ATLETICO BEAT CHELSEA 3-1 TO GET TO UCL FINAL

Chelsea and Jose Mourinho suffered Champions League heartache as Atletico Madrid set up a derby final with city rivals Real with a 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

A goalless first leg left the tie finely poised with a place in the May 24 Lisbon showpiece at stake against Mourinho's former club, who emphatically ended Bayern Munich's title defence on Tuesday night.

The last time a team in red and white stripes played at Stamford Bridge Sunderland ended Mourinho's 77-match unbeaten home league record and Atletico travelled to London with the last unbeaten record in the competition.

The Portuguese insisted he would stick to his defensive methods despite recent criticism -- most fiercely coming from Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers after the Blues' win at Anfield -- and selected six defenders in his starting XI, three of them full-backs.

Chelsea were quickly on the defensive and, after a fourth-minute Atletico corner, Koke's cross-cum-shot went over Mark Schwarzer, hit the bar and ricocheted off Gary Cahill on to the roof of the net.

Cesar Azpilicueta began on the right wing, with Eden Hazard, who proved his fitness with some scintillating early runs, supporting Torres up front, but Chelsea struggled to test Courtois.

The Belgian, playing his first match at Stamford Bridge as a Blues player on his third season on loan at Atletico, was untroubled by a series of set-pieces, Luiz coming closest with a bicycle kick which went narrowly wide.

A well-timed Cahill tackle thwarted Costa before a mis-timed challenge on the Brazil-born Spain striker saw the Blues defender booked. Terry scrambled Koke's resulting free-kick clear. Chelsea went ahead after Willian weaved through two attempted tackles in the right corner and the ball broke for Azpilicueta to cross first time.

Azpilicueta found his fellow Spaniard Torres, who slotted the ball under Courtois, albeit via a slight deflection off Mario Suarez. It was the much-maligned 50 million pounds striker's first goal in two months, yet he refused to celebrate against the club where he made his name.

Atletico knew they needed only to equalise to advance on away goals and did so when Tiago's lofted pass was turned back into the box by Juanfran. It deceived Ashley Cole, Terry and Cahill and was met by Lopez, whose shot into the ground looped into the net.

It was a devastating setback for the Blues, who nearly suffered another immediately after the restart. A low Koke cross from the right caused havoc and Schwarzer saved from Turan at his near post.

Chelsea went close when Willian's free-kick was met by Terry, whose downwards header was well saved by Courtois. Cole was replaced by Samuel Eto'o as Mourinho tinkered with his formation, throwing the Cameroon striker up front alongside Torres. Eto'o's first involvement was in defence and resulted in a penalty.

The multiple Champions League winner mis-timed his bid for a bouncing ball and bundled Costa over, with referee Nicola Rizzoli showing no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Costa was booked after taking his time to place the ball and an exchange of views with Branislav Ivanovic before drilling his penalty beyond Schwarzer for his eighth goal in eight Champions League matches this term.

Chelsea had 30 minutes to find the two goals they needed and Luiz headed Willian's free-kick off the post with Courtois beaten.

Yet still Atletico attacked and Juanfran crossed for Turan, whose header ricocheted back to him off the crossbar to allow him to slot into the net. Simeone scorched down the touchline in celebration and Chelsea, and Mourinho, had no answer.

The Spanish side had won only one of nine previous fixtures away to English opposition -- at Leicester in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup -- but their second success extended their remarkable season.

It was Mourinho's fourth successive loss at the semi-final stage as the 2012 winners were eliminated and left to focus on their slim Premier League title hopes.

CHELSEA FACE ATLETICO IN CRUCIAL UCL RETURN LEG TONIGHT

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed Petr Cech is not in contention to play Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg with Atletico Madrid despite sending the goalkeeper out to training on Tuesday morning in a show of togetherness.
Cech took part in training on the eve of the contest a week after being ruled out for the season by Mourinho with a dislocated shoulder sustained in the first leg.
Cech departed after 20 minutes of last Tuesday's first leg, which finished 0-0, to be replaced by Mark Schwarzer, who is poised to continue again.
Mourinho insisted the Czech goalkeeper trained alongside injured personnel, suspended players and those fully fit to show solidarity.
"Everybody's ready and he's ready and that's the message we wanted to give," the Portuguese said.
"Everybody was on the pitch.
"It's a very important match for our group. Everybody's together, everybody wants to help, everybody wants to play.
"His condition doesn't allow him to play, but the message from him and the group."
Captain John Terry (ankle) was also present in training, having initially been ruled out up to the May 24 final in Lisbon, while Eden Hazard (calf) and Samuel Eto'o (knee) were also present after recent absences.
As well as playing for a place in the Champions League final and a third European final in three years, the Blues are in contention for domestic silverware.
The London side won 2-0 at Liverpool last weekend to keep themselves in with a chance of the Premier League title, albeit a slim one with two games to play.
Mourinho's defensive tactics were criticised, among them by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who accused Chelsea of "parking two buses".
"Pundits are pundits and I don't want to comment a lot," added Mourinho, who employed Rodgers at Chelsea during his first spell.
"Brendan is a manager and is somebody that I consider my friend.
"I met him a long time ago when he was a very young coach coaching kids and I consider him a friend.
"I know his words after the match but I also know his words today and today he told me congratulations for a great victory and a great performance.
"I prefer to forget the words after the match and I keep the words of today."
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone shares Mourinho's belief that winning is all that matters as the Spanish leaders bid to eliminate Chelsea.
Following a goalless draw in the first leg at the Vicente Calderon Stadium last Tuesday and Sunday's win at Premier League leaders' Liverpool, Mourinho's defensive tactics were questioned.
Simeone did not add to the criticism, instead admitting to respecting a well-organised team such as Mourinho's.
"I'm a football man, I respect different ways of setting out your team," Simeone said.
"You can play 10 at the back or you can play 10 at the front. It doesn't matter. What matters is the result.
"It depends what you believe is the convenient way of playing and who you're playing against.
"To defend well is not easy, so you have to congratulate a team that defends well.
"To attack well is not easy either, so you have to congratulate also a team that goes on the attack.
"It's important that, regardless of how you play, that the team wins, that the club wins, that the institution as a whole wins.
"There is not one way of playing football. If we all played the same way it would be very boring."
Atletico are on the verge of an historic season which could finish with the Primera Division title and a Champions League final in Lisbon on May 24, with Simeone responsible for much of the progress the club has made in his two-and-a-half years as boss.
"I'm not thinking about what we've achieved," Simeone said.
"I'm not focusing on where we are at the moment, I'm just focusing on keeping on moving forward.
"I'm not comparing Chelsea, a team that won the Champions League two years ago, with Atletico Madrid.
"In the end the best team will win and I believe with our hard work, I believe we can do well and maybe try to get a positive result."
Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is set to play at Stamford Bridge for first time as a Chelsea player.
The Belgium goalkeeper joined the Blues from Genk but has spent three years on loan in Madrid.
Courtois has become one of the most sought-after goalkeepers in Europe during his time at Atletico and has been backed by Simeone to handle the pressure.
Simeone added: "He's working hard to compete, to be one of the best goalkeepers at the moment.
"So far, he's still a very young player. He's still a player that's growing. He still needs the time to mature and to grow."

BALE HAPPY TO REACH UCL FINAL WITH REAL MADRID

Gareth Bale declared "this is why I wanted to come to the biggest club in the world" after playing a central role in Real Madrid's progress to this season's Champions League final with a stunning 4-0 semifinal win against Bayern Munich in Germany.

The 5-0 aggregate success for Carlo Ancelotti's side was a stunning statement of intent from the Spanish giants, who are closing in on the mystical tenth European title that has eluded the club since their last Champions League triumph in 2002.

While Bale was quick to point out that he expected to face a stern test in next month's finale in Lisbon, the Welshman who signed for a world record 86 million pounds from Tottenham last August was clearly revelling in the moment for Real Madrid.

Bale set-up the third goal for Cristiano Ronaldo and worked tirelessly for a Real Madrid team that refused to allow Bayern a route back into the tie, and when asked whether this was the kind of occasion he joined Real Madrid to be a part of, his answer was emphatic.

"Definitely, this is why I wanted to come to the biggest club in the world, to win trophies, to play in massive games," he told ITV Sport. "We know we still haven't won it yet. We will still have a difficult game in the final, whoever it may be, and we are looking forward to it.

"It's a fantastic result for us. We have been working very hard, we got our tactics right and we deserved the win."

Bale suggested his side always fancied their chances of exposing Pep Guardiola's Bayern with speedy counterattacks, and once defender Sergio Ramos scored two early goals from set-pieces, the destiny for this semifinal had been decided.

"They always leave space on the counter attack, which we like," added Bale. "We have got good players and we are able to exploit that. It was a great performance and we are just happy to be in the final now. Just one step to go.

"You have to do certain jobs for the team in certain games and everyone put 100 percent into it, everyone put in a performance and that showed in the result."

ANCELOTTI: REAL MADRID PLAYED THE PERFECT MATCH

Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid played "the perfect match" after they humbled defending European champions Bayern Munich to reach the final in Lisbon.

Two goals apiece from Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo secured an emphatic 4-0 victory at the Allianz Arena, sending Real through 5-0 on aggregate.

It was a chastening evening for Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, who suffered his heaviest defeat as a manager.

"We worked very well together, showing the quality we have and executed the perfect match," Ancelotti told Real Madrid's official website.

"I'm not surprised. These players have done very well. It is a great happiness for all. The first half was fantastic. I thank the players and everyone. It is 12 years since Madrid played a Champions League final and it is good for everyone."

The only negative on a superb night for Real was a booking for Xabi Alonso, meaning the midfielder will miss the final against either Chelsea or Atletico, who meet on Wednesday.

"Xabi is very unlucky, I felt for him," Ancelotti added. "The important thing is that we will play in the final and we also need to win for him."

Ramos grabbed the vital early goals with two fine headers from set piece situations, and managed to avoid the caution that would have kept him out of the final.

“The goals were the least important thing,” he told reporters after the game. "The work of the group was the most important thing. Madrid are back where they need to be -- at the very top. It was a dream to score two goals, but the main thing is how we played as a team.”

Bayern -- aiming to become the first team to defend their European title since AC Milan in 1990 -- had no answer to Real's counter attacking prowess.

“We have to accept responsibility as a team,” Philipp Lahm told reporters after the game. “It's nobody's fault, we have to defend collectively. We conceded two early goals and it was very difficult from then on.”

MAN CITY AND PSG BREACH FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY RULES

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are among a number of clubs who have been offered settlements for breaching financial fair play (FFP) rules.

UEFA's club financial control board (CFBCB) has made offers to all the clubs deemed to have breached the rules ahead of its meeting on Thursday.

The clubs, which the Press Association reports total fewer than 20 and include City and PSG, can either accept the offer of the sanctions -- which could consist of a reprimand or fine or restrictions on the squad for European competition next season -- or they could try to negotiate a lesser punishment.

If no agreement is reached, then the outstanding cases will go to an adjudicatory panel for a final decision.

It is not known what settlements each individual club has been offered but UEFA could reveal the outcomes as early as Friday.

The most powerful sanction -- exclusion from European competition -- is not expected to be used against any of the clubs, with UEFA president Michel Platini telling Le Parisien last week: “If you are expecting blood and tears, you'll be disappointed.”

However, UEFA’s chief of press, Pedro Pinto, subsequently stressed on Twitter that Platini did not play a part in the decision and that the CFBCB would ultimately rule on punishments.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini said last week there had never been any concern that the club would be excluded from the Champions League for breaching FFP rules.

The English club have been working closely with UEFA to try to ensure they comply with spending rules, which limit losses to 45 million euros over the last two years.

Pellegrini said: “I felt here inside the club nobody feared we could be suspended for next year.”

Qatar-owned PSG have been the club under most scrutiny after they wiped out their losses with a huge and back-dated sponsorship deal with the Qatar Tourist Authority. Platini had said last week he was unsure if that “innovative” sponsorship deal with a related party played by the rules.

He said in Le Parisien: “I will say simply that Paris St Germain's financial model is distinctive and atypical. That image contract with the QTA, the tourism office of Qatar, is innovative, that's all I can say. But is it viable? Is the value of the contract correct? These are questions that the experts must decide.”

PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi recently told Canal Plus that he did not believe his club had breached the regulations, saying: “We’re well within the UEFA rules. There’s no problem. We’ll see, we’re talking with UEFA... I’m very confident.”

According to Le Parisien's sources, PSG are likely to be fined "tens of millions of euros" and given a year to respect several financial objectives.

MOURINHO: TERRY AND HAZARD ARE FIT FOR ATLETICO CLASH

Jose Mourinho says John Terry and Eden Hazard are fit to play for Chelsea against Atletico Madrid in Wednesday's Champions League semifinal second leg, and that the competition "owes" his captain.

The Portuguese also said Petr Cech will not play, despite being filmed training at Cobham on Tuesday.

Hazard picked up a hamstring injury in the quarterfinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain and has not played since, but Mourinho said he is "ready" to start against Atletico.

"He is ready. It's my option to start or not, but he's ready."

Terry limped off during the first leg against the Spanish side and missed Sunday’s 2-0 win at Liverpool, but Mourinho confirmed he will start.

The Chelsea manager also said his captain deserves some recompense from the Champions League after missing the penalty that cost the club the 2008 final against Manchester United, and then not featuring in the victorious 2012 final through suspension.

"My captain is playing at the same level he was playing when I left Chelsea in 2007, as simple as that," Mourinho said. "Seven years later, he's playing again at his best. At his best level. It's fair to say that.

"It's also fair to say that the people who surround him, the people who are playing on his left and right, in front of him, are also playing fantastically. His partnership with Cahill is fantastic and the people who work together in the same areas are doing a fantastic job. I'm really happy to see a player like him, six or seven years later, to be back to the same level.

"I think he deserves more than the Champions League has given him up to now. He lost a few semifinals in special circumstances. He lost the final also in special circumstances. He won a final in special circumstances because he couldn't play. I think the Champions League owes him something. Of course he starts tomorrow. Of course."

Mourinho, meanwhile, denied that Cech would play.

"Obviously his condition doesn't allow him to play, but the message from the group was that: everyone is and wants to do (well), but his condition obviously doesn't give him a chance."

SIMEONE SUPPORTS CHELSEA'S DEFENSIVE STYLE OF PLAY

Diego Simeone has defended Chelsea over their recent style of play, as he declared "what matters is the result".

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has provoked much discussion over the past week with the negative approach used in the 0-0 Champions League first leg against Simeone's Atletico Madrid and then the 2-0 victory over Liverpool.

Ahead of a second leg in which Chelsea must score to go through, however, the Argentine praised Mourinho’s tactics at Anfield in a 2-0 victory on Sunday.

"I'm a football man. I respect different ways of setting out your team. It's about what's the best way for a specific game or a specific opposition," Simeone said.

"To defend well is not easy, so I congratulate teams who do that well. To attack well isn't easy, either. So you have to congratulate managers who get their sides doing that.

"Football evolves. There is no 'best way'. It depends on the manager spending time with his players, talking different set-ups and tactics, different approaches and styles. But, in the end, it's important the team, the club, the institution wins, regardless of how it is achieved. There is no 'one way' to play football. If we all played the same way, it would be very boring. You can play 10 at the back or 10 up front. What matters is the result.

"I imagine I'll play the best possible opponent. We'll play a team who, at the weekend, went to the Premier League leaders, Liverpool, and won 2-0 making a lot of changes to their squad. They did that even with those changes. It's clear that speaks volumes. They have a super competitive squad, so we'll need to be very focused. We'll face the best Chelsea team possible."

Simeone also declared that Atletico have made a "massive statement" this season by reaching the Champions League semifinals and leading La Liga, but he insisted they could not stop to reflect on that.

"The confidence is always there, especially in a semifinal of the Champions League. That's already a massive statement. My players are excited and keen. We know we'll have to work hard tomorrow in a very difficult game, and we'll have to put in an enormous effort to get a positive result.

"I think you all know me. I'm not focusing on where we are at the moment. I just want us to keep moving forward, not on what we've achieved. I usually let you guys talk about the progress we've undertaken in the last three years of success, but I'm not comparing Atletico Madrid with Chelsea, a team who won the Champions League two years ago. In the end, the best team will win. With our hard work and our enthusiasm, we can do well and maybe get a positive result."

Simeone also backed on-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to perform despite the pressure of playing at the home of his parent club.

"Yes, he'll be able to handle the pressure without a problem. Also, I think he's working hard to compete to be one of the best goalkeepers in Europe at the moment, but so far he's still very young, he's growing and still needs the time to grow."

RODGERS CONGRATULATES MOURINHO

Brendan Rodgers on Tuesday congratulated Jose Mourinho for Chelsea's 2-0 win at Liverpool on Sunday, going back on his immediate postgame criticism.

The Portuguese revealed the phone call in his news conference ahead of his side's Champions League semifinal second leg against Atletico Madrid, and defended his tactics by saying it's "stupid" of a team if it doesn't play to its strengths.

Chelsea's approach provoked much comment, not least from Rodgers himself, who described the defensive style as "easy to coach". Mourinho revealed, however, that the Liverpool manager had gone back on that opinion.

"Pundits are pundits, and I don't want to comment a lot," Mourinho said. "Brendan is a manager and is somebody I consider my friend. I met him a long time ago when he was a very young coach, coaching kids, and I consider him a friend. Of course I know his words after the match, but I also know his words today, and today he told me congratulations for a great victory and a great performance.

"So, specially because I consider him a friend and someone I like, I prefer to forget the words after the match and I keep today's word. He's an intelligent guy. He watched the match for sure on video and, now, I think he understood what happened."

Mourinho also had an implicit response for those who criticised his approach.

"You know, at this moment, football is full of philosophers," Mourinho said. "People who understand much more than me. Full of people with fantastic theories and philosophies. It's amazing. But the reality is always the reality. A team that doesn't defend well doesn't have many chances to win. A team who doesn't score lots of goals, if they concede lots of goals, is in trouble. A team without balance is not a team.

"After that, I can't say much more than this. When Atletico has the ball, we have to defend. When we have the ball we have to attack. When they have the ball, we have to try and stop them scoring. When we have the ball we want to try and score. This is football, the football that I know. Opponents have the ball, you have to work and be defensively organised. You have the ball, you have to try and play according to the qualities of your players and the qualities of your opponents. You know?

"I remember to say in my first period here, if you have a goalkeeper like Petr Cech who puts the ball in the opponents' box, and a striker like Didier Drogba who wins everything in the air, why play short? Because you are stupid? If your opponents are very fast on the counter and want space behind your defensive line, if you give them that space you are stupid. So when a team plays strategically and thinks about his team and the qualities of the opponent, 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago, good teams, intelligent teams. In this moment, depending on the coach and the club obviously, the critics, they speak. But, no problem."

REAL MADRID TRASH BAYERN TO REACH UCL FINAL

Real Madrid moved a step closer to a 10th European Cup as they blew away defending champions Bayern Munich to reach the final of the Champions League on a record-breaking night at the Allianz Arena.

Holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg of their semi-final, a first-half brace from Sergio Ramos and two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo - which took his season's European tally to a record 16 - handed Real a comfortable 4-0 win that takes them to the Estadio da Luz to face either Chelsea or city rivals Atletico on May 24.

The only negative for Real on a night when they took their goal tally in this season's Champions League to 37 - another record - was a booking for Xabi Alonso that rules the midfielder out of the final.

Both teams made just one change from the first leg with Gareth Bale replacing Isco for Real and Thomas Muller coming in for Rafinha for Bayern.

There was a minute's silence before proceedings began in honour of former Barcelona coach, and Pep Guardiola's former assistant, Tito Vilanova and former Real manager Vujadin Boskov who both passed away last week.

Both sides looked nervous at the outset and it was not surprising that the first chance came from an error as Manuel Neuer came out of his area to head away but could only find Bale who fired over an empty net from distance.

Angel Di Maria fired a speculative effort over the bar shortly after and it was not long before the visitors took the lead in the 16th minute.

Dante did well to cut out a Karim Benzema chance but from the resulting corner Luka Modric swung in the ball and an unmarked Ramos headed powerfully home.

The Germans were now looking at an uphill task and that became nearly impossible four minutes later when rampant Real had their second.

Toni Kroos fouled Bale on the right around 25 yards out and Di Maria's delivery was flicked on by Pepe to the edge of the six-yard box, where Ramos met the ball with a diving header to double the lead.

Real predictably now seemed quite happy to sit back and hit their opponents on the counter and Ronaldo took advantage in the 34th minute.

Di Maria spread the ball right to Benzema, who freed Bale and the Welshman and Ronaldo were two-on-one with Jerome Boateng. Bale slipped the ball across to the Portuguese and he calmly slotted below Neuer.

Everything was going perfectly for the Spaniards but they suffered a blow in the 38th minute when Alonso deservedly went in the book for a clumsy challenge on Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Tempers were clearly beginning to fray as Bayern swarmed round Iker Casillas' goal without really troubling the goalkeeper and Franck Ribery may have been lucky to stay on after an apparent slap to the face of Daniel Carvajal was not spotted by referee Pedro Proenca just before half time.

Guardiola removed Mandzukic at the interval and brought on Javi Martinez and it was Bayern who had the first chance after the break as Ramos was forced to head over his own bar under pressure.

The second half was a far more subdued affair and despite Arjen Robben curling an effort wide and Ribery bringing a save from Casillas, neither side looked like scoring in the first 15 minutes.

Ronaldo headed over the bar but neither side showed much of a threat in the closing stages as Carlo Ancelotti brought off Ramos, nullifying the danger of a yellow card that would cost him his place in Lisbon.

Ronaldo completed the rout in the final minute with a low free-kick from 18 yards as Real completely outclassed the Bundesliga champions.

ABIDAL EMOTIONAL VILANOVA'S DEMISE

Eric Abidal spoke emotionally as he returned to Barcelona to meet his former teammates and attend a service in memory of former coach Tito Vilanova, who died on Friday.

Abidal now plays for Ligue 1 side Monaco, but he was at the Camp Nou on Monday to meet with his ex-colleagues, before travelling with them to attend a service at a packed Barcelona Cathedral that evening.

The France international defender, who fought against cancer at the same time Vilanova was battling the disease, told Barca TV that he had felt it important to be present on such a day.

“I had to be here. This is an important day,” Abidal said. “We loved him a lot, him and his family. FC Barcelona is a big family. We have shared many things over many years and if we lose one of our own then it’s normal that it affects a lot of people. I really had to be here.”

Abidal recalled a happier moment when the two men had together helped Barca to win the 2012-13 La Liga title.

“Not long ago he sent me a photo of the two of us posed together holding up the trophy,” he said. “Both of us had to face a tough fight and we shared many things. We spoke a lot. For me it was more important than ever to be here, close to his family and the Barca family as a whole.”

Also at Monday evening’s ceremony were past and present Barcelona players, coaches and board members, as well as representatives from many other clubs including Espanyol, Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Current Barca assistant coach Jordi Roura, who first met Vilanova when both were youngsters at the club’s La Masia academy, made a moving speech from the altar.

“Friend, teammate and brother,” Roura said. “You have just left and you cannot imagine how much we miss you. Among us we did not need many words to know what one thought of the other. We shared so much, what we have lived is stronger than what we have suffered through your absence.”

Roura also recalled the time he spent deputising for Vilanova, when his friend was undergoing treatment in New York in early 2013.

“You were a man of the details -- if you played football, the grass had to be well cut and watered, the footballs inflated properly,” he said. “A thoughtful and serious man, who would fall apart at the stories of [former Barca coach] Charly [Rexach]. I became your stand-in, with the responsibility to not let you down, and to be up to the level of the club -- an experience I will never forget, but which I never wanted to live through. Your example will serve as a guide to us and we will follow your advice: ‘Seny, pit i collons!’ [‘Common sense, bravery and guts’].”

VAN PERSIE BACK IN TRAINING

Robin van Persie has returned to training and Manchester United are waiting to see if he will be fit enough to make his comeback against Sunderland on Saturday.

The former Arsenal captain suffered a knee injury after scoring a Champions League hat trick against Olympiakos in March, prompting fears his season had come to a premature end.

But Van Persie has undergone treatment in his native Netherlands and is now working with his United teammates again, meaning he could be available for interim manager Ryan Giggs’ second game in charge.

Giggs told national newspapers: “We’ll just have to wait and see how he goes this week. He came back last Friday and he trained well. He just needs to work on his fitness now so, yeah, he looked great.”

Van Persie has scored 17 goals in 25 goals for United in an injury-hit campaign but has not found the net in the Premier League since February.

Giggs showed a preference for playing two strikers in his first game at the helm, pairing Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck in the 4-0 win against Norwich.

Van Persie’s swifter-than-expected return is also a boost for Netherlands ahead of the World Cup. The 30-year-old is his country’s 41-goal record scorer.

WALCOTT TO MISS START OF NEXT SEASON

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has warned that he could miss the start of next season despite his recovery from a knee injury going to schedule.

England international Walcott, 25, was ruled out of the rest of the current campaign -- and the World Cup -- when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Arsenal's FA Cup third round win over Tottenham in January.

Scans quickly revealed that the injury was worse than had been feared, and Walcott said he would not try to force the pace of his recovery.

And he told Arsenal's official matchday magazine: "I want to be back quickly, of course -- but safely, too. I want to try and be back for the early part of next season. That is the goal, so there will be a lot of hard work throughout the summer and during the World Cup.

"It has nearly been four months now, and my recovery has been on track so far. At the moment I'm working on muscle strength and building muscle in my quad.

"I don't see any point in being down in the dumps about the injury because it has already happened -- and there are a lot of people with worse problems in the world."

Walcott said he would "just get on with my work," adding: "I see the consultant soon, and hopefully he will give me the thumbs up to push on. I would love to be running in a few weeks."

Arsenal are on the brink of a return to Champions League football after beating Newcastle 3-0 to move four points clear of Everton in the battle for fourth place with two games remaining, but Walcott would be likely to miss the playoff stages if the Gunners qualify.

DE BOER CONTACTED BY TOTTENHAM

Frank De Boer has confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur have made an approach to Ajax with a view to him taking over in north London next season.

De Boer revealed in an interview with national broadcaster NOS on Tuesday that Marc Overmars -- football director of the Amsterdam club -- had told him of Tottenham's enquiry.

The Dutchman secured his and Ajax's fourth straight Eredivise title on Sunday, becoming the first coach in the country to do so. As such, his stock is considerably high within the continent.

De Boer told  NOS he was fully focused on the end of Ajax's season, which concludes on Saturday against NEC Nijmegen, then he might be persuaded to jump ship. "I'm going to listen and talk," he said.

"Then I'll make my feelings known. I want to add something to a club, so that people can say that they see the hand of Frank de Boer. Liverpool are a good example of this with Brendan Rodgers."

De Boer revealed in February he had turned down the chance to replace Andre Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane, after the Portuguese was sacked in December.

But he did say he would be interested in taking over at Liverpool or Spurs at some point in the future.

Spurs are currently managed by Tim Sherwood, who stepped into the breach when Villas-Boas departed, but media reports have consistently suggested he will be replaced at the season's end.

And after Sherwood led his side to a 1-0 win at Stoke on Saturday, he registered his displeasure with those who are "touting" for his position.

"At every press conference at our training centre, it was 'you're keeping the seat warm for someone else'. Yeah, I am but the seat's getting quite hot," Sherwood said.

"Every press conference I do it's 'this manager's coming in … [Louis] Van Gaal … then [Glenn] Hoddle, this one and that one.' Some of these managers are actually touting themselves for my job. I don't think that's right. It's something that doesn't sit well with me.

"If anyone ever asks me about another job I just tell them that they've got another manager. Until they haven't got a manager and until I haven't got a job, say nothing."

INTER MILAN LEGEND ZANETTI TO END HIS CAREER AT THE END OF THE SEASON

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti will bring the curtain down on his 22-year playing career at the end of this season, Nerazzurri president Erick Thohir has confirmed.

Zanetti, who turns 41 in August, will move into a management position at the San Siro, where he has been since arriving at Inter from Argentine side Banfield  in 1995.

There had been rumours earlier this year that Jose Mourinho wanted to sign the versatile midfielder for Chelsea on a one-year deal, although the reports were scotched by both parties.

And Thohir has now confirmed that Zanetti will hang up his boots and head into a backroom position at Inter.   

“The meetings with Zanetti have been going on for the last couple of months to understand his vision,” Thohir told journalists at a publicity event on Tuesday. “The discussion is done already, he’ll become part of the management.”

Zanetti is Inter’s all-time leading appearance maker with more than 800 games under his belt while he has won a record number of international caps for Argentina, having represented his country 145 times between 1994 and 2011.

He played at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and has won 16 major titles in his career including five Serie A titles and a famous league, cup and Champions League double in 2010.

CECH, TERRY, HAZARD AND ETO BACK TO TRAINING AHEAD OF UCL CLASH WITH ATLETICO

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has made a surprise return to the training pitch ahead of the club's Champions League semifinal second-leg clash with Atletico Madrid.

The Blues' European and domestic title hopes could be greatly boosted by the return of Cech, while centre-back John Terry, midfielder Eden Hazard and striker Samuel Eto'o were all also back in training on Tuesday morning.

Cech had been ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a shoulder injury during the first leg at the Estadio Vicente Calderon, according to manager Jose Mourinho.

However, the Czech goalkeeper emerged for training with the rest of the Blues' squad on Tuesday morning and, according to Sky Sports News, said "of course" when asked if he was fit.

Cech, who missed the 2-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday, did not go through the same thorough drills as Mark Schwarzer, who deputised for that trip to Anfield and had been expected to remain in the side for the rest of the season.

Club captain Terry also withdrew from last week's 0-0 draw in the Spanish capital early with an ankle injury that Mourinho claimed would rule him out unless Chelsea reached the May 24 final in Lisbon, but the centre-back was among his teammates at Chelsea's Cobham training base ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Attacking midfielder Hazard, who was named the PFA's Young Player of the Year on Sunday, has not played since the second leg of the quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain on April 8, when he sustained a calf injury.

Eto'o has been out for 10 days with a knee injury since the striker scored in the 2-1home defeat to Sunderland on April 19.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG FIXTURES

Tuesday, 29 April 2014
UEFA Champions League
7:45 PM - Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid

Wednesday, 30 April 2014
UEFA Champions League
7:45 PM - Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid

BARCELONA BIDS FAREWELL TO VILANOVA AT THE FUNERAL

Barcelona bade an emotional goodbye to Tito Vilanova at the funeral of their former coach on Monday night.

The entire first-team squad attended the service at Barcelona Cathedral to pay their respects to Vilanova, who died on Friday of throat cancer at the age of 45.

His wife and two children were also in attendance, with son Adria, a player in the Barca academy, and daughter Carlota, giving a moving and tearful address.

The ceremony was conducted by the Archbishop of Barcelona, Lluis Martinez Sistach. A host of former presidents, including Joan Laporta and Sandro Rosell were at the cathedral, along with board members, led by current president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

"Today we say goodbye to a very loved person," Bartomeu said. "I promise you, he will always have a place in our hearts and we will never forget him."

Jordi Roura, Vilanova's assistant during his single season in charge at the Nou Camp, who led the team mid-campaign when the boss was undergoing treatment for his illness in the United States, said: "Football was always your passion and it accompanied you until the end."

Representatives from other clubs in La Liga and across Europe were also president, including Manchester City's director of football Txiki Begiristain, who worked in the same role at Barcelona from 2003 to 2010.

Earlier, Barca's players dedicated Sunday night's 3-2 comeback victory at Villarreal to Vilanova. It was their first match since his death.

"This was one of the most difficult days to play," midfielder Xavi said on the club's official website. "We felt it in our bodies. We've lost a leader. He will always be an example.

"We relied on our pride and grit to win this game. We dedicate it to Tito."

The night began with a moment of remembrance with Vilanova's image shown on the big screens in tribute to the man who guided the Catalan club to the title in the 2012-13 season before being forced to resign last summer through ill health.

Midfielder Andres Iniesta said: "The death of Tito has really affected us. We knew him for a very long time. With him we won the league with a haul of 100 points, but what we'll remember about him is what he gave us on a personal level."

UEFA have confirmed there will be a minute's silence before the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday and Wednesday night.

ANCELOTTI: NO APPROACH FROM MANCHESTER UNITED

Carlo Ancelotti has said that Manchester United have not made an approach about the vacant manager’s job at Old Trafford and he has vowed to remain at Real Madrid.

The Italian has been strongly linked with United since David Moyes was sacked last Tuesday and while Louis van Gaal is the favourite to replace the Scot, a source told ESPN that other candidates are under consideration.

Ancelotti, who won the Premier League title at Chelsea in 2010, reportedly has admirers at Old Trafford but the former Juventus, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain manager is adamant he has not been contacted by the English club.

“I haven't had contact with Manchester United,” he said at news conference as he prepares for the second leg of Real’s Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich.

“I want to stay at Real Madrid for a long time. It is strange to answer questions like that before a semi.”

Ancelotti, who is in his first season at the Bernabeu, has won the Copa del Rey and guided Real to second place in La Liga, while they took a 1-0 lead from the first leg of their tie against Bayern to Munich.

United have held talks with Van Gaal but have stressed that they have not agreed a deal with the Netherlands manager, who will leave his post with the national team after this summer’s  World Cup.

JUVENTUS CLOSE TO CLINCHING ITALIAN SERIE A

Juventus moved to within touching distance of a third successive Serie A title on Monday night after coming from behind to win at Sassuolo.

Simone Zaza put the relegation-threatened side ahead in the ninth minute only for Juve to equalise shortly after when Carlos Tevez's effort deflected off Sassuolo defender Andrea Longhi for an own goal.

Claudio Marchisio put Juve in front before the hour mark and team-mate Fernando Llorente killed the game off with 14 minutes remaining as the Turin giants moved eight points clear at the top of the table with three games left.

Juve will now claim the scudetto if Roma fail to win at Catania on Sunday or if they win at home to Atalanta in their next game.

Sassuolo hold the last position of safety, but are level on 28 points with 18th-place Bologna, who are in the relegation zone.

Despite his team needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Benfica in Thursday's Europa League semi-final return leg, Juve coach Antonio Conte fielded his strongest side against a Sassuolo outfit that had collected seven points from their last three games.

The home side pressed from the start.

They grabbed the lead when Zaza's left-footed strike from 20 yards glanced off Juve defender Angelo Ogbonna and then beat goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Sassuolo sought a second goal, with Buffon holding a long-range effort from Floro Flores.

Juve put their best move together midway through first half when Giorgio Chiellini sent Tevez through and his right-footed strike went just wide of the far post.

There was nothing Sassuolo goalkeeper Gianluca Pegolo could do to deny Juve the equaliser in the 35th minute.

Tevez's right-footed effort from just outside the area took a heavy deflection off Longhi to beat Pegolo.

The hosts almost went back in front before half-time when Zaza got past Ogbonna and drilled in a left-footed shot from the heart of the area that was met by a fine save from Buffon.

Juve came to life after the restart and in the 52nd minute Pegolo kept out Tevez's goal-bound attempt.

Shortly after, Ogbonna headed Andrea Pirlo's cross just wide as Juve got closer.

The visitors were rewarded in the 58th minute when Pirlo set up Marchisio in the area and the Italian midfielder struck the ball towards the bottom right corner and out of Pegolo's reach.

Tevez was unlucky not to make it 3-1 in the 73rd minute when his right-footed volley beat Pegolo, but struck the crossbar.

Juve grabbed a third three minutes later when Llorente scored with a backheel from Stephan Lichtsteiner's low cross.

Sassuolo could not find a way through as Juve held on for a vital win.