Pro Eleven Headline News
Jose Mourinho holds the edge in Milan derby
The city of Milan stakes its case as the hub of the footballing hype universe on Sunday evening, as Inter face AC Milan in the 270th Derby della Madonnina, named for the golden statue which sits above the Duomo and looks down benevolently as the Milanese scurry about their business.
In some ways it’s hard to argue. Milan boast Ronaldinho, Kaka and, of course, one David Beckham, three guys who generate almost as many column inches as Barack Obama, Britney Spears and Tiger Woods.
Inter’s players may not match them in terms of celebrity status (somehow Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not quite as photogenic), but they do hold the trump card in Jose Mourinho, whose headline-generating powers appear only have multiplied since his move to Serie A.
No single stadium in the world can match the parada of celebrity and star power the San Siro will put on display tomorrow evening (though Kaka, currently injured, will most likely limit himself to a regal wave from the stands). And the sub-plots are manifold and delicious.
For a start, this is very much a derby of equals, something no other major city (with the exception of Glasgow) can claim. Inter may have won fewer Champions’ League crowns (it’s 7 to 2 in AC Milan’s favour, no city in the planet has won more), but they by no means play City to the rossoneri’s United. In fact, for much of their history they were the most successful club. And as any Inter fan will tell you, they are the only side to never taste relegation (unlike Milan, who sank twice).
Inter’s nickname is “La Beneamata” - the “beloved” - bringing to mind romantic, if unreturned, love and they are owned by the gentle, aristocratic Massimo Moratti. Milan’s moniker is, more simply, “Il Diavolo” - the “Devil” - which some say is fitting as they belong to Silvio Berlusconi, the country’s Primer Minister and a man so outspoken that he divides public opinion to an extent that makes Mourinho look like Ban Ki-Moon.
There’s a Serie A title at stake, of course: if Inter win they will leave Milan eleven points adrift, effectively leaving them empty-handed on the domestic front for the umpteenth season. But in some ways that pales by comparison with Inter’s real objective - the Champions’ League - the pursuit of which is a big part of the reason why Mourinho was called to replace Roberto Mancini (despite his three consecutive league titles). All the Special One needs to do is deliver the European Holy Grail and slay the Devil along the way. Times Online
Rooney to miss cup clash
The 23-year-old still hasn't recovered from the hamstring injury he picked up against Wigan a month ago and has missed United's six games since.
Many expected the England international to return for the Premier League clash with West Ham last weekend but the forward failed to make the bench.
Now it has been confirmed that the club do not want to rush the former Everton star back.
Important
United have some crunch games on the horizon, including the first leg of the last-16 tie with Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on February 24th.
"We are still assessing Wayne," assistant manager Mike Phelan said.
"He has done a little bit of work but we are not going to rush that situation because we have important games.
"We will ease him back in as quickly as we can.
"If he is available terrific, if not we will look at the next game against Fulham because we would never jeopardise anything." SkySports
Eto'o double rescues Barcelona in Seville
Samuel Eto'o scored twice as leaders Barcelona came from two goals down to preserve their 22-match unbeaten league run with a 2-2 draw at Real Betis on Saturday.
The result gives champions Real Madrid, currently 13 points behind in second, a chance to cut the gap at the top to 10 points when they face Sporting Gijon on Sunday.
Juan Melli and former Liverpool man Mark Gonzalez put Betis into a 2-0 lead after just 25 minutes as Barcelona looked set for their first defeat since the opening day of the season.
Eto'o pulled a goal back close to half-time and then equalised six minutes from the end for his 23rd goal of the season but Barcelona's run of ten straight league wins still came to an end.
"A point isn't bad and I can't fault the players for their effort," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. "We dominated the game and had lots of chances to win it but Betis are a good side and they defended well .
"After so many consecutive victories it is normal that we eventually slip up and it happened here (in Seville)."
Barcelona had a number of stars in action on international duty during the week and Guardiola rested forwards Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry while captain Carles Puyol was missing through injury.
Barcelona had a nightmare start with Betis scoring twice inside seven minutes.
Melli found the target on 18 minutes with a fine header before Gonzalez struck for the hosts on 25 minutes after the visitors failed to deal with Sergio Garcia's cross.
Trailing 2-0 Barcelona got a break seconds before the break when Andres Iniesta used his quick feet to win a penalty although contact was minimal.
Eto'o stepped up and his weak spot-kick was saved by Ricardo but the ball fell back into his path and he reacted sharply to prod home the rebound.
Barcelona's unbeaten league run - stretching back to the opening day of the season - was under threat.
Betis, who won at rivals Sevilla for the first time in 13 years last weekend, thought they had made it 3-1 but a 48th minute strike was ruled out for offside.
A minute later Eto'o should have equalised. The Cameroon forward lost his marker with a great turn but shot wide with the whole goal to aim at.
Eto'o made amends late on though with the leveller to salvage a point.
Elsewhere, Deportivo La Coruna and Osasuna played out a scoreless draw at the Riazor Stadium.
Valencia, beaten by Osasuna last weekend, climbed to third above Sevilla on goal difference following a 1-1 draw with Malaga at the Mestalla Stadium.
Valencia had lost their last five away matches so a home match was welcome and David Villa put them ahead with his 18th goal of the season after 53 minutes.
Villa made history on Wednesday by becoming the first Spanish player to score in six successive internationals following his goal in Spain's 2-0 friendly victory over England and he produced another masterclass finish curling the ball into the top corner.
Malaga, lying sixth just two points behind Valencia, equalised six minutes later when Raul Albiol put a cross into his own goal.
Champions Real Madrid play at Sporting Gijon Sunday hoping to repeat the 7-1 thrashing they gave the promoted outfit earlier this season.
Coach Juande Ramos must do without Dutch duo Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder who picked up knocks on international duty with the Netherlands while compatriot Rafael van der Vaart is suspended. AFP
