Pro Eleven Headline News

Mihajlovic Prepared For Inter Test

Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic goes into Saturday's game against Inter Milan with no illusions about what to expect from the defending champions.

Mihajlovic joined Bologna in November having been assistant to Roberto Mancini at Inter for the last two seasons.

That lends this match a special significance for the former Nerazzurro defender.

"For me this is a special game," Mihajlovic said."I know Inter like the palm of my hand."

Mihajlovic left Inter after Mancini was dismissed - despite winning two titles - but said he has no hard feelings.

However, he did reveal not all had been plain sailing during his time at the club.

"At Inter, I had to manage the changing room, and at times, I had conflicts with certain players," he said.

"But for me it ended there, I dont bare any grudge.

"Some of them (Inter players), he won 17 and lost just twice this campaign in 25 games.

Moreover, the Nerazzurri have the strongest defence in the league, conceding only 17 goals, while their attack is the most potent with 42 goal Mourinho but insisted that much of Inters success so far has been down to the work done by Mancini and himself in the past.

"As a coach Mourinho is great," Mihajlovic said."But the Inter he inherited from Mancini is very different to the one we inherited with (ex-Inter coach) Alberto Zaccheroni.

"Had Mourinho arrived at Inter in 2004 he would not have obtained the results that we achieved and he probably would have left after six months considering the behaviour of certain players.

"However, with respect to our Inter, I see something extra in terms of mental strength but not in terms of play."

Mihajlovic believes his team have a chance to surprise an Inter side that will have one eye on next weeks Champions League showdown against Manchester United.

"I know the atmosphere at Inter," he said."Inter has the duty to try to win the Champions League. I am certain that they will be thinking of the game against United.

"This game will depend on us andblu to climb three points clear of the drop zone.

"When I look at my team, I dont doubt if we will avoid relegation," said Mihajlovic."I am certain we will defend our Serie A status."

Inter will be without suspended duo Nicolas Burdisso and Cristian Chivu.

Mourinho could rest key midfielder Dejan Stankovic ahead of the meeting with United.

The hosts will be without injured Sergio Volpi but hope to have midfielder Gaby Mundigayi available after a muscle injury. Sporting Life


Hiddink set for Chelsea debut

Guus Hiddink is set to take charge of Chelsea for the first time on Saturday at Villa Park, with the players still believing they can challenge for the title.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech thinks Sir Alex Ferguson is wrong to dismiss Chelsea's chances of winning the Premier League, despite Manchester United having a ten point lead over the Blues after their 3-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday.

However, Cech is not giving up on the title, although he acknowledges the Stamford Bridge club do not have many points to play with.

The Czech international believes a win over Aston Villa on Saturday will keep Chelsea in contention.

He said: "Regarding the table and the position we are now in, we need to try and win, I think a draw won't change anything except our chances for the title.

"But this is the first game where we should start our run, because if we are going to catch Manchester United we have to keep winning every game." ITV.com


Real Betis Will Be Going All-Out To Beat Real Madrid - Coach Paco Chaparro

Real Betis will go to the Bernabeu to try and beat Real Madrid when they play this Saturday evening, according to coach Paco Chaparro.

The Betis coach told AS how his team will be looking for all three points in the Bernabeu on Saturday evening, although he appreciates the defending Primera Division champions are a great side.

"I have said that any players who thinks it is impossible to win should stay at home,” he declared. “We are Betis and we go to the Bernabeu with all the intentions in the world to play a good match and to win.

"Real Madrid have a great team and have signed a player in Lassana Diarra who gives them a lot of balance. [Under coach] Juande [Ramos] they have not conceded so frequently and they have many good players.

“Here in Seville [Ramos] showed two good examples of his work; with Betis he nearly reached the Champions League, and then with Sevilla he did a great job, too."

Certainly Ramos has started to make Real Madrid tick again; they will be looking for their ninth straight win this weekend against Betis.

Chaparro had individual praise for Arjen Robben, whom he declared to be illusive, and also for Raul, who is deemed by the coach to be a consistent performer.

Betis travel to Madrid off the back of an impressive draw with Barcelona last weekend but the coach does not believer one can compare the two sides.

"Both are very difficult [to play]," he concluded. Goal


Maradona a grandfather thanks to Atletico's Aguero

Diego Maradona became a grandfather on Thursday amid expectations the new arrival may one day follow in the Argentina great's footsteps.

Maradona's daughter Gianina gave birth in Madrid to son Benjamin, whose father is Argentina striker Sergio Aguero.

The Atletico Madrid player has often been likened to World Cup winner Maradona, who now manages the national team.

Maradona was in the Spanish capital for the birth of his first grandson, while Aguero, 20, missed Atletico's training session earlier in the day.

Atletico offered their congratulations in a statement on their official website (www.clubatleticodemadrid.com).

"During the afternoon of Thursday 19 February Benjamin was born in a Madrid hospital. The delivery went without problems and the mother and baby are in perfect condition," it said. Reuters