Jordi Alba out of Barcelona squad for Las Palmas clash

Barcelona have confirmed that Jordi Alba is not fit to face Las Palmas at Camp Nou on Saturday.

The Spain international has been struggling with a neck problem and was unavailable for the shock 4-1 defeat to Celta Vigo earlier this week.

The Liga champions have confirmed Alba remains sidelined for the visit of Paco Herrera's men, but Sandro Ramirez has been included in the matchday squad after recovering from a bruised leg.
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Sherwood defends Rodgers: He could have been managing Real Madrid

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has leapt to the defence of Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers, claiming the under-fire Ulsterman could have been Real Madrid boss but for fine margins.

A failure to replicate the title challenge mounted by the Reds in a thrilling 2013-14 campaign last term and a stumbling start to this season has seen pressure heaped on Rodgers' shoulders.

High-profile coaching duo Carlo Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp have both been linked with replacing him, yet Sherwood has backed Rodgers and believes his path could have been different had he won the league.

He said: "After that season Liverpool finished second, could they have kept hold of Brendan Rodgers?

"They're a massive club and they would have tried everything. But we might have seen him at Real Madrid. . This posts are taken from the original authorized page. Authorized by the original author.

Hart on the bench for Man City clash with Tottenham

Joe Hart has dropped to the bench for Manchester City's clash with Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Willy Caballero starts in goal for Manuel Pellegrini's side with Hart sitting out for the second game this week due to injury, alongside David Silva, while Vincent Kompany is also on the bench.

Hart misses out on a place in the starting XI for a Premier League game for the first time since January 1.

Speaking to BT Sport ahead of the game, Pellegrini said: "Joe had an injury problem during the week - that's why he couldn't play and he stayed off the bench against Sunderland.

"He just worked one day before the game. I think that was better for him not to take the risk [and start] to have another problem. . This posts are taken from the original authorized page. Authorized by the original author.

Guarin: Inter thinking about Scudetto

Inter midfielder Fredy Guarin believes his side should consider themselves capable of winning the Serie A title this season.

Roberto Mancini's side are three points clear at the top of the table, having won all five of their opening games, and already have a 10-point gap to reigning champions Juventus.

Guarin is thrilled with Inter's start to the campaign after their inconsistent form over recent seasons and says there should be a growing belief in their chances of ending Juve's Scudetto dominance, ahead of their match with Fiorentina on Sunday.
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Wenger: Ranieri, not Mourinho, laid Chelsea foundations

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has belittled Jose Mourinho's achievements at Chelsea by suggesting Claudio Ranieri laid the foundations for their decade of success.

The 65-year-old has participated in a long-running feud with Mourinho since the Portuguese boss originally arrived in the Premier League in June 2004, replacing current Leicester City boss Ranieri.

Mourinho inherited a string of players developed during Ranieri’s stint – including John Terry, William Gallas, Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard – who went on to form the core of his side.

Chelsea won their first top-flight league title in 50 years during Mourinho’s first season, as well as a League Cup triumph, yet the Gunners boss feels their early successes were in part down to Ranieri. . This posts are taken from the original authorized page. Authorized by the original author.

Blanc prepared for trip to 'motivated' Nantes

Paris Saint-Germain have become accustomed to their role as "the team to beat" in Ligue 1, according to coach Laurent Blanc, as the leaders look to maintain an unbeaten start to the season against Nantes.

PSG saw their perfect record in away fixtures come to an end when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Reims last Saturday, though they bounced back to winning ways by beating Guingamp 3-0 on home turf in midweek.

However, Blanc is expecting another tricky test against Nantes, even if their opponents have lost three in a row to slip to 17th place in the table.

"We're the team to beat, and even more so when we play away from home," Blanc said.

"We saw that in Reims, where the stadium was packed to the rafters.

"It's a great thing for the league. We’re used to matches like this. We know the traps that they can set for us.

"Nantes will have plenty of motivation to beat PSG, especially as they're at home, but also because they have had a rough run in their last three matches.

"But we're focused on ourselves. It will be a tough match, but then again all our matches are." . This posts are taken from the original authorized page. Authorized by the original author.

Court freezes £33.1 millon worth of Neymar's assets

A court in Brazil has frozen £33.1 million worth of Neymar's assets following allegations of tax evasion.

The Sao Paulo federal court alleges that the Barcelona star evaded 63m Brazilian reals (£10.5m) between 2011 and 2013, before his move to La Liga.

The documentation of the case, presided over by Judge Carlos Muta, states Neymar is “solely responsible for his income declaration", and further claims the player only declared assets worth 19.6m reals (£3.2m)

A judicial order explaining the seizure of Neymar's assets indicated that the amount frozen was far in excess of the sum alleged to have been evaded in order to cover for potential interests and fines, and for security purposes.

The assets frozen, including property and vehicles, belong to Neymar as an individual and three companies that he is the principal owner of, along with his father.

The freezing of these assets will not prevent Neymar from being able to access bank accounts and other liquid possessions. . This posts are taken from the original authorized page. Authorized by the original author.