Kaka and Ibrahimovic out of ‘El Classico’

MADRID (AFP) – Real Madrid’s Brazilian midfielder Kaka and Barcelona’s Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been ruled out of Saturday’s ‘El Classico’ showdown between the two Spanish giants.

Kaka is still suffering from a left thigh strain, according to Real Madrid.

Ibrahimovic has not recovered from a right leg...

Hamburg appeal Guerrero bottle throwing ban

HAMBURG, Germany (AFP) – Hamburg on Friday lodged an appeal against the five-match ban imposed on striker Paolo Guerrero for throwing a bottle at a fan after his side’s goalless draw with Hanover last weekend.

The sanction means that the season is over for Guerrero, who had just returned from a serious knee injury, and he may not play in the Bundesliga...

Bayern Munich ousts Man United from Champions League

MANCHESTER, England – Bayern Munich gave Germany its first European Champions League semifinalist since 2002 and left England with no teams in the final four for the first time since 2003.

Ivica Olic began the comeback with a goal late in the first half, Arjen Robben scored on a powerful volley in the 74th minute and Bayern Munich advanced over Manchester...

Ronaldo gives up on Brazil return

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AFP) – Veteran Brazil striker Ronaldo, the all-time top scorer at World Cup finals with 15 goals, admitted Friday he was not in the frame for a shock return to the national side.

Ronaldo, now 33 and plying his trade with Corinthians of Sao Paulo, has not played for the national team since the 2006 quarter-final loss to France, which...

CSKA hold Inter to single goal defeat in Champions League

MILAN (AFP) – Inter Milan will take a slender lead to the Luzhniki Stadium next Tuesday after beating CSKA Moscow 1-0 at the San Siro here on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

‘Il Principe’ Diego Milito scored the only goal of the game during an Inter siege in the second half after a forgettable first 45 minutes.

Jose...

Arsenal rallies for 2-2 tie with Barcelona

LONDON – Second-half substitute Theo Walcott scored in the 69th minute and Cesc Fabregas converted a penalty kick in the 85th as Arsenal rallied from a two-goal deficit to tie defending champion Barcelona 2-2 Wednesday night in the first leg of the European Champions League quarterfinals.

Barcelona dominated the first half and only brilliant goalkeeping...

Roma down Inter to blow title race open

ROME (AFP) – Luca Toni scored the winning goal 18 minutes from time as Roma beat champions Inter Milan 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico here on Saturday to reignite the Serie A title race.

Roma’s win means they move to within a single point of the leaders and AC Milan could join them if they beat Lazio on Sunday.

Daniele De Rossi opened the scoring...

Berbatov at double as four-star United regain lead

BOLTON, England (AFP) – Dimitar Berbatov made light of Wayne Rooney’s absence by scoring twice as Manchester United restored their one point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 win at Bolton on Saturday.

It took the reigning champions 38 minutes to go in front and then they needed an own-goal from Jlloyd Samuel.

United goalkeeper...