Barcelona and their fans to the platform Alttawaijat even if it was under the command of coach lacks sufficient experience is Tito Vilanova.What you represent is that football is more than a matter of life or death, but beyond that?In fact, every time I go to sleep increased with certainty that football is worth all the sacrifices that we can provide in the process, which makes me day after day I renew my enthusiasm to play more.So you support the words of legendary former Liverpool coach Bill Shankly?A Bill summarizes everything about football, it's a way to live for us players, so you should be thankful her and all the beautiful things that gave us them, it is true that I suffered until I get what I am, but I return I admit that I was lucky to have achieved all the following things beautiful I am also happy to be a center throughout the following period with the football to change my despite some lapses few but the satisfaction of people why I was increasingly certain that I can provide the best even in difficult times with them sometimes, I hope that we continue to enjoy such a following moments for many years.In spite of all this only refers to the fact that near Aatzalk football, right?In fact, I want to play football forever, but the reality is something else I must come a time when you must face it, sometimes I say to Bruna and Rijkaard Emily has not left me much to retire, but after a few days after that I feel I still be able to tender for periods long, then the matter related to the psychological aspect, which is primarily a security self to continue that sense of the ability to tender for many years.Is it true that day was Astbdulk against Real Madrid in El Clasico Camp Nou bothered by the issue?I do not care for such as the following things that are being said without any evidence, and I've tired during the first half, making the coach Istbdlna view of the interview, which was followed by Chelsea, it is true that the aim of the change was an attempt to tie that did not happen unfortunately, but I did not feel any discomfort from , as it is not marked Smati that selfishness is the coach who sees things well and to make a switch as soon as I became catalyze the players on the pitch but immediately after the equalizer, which pleased the goal came Cristiano, who did not leave any chance for us to return to the game.What about the other disappointment against Chelsea Champions League ..?Yes, in the four years we spent Kaa Pep Guardiola lived the best moments, but we in turn have suffered in other moments, including the final of the cup and 2/2 final in front of each of Inter and Chelsea, this is football can not be aware of everything but you in turn can lose everything and we did not lose everything for good luck.What is the most painful thing in Chelsea?Without a doubt, Chelsea ..Why?Football is not fair at all, they argued a lot in return took advantage of the balls that they had, it is true that the rule of football but it was like recording ball penalty that we had to turn things on our side, now we hold two lessons more difficult in football are Mbarta Inter and Chelsea Although at least that Inter played football in the first leg of deserved to crown a champion of the competition in contrast to Chelsea, who relied on Almertdat Altkthel and defense in Alambartin together.In the end, you encourage?It is true that football Bayern Munich in the final feet Robin had to change things 180 degrees, but I think in both Mata and Torres being friends in the team so I sympathize with Chelsea, although it Ribery Tjmni with good friendship, in the end this is football resolved in simple things of that have to be winner and loser should be if there were two glasses of the given one for Chelsea and another for Bayern Munich on the 120 minutes that Abaha in the end.So would not Ttawaijkm the Champions League and La Liga that ignites the competition for the Golden Ball award following year.?Golden Ball Messi to change my, despite the talk that was issued by Mourinho on merit Cristiano for the prize being won the league, but I understand it being a Friend of work and coach him he preferred to others, but you can ask any lover of soccer players, one characterized by the side of physical and newest addition to the factor the body is characterized by fast-witted and the mental, frankly intelligent and sophisticated, Liu Tahlana to win the golden ball all season, playing in it, because the mental is important despite the fact that some people focus on the speed of the leg, but not enough in front of talent Liu that make it the preferred all season and reserved in his name only .Is it true about that Leo could play for both clubs in the future?Explain more ..For example, he used to say that Eto'o will be out of needles, then the future team sponsor mention the other things?Those decisions issued by the coach because, as I told you from the looks of the image as it serves the group, for Messi is something else understands the coach's decisions and tries to play for the group, the condition can not be measured on the other, we are a group Kpatna and Leo is the fifth after Andres consult among ourselves and decide What is in the interest of the group, is not a dictatorship or domination on others as it is for that advice can not be talking about Messi or Puyol things such as the following columns are for the team.In a match, I said that the team and the dressing room was not ready to give up on Pep Guardiola, are you now ready to step down in light of Beebe's leadership team??Yes, I said that in that period because I was sure that another coach out of the house will oversee the team's hard to keep pace with the group level, but then I was not aware that it will succeed Bibb is Tito that an extension of Pep Guardiola and support of the latter to the question of his appointment only answer about the value of that person and the size of the work being done for the sake of the group, in the dressing room respect Tito even before the oversight of the team all the shortcut will fight with Tito because he briefly knew many mysteries of football in addition to its reliance on pattern Pape and his style since his appointment as commander of a team of size Barcelona is a clear message that everyone is confident in the work of Tito.But why there are serious doubts about the possibility of Tito's success with the team, why all this fear?It's good to doubt about the decisions of the Governing Council, because then everybody will be the challenge Athbat self and to respond to critics, as they were doubtful about the appointment of Pep Here is the same thing is repeated with Tito, in short if it were not following Zgot Since love triumph present, Sometimes some of the exaggerations indented on the Leo in order to register and Iniesta for scrolling and Valdes to address the balls following the environment and we are not disturbed by words such as this, but disturbed by questioning the capabilities of the players and hold them more energy, so I am over 14 years that have worked within the institution where I could live with all the following things as I support all the characters that defend the institution of the Barcelona Cruyff, Laporta and draw our confidence in ourselves that we are able to answer questions on public opinion.So what's the things that make the dressing room know such a calm and understanding?Sorry, I did not understand what you meanBeebe said that many things were calm with a cause in the dressing room right?I do not know what to aim but you can ask Beebe about it and can answer you.What can you say about Cristiano talk about the end of the era of Barcelona?I do not agree with the words of Cristiano altogether, you are talking about the team won with 14 titles from 19 and not 2 of 19, so we won this season with 4 of 6 titles is a response to head Cristiano winner of the title of one.Have you visited Abidal after his release from the hospital?Not yet, but I spoke to him as well as I met his father, and assured me on his health and it is stable now, It is a friend work and enjoys the love and respect for everyone, Abidal gave us a vivid example of the fighting and love work in spite of the difficulty that has an impact on my career and I am a great honor to played next to thank everyone who brought him to play beside us, and everyone standing next to him, but evidence of the status of my father for the group.Is it true that the differences between Barcelona and Madrid did not affect the relationship within the team also spoke Delbosca for it or that Ramos and Becky would maintain that anniversary bad night Clasico 5/0?We are all here in the team Mtlahmon past differences behind us and for the groupSo why this course raised questions again?I do not know the source of this course of things, but I know I Kpatna team we sat all the company of the coach and beyond past differences for the group, it is true that he was some bickering in previous meetings but we are adding to Iker talked about our desire for making history again Nations Cup Aruban coming across Coronation Cup dear to the people here.Esperanza Aguirre was drunk, what can you say?Can not confuse politics and sports, it is true that it generated some controversy by virtue of Ahtravitna but we can not confuse things.VIA, the best sign for the coming year?We have suffered enough in the light of its distance from us, and now was time to return the player to be with us the important thing is to be ready to play again Bjanba and that in no hurry to return in order to avoid another setback.Is it difficult to live among the Laporta era and the era of Sandro Rosell?What should we collect it that both personalities are seeking to achieve the best for the club and for the institution, though I can Oqimama together I shall to Sandro 10 points and Laporta 10 points, he spoke with all of them and respect them too, given the respect that Aknah me and members of the group, so we appreciate what they did and they are doing for Barcelona and Catalonia.Was it possible that not resign, Pep?Yes we could have achieved more than we have achieved so scandalous Pep to stay, in the end is of few words and many of the application and festive crowd the night of his farewell, but evidence of the love of all people to him here in Catalonia, I told him directly that we will miss him he told me in turn that he will miss us all and said it will not keep away from us.Do you cried?No did not cry at all this season.Do you feel that despite the lack of Ttawaijkm all titles, the year you make the most beautiful football for 4 years?Yes, getting better every year from its predecessor, the problem only in some small details that were not sufficiently effective, including such as previous years, but we were lucky, as I have a feeling that we played better and we will continue to improve.Who is the team that would be a candidate to be an impediment to Ttawaijkm continental championship?Non-professional reliable team is my team, we are candidates Extraordinary win every game and tournament we play is true that the competition is tough with a succession of titles and accomplishments with 4 years of a great company of the team, but we in turn have a great team and able to overcome all the following difficulties in spite of Avtqadna for each of the Villa and Puyol.Is it possible that Germany enjoys the title of the tournament?It is not limited only to Germany, there is the Netherlands - England - Italy - Portugal, the teams that have the desire and hunger will be ready to win to embrace the title, it is true that we live in a good condition compared to the others who play on the line, but we want to continue to preserve the vein right which we began since four years, namely to win the continental title.

FC Barcelona launched the Chinese version of the official website, which is expected to have an audience of 800 million people around the world. And the site is a continuation of the expansion of Barcelona in the Chinese market, which began earlier this year created an account on the club's official Twitter in Chinese and followed by 50 thousand users in the first 12 hours, before settling figure is currently at 1.2 million users. It is known that the location of Barcelona, ​​is available in Spanish and Catalan, Arabic and English

For the best players in the leagueMade to the Technical Committee for the league championship of professional football, in the fourth edition, the names of the candidates in each of the categories that characterize the best players in the Premier League and Serie B for the 2011-2012 season. The goalkeeper Victor Valdes Barcelona in the best class of "keepers" with Iker Casillas. Mascherano was nominated and Bartra, along with Sergio Ramos, among other things, in the better class of "defense", and Busquets, Jonathan dos Santos and Xabi Alonso in the best class of "focal players." While Iniesta or Ozil will compete to distinguish the "best midfielder." Finally, how could it be otherwise, Messi and Cristiano candidates for best of class "strikers", accompanied by another player from Almrnga, a Karim Benzema. Of course, Isaac Bashevis Cuenca has plenty of numbers to win prize "the best young talent" in the season.  Will be sent a list of candidates for all coaches of first and second class who participated throughout the season to vote for who deserve the awards, which will be including a former Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola, who will take part in the selection of winners. The Association will select the "best coach" and "best player" in the league. While fans will decide who will receive the award for 'best playmaker. "

Said rival FC Barcelona in the Primera Liga club said on Wednesday that Tito Vilanova and agreed to the Catalan club training for two years. Barcelona said via his page on the Twitter social networking on the Internet, "Villanova will sign the contract on June 15. And will be presented to the media and fans on Friday at the Nou Camp."

• Personal biography

  Carles Puyol began his footballing career in the local team of the small town where he was born, La Pobla de Segur. His talent soon attracted wider attention and, at the age of 17, he was signed up for the Barca academy at La Masía.

  He rapidly became a fixture in Barca B and then progressed to make his debut with the first team on 2nd October 1999 against Valladolid at the orders of Louis Van Gaal. His appearances became more and more frequent until he made the right back position his own. Thanks to his determination to improve and a tremendous work rate, Carles Puyol adapted to the position of central defender.

  In the 2003-2004 season, having been chosen as third captain, he played a vital role in the team's sensational run of form that led to the runners-up place in the league. Puyol made 27 appearances in the league and seven in the UEFA Cup.

  However, Carles Puyol had to wait until the 2004-05 season to win his first medal with Barca. He was, by then, captain of the first team and an essential part of Frank Rijkaard's league championship winning side. At the end of the season, he finally saw his dream come true of lifting the league trophy in the Nou Camp.

  During the 2005-06 season, he played as well as he had the previous year. The Barça captain had the honour of being presented with the league title trophy before the game against Espanyol, before lifting the UEFA Champions League in Paris after the monumental victory against Arsenal in the Saint-Denis Stadium. Puyol only missed five matches all season and none through injury. On three occasions he was rested by coach Frank Rijkaard and was then suspended for the other two games which he did not play in. He also scored one goal as he headed home during the 5-0 victory against Real Sociedad on October 30, 2005.

  At the end of the following season in 2006/07 (in which he played in 35 of 38 League games), Carles Puyol suffered the worst injury of his career when the League was already over. He damaged ligaments in his knee in a friendly played in Pretoria on 20 June 2007 and this kept him out until 29 September. Despite missing the first months of the competition, the club captain finally played in 30 League games in the 2007/08 campaign.

  In the treble winning season 2008/09, Carles Puyol was once again Barça's most versatile defender. Guardiola used him as a right back in the Champions League final, a left back in the Copa del Rey final and also as centre back in most games. A great utility player, he also showed he can score goals, such as his header in the historic 6-2 win at the Bernabéu. In Rome he made history by becoming the first Barça captain to lift the Champions league trophy twice.

  In the 2009-10 season he won his fourth league title. The captain is incredibly consistent and is one of the defenders most used by Pep Guardiola in the heart of defence.

  Puyol was less fortunate in 2010/11, where despite winning his fifth league and third Champions League, he only played 27 matches (his fewest appearances since 2000/01). Towards the end of the season, he underwent arthroscopy on his left knee to extract loose cartilage from his femur.

  Carles Puyol is also a fixture in the Spanish national side, with which he played in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups and in the European Championships in 2004 and 2008. In the latter he was key figure as Spain won the title in Vienna.

  In the summer of 2010 he won the only club or international medal that was missing from his collection. One of the cornerstones of the team, he played in all seven matches and scored the only goal of the semi-final against Germany – a header similar to his goal in the historic 2-6 victory in the Bernabeu.

AS Roma's head coach Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique has quit as manager of AS Roma, putting an end to a troubled reign in charge of the Serie A side, the club's general director confirmed on Friday.

"His work was good. At a certain point it wore him out and he felt the need to stop," general director Franco Baldini told Sky. "He won't be training anywhere next season.

"We invited him to take all the time he needed to decide, hoping right until the end that he would stay."

Italian media had reported Luis Enrique's departure on Thursday, after a video surfaced of him apparently saying to goodbye to the players at the club's training ground, but neither Roma, nor the coach himself, confirmed the news.

The season has been a tough one for Roma, whose new owners, led by American Thomas DiBenedetto, put the Spaniard in charge of a long-term project that they hoped would make the club as successful as the big three of AC Milan, Juventus and Inter Milan.

However, the club have suffered 14 defeats, are seventh in the league with one game to play and may not qualify for Europe next season.

The club remained publicly supportive of Luis Enrique but it was clear that pressure from fans and the local media irritated him.

Baldini said the club was committed to a flamboyant style of play which would continue under the new manager.

"The project hasn't failed, we want to carry on playing a certain type of football, and from league statistics Roma is the team that has had more possession than any other, and is third behind Juve and Milan for territorial dominance and pass completion.

"This says a lot about the quality of play. The failure has been how our league campaign went, but the style of play was want we wanted from the beginning.

Former Roma striker Vincenzo Montella, who coached the club in the second half of last season after Claudio Ranieri's departure, has been tipped to take Luis Enrique's place but Baldini said the club had not yet lined up anyone.

"I don't know (about Montella). From when we knew that Enrique was leaving we have thought about alternatives, but we haven't had the time to contact anyone.

"I don't know how long it will be before we know the name of our new coach, (but outgoing Barcelona coach Pep) Guardiola would be science-fiction."

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Russian coach Dick Advocaat

Russia coach Dick Advocaat has dropped experienced midfielders Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Vladimir Bystrov from a 26-man preliminary squad for Euro 2012.

Bilyaletdinov, 27, joined Spartak Moscow in January following a disappointing 2-1/2-year spell with English Premier League club Everton but has struggled to regain his top form.

Zenit St Petersburg winger Bystrov, who like Bilyaletdinov played at Euro 2008 where Russia surprisingly reached the semi-finals under Advocaat's predecessor Guus Hiddink, was also left out of the squad announced on Friday.

In another surprise move, Dutchman Advocaat recalled Sporting midfielder Marat Izmailov, who had not played for the national team since 2006.

Izmailov, once regarded as one of the most talented Russian players and a veteran of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, has struggled to overcome numerous injuries in recent years.

But the 29-year-old winger has shown glimpses of his old brilliance this season while playing for his Portuguese club.

Advocaat, who will step down as Russia boss following the Euros to take charge of Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, also called up two newcomers, Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Magomed Ozdoyev and Dynamo Moscow defender Vladimir Granat.

Euro 2012, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, starts on June 8 with Russia playing in Group A along with Poland, 2004 European champions Greece and the Czech Republic.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeyev (CSKA Moscow), Vyacheslav Malafeyev (Zenit St Petersburg), Anton Shunin (Dynamo Moscow)

Defenders: Alexander Anyukov (Zenit St Petersburg), Alexei Berezutsky (CSKA Moscow), Vasily Berezutsky (CSKA Moscow), Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Roman Sharonov (Rubin Kazan), Roman Shishkin (Lokomotiv Moscow), Vladimir Granat (Dynamo Moscow)

Midfielders: Igor Denisov (Zenit St Petersburg), Roman Shirokov (Zenit St Petersburg), Konstantin Zyryanov (Zenit St Petersburg), Yuri Zhirkov (Anzhi Makhachkala), Alan Dzagoyev (CSKA Moscow), Igor Semshov (Dynamo Moscow), Denis Glushakov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Magomed Ozdoyev (Lokomotiv Moscow), Marat Izmailov (Sporting), Dmitry Kombarov (Spartak Moscow)

Forwards: Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg), Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St Petersburg), Roman Pavlyuchenko (Lokomotiv Moscow), Artem Dzyuba (Spartak Moscow), Alexander Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), Pavel Pogrebnyak (Fulham).

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Fc Juventus' players jubilate after scoring

Juventus will officially celebrate their 28th Serie A title at the weekend when they entertain Atalanta (1300) hoping to finish the season unbeaten, though the club and many fans say the championship success is their 30th.

Juve, who clinched the title last weekend after beating Cagliari 2-0 in Trieste, had the 2005 and 2006 titles stripped from them after the "calciopoli" match-fixing scandal.

"We have definitely won 30 titles on the pitch," said president Andrea Agnelli after the club put up a representation of the winners' scudetto, with "30" in the middle and three stars above it at their headquarters and their stadium.

* Four teams are still in the race for the third Champions League place, with Udinese, Lazio, Napoli and Inter Milan all fighting for a place in Europe's premier club competition.

Udinese currently hold third spot with 61 points, followed by Lazio on 59 and Napoli and Inter Milan each on 58.

Udinese need a point at Catania (1845) to guarantee third place because they have a better head-to-head record than Lazio.

Lazio face Inter at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday (1845) needing to win while hoping Udinese lose.

Napoli must beat visitors Siena (1845) and hope Udinese lose and Lazio fail to win in which case they would be level on points with Udinese but with a better head-to-head record.

Inter will only take third place if they beat Lazio, Udinese lose and Napoli fail to win.



* At the bottom, Lecce and Genoa are seeking to avoid relegation.

Lecce are at mid-table Chievo and Genoa host Palermo (both 1845 GMT). Lecce have to win and hope Palermo beat Genoa to preserve their top flight status.



* Luis Enrique will take charge of AS Roma for the last time against Cesena on Sunday (1600 GMT) after quitting as coach earlier in the week.

Enrique decided to leave after a difficult season in which his seventh-placed side have lost 14 league games and are in danger of missing out on European action next season.

"At a certain point it wore him out and he felt the need to stop," Roma general director Franco Baldini told Sky Italia.

"He won't be training anywhere next season. We invited him to take all the time he needed to decide hoping right until the end that he would stay."

* AC Milan will say goodbye to three club greats at the weekend after Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso and Filippo Inzaghi all announced they would be quitting the club.

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Chelsea captain John Terry said he deserved his red card in Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Barcelona which eliminated the holders and booked the Premier League side's place in next month's Champions League final.

Defender Terry was shown a straight red card by Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir in the 37th minute for kneeing Alexis Sanchez in the back and will miss the final against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich on May 19.

"It does look bad on the replay. I raised my knee which in hindsight I shouldn't have done. No complaints from the replay," the Englishman told Sky Sports after his team went through 3-2 on aggregate.

"Sanchez darted in behind me. At the time I was bewildered. I feel like I've let the lads down," added Terry, whose missed penalty cost Chelsea the 2008 title against Manchester United in Moscow.

Chelsea will also be without the suspended Branislav Ivanovic in the Munich final while fellow defender Gary Cahill was injured during Tuesday's match and David Luiz missed the game.

Terry said he was not surprised at Chelsea's stunning upset.

"This is what this football club deserves. It's massive."

Caretaker coach Roberto Di Matteo said: "He's a fantastic leader of this group. Everybody can make a mistake in life. We're just happy to go through. We're all human beings. They're under huge pressure these players."

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Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock

Bolton Wanderers fought back from a goal down to beat Aston Villa 2-1 on Tuesday and boost their chances of Premier League survival.

Villa took the lead through Stephen Warnock after 61 minutes but Bolton hit back immediately with a penalty by Martin Petrov and David N'Gog grabbed the winner a minute later. 

Bolton climbed above Blackburn Rovers into 18th place in the 20-team standings, a point behind Wigan Athletic and Queens Park Rangers with a game in hand.

Villa remained in serious danger of going down on 36 points, just two ahead of Wigan and QPR with three matches left. 

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Barcelona's Gerard Pique (C) collides with team-mate Victor Valdes

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was taken to hospital as a precaution after suffering concussion following a clash during their Champions League semi-final, second leg against Chelsea on Tuesday.

"Pique has been taken to hospital for tests. the player suffered a slight concussion," Barca said on their Twitter feed.

© Reuters

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Australia's captain Michael Clarke

A power outage at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad led to a bizarre delay to the start of the third day's play in the second test between West Indies and Australia on Tuesday.

The two teams walked on to the field ready to play as scheduled but quickly retreated back to the dressing room before a ball was bowled because there was no live television footage.

Officials initially said the Australian captain Michael Clarke wanted to delay the start because the decision review system (DRS) was not working.

But a team spokesman later confirmed the decision to delay the start was made by match referee Jeff Crowe, partly because the DRS was unavailable but also because the start could not be broadcast to television viewers.

Play eventually started about 20 minutes later with West Indies resuming their first innings on 49 for three in reply to Australia's 311.

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Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal established early-season clay superiority after months away from the surface with the top two in the world both advancing in opening matches on Wednesday at the Monte Carlo Masters. Top seed Djokovic won his seventh match without a loss against Andrea Seppi as he punished the Italian 6-1, 6-4. Nadal, playing on a recently treated left knee, got past Finn Jarkko Nieminen 6-4, 6-3. The Spanish king of clay, who last touched the surface during the December Davis Cup finals win over Argentina, is searching for an unprecedented eighth title at the iconic tournament sited on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. Nadal improved to 40-1 in the principality, with his only loss occurring in 2003. He lost his only match at the venue in 2003 and has now won 38 in a row. "I played a really normal match, nothing special," said the second seed, who added: "Nothing very bad, but nothing very good. "It was the first match on clay after a long time, and the first match after 15 days without touching a racquet. The important thing was that I won in straight sets." Nieminen, winner of the Sydney title in January, broke Nadal as the Spaniard served for victory but lost his own serve a game later to end it on a agonizing double-fault. Nadal had gone to the court unsure of his physical status after not playing for almost three weeks and worried over the painful knee which forced him to skip a Miami semi-final against Andy Murray. Djokovic had not played clay since losing a French Open semi to Roger Federer on June 3. He missed the tournament at his Monte Carlo home base in 2011 due to fatigue but benefited from a two-week window between his title in Miami and the clay start to rest and prepare well. "I was really focused first set and played it well against a tough, quality opponent who plays good on clay. For the first official match since Roland Garros last year, it was satisfying," said the Serb. "I served really well when I needed to. That's encouraging for the clay, it's good to have a couple of free points there. "But it takes at least a week to adjust to the movement on clay, to switch the style of the game. You have to make adjustments and be a little bit more patient in your rallies. "With the way I played today I'm happy. I cannot be happier for the first official match after, what, eight, nine months. I'm looking forward to the next one." Djokovic will face off on Thursday in the third round against Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov, the 16th seed who beat Australian Bernard Tomic 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. "He's a very talented player, comes up with some shots that are not really typical," said Djokovic. "He changes the pace and is very dangerous on clay. I need to be aware and disciplined on the court." Spain's fifth seed David Ferrer went down in a 6-3, 6-2 surprise to Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci while Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych beat Marin Cilic 7-6 (7-3), 6-1. Other seeded winners included Serb seventh seed Janko Tipsarevic, who put out Spain's Albert Montanes 6-2, 6-3 and number eight Nicolas Almagro, who beat Italian Potito Starace 7-6 (7-3), 6-1.

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File picture shows Raul of Schalke 04

Schalke 04 forward Raul is to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires, the Bundesliga club said on Thursday.

The 34-year-old former Real Madrid and Spain striker has been at the Gelsenkirchen club for two seasons, scoring 27 Bundesliga goals in 63 matches.

"?He will explain his reasons for the move ... and his plans for the future in due course," said the club in a statement.

German media reported that Raul could continue his career in Qatar.

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Barcelona's coach Pep Guardiola

Lady luck was not smiling on profligate Barcelona in Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat at Chelsea but the holders expressed confidence they could turn the semi-final around in the second leg at their daunting Nou Camp arena on Tuesday.

The English Premier League side turned in a gritty performance to deny the Spanish champions and managed to keep World Player of the Year and competition top scorer Lionel Messi quiet to boost their chances of making next month's final.

A large slice of good fortune also helped inflict only a third defeat this season on Barca, who dominated possession, hit the bar and the post and had a Cesc Fabregas effort cleared off the line by Ashley Cole.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola, whose side host bitter rivals and fellow Champions League semi-finalists Real Madrid in La Liga on Saturday, acknowledged that Chelsea, chasing a first European crown, were now favourites to progress.

However, he said recovering from the one-goal deficit and eliminating the Londoners was a "great challenge" he and his players were happy to accept.

"I don't expect Chelsea to attack or pressure us high up the pitch but to deploy 10 players in their half and look to counter attack," Guardiola, bidding to lead the Catalan club to a third Champions League title in four years, told a news conference.

"They will probably hold back and try to look for their chance," the former Barca and Spain midfielder added.

"We must not forget that Chelsea, with very little, can be an extremely dangerous opponent and they do what they do exceptionally well.

"We just need to find a way of creating goals."

Barca had 72 percent of possession and 19 attempts on goal at Stamford Bridge compared to four for Chelsea but striker Didier Drogba proved more clinical than the visitors' forwards when he slipped away from his marker and fired low past goalkeeper Victor Valdes moments before halftime.

Playmaker Andres Iniesta, who had a claim for a penalty waved away by the referee in the first half, said Barca would seek to be more effective in front of goal on Tuesday.

"We have the feeling that we created a lot of clear chances but we were just lacking the goal," he told reporters.

"We were on the wrong end of a defeat and we need to up our game significantly," added the Spain international, who scored the dramatic late goal that knocked Chelsea out on away goals in the 2009 semi-finals.

"The team is capable of doing that. It's not just a matter of luck."