Champions League

Luke-E

European football's most elite group - the G-14 - have rejected reports that they are looking to take control of the UEFA Champions League.

Reports on Saturday claimed he group want to ensure all their 18 members, including the likes of Liverpool Manchester United and Real Madrid, are involved in the Champions League every season.

The suggestions had caused consternation at Uefa as they were worried about the impact of the clubs getting a monopoly on the competition.

G14 have moved quickly to play down the suggestions insisting they have no plans to revamp the Champions League.

"Breaking away from the Champions League does make not make sense," said G14 general manager Thomas Kurth.

"Any attempt to ring fence the competition would be wrong and G14 would not support any such move."

other Champions League
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has spoken of his dream to lift the UEFA Champions League, with this season representing a real opportunity for his side.

While in previous campaigns Arsenal have been imperious domestically but struggled abroad, this term it has been reversed with inconsistent Premiership form being softened by excellent efforts in Europe.

Having disposed of Real Madrid, Arsenal are now England's sole representative in the Champions League, with the formidable prospect of Juventus awaiting in the quarter final.

In an interview with French publication L'Equipe, Wenger has spoken of his dream of creating another 'invincible' team, moulded in the same vein as his class of 2004.

''The crazy dream is to win the European Cup,'' he told L'Equipe.

''And build again an 'invincible' team, to live again the complete serenity we had in 2004, the holidays without anxiety.

''The number one enemy in sport and in life in general is anxiety.

''I realised the greatest luxury is to make that anxiety disappear. Then you go back to the first joy of football, without asking if you will win or lose.

''You are back to the source of pleasure, the one to have fun with your friends after school.''

While Arsenal continue to fly the flag in Europe, their domestic cup exploits this term have been criticised following an FA Cup elimination to Bolton, but Wenger insists he has no qualms about any of the decisions he has made with regards to cup games.

''We have always tried to win the cup, which is a great drain of energy,'' concluded Wenger.

''Each year it was in conflict with the Champions League and each year I promised myself to just get through one round and then give up.

''But then, you play Manchester United in the quarter final or semi-final and you can't choose to overlook it.''
other story
Lyon playmaker Juninho is happy to face Milan and his compatriot Kaka in the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Lyon defeated PSV Eindhoven to set up the meeting with the Italian giants and Juninho feels that Kaka will be the man to watch when the two teams meet.

"To my mind, Milan depend on Kaka for 80 percent of everything they do. Kaka is Milan," Juninho told Le Progres.

"Of course Shevchenko is fantastic, the defence is solid, but Kaka is involved in everything,

"He is a real number 10, a player that perhaps we don't have at Lyon."

The chance to lock horns with Kaka is not the only reason Juninho is excited at the prospect of playing in the San Siro however.

"I remember Baresi, Maldini, Rijkaard, van Basten, Gullit! They are one of the two best teams I have ever seen.

"Milan should be a club that Lyon looks to as an example."

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