One-match ban for Cambiasso after Giovinco foul

The experienced midfielder will be forced to serve a single-game suspension following his red card in the Derby d'Italia.

Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni will have to make do without the services of Esteban Cambiasso in the upcoming Serie A match against Sampdoria, as the midfielder has been handed a one-match ban following his dismissal against Juventus at the weekend.

The Argentine midfielder was shown a straight red card in the closing stages of Saturday's 2-1 loss after a reckless tackle on Sebastian Giovinco, and has now been suspended for one Serie A game as a result.

The Nerazzurri initially feared that Cambiasso would be handed a severe ban following his late lunge on the Italian, but the 32-year-old will miss just the one game versus Sampdoria.

Cambiasso entered the Juventus dressing room immediately after the final whistle to apologies to Giovinco and inquire after his injury.

The attacker missed Sunday morning's training session as a result of the tackle, but has been included in Juventus' match squad for the Champions League game against Bayern Munich.

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Terim is close to his players like Mourinho, says Drogba

The ex-Chelsea star is relishing the trip to Spain where he made his Champions League debut, and he says the Portuguese and Turkish boss share similar coaching methods. Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba has remarked that coach Fatih Terim takes a similar approach to Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho when it comes to motivating his players. The comparison comes as Drogba prepares to face off against Mourinho's side in the road leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash on Wednesday.

The Cote d'Ivoire star played under Mourinho when he was in charge of the Blues between 2004 and 2007, and he believes they are similarities between him and current boss Terim.

"I have a lot of memories of him [Mourinho]," Drogba told the club's official magazine. "He's always in the spotlight, and he looks out for everyone. He tries to get the best out of every individual. Fatih Terim is like Mourinho in that respect. He's close to the players."

Drogba then reflected on his Champions League debut against Madrid in 2003, where he scored a goal for his former side Olympique Marseille in their 4-2 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"The Bernabeu game will be very special for me. I played my first Champions League match there against the Madrid 'Galacticos'," Drogba said. "I scored my first goal, even though we lost 4-2 – it was in the group stages of the 2003-2004 campaign with Marseille. I'll never forget that day. It was very important for my career."

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Nasri: I do not regret leaving Arsenal for Manchester City

The 25-year-old midfielder has endured an inconsistent campaign for Roberto Mancini's side this season, admitting that his own individual form simply has not been good enough.

Samir Nasri insists he has no regrets over his decision to leave Arsenal for Manchester City in 2011, even though he has lamented his departure from mentor Arsene Wenger.

Roberto Mancini revealed his frustration at the midfielder's inconsistent performances this season, with the France international’s showings ranging from abject to brilliant, and it was the latter on Saturday as he was named Man of the Match in the club’s 4-0 win over Newcastle.

Nevertheless, the 25-year-old Nasri maintains that he has no remorse over the nature of his exit from Arsenal, but rather his disappointment at not being able to work with Wenger for a longer period of time.

"Arsene Wenger is the greatest coach I have worked with. I only regret not having more discussions with Arsene Wenger when I left [for Manchester City]," Nasri told beIN Sport. "I do not have regrets. I do not regret joining Manchester City. I want to play and perform. My departure from Arsenal is purely for sporting reasons.

Nasri also admitted that in light of Mancini's recent criticism, he understands his own form hasn't quite been up to scratch this season.

"I am aware that I do not realize a good season," Nasri said. "There are many reasons. But when Mancini said that I'm training at 50 percent, this is not true.

"I felt comfortable against Newcastle. It's been a time that I feel good."

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Madrid team now better than the Galacticos, says Roberto Carlos

The Brazilian left back believes this edition of Los Blancos is better than the team for which he starred but that facing Galatasaray in Istanbul presents a legitimate challenge.

Roberto Carlos says this Real Madrid team is more capable of success than the one for which he played.

The ex-Brazil international made more than 300 appearances for Los Merengues and has high hopes for his former team in the UEFA Champions League against Galatasaray.
"There are always good players at Real Madrid, but I think the team is even stronger now than when I played." the 39-year-old told sportyou.es. "They have been well put together and are more organized."
The hard-hitting fullback had a stint in Turkey with Fenerbahce and thinks that while Madrid is the favorite in the tie, he will not write off the Turkish champions on their own turf.

"In terms of tactics, depth and quality, Madrid is one step ahead," said Roberto Carlos whose Real Madrid side lost to Galatasaray in the 2000 UEFA Super Cup. "The second leg may become very difficult [for Madrid] because the atmosphere in the stadium is impressive.

"Galatasaray could eliminate Real Madrid in Istanbul."

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brahimovic: They should rename the Ballon d'Or after Messi

The Sweden star cracked a joke regarding the Argentine maestro, who has won the prestigious prize for four consecutive years, ahead of their Champions League matchup.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hailed Barcelona star Lionel Messi for winning the FIFA Ballon d'Or four years in a row ahead of the teams' UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash this week.

The Argentina star is in the form of his life, as he has scored in 19 straight league games against each of the other teams in La Liga, and he earned his fourth straight Ballon d'Or in January, which has left an impression on Ibrahimovic.

"He is the best player in the world right now," Ibrahimovic told reporters at a press conference. "He has won four Ballon d'Ors. They should rename this award and call it Messi.

"But I do not know if he is the best player of all time. It is difficult to say. We'll see when he has finished his career."

Considering his outstanding recent performances, Ibra was quick to remark that he does not care about which individual player is the best in the world.

"It is thanks to my teammates that I was able to play that well. We are a team. Being No. 1, this is not important," Ibrahimovic said.

The forward also said that he thinks the Blaugrana are currently the best football has to offer and that PSG has its work cut out starting in Tuesday's quarterfinal first leg at Parc de Princes.

"They're best team of all time," Ibrahimovic said. "We will try to find solutions. I'll try to do my best, then we'll see what happens."

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Essien: It is a transitional season for Chelsea, but Blues can still win trophies

The 30-year-old midfielder, on loan at Real Madrid, says that it will take time for new players in the squad to blend together but silverware is still in play this season.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, on loan at Real Madrid, admits it is a transitional year for the Stamford Bridge side, but says the Blues can still win trophies.

Chelsea is into the semifinals of the FA Cup after defeating Manchester United 1-0 in Monday's quarterfinal replay and faces Rubin Kazan in the quarterfinals of the Europa League. While Essien concedes it is a season of change in West London, he insists they are still capable of salvaging a lost league and Champions League campaign with silverware.

"They can still win trophies in the cups this season so people shouldn't write them off just yet," Essien told The Sport Review. "I have followed Chelsea all season, and although it hasn't been as planned at the start of the season, I think it's down to the fact it is a transitional season.

"A lot of the players from the past are not there and there are new players. It takes time to blend all of them and create a team straight away.

"I am sure the team will know each other very well and the good times will be back."

Essien also hinted he will be heading back to London after his loan deal in Spain comes to an end, stating that his contract situation remains the same as at the beginning of the season.

"I have a contract at Chelsea and at present I am only on loan here [at Real Madrid], so nothing has changed."

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PSG president targets Beckham contract extension

The Ligue 1 leader says it wants to keep the former Manchester United midfielder for another year, but the ex-England international says he will decide at the end of the season.

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says he wants David Beckham to stay with Les Parisiens next season.

The former England captain moved to the Ligue 1 side in January on a five-month deal, and the Qatari businessman is hoping to persuade the global superstar to stay on for another year.

"Frankly, we want to keep him with us next season," Al-Khelaifi said in an interview with L'Equipe. "As a man, player, ambassador, he is exceptional. It creates something in this group. Everyone loves it. He is very happy in Paris. "We will talk with him. Whatever his decision, we support David.
"Recruiting him was one of my best decisions."
Beckham has started once and made four substitute appearances for PSG since his January move and says that, despite being very happy in the French capital, he will wait to decide his future.
"We'll see. Who wouldn't want to stay at a place like this?" the 37-year-old Beckham told Le Parisien. "It's very special, but I'm not getting any younger so we'll see how I feel at the end of the season. It's always nice to be wanted."

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