Camp Nou.

Neymar only left Barca for French giants Paris Saint-Germain in August last year – the Brazil star becoming the world's most expensive player after his €222million release clause was activated.

However, the 26-year-old – who is recovering from a broken foot – has been linked with a sensational move to Spanish and European champions Real Madrid, while rumours of a return to Barca have now emerged.

Ivan Rakitic talked up the possibility of Neymar wearing the Barca jersey again following Saturday's 2-0 win over Malaga and Coutinho has now backed his Barcelona team-mate's comments.

"I am thinking as Rakitic does, I would like to have here the best players and Neymar is one of them," said fellow Brazil international Coutinho, who arrived from Liverpool in January.

"I am playing alongside him with Brazil and it's a privilege. It would be awesome to have him back."

Neymar, who suffered a cracked metatarsal in PSG's 3-0 victory over Marseille last month , has scored 28 goals across all competitions this season.

While Barcelona's stars want to see the 26-year-old back in the side, manager Ernesto Valverde says he does not know anything about reports that Neymar could return . 

"I don't know where that has come from," Valverde told reporters on Friday. "Let's not talk about hypothetical situations."

Barca, meanwhile, are 11 points clear atop the La Liga table after 28 matches but are level at 1-1 heading into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Chelsea. 

The La Liga leaders welcome the Premier League champions to Camp Nou on Wednesday. 

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CHELSEA LEGEND DROGBA REVEALS RETIREMENT PLAN AFTER TURNING 40

The iconic Ivorian striker is planning to hang up his boots once an upcoming campaign with American side Phoenix Rising comes to a closeChelsea legend Didier Drogba has announced that he is to retire at the end of an upcoming campaign with Phoenix Rising.

The iconic Ivorian striker will take part in the 2018 USL season, but will then hang up his boots.

Drogba turned 40 on Sunday and feels that the time is right to walk away after more than two decades in the game.

He told Telefoot: "It's really a pleasure for me to play.

"I started late at the top level. I really enjoy playing. I like my role of owner-player a lot. I'm surrounded by a lot of youngsters, and I like passing my know-how on to them. But this season is the last. I'm 40, it's time now."

Drogba made his debut for Le Mans at the age of 20 in 1998.

He would go on to take in spells with Guingamp and Marseille before joining Chelsea for £24 million in the summer of 2004.

Over the course of two spells at Stamford Bridge he plundered over 150 goals while securing four Premier League titles and the Champions LeagueA glittering career has also taken him to Shanghai Shenhua, Galatasaray and MLS side Montreal Impact.

Age has finally caught up with him, but the Drogba dynasty looks set to continue as eldest son Isaac recently linked up with the Guingamp youth academy.

Drogba could also return to France at some stage, with a non-playing position at Marseille appealing to a man who has achieved just about everything on the field.

He added: "We'll have to see what is offered. I'm always ready to help.

"In any case, Marseille are showing good things this year. Rudi Garcia's project is taking shape, they're building a team with young players. It's excellent to stay in the top three with a team like that. As a fan, I have a lot of faith in them

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MOURINHO'S UPDATE ON MARTIAL AND POGBA

MOURINHO'S UPDATE ON MARTIAL AND POGBA

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Anthony Martial is fit and available to play in Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League last-16, second leg tie against Sevilla at Old Trafford on Tuesday, although it remains to be seen if Paul Pogba is available to face the La Liga side.

Pogba missed the weekend’s important Premier League victory over Liverpool due to a small injury, which the France international unfortunately picked up at the Aon Training Complex on Friday.

Paul was not pictured at training on Monday morning but, when asked about the midfielder during the following pre-match press conference, Mourinho revealed the player joined the session later on.

“He did [train] after you left,” Jose told the press, before the boss was then asked if Pogba could face Sevilla. "I don't know. We don't know yet, but he trained a little bit after you left.”

United defenders Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind are all expected to miss the game, while central midfielder Ander Herrera is also unavailable due to injury.

It remains to seen how Zlatan Ibrahimovic is and whether he might be involved, after the Swedish striker was pictured training with the group on Monday morning. He has been working hard on his fitness, since making his last Reds appearance in the 2-2 draw against Burnley on Boxing Day.

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MCTOMINAY NAMED IN SCOTLAND SQUAD

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has been called up to the senior Scotland squad for the first time.

The 21-year-old has been named in Alex McLeish’s first squad since he was appointed Scotland manager for a second time, for friendly matches against Costa Rica and Hungary later this month.

Scott, who has been associated with the Reds since the age of five, was born in Lancaster but qualifies for Scotland as his father is from Glasgow.

He could make his international debut when the Tartan Army take on Costa Rica at Hampden Park on Friday 23 March, before travelling to Budapest to face Hungary four days later.

WHY SCOTT DESERVES HIS CALL-UP 

His inclusion in the 27-man roster, which was announced on Monday morning, is recognition for an impressive first season with the Reds, since being promoted to Jose Mourinho’s first-team squad. It also seemingly ends speculation about his international future, as he is also eligible to play for England. 

After stepping up from the Reserves towards the end of last season, McTominay made his debut as a substitute against Arsenal in May last year and started the Reds' final league game of 2016/17 against Crystal Palace.

He was then part of the squad for Tour 2017, presented by Aon, and scored his first senior goal in the 3-0 friendly win over Valerenga in Norway.  

McTominay has been a regular in the squad this term and has made 16 appearances for United in all competitions so far in 2017/18. He has also started the last five games for the Reds, including Saturday's 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

His impressive displays and intelligence on the ball in the engine room have caught the eye and he received a deserved nomination for his first Player of the Month award in February, which was arguably the best month of his career to date.

HIGH PRAISE FROM THE BOSS 

Mourinho has previously joked that Scotland boss McLeish should select McTominay before England do and recently revealed that he had offered his advice to the Academy graduate about which country he should represent.

The boss has been full of praise for the youngster’s mature performances of late – including in huge games against Chelsea, in the Premier League, and Sevilla, in what was only his second start in the UEFA Champions League. 

Speaking after the victory over Chelsea recently, he said of McTominay: "I think he's a fantastic player – a player that is what I call the modern midfield player, which in the end is a bit of what the top midfield players of the past were. They can do everything.

"The only thing he is not doing yet is scoring goals, which he can. But because I'm giving him different jobs, he's not yet free to do that. We are starting from the basics and the basics he's doing wonderfully well.

"I think he can also score goals – he has that talent. In pre-season, we understood that. But we are adapting him to his multi-functionality and he's doing fantastic jobs for us, so I'm really happy with the player."

'I SAW SCOTT'S PASSION'

Scotland boss Alex McLeish said he included McTominay in the squad after being convinced by his passion to play for the Tartan Army.

"Scott was very receptive," McLeish said. "I looked him in the eye and he gave me passion about playing for Scotland. I saw the passion and I really felt that we had nailed it that day [when we held talks with him]."

He went on: "Of course he has to play a competitive game but if we can get him playing in the friendlies, he can see what it's all about. We can hopefully have some good performances. Obviously winning is the big thing and then Scott can be a part of it.

"He's had some great games with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United. He's only 21, he's not got all the answers – I'm 59, at my last count, and I've not got all the answers but hopefully he'll get more right than wrong."

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