Francesco Totti ruled out of Rome derby

 

 

Francesco Totti will not play Roma's derby with Lazio after losing his fitness battle, the club have confirmed.

The veteran front-man damaged his right thigh in the 3-1 Serie A home win over Atalanta on October 1 and has failed to get well in time for Sunday's match at the Stadio Olimpico.

Totti was substituted after 69 minutes in Roma's second win of the season after picking up the injury.

"After having a scan in the morning at Trigoria, Francesco Totti continues his rehabilitation program with physiotherapy and swimming exercises," Roma announced on their club website, www.asroma.it.

"Over the next few days he will train separately in the gym.

"An ultrasound to evaluate the course is scheduled for next week."

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"Mourinho will never join Barca" - Puyol

Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol has rubbished the notion that ‘The Special one’ will ever join the Catalans.

The Spaniard admitted that the Portuguese will never switch to the Santiago Bernabeu for the Nou Camp, and also refused to entertain the idea of moving the opposite direction as well.

Speaking to Antena 3, Puyol revealed: "I would never go to Madrid and Mourinho would never come back to Barcelona. It would be very difficult for him to come here."

The defender did give tribute to their arch-rivals as their chief competition in La Liga and Europe.

"There has always been rivalry between us. I think both [Real Madrid and Barcelona] are the best teams in Europe and they are favourites to win all titles", he said.

Puyol also gave an insight towards what keeps him going in the game.

"I want to keep enjoying this and keep winning, which is the best thing there is," he added.

"I'm still as passionate and as excited as ever. If I wasn't a professional footballer I would play football in my village. I feel very lucky."

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Vidic, Cleverley could start at Anfield

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be pleased that both skipper Nemanja Vidic and youngster Tom Cleverley could be back from injury in time to face rivals Liverpool.

The United captain has not taken to the pitch since the opening weekend victory against West Bromwich Albion, after suffering a calf injury.

However, he has recovered sufficiently, having played for his national side Serbia, who lost 1-0 to Solvenia in their 2012 European Championship qualifying fixture on Tuesday night.

That has reassured the Scot that the defender is ready to keep Luis Suarez quiet at Anfield, according to reports in the Sun.

Surprisingly, Tom Cleverly, who injured foot ligaments in September in a 5-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers, is making a phenomenon recovery, and the 22-year-old could prove to be the star in the hole for Sir Alex, with his recent performances for the Red Devils reminding United fans of a youthful Paul Scholes.

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Euro Qualifier Tuesday night Match Results

Teams qualified so far: Denmark, England ,France ,Germany ,Greece ,Holland, Italy                                                            Poland, Ukraine ,Russia, Spain, Sweden

Group A

Kazakhstan 0 - 0 Austria

Germany 3 - 1 Belgium

Turkey 1 - 0 Azerbaijan

Group B

Rep. of Ireland 2 - 1 Armenia

Rep. of Macedonia 1 - 1 Slovakia

Russia 6 - 0 Andorra

Group C

Italy 3 - 0 Northern Ireland

Slovenia 1 - 0 Serbia

Group D

Albania 1 - 1 Romania

France 1 - 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Group E

Hungary 0 - 0 Finland

Moldova 4 - 0 San Marino

Sweden 3 - 2 Holland

Group F

Croatia 2 - 0 Latvia

Georgia 1 - 2 Greece

Malta 0 - 2 Israel

Group G

Bulgaria 0 - 1 Wales

Switzerland 2 - 0 Montenegro

Group H

Denmark 2 - 1 Portugal

Norway 3 - 1 Cyprus

Group I

Lithuania 1 - 4 Czech Republic

Spain 3 - 1 Scotland

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Today's Transfer Gossips

1)      Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has confirmed that the club has been keeping eye on Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswkinkel.

2)     According to Brazilian striker Hulk's agent, Teodoro Fonseca, Arsenal have previously made contact about signing the Porto star and are set to bid in January window.

3)     Manchester City first-team coach Fausto Salsano has confirmed that the club are tracking Napoli stars Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

4)      European Champions Barcelona are lining up an audacious bid to land England defender Ashley Cole, according to reports.

5)     The agent of Lille young star Eden Hazard has revealed that La Liga giants Real Madrid are closely monitoring his client's progress.

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