Football news

Tomorrow's game between Roma and Milan in the Italian capital is the best Serie A has to offer, according to Adriano Galliani.

Second-placed Milan travel to the Eternal City trailing city rivals Inter by four points, with Roma just three points further behind.

"Despite the absence of Alexandre Pato and (injured Roma captain) Francesco Totti, from an aesthetic level, this game is the best that our tournament can offer," said Galliani.

"Roma and Milan play good football and I expect a thrilling game with the stadium set to be sold out."

Demichelis out with broken jaw

Bayern Munich defender Martin Demichelis faces several weeks on the sidelines after breaking his jaw bone in Argentina's 1-0 win over Germany on Wednesday.

The Argentine suffered his injury in the second half after clashing with his former club colleague Michael Ballack in an aerial challenge.

He was taken straight into a Munich hospital and was later diagnosed with a broken jaw, meaning a spell on the sidelines of several weeks.

Ramos dislikes favourite tag

Spain defender Sergio Ramos has admitted the tag of World Cup favourites does not sit well with him and his team-mates, but appreciates expectations will only have grown following Wedneday's 2-0 win over France.

Ramos said: "The players don't like that they've given us the role of favourites, but we understand the optimism is going to increase with this victory.

"Spain's main asset is that they go out from the first minute looking for the ball and for the win.

"We have a very clear idea about what we are doing and with morale high we are going to the World Cup to try and do as well as possible."

Hiddink tops Ivory Coast list

Guus Hiddink is the man the Ivory Coast football association want as their next coach, president Jacques Anouma has confirmed.

Speaking after the 2-0 defeat to South Korea at Loftus Road, Anouma told BBC Sport they have approached the Dutchman and hope to make an appointment next week.

"Guus is one of the people we have contacted about becoming coach," he said. "Probably in the middle of next week something will be concluded."

Hiddink told reporters in Holland: "I have some matters to resolve before I reach my decision."

However, the Dutchman is not the only coach on Anouma's list, which he would not reveal in full. Sven-Goran Eriksson was in the crowd to watch Wednesday's friendly, and has also been linked with the job.

Adriano ready for Europe return

Controversial Brazil striker Adriano is ready to return to European football, according to his agent.

Adriano has rediscovered his scoring touch and has hit 25 goals since his return to Flamengo in 2009, including six in his last six appearances this year.

And his agent Gilmar Rinaldi believes the time has come for the 28-year-old to move back to Europe.

"Adriano is ready to return to Europe, with a squad which is a bit Brazilian," Rinaldi said. "That could be Roma, Real Madrid, or Barcelona.

"He is ready to return, I'll go around and together we will evaluate the situation."

Coupet worried about PSG violence

PSG goalkeeper Gregory Coupet admits he and his team-mates feel "strongly responsible" for the outbursts of violence which tarnished last weekend's Classico against Marseille, who won 3-0, and left a fan in critical condition.

On Tuesday, PSG president Robin Leproux announced the club had taken the drastic action of deciding not to make tickets available for away games until further notice.

"Once again it's the club's image which suffers," Coupet said. "At a sporting level, we feel strongly responsible because if there had been good results there maybe wouldn't have been all these problems and this rise in violence.

"Sunday, when leaving the stadium, I saw all these riots. It's very disturbing. At the present time I wouldn't take my children to the Parc des Princes."

Roma preparing Gallas approach

Roma are trying to lure Arsenal centre-back William Gallas away from the Emirates this summer, according to reports in Italy.

The Giallorossi have been monitoring the market for players who are reaching the end of their contracts in a bid to remain competitive without spending a lot of money.

Daniele Prade, Roma's director of sport, is already believed to have reached a verbal agreement with Palermo's Brazilian midfielder Fabio Simplicio and now he's focusing on Gallas.

The 33-year-old has yet to agree a contract extension with Arsenal.

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri is said to have encouraged negotiations after working with Gallas at Chelsea.