News - Archive

The Turkish outfit qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League by finishing above Cluj and Braga - but below Manchester United - in Group H, while their Bundesliga opponents topped Group B above Arsenal, Olympiacos and Montpellier.

In Tuesday's press conference, the Istanbul club's boss rejected any notion that the German team are inferior ahead of the last-16 first leg.

"We've been analysing Schalke for some time now," Terim said. "But the media are trying to make them look like a weak team. This is not the case at all.

The Dutch midfielder joined from Inter midway through the January transfer window, and just a day before it was revealed the Ivory Coast striker would be joining on an 18-month deal as well.

Hakan, who has now retired from professional football and stepped into the world of politics, has no doubt as to the duo's potential at the Turkish giants, though he did insist for fans to tone down short-term expectations of Sneijder in particular.

The Portugal international spent three years at Estadio do Dragao before moving to the Spanish capital in 2007.

He admitted if Los Blancos were not to win the competition this season, then, he would love to see his previous side triumph.

"I hope the final will be Porto-Real Madrid. I have great affection for my former team-mates," he told Antena 1.

"For me, it would be a dream come true. Following Real Madrid, I support Porto. If we do not win, then I want them to win.

"They are a team with not so many big names, but they have a great squad."

The 38-year-old never played for Barcelona's first-team but still holds a special place for them in his heart.

He said he thinks the La Liga leaders are rightly the favourites for the last-16 encounter against their Italian opponents.

"At the moment Barcelona are the favourites, but they are playing against one of the best clubs in the world," he told Goal.com.

"I think they will have to play two good games as it will not be over tomorrow (Wednesday). The result will be known in Barcelona and hopefully it will be a good one for Barca.

The Gunners look likely to end the season without a trophy for the eighth year in a row following their shock FA Cup fifth-round exit to Championship side Blackburn Rovers after losing 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

With runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich their opponents in the Champions League, the veteran manager is coming under increasing pressure to deliver following many previously trophy-laden years, but Hill-Wood is backing Wenger to come good again.

"You have your ups and downs and we are having a bit of a down. But some of the reaction has been a bit hysterical," he said.

The union representing the workforce demand that higher salaries and the provision of meal vouchers are given to their workers or a strike could start as soon as next week.

Maracana is expected to host the 2014 World Cup final but that could be in jeopardy if the strike goes ahead.

Renovations were originally scheduled to be completed by December ahead of the tournament to be hosted in June/July 2014.

The 27-year-old has had to share lone responsibilities up front with Fernando Torres since arriving from Newcastle in January, but Ba is ready to impress in light of the Spaniard's inconsistent form and cement his place as the Blues' first-choice striker - even if that means competing with another new arrival in the summer.

"Everywhere you go, competition is there. It will always exist," he said.

"I'm at one of Europe's biggest clubs and, each year, they're going to bring in a striker. That's part of football. It's what makes you better if you take it the right way.