csconstantine.com

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has stated that he is well aware of the dangers Lyon can present his side in their Round of 16 tie in the Champions League.

Les Gones sent the Blancos packing at this stage of the competition last season and Mourinho is adamant that they will not underestimate the French side.

"Lyon are a good team who have experience of this kind of game, but we are Madrid," he said during a press conference.

"If we think that both games will be easy, then it's going be difficult for us. We must play well in both games. We know our ability, and we won't underestimate Lyon."

The Merengues have been eliminated from Europe's premier club competition in the Round of 16 for the last six consecutive years, but Mourinho believes his side have a good chance of breaking the hex and advancing to the quarter-finals.

"It's been six years since Madrid reached the quarter-finals. When I was at Inter, the club hadn't won the Champions League for more than 50 years," he stated confidently.

"Is it possible to do it this year? We have to beat Lyon… Zinedine Zidane gave us a lot of advice in preparing for this game."

The first-leg is set for Tuesday night at Stade Gerland.

Follow Goal.com on to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's

Labels: Goalcom, insists, Madrid, Mourinho, Underestimate

By Dominic King Last updated at 11:58 PM on 18th February 2011

Kenny Dalglish is convinced Andy Carroll will make a success of his Liverpool career after giving him an unexpected midweek trip to Europe.

The striker, who signed for ?35million from Newcastle in January, was a surprise inclusion in the squad Dalglish took to the Czech Republic for the first leg of Liverpool's Europa League tie against Sparta Prague.

Though the 22-year-old was unable to play in the 0-0 draw or take part in any training sessions due to a thigh problem, Liverpool manager Dalglish believes it was a worthwhile exercise as a means of integrating Carroll into the squad.

'We just wanted to get Andy in amongst the boys so he will recognise a couple of faces,' Dalglish said.

There have been questions raised about Carroll having the right disposition to cope with the pressures that will go hand-in-hand with his enormous transfer fee.

But Dalglish, who is hoping Carroll will be able to make his Liverpool debut in the Barclays Premier League fixture against Manchester United on March 6, has been impressed with the level-headed way in which the striker has adapted to life at Anfield.

'He is a really good lad and really down to earth,' said Dalglish. 'That is a value that I think is very important nowadays. You say this is an age where the punters can't relate to the people on the street. Well I don't think he is going to have a problem with that.'

Dalglish added: 'The fans will really relate to him once he gets fit and starts to play for us. Going to Prague was just so he could continue his rehabilitation.'

Labels: Carroll, daily, Dalglish, insists, Liverpool, Perfect

Andrew Strauss is certain England's historic Ashes success has not been undermined by their one-day series thrashing.

Battered and bruised England flew home from Australia with critics dismissing their chances in this month's World Cup.

After winning the Ashes 3-1 for their first triumph Down Under for 24 years, England were hammered 6-1 in the one-dayers, in which six players suffered tour-ending injuries.

But skipper Strauss said his team should be proud of what they had achieved and had nothing to beat themselves up over.

He said: "They are two different forms of the game and that Ashes victory was incredibly special and one that we'll savour forever.

Advertisement - article continues below »

"You talk to people and they say 'great tour' even though we have just lost 6-1. "We're disappointed with the one-day results, but very happy with what we've achieved overall."

Batsman Eoin Morgan remains the biggest doubt for the World Cup with a "substantial break" to the top of the middle finger on his left hand.

"We have spoken about replacements, but we have to see what the specialist says first," said Strauss.

"There's no point in thinking too far ahead if Morgan is available."

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

Labels: Andrew, England, insists, Mirrorcouk, nothing, Strauss, themselves