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Messi likely to face Bayern but not certain, say Barca

MUNICH (Reuters) - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, who has been struggling with a hamstring strain, is likely to face Bayern Munich in Tuesday's Champions League tie but his participation will be decided after a final training session, the Catalans said on Monday. "I wouldn't like to venture a definitive answer, but in these last few days, the injury has evolved well and we have a good sensation," interim coach Jordi Roura told a news conference. "But we will wait and see what happens in training.

Brazil worried about stadium gentrification

By Brian Homewood TURIN (Reuters) - The Brazilian government is worried ordinary fans could be priced out of the country's modernised stadiums in an unwanted legacy from hosting the 2014 World Cup. Brazil is building two brand new stadiums and remodelling another 10 which will leave the country with a glut of all-seater, state-of-the-art arenas once next year's tournament is finished.

Football: Bayern aren't Euro chokers, insists Lahm

Captain Philipp Lahm has insisted Bayern Munich will not choke again in the Champions League at the Allianz Arena as they prepare for Tuesday's semi-final, first-leg at home to Barcelona. The pain of last May's Champions League final defeat in Munich on penalties to Chelsea clearly still smarts. "Cruel," replied Lahm when asked for one word to sum up the moment Chelsea's Didier Drogba slotted home the winning spot-kick.

Football: Messi 'fit to play' - Zubizarreta

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who is struggling to overcome a hamstring injury, is fit to play in the club's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich, the Spanish club's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said on Monday. "Messi is with the team and is fit to play, although it is ultimately up to the coaching staff to decide," the former Spain goalkeeper told reporters before Barcelona headed to Germany for Tuesday's match. "We're not going to give up on fielding the best possible side on the pitch," he added.

Messi fit enough to play against Bayern, Zubizarreta says

MADRID (Reuters) - Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has recovered sufficiently from a hamstring strain to feature in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at Bayern Munich, sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said on Monday. The Argentine World Player of the Year sat out Saturday's 1-0 La Liga win at home to Levante and has not yet been given the all-clear by medical staff but was included in the squad for the clash at the Allianz Arena.

The Germans do not always win anymore, Pique says

MADRID (Reuters) - The era when German teams always came out on top is over and Spain have replaced them as the dominant force in the world game, according to Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. Barca and the Spanish national team created a style which had changed soccer history, Pique said in an interview with Spanish sports daily As published on Monday, a day before the La Liga leaders play at Bayern Munich in their Champions League semi-final, first leg.

Football: Sydney FC release Brazilian defender Fabio

Sydney FC said Monday they had terminated the contract of Brazilian defender Fabio Alves after one year with the Australian A-League club. Head coach Frank Farina is in the process of reshaping his squad for next season and said he could not guarantee the left back a regular starting berth. "I'd like to thank Fabio for his service to Sydney FC during the last 12 months," Farina said. "We are looking to change things going forward and we couldn't guarantee Fabio the regular first team football he requires."

Football: Bayern v Barcelona possible line-ups

Possible starting line-ups for the Champions League semi-final, first leg match between Bayern Munich and Barcelona at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday: Bayern Munich (GER) Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm (c), Daniel van Buyten, Dante, David Alaba; Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javi Martinez, Franck Ribery; Mario Gomez, Claudio Pizarro Manager: Jupp Heynckes Barcelona (ESP) Victor Valdes; Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra, Gerard Pique, Dani Alves; Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez (c); David Villa, Lionel Messi, Pedro Rodríguez.

Juventus sink Milan to close on title

(Reuters) - Juventus closed on their 29th Italian title with a 1-0 win over AC Milan thanks to Arturo Vidal's second-half penalty on Sunday. Juve need four points from the final five games after closest rivals Napoli, 11 points behind, saw off Cagliari 3-2 in dramatic fashion at the Stadio San Paolo. A disappointing Milan side now have to think seriously about a resurgent Fiorentina, who beat Torino 4-3, and now sit just one point behind them in fourth.

Football: Messi included in Barca squad for Munich

World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has been included in the Barcelona squad for the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. The Argentine took a full part in training on Sunday morning and although he hasn't yet been fully cleared to play due to a hamstring injury, will be part of the 21-man squad that travels to Germany.
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