Newcastle, with seven Frenchmen in the line-up, carved out a 0-0 draw against Anzhi Makhachkala in their Europa League last-16 tie Thursday, ending the Russians' 100 percent home record in the tournament.

Newcastle lined up for Thursday's Europa League clash in Russia against Anzhi Makhachkala with more than a hint of Gallic flair as seven Frenchmen took to the field.

They could be forgiven for dreaming of more lucrative adventures in the Champions League come next season, but on Thursday both Tottenham and Chelsea will have their eyes focused on a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

They could both be forgiven for dreaming of more lucrative adventures in the Champions League come next season, but on Thursday Chelsea and Tottenham will have their eyes focused on a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni has recalled striker Antonio Cassano to his squad for Thursday's Europa League tie away to Tottenham following a training ground bust-up last week.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has insisted Gareth Bale is now even more likely to damage Inter Milan's European hopes than in his last celebrated encounter with the Italian giants.

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale will be out to repeat his torment of Inter Milan when the sides renew acquaintance at White Hart Lane on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie.

Dutch coach Guus Hiddink said in an interview published on Monday that he has not ruled out extending his time at Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala -- despite saying that he would quit at the end of the season.

Rafael Benitez, the under-pressure Chelsea interim manager, urged all connected with the club to unite Friday as he tried to get irate fans onside.

As Rafael Benitez's angry outburst succinctly demonstrated, the manager's job at Chelsea has become the most uniquely pressurised position in English football.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has warned of a late title charge by Napoli, who host the champions Friday in a match expected to be attended by Argentine legend Diego Maradona.

Tottenham Hotspur's man of the moment Gareth Bale is flattered by comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but says he is determined to forge his own identity in the game.

Lazio have hit out at the "excessive" sanctions handed down by European football's ruling body UEFA that mean they have to play their next two home Europa League games behind closed doors.

Interim manager Rafael Benitez's patience with the Chelsea fans finally snapped as he confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season.

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez's patience with the club's fans finally snapped on Wednesday as he confirmed his intention to leave the club at the end of the season.

Holders Chelsea ground out a 2-0 win at second-tier Middlesbrough on Wednesday to set up an FA Cup quarter-final glamour tie at Manchester United.

Didier Drogba will be allowed to play in Galatasaray's Champions League clash against Schalke after the German club had their objections over his eligibility thrown out by UEFA on Wednesday.

Juan Mata says Chelsea must use recent disappointments as a source of motivation as they bid to set up an FA Cup quarter-final glamour tie with Manchester United.

Juan Mata says Chelsea must use recent disappointments as a source of motivation as they bid to set up an FA Cup quarter-final glamour tie with Manchester United.

Udinese stalled Napoli's Serie A title challenge with a scoreless draw on Monday as Lazio reclaimed third place from AC Milan with a 2-0 win over Pescara thanks to a pair of sublime long-range goals.