MUNICH (Reuters) – The Juventus side which has reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in seven years is a far cry from the Italian stereotype of ruthless defence and gamesmanship, according to their rival coach.

Bayern Munich’s Jupp Heynckes has spent days and nights studying his opponents ahead of Tuesday’s first leg and has been hugely impressed by what he has seen.

MUNICH, April 1 (Reuters) – The Juventus side which has reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in seven years is a far cry from the Italian stereotype of ruthless defence and gamesmanship, according to their rival coach.

Bayern Munich’s Jupp Heynckes has spent days and nights studying his opponents ahead of Tuesday’s first leg and has been hugely impressed by what he has seen.

MUNICH (Reuters) – Claudio Pizarro’s reward for scoring four goals against Hamburg SV on Saturday could well be a place on the substitutes bench when Bayern Munich host Juventus in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.

The Peruvian has been used only sparingly since returning for a second stint at Bayern this season, starting only three matches in the Bundesliga and three in the Champions League.

MUNICH, April 1 (Reuters) – Claudio Pizarro’s reward for scoring four goals against Hamburg SV on Saturday could well be a place on the substitutes bench when Bayern Munich host Juventus in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.

The Peruvian has been used only sparingly since returning for a second stint at Bayern this season, starting only three matches in the Bundesliga and three in the Champions League.

BERNE, March 28 (Reuters) – Ajax Amsterdam have the most prolific academy in Europe for producing young talent while Slovakian clubs lead the way in terms of fielding home-grown players, according to a report from a Swiss-based institute.

The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) conducted a survey of Europe’s most competitive 31 leagues last year and found 69 players who had been coached at the Dutch club.

March 28 (Reuters) – Swiss champions FC Basel, renowned for their youth development programme, face a constant battle to stop teenage players moving to English, Spanish and Italian clubs.

President Bernhard Heusler told Reuters in an interview that parents often do not listen to the club when warned against taking their sons elsewhere.

LONDON (Reuters) – Luiz Felipe Scolari talked of topless pitch invaders and pulled faces at the interpreter during the news conference which followed the 1-1 draw with Russia but the Brazil coach’s obvious charisma was not matched by his team.

Scolari’s predecessor Mano Menezes had spent two years attempting to build a team which could play a Barcelona-style possession game with a Brazilian touch.

LONDON, March 26 (Reuters) – Luiz Felipe Scolari talked of topless pitch invaders and pulled faces at the interpreter during the news conference which followed the 1-1 draw with Russia but the Brazil coach’s obvious charisma was not matched by his team.

Scolari’s predecessor Mano Menezes had spent two years attempting to build a team which could play a Barcelona-style possession game with a Brazilian touch.

LONDON (Reuters) – Brazil left back Marcelo boosted his hopes of making Brazil’s World Cup squad next year with a performance against Russia which earned lavish praise from coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Scolari said that before the match he had doubts about the Real Madrid’s defensive abilities, but those had been laid to rest by his efforts in the 1-1 draw against Russia.

LONDON, March 25 (Reuters) – Brazil left back Marcelo boosted his hopes of making Brazil’s World Cup squad next year with a performance against Russia which earned lavish praise from coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Scolari said that before the match he had doubts about the Real Madrid’s defensive abilities, but those had been laid to rest by his efforts in the 1-1 draw against Russia.