Holders Barcelona host Liverpool in the Champions League knockout on Wednesday.
The first goal was diverted off Filippo Inzaghi's shoulder to beat Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is one of five players who have begun talks over new contracts.
Gary Neville was sacked as Valencia manager on Wednesday as the club brought an end to his fraught four-month spell in charge after the former England and Manchester United defender had delivered only three league wins.
Two goals in three minutes from Napoli's Goran Pandev were not enough to secure victory as his side threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home to Udinese in an end-to-end Serie A thriller on Saturday.
Goals from Peter Crouch, Steven Gerrard and Dick Kuyt gave them a 3-0 victory in the EPL.
It is the same knee he damaged last season and the former Dutch international will undergo surgery on Wednesday.
The two sides will be meeting for the 14th time since Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez arrived in English football in 2004 and there is little they do not know about each other.
Jose Mourinho is on his way to London to become the new Chelsea boss, and Porto's three best players - Deco, Costinha and Paulo Ferreira - want to come with him.
Liverpool will seek a 10th successive EPL win when they conclude a memorable year at home to West Bromwich Albion
The six-team competition begins at the weekend but is unlikely to heat up until Liverpool and Brazil's Sao Paulo join the fray at the semi-final stage.
Champions Manchester City will expect to get back to winning ways at home to Newcastle United in a match which pits Pep Guardiola against his fellow Spaniard Rafa Benitez.
Real Madrid president is targeting seven high-profile coaches for the Spanish club
Some key facts about Zinedine Zidane, who stepped down as Real Madrid coach after leading the Spanish club to a third successive Champions League title.
Xabi Alonso scored twice as the European champions rallied from 1-3 down to win 5-3.
Argentine defender Mauricio Pellegrino has been released by European champions Liverpool, the club said on Friday.
In Europe, Chelsea enjoy none of Liverpool's reputation, earned with five European Cup finals and four triumphs.
Liverpool turn to the relative calm of their Champions League defence with a place in the last 16 at stake on Tuesday.
Real Madrid have endured a miserable season since Zinedine Zidane left in May, first sacking Julen Lopetegui and then Santiago Solari.
Liverpool will be bidding to win the Super Cup for the third time after previous wins in 1977 and 2001.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field on Friday
Everton's David Moyes won the League Managers Association award for guiding his team to next year's Champions League berth.
Choosing the right footwear can help prevent many health problems, says Dr Siddharth M Shah.
French striker Djibril Cisse may leave Liverpool if coach Rafael Benitez continues to keep him on the bench
The Liverpool and England striker is joining Real Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane cast doubt on his long-term future at Real Madrid by saying he is unsure if he will be in charge of the club next season. The former midfielder was named as Rafael Benitez's successor in January when he signed a contract until June 2018. But when asked what role he would have in the Liga club's transfer dealings for next season, Zidane said he did not know if he would still be at the Bernabeu. "I can't know what role I'm going to have if I don't know if I'm going to be here. We'll see what happens at the end of the season," Zidane was quoted as saying by Spanish newspaper Marca. The 43-year-old was also asked if Madrid would make another attempt to sign David de Gea after their move for the Manchester United and Spain goalkeeper fell through on the last day of the transfer window last August.
Zinedine Zidane can stay at Real Madrid for life, club President Florentino Perez said on Saturday, after the Frenchman became the first manager to win the Champions League two years in a row with a dominant 4-1 win over Juventus.
The Dutch side pipped Maccabi Tel Aviv for a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup because of a better head-to-head record.
The Spanish champions will seek a notable league and European double when they take on Olympique Marseille in the UEFA Cup final.
Samuel Eto'o did the star turn as Real Mallorca beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the Primera Liga.
The Spanish club have the possibility of a first domestic and European double when they face Villarreal in the UEFA Cup semi-final.
The United States beat Paraguay 1-0 and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Copa America as Group A winners on Saturday after Costa Rica stunned already-qualified Colombia 3-2.
Real Madrid closed to within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona after demolishing nine-man Rayo Vallecano 10-2 while Atletico Madrid missed a chance to seize top spot outright by losing 1-0 at Malaga.
But for third-placed Spurs, who trail leaders Manchester City and Liverpool by five points, this may prove to be a loss that leaves them with too much ground to make up.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances