Barcelona stumble 1-2 against Levante
Valencia:barcelona’s recent iron grip on the Copa del Rey came under threat as they lost 2-1 at Levante in their last-16 first leg tie after resting a host of first team regulars, including Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Barca, who have won the last four editions of the Spanish Cup, fell behind in the fourth minute when slack marking from a free kick saw Erick Cabaco head home while Borja Mayoral doubled Levante’s lead in the 18th.
But the Catalans were handed a huge boost heading into next Thursday’s second leg when Denis Suarez was fouled in the penalty area and Philippe Coutinho converted the resulting spot-kick in the 85th minute.
BAYERN TO APPEAL MUELLER’S SUSPENSION
BERLIN: Bayern Munich will appeal the two-match Champions League suspension handed to Thomas Mueller which means he will miss both legs of their last-16 tie against Liverpool.
UEFA handed Mueller the ban following his sending-off in the 3-3 draw away to Ajax last month. Mueller was shown the first straight red card of his career for kicking Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico in the head. Mueller apologised following the sendingoff, insisting he meant to kick the ball. He is, however, certain to miss the away leg at Anfield on February 19, but Bayern hope a successful appeal would mean Mueller could play the return on March 13.
DNA REQUEST MADE IN RONALDO RAPE CASE
LOSANGELES:LAS Vegas police has asked Cristiano Ronaldo to sub- mit a DNA sample as part of its investigation into rape allegations made against him.
The Juventus forward has vehemently denied the accusations with his lawyer, Peter Christiansen, saying in a statement: “Mr Ronaldo has always maintained, as he does today, that what occurred in Las Vegas in 2009 was consensual in nature, so it is not surprising that DNA would be present, nor that the police would make this very standard request as part of their investigation.”
POGBA SET TO RETURN AGAINST TOTTENHAM
MANCHESTER,UK: Paul Pogba will be fit to return from injury for Manchester United’s Premier League match at Tottenham this weekend, interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Thursday.
The Frenchman linked up late with his team-mates for a warm weather training camp in Dubai this week after being injured in a challenge during the 2-0 victory at Newcastle on January 2. Pogba had missed last Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Reading.