UEFA.com's reporting team across Europe have all the latest from the 16 remaining UEFA Champions League contenders.
In Milan on Sunday night Andrea Pirlo took the prize for Serie A's player of 2012, but there was also recognition for Paris Saint-Germain FC's Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimović ...
UEFA.com London newsdesk:
Javier Hernández helped Manchester United FC progress to the FA Cup fifth found with two goals in a 4-1 defeat of Fulham FC on Saturday, and the Mexican international striker told MUTV that he and his team-mates are eager for the Red Devils to repeat their 1998/99 feat and win the treble.
We are very happy because we scored four goals and got through in the cup. All of the people should know we can win this competition, as well as the title and Champions League. We want to win all three, that is in our minds. We need to think game by game and then get the points in the league and get through in both cup competitions.
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UEFA.com London newsdesk:
Filling the boots of Robin van Persie at Arsenal FC is no mean feat, but in scoring twice against Brighton & Hove Albion FC in the FA Cup on Saturday, Olivier Giroud took his goal tally to 13 in all competitions, and manager Arsène Wenger believes the frontman's physicality is integral to the Gunners' success this season.
He went from strength to strength and finished the second half very, very well. When he gets into the fighting mode it is difficult to handle him. This guy is tall, strong and quicker than people think. He has good finishing as well. He could have played in England 20 years ago. He is all you need to play as a centre forward: a physical presence. He gives us something different. I believe with him and Theo [Walcott] we have a good blend. Without him today it would have been difficult.
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José Pimentel (@UEFAcomJoseP) from Lisbon:
Having arrived at FC Porto on loan from CR Flamengo until the end of the season, former Sporting Clube de Portugal striker Liedson, 35, has been included by Vítor Pereira in the squad to face 12th-placed Gil Vicente FC tonight at Estádio do Dragão. "Liedson brings experience in a specific position, he's an experienced scorer," said Pereira. "He gives us quality; we needed a player familiar with the characteristics of Portuguese teams and Portuguese defences. He has a great knowledge of the Portuguese league."
Gil Vicente are pointless from all 18 league trips to the Estádio do Dragão. The UEFA Champions League contenders need to win to join rivals SL Benfica atop the Liga. James Rodríguez and Kléber are still recovering from thigh injuries.
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UEFA.com Spanish newsdesk:
Among the goals for Valencia CF on Saturday in their last-minute victory away to RC Deportivo La Coruña was Paraguay forward Nelson Valdez, who scored for the first time in seven games for Liga's seventh-placed side. "When I am given the chance to play I want to take advantage and although I would have liked to have scored more, the most important thing was that we won," the 29-year-old – on loan from FC Rubin Kazan – said after starting the game in place of Roberto Soldado, who continues to nurse a badly strained thigh.
Alex O'Henley from Glasgow (@UEFAcomAlexO):
Celtic FC midfielder Joe Ledley has been reflecting on the disappointment of losing to Saint Mirren FC in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup. The Hoops were beaten 3-2 by the Paisley side at Hampden Park on Sunday, ending their hopes of a domestic treble, and the Welshman said there are no excuses for what manager Neil Lennon called a "soulless" performance.
We just didn't get going the entire match. In the second half we had some chances and got ourselves back into it, but we are very disappointed with the way we defended and attacked as a unit. It was unacceptable. We need to do better as a team. The treble was something we wanted to achieve and we can't do that now. We now need to rebuild and we are lucky we have got a game on Wednesday [at home to Kilmarnock FC] and hopefully we can now go out there and perform better.
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UEFA.com Spanish newsdesk:
In its analysis of Málaga CF's 3-2 Liga victory away to RCD Mallorca, Costa del Sol daily El Diario Sur explained that Manuel Pellegrini opted for some notable changes to his lineup for the game.
"Every facet of the team varied except that of the goalkeeper," the publication said, noting that with Uruguayan international Diego Lugano debuting in central defence, Martín Demichelis – who was later sent off – found himself pushed into central midfield with Jérémy Toulalan. Up front, meanwhile, Roque Santa Cruz was partnered with Javier Saviola, "when ordinarily either one or the other would play, but not both together."
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