Juventus F.C.

Having battled to break down one of Europe's meanest defences in the quarter-finals, Real Madrid will have to do it all over again when they face Juventus in their Champions League semi-final. 

The defending champions took just under three hours to break down Atletico's resistance in the previous round, wining 1-0 on aggregate with a goal in the 88th minute of the second leg. 

After their weekend derby disappointment, Juventus will need favours from elsewhere if they are to secure a fourth consecutive Serie A title in front of their own fans on April 29.

UEFA president Michel Platini on March 24 warned of a return to the "dark days" of hooliganism in Europe fired by a rise in nationalism and extremism.
      

UEFA president Michel Platini on Sunday reiterated his desire to introduce a 'white card' that would lead to a player being sin-binned.
      
The 59-year-old Frenchman first presented his concept in October only to be met by fierce opposition from football's world governing body (FIFA) president Sepp Blatter.        

Greek champion Olympiakos faces a tough task if it is to prevent last season's beaten finalist Atletico Madrid sealing its passage into the last 16 of the Champions League at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday.

Olympiakos coach Michel remained defiant after seeing his side come close to causing an upset in Turin before succumbing to a 3-2 loss to Juventus for the Champions League on Tuesday.

Olympiakos coach Michel heaped the pressure on Juventus after underlining the Italian giants' need for a home win in their Champions League Group A clash in Turin on Tuesday.

Juve's last-16 chances are hanging in the balance after dropping to third in the group, three points adrift of Atletico Madrid and Olympiakos, following respective away defeats to the pair in the past month.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri insisted the Champions League is not a step too far for Juventus as it prepares to meet Olympiakos in a crucial Group A clash in Turin on Tuesday.

Champions Juventus restored their three-point lead at the top of Serie A on Saturday with a 2-0 win at struggling Empoli while rivals Roma slumped to a 2-0 defeat to a rapidly-improving Napoli.
     
In Saturday's late game Inter were stunned 2-0 at Parma, a result which moved the hosts off the bottom of the table and heaped further pressure on Nerazzurri coach Walter Mazzarri.

Italian Claudio Ranieri has signed a two-year deal to manage the Greek national team, the Hellenic football federation said on Friday.

The 62-year-old Ranieri takes over from Fernando Santos who left the role when his contract expired after this year's World Cup

He will lead Greece into their qualifying campaign for the 2016 European Championship in France.