For Chelsea and Manchester United fans, however, it’s a bit of a damp squib. Chelsea face FC Copenhagen, a match which many will view as a virtual bye. Will that prove to be the case given the London club’s recent Premier League form, however? There’s potential for a shock in there, perhaps.

Meanwhile, United face Marseille which is at least a new enough fixture, but another French team in what has been a long line of them since the Old Trafford outfit began their long love affair with the competition. It also sees Gabriel Heinze return to Manchester. Wonder what reception he will get? Sir Alex Ferguson will no doubt be pleased with the draw.

Arsene Wenger, however, will not. He’d have been hoping for a slightly easier tie than the current best team in Europe (according to some…most?), while Harry Redknapp and Spurs will just be glad they were in the draw and will, no doubt, be relishing the challenge of AC Milan.

Other notable ties are Lyon versus Real Madrid and Inter Milan versus Bayern Munich. Lyon knocked Real out of the competition at this stage last year and will be dying to do the same again. Current holders Inter Milan will be feeling a sense of déja vu when they face the German side as it is a repeat of last year’s final. The same result Jose Mourinho enjoyed will no doubt suit Rafa Bernitez.

Here’s the full Champions League Draw:

Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk
AC Milan v Tottenham Hotspur
Valencia v Schalke
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich
Lyon v Real Madrid
Arsenal v Barcelona
Marseille v Manchester United
FC Copenhagen v Chelsea

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Gio, as he is affectionately known, has not only captained his country to the World Cup final but has lifted two Scottish Premier League titles, two Scottish FA Cups, and a Scottish League Cup with Rangers, an English Premier League title and two FA Cups with Arsenal, two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups and the Uefa Cup with Barcelona and two KNVB Cups with current and final club Feyenoord.

Could he cap it all with a World Cup winners medal? There’s no doubting he deserves it.

Here’s some of his best bits right from when he was a kid. Enjoy.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Pmhxrvris[/youtube]

Sporting Fare - Serving up the world of sport...with a twist!

Jose Mourinho offers unrivalled off-pitch entertainment

The ever-entertaining Mourinho had a bust up in the tunnel with Barcelona’s Xavi, gave a brilliant post match interview during which he couldn’t resist taking a swipe at the Spanish side, bigging himself up further and looking, frankly, as smug as we have ever seen him!

Apparently, aggrieved at not receiving a penalty when Daniel Alves was taken out by Wesley Schneider, Xavi claimed bias from Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca towards his compatriot Mourinho. Mourinho fired right back at the Spaniard, reminding him that Barcelona only made the final last year when Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo turned down several penalty claims from his former club Chelsea.

We love half time and full time tunnel clashes and we only wish we could have been there in person. But “The Special One” excelled himself in the post match interview to make up for it.

“It’s a pity. A year ago Chelsea were crying and Barca were laughing with the referee. They laughed because he denied my Chelsea boys their rightful place.”

Indeed, Jose, though we shall refrain pointing out the number of times Chelsea were aided in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europe by generous decisions themselves. That’s football!

“It gives me great pride to say that we could go to Madrid to play the final or we will come home from Barcelona with our heads held high. We’ve beaten the best team in the world and now Inter are a great Champions League team. If we don’t win it this year, we’ll win it next year or in two years time. We’ll be in semi-finals and finals – we’ve changed.”

There is nothing too controversial in there – though his fortune telling skills have often proved to be wrong and Inter are not yet a great Champions League side at all, despite his preening – but his delivery…ah, his delivery is what has all the hacks sitting on the edge of their seats and last night was no different. Every word of that was said with smug satisfaction and dripped with self love.

Contrast with Pep Guardiola:

“This can happen, especially when you’re playing in the semi-final of the Champions League and against Inter Milan. Of course it’s not ideal losing like this but we can still do it. The result is not good, we gave away too many balls, we can do better. This wasn’t our best game and Inter don’t make it easy for you to play.

“I know the players are tired but I’m not a medical expert and I can’t say how much the journey affected them. In Barcelona we will attack. We will put water on the pitch so the ball moves quicker, which they didn’t do here. We’ll see a good game, hopefully.”

Magnanimous, disappointed but optimistic. Mourinho offers entertainment but to be honest, we prefer the honesty and class displayed by Guardiola. Long may Mourinho continue to deliver for the press – as long as there is a counterpoint in the likes of the Guardiola.

What’s your preference? The arrogance of a Jose or the quiet class of a Pep? Let us know in the comments.

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La Liga: Barcelona versus Real Madrid

‘El Clasico’ takes place at the Camp Nou on Sunday. In the UK you can watch the first half of the match via the red button on Sky Sports One from 6pm. Second half coverage is on the same channel normally from 7pm. Ridiculous, right?

The same game last year resulted in a 2-0 victory for the Catalan side, then a humiliating game at Madrid saw Barcelona triumph 6-2. Real, therefore, will be out for revenge, especially in Barcelona. Fireworks, for sure.

Rating: Don’t miss it!

EPL: Arsenal versus Chelsea

Live on Sky Sports One from 3.30pm on Sunday, this game will have a massive impact on the Premier League. It could give Arsenal hope of actually winning it should they win but if Chelsea triumph it will make it very difficult for both Arsenal AND Manchester United to catch them.

Sadly, games of this kind are rarely a spectacle and often settled by the odd goal.

Rating: Something to watch before ‘El Clasico’.

EPL: Everton versus Liverpool

Sky Sports One, 1.30pm, Sunday. The Scouse derby is one always eagerly anticipated and this year it means much more than city pride and bragging rights. A defeat for Liverpool puts their 2010 Champions League credentials in serious doubt, while a victory for the Toffees gives them hope of a European spot themselves.

Should be feisty as normal. With Liverpool missing some key players and Everton welcoming back a couple of their best, perhaps the most evenly matched derby in years. Though on derby day, as everyone knows, that counts for nothing.

Rating: Fire up your Sunday afternoon early with this one.

NFL: New Orleans Saints versus New England Patriots

Annoyingly, no Monday Night Football in the UK this season, so nowhere to watch this, but the match up between Tom Brady (Pats) and Drew Brees (Saints) is one we love. If you can find it on the internet somewhere then we highly recommend you do.

The Pats are an impressive 7-3 for the season so far but, oh dear, the Saints are an unbeaten 10-0! However, the Pats have only ever lost once in the Saints’ Superdome, winning five times, so this should be one hell of a match up no matter what.

Rating: Take the time to find it online if you can!

NHL: Anaheim Ducks versus Chicago Blackhawks

We can’t find it on ESPN anywhere, though you’ll get it on the highlights shows no doubt. Why this one in a packed NHL schedule this weekend? Because the Blackhawks look like the best team out there right now, while the Ducks look to be one of the worst (along with your writer’s chosen Maple Leafs, sadly). The former is on an eight game winning streak and we want to know if they will make it nine.

However, the Ducks are improving – two wins in a row, could they possibly make it three against the League’s form team? Nah, probably not, but it’ll be fun finding out!

Rating: If you stumble across it, watch it.

Tennis: ATP World Tour Finals Final

Live on Sky Sports Three from 12.30pm (men’s singles final won’t start until at least 1.30pm) on Sunday, the final of the last men’s event in the tennis season promises to be a classic. Played at the O2 in London on indoor hard courts, we don’t yet know who the protagonists will be but with the likes of Federer, Del Potro and Soderling already through we think it’ll be well worth watching.

The last spot in the semis will be decided today and will go to either Davydenko or Djokovic – what more do you want? You can watch the semi finals on Sky tomorrow as well, so if tennis is your thing, then the ATP World Tour Finals are for you all weekend!

Rating: Game, set and match for this one. Classic.

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Hits

RUBIN KAZAN: The current Russian Champions have been a breath of fresh air this year. Combining a resolute defensive stability with the occasional creative foray they have already beaten Barcelona at the Camp Nou and held them to a 0-0 stalemate back in frozen Kazan just last night. Rubin won their first ever League title last year to qualify and now sit joint second with the Spanish giants in Group F, topped by Inter Milan. Unbeaten in four matches going back a month at home and in Europe, the Russian side could yet qualify for the knockout stages.

ARSENAL: Yes, Arsenal. Despite having the leanest squad in the Premiership Top Four, the English club boasts attacking talent so good that they are defying the odds and virtually secured their progression with a 4-1 hammering of AZ Alkmaar. Ok, the opposition isn’t all that but Arsenal’s style of play is a joy to watch in the domestic league and in Europe. They warrant a hit for that alone, but doing it with, in our opinion, a wafer thin squad and questionable defence (the wonderful Vermaelen aside) cements it.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Despite being injured for the last few weeks he still tops the Champions League scoring charts with four goals, just ahead of Wolfsburg’s brilliantly named Grafite, and since his injury Real Madrid have suffered a dramatic dip in form and results. Losing to AC Milan 3-2 at the Santiago Bernabéu two weeks ago and then only managing a draw in Milan this week, Real are in danger of failing to qualify with Marseille closing fast in Group C. Sporting Fare puts this down to the continuing absence of Ronaldo, whose form pre-injury was the best in Europe by far. With the likes of Rooney, Messi and Gilardino in the competition it is testament to his quality that he remains top scorer.

Misses

RAFAEL BENITEZ: The Liverpool manager, who has proven on more than one occasion that he is capable of pulling his club’s proverbial fat out of the fire, has this time failed to do so. The reasons for this are many and cannot all be placed at his door. Gerrard’s absence, Torres’ injuries and Carragher’s loss of form are not his fault. But the sale of Alonso, the failure to have enough striking options in his squad and the failed signings he has made are definitely his fault. It seems that Rafa has lost the plot in his now overdue five year plan for Liverpool. Lyons’ last gasp equaliser last night, which virtually puts the English club out of the competition, may not be the final nail in the Spaniard’s coffin, but it will have Liverpool’s squabbling board thinking hard about his future. There is still a chance the escapologist could pull the club through – but Sporting Fare won’t be betting on it.

BAYERN MUNICH: This former European giant has not been having a good time of it lately. Third in Group A, four points off second placed Juventus and six off leaders Bordeaux – and with Juventus still to play in Turin – things look bleak for the German side. Yet a look at their squad suggests they should be qualifying from this group with ease. Butt, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Van Bommel, Toni, Klose – all big, big players. It only suggests the team is letting itself down and they are possibly the biggest miss so far in the Champions League.

BARCELONA: Managing only a point against Russian champions and big hits Rubin Kazan is one thing. Well, it’s the only thing really. But, like Bayern Munich, boasting a squad as talented as they do and failing to deliver on Europe’s biggest stage is criminal. We’re sure it’s as big a mystery to Josep Guardiola as it is to us. They are far from out of it and the group is a tight one, led by Inter who only recorded their first win in the competition in over a year this week yet a team of Barcelona’s quality should be gracing the Champions League with goals galore from the likes of Messi, Henry et al. Shape up, boys, it’s not good enough.

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