Brazil have agreed to give Adriano time off from their Confederations Cup build-up.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic bagging four goals, while Juventus and Bayern Munich preserved their leads and FA Cup holders Arsenal were dumped out of the competition.
Champions League holders Real Madrid will face former European champions Liverpool, FC Basel and debutants Ludogorets of Bulgaria following the group stage draw on Thursday.
'I do hope the Patel family sues the hell out of the state of Alabama, and I hope the Hindu American Foundation and other community organisations are helping with legal aid and monetary support. For, there is reason to believe that it is religious and racial bias that led to the incident: In other words, a hate crime. There is no reason to suffer that silently.'
Lopetegui blends youth and experience in Spain World Cup squad
Leicester's Mahrez finds form in time for January sales
Holders Real Madrid reached the Champions League final for a third year in a row after taking advantage of Bayern Munich's carelessness in attack and defence to draw 2-2 in their semi-final second leg on Tuesday, and winning 4-3 on aggregate, at the Santiago Bernabeu, in Madrid, Spain, on Tuesday.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane shrugged off his first setback since taking over from the sacked Rafa Benitez after his new team could only manage a 1-1 draw at Real Betis in La Liga.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri complained about his team's finishing after the Serie A leaders were held to a goalless draw at Fiorentina.
Holders Real Madrid came from a goal down to snatch a precious 2-1 victory at wasteful Bayern Munich on Wednesday and carry a considerable advantage into their Champions League semi-final second leg in Spain.
Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni resisted any surprises when he named his team to face Denmark in their Group C opener on Monday.
Italy will even be back to four teams in the Champions League group stage this season -- although that is thanks to a controversial re-formulation of the competition by UEFA rather than a significant improvement in performances by Serie A clubs.
Fabio Capello replaces Marcello Lippi who left the club at the end of the season.
'There is no advantage. I always prefer to play in front of supporters even away from home because that's what football is all about, but that's the situation we face'
The Spanish giants drew 1-1 at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Star Italian forward Francesco Totti said he would not quit the Serie A in any circumstances.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
Cristiano Ronaldo showed nerves of steel to score an injury-time penalty and send holders Real Madrid into the semi-finals of the Champions League in extraordinary circumstances as they lost 3-1 to Juventus on Wednesday but won a thrilling tie 4-3 on aggregate.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Celtic, AC Milan, AS Roma and Bayern Munich join Manchester United for the Champions World series. \n\n
Fabio Capello has signed a new four-year contract to extend his stay as Russia coach until after the end the 2018 World Cup, the Russian Football Union said on Friday.
La Liga champions Real Madrid beat Getafe 3-1 on Saturday with a goal from Gareth Bale and two strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo to go 12 points behind leaders Barcelona and warm up for next week's Champions League game at Paris St Germain.
Borussia Dortmund beat Hertha Berlin 3-2 on penalties to reach the German Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday after the match finished 1-1 after extra time.
