Thomas Tuchel has called on Bayern Munich to ignite the "spark" required to give them hope of a stunning Champions League comeback against Manchester City.
Bayern were beaten 3-0 at City in their quarter-final first leg, leaving Tuchel's side a mountain to climb in Wednesday's return match.
City were imperious at the Etihad Stadium, dominating Bayern despite the visiting coach's claims his team had performed well.
There is understandable talk of the need for "a miracle" in the German media, with only four teams in Champions League history having overturned a three-goal deficit in a two-legged knockout tie.
But Tuchel knows Bayern will have to go out and grasp the game – and the attention of the Allianz Arena crowd – to have any chance.
"We can't conjure up a miracle. Therefore, of course, the approach is different," he said. "At 1-1, everyone believes. At 3-0, it's all about finding a realistic level.
"Our game on Saturday [a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim] certainly didn't contribute to that.
"We believe in ourselves and in winning both halves. Anything is possible in football, so small moments are part of it. It's about finding faith and having faith.
"At the same time, believing does not mean dreaming. We are responsible for ensuring that the spark is ignited and that we take the crowd with us."
Tuchel acknowledged that "spark" was missing against Hoffenheim, making their task more difficult against a City team in top form on a 10-match winless run.
Describing "an absolute challenge", Tuchel said City have "been in top form for weeks" while Bayern are "missing a bit right now".
There is particular focus on two individuals following the events of the first leg.
Sadio Mane was suspended for the Hoffenheim game and fined following a confrontation with Leroy Sane in the Etihad Stadium dressing room, but he will be back in the squad, Tuchel said.
Meanwhile, Dayot Upamecano's form has been questioned after he endured a difficult first leg, making a costly error for the second goal as Erling Haaland teed up Bernardo Silva.
"I don't think the duel with Erling Haaland was problematic," Tuchel said of the centre-back. "It was that one decision and the risk he took. He knows he needs to improve.
"There is no point in pointing the finger at individuals. We have been brutally punished. But we stand by him, he's still young and has great potential."
Conor Benn confirmed he is in discussions with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) but claimed he cannot comment amid reports he has been provisionally suspended.
The boxer twice tested positive for the banned substance clomifene last year ahead of a scheduled bout with Chris Eubank Jr in October that was subsequently scrapped.
Benn's reinstatement to the WBC rankings in March appeared to pave the way for a return, but he remains without a licence from the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).
Reports on Tuesday from Boxing News suggested he has been provisionally suspended since March 15, to which Benn responded on social media with defiance while acknowledging he could not say much else on the matter.
"I can't comment on anything to do with UKAD other than to say that I am in touch with them," he wrote on Twitter.
"Someone at the BBBoC or UKAD obviously wanted to create a headline, unlike the [Amir] Khan case where it was kept quiet for 14 months.
"But this is nothing new. I remain free to fight outside the UK. This isn't even about my innocence anymore, it's all politics. You can't keep a good man down."
Benn had been plotting a comeback bout abroad in Abu Dhabi later this year, with multiple options such as Eubank Jr and Manny Pacquiao apparently touted by his promoter Eddie Hearn.
However, any such bout would risk the British licences of all involved regardless of it taking place on foreign soil if Benn is suspended by UKAD.
West Indies pacer Kemar Roach took four wickets in the match to help Surrey defeat Hampshire by nine wickets at the Kennington Oval in London from April 13-16 for their first win of the 2023 County Championship Division One season.
In Hampshire’s first innings, Roach bowled 16 overs and took 2-63 as they were bowled out for 254 in 79.3 overs. Wicketkeeper batsmen Ben Brown led the way with the bat for Hampshire with 95 and Keith Barker made 58. 20-year-old medium pacer Tom Lawes also bowled 16 overs for Surrey, taking 4-58.
England Test batsmen Ollie Pope then made 91 and Australian Sean Abbott contributed 52 as Surrey made 270 off 85.5 overs in their first innings.
Pakistani pacer Mohammad Abbas starred for Hampshire with 6-64 off 27.5 overs while medium pacers Kyle Abbott and James Fuller took a pair of wickets, each.
Hampshire’s second innings almost mirrored their first, being bowled out for 258 in 88 overs this time.
Nick Gubbins made a patient 199-ball 84 and Ian Holland scored 46 as Australian Daniel Worrall took 5-40 off 17 overs. Roach bowled 18 overs and ended with 2-43.
Needing 243 to win, Surrey’s successful chase was led by a brilliant 122* from Pope, his 17th first class hundred, and 79* from Dominic Sibley.
In the end, Surrey needed 55.2 overs to reach 247-1.
Frank Lampard's temporary reign at Chelsea is a "risky gamble" but could well pay off for the beleaguered club, believes Rafael Benitez.
Former Blues head coach Lampard returned to his former post on a short-term basis on April 6 following Graham Potter's dismissal.
Yet with three losses from his first three games in charge, it has been far from a glowing reunion for the club's record goalscorer.
Benitez, who led Chelsea as interim boss himself for the bulk of the 2012-13 season, feels there is still time for Lampard to effect a turnaround.
"It was a surprise for everyone [re-appointing Lampard], but he has been there for many years and knows the players," Benitez told the Telegraph.
"It's a risky gamble that we will only be able to assess, as almost always, at the end. He has a great squad at his disposal, he knows the Premier League.
"He knows the players, the staff and the fans will give him more leeway than another manager because he was a great player there. He can give them more peace of mind in the short term."
Another of Benitez's former clubs, Real Madrid, stood in Chelsea's way on Tuesday, with the Blues looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit in their Champions League quarter-final.
Lampard was Benitez's captain for the 2013 Europa League final victory over Benfica, the lone honour of a season that saw the Spanish coach experience a thorny relationship with the club's fanbase.
The former Liverpool boss acknowledges his time on Merseyside likely coloured a negative impression of him among Chelsea fans, but he retains fond memories from his spell at Stamford Bridge, steering Chelsea to third place in the Premier League and semi-finals of the EFL Cup and FA Cup.
"It's not lost on anyone that [Roman] Abramovich's Chelsea were the strongest team in the Premier League when I arrived at Liverpool," Benitez said. "We competed with them and beat them in the Champions League several times, those games had a lot of tension, and it's not easy for a fan to forget the emotional part.
"Fortunately, we [at Chelsea] more than fulfilled our objectives of qualifying directly for the Champions League and, on top of that we also won the Europa League. I think everyone now sees it as a success."
If Chelsea were looking for encouragement ahead of the Madrid second leg, it was provided by recent history.
The Blues have progressed from five of their last seven Champions League ties when losing the first leg away from home, doing so in each of the last two when losing by two clear goals: against Napoli in 2011-12 and Paris Saint-Germain in 2013-14.
Damar Hamlin has been fully cleared to resume all football activities.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane confirmed on Tuesday that safety Hamlin was working out at their facility after receiving clearance from three doctors.
Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest in the Bills' game with the Cincinnati Bengals in January, collapsing on the field in the first quarter of the Week 17 encounter.
He received CPR and automated external defibrillation on the field, with his heart successfully restarted.
Hamlin has subsequently made a remarkable recovery, and after saying on a visit to the White House to meet US president Joe Biden he planned to play football again, he has now been permitted to do so.
"They're all in agreement [the specialists]. It's not two to one or anything like that; they're all in lockstep of what this was and that he is cleared to resume full activities just like anyone else who was coming back from an injury or whatever, so he's fully cleared," Beane said at his pre-draft press conference.
"He’s here, and he’s in a great headspace to come back and make his return.
"Damar is preparing to play."
Novak Djokovic's right elbow is "not in an ideal condition" just over a month before the French Open gets under way.
The world number one wore strapping at the Monte Carlo Masters last week and suffered a shock 6-4 5-7 4-6 defeat to Lorenzo Musetti in the third round.
Djokovic, who had an elbow operation in 2018, will be back in action at the Srpska Open this week, facing Frenchman Luca Van Assche in the first round of the tournament in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As he steps up his preparations to try and win a record 23rd grand slam title at Roland Garros, the 35-year-old revealed he is being hampered by his elbow.
"The elbow is not in an ideal condition, but let's say it’s good enough. I hope it will be fully ready for the first match," he said.
Djokovic expressed his gratitude for the way he has been received in Banja Luka this week.
"The people welcome me wholeheartedly with a great reception and so much love and support," he said.
"So I'm super excited to be here because I think it's one of the best places for us Serbian tennis players and athletes in general to be able to perform where we have so much love and support from local people."
Djokovic has a 16-2 record this year, winning a title in Adelaide before matching Rafael Nadal's haul of major triumphs at the Australian Open.
Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago secured wins in their respective Concacaf Under-20 Women’s qualifying matches on Monday.
Guyana were one of the biggest winners of the day with a 10-0 hammering of Dominica at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Jalade Trim opened the scoring for Guyana in the fifth minute before Se-hanna Mars doubled their lead nine minutes later. Mars also converted in the 16th and 18th minutes to complete a swift hat trick before adding a fourth in the 31st minute.
Mars was at it again in the 37th minute to complete a five-goal first half to hole Guyana enter halftime with a commanding 6-0 lead. Their seventh came three minutes into the second half when Heike Clarke converted from a corner kick. The 66th minute saw Mars score her sixth and Guyana’s eighth of the day before the scoring was completed by Glendy Lewis (78’) and Jalade Trim (92’).
Guyana now has six points from two games to sit second in Group C behind hosts the Dominican Republic, who defeated Suriname 3-0 and have a two-goal advantage on goal difference. The two teams will do battle on Wednesday.
Trinidad & Tobago secured a 3-2 win over Guadeloupe at the Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisca in Curacao to get their second win in as many games in Group D.
The Trinidadians took the lead in the eighth minute through a J’eleisha Alexander penalty before Laetitia Echard equalized for Guadeloupe two minutes before halftime.
T&T retook the lead in the 51st minute when Alexander converted her second penalty of the game. Alexander completed her hat trick in the 61st minute to give Trinidad & Tobago a 3-1 lead. Sergyna Loubli scored the consolation goal for Guadeloupe in the 84th minute.
Trinidad & Tobago trail Group D leaders Puerto Rico be six goals on goal difference heading into their clash on Wednesday.
Ferrari have lost their appeal to the FIA over a time penalty handed to Carlos Sainz at the Australian Grand Prix.
Sainz was punished following a collision with Fernando Alonso during the race on April 2.
He was demoted from fourth to 12th place after making contact with Alonso's Aston Martin in a chaotic penultimate-lap standing restart.
There were another two crashes prior to a red flag being waved for a third time in Melbourne, where Red Bull's Max Verstappen triumphed.
Ferrari appealed the decision, but on Tuesday it was confirmed the Italian team had been unsuccessful.
"There is no significant and relevant new element that was unavailable to the parties seeking the review at the time of the decision concerned. The Petition is therefore dismissed," an FIA statement read after a hearing on Tuesday.
"We considered the fact that this collision took place at the first corner on the first lap of the restart, when, by convention, the stewards would typically take a more lenient view of incidents.
"However, we decided that notwithstanding that it was the equivalent of a first lap incident, we considered that there was sufficient gap for SAI to take steps to avoid the collision and failed to do so. We therefore imposed a five-second time penalty."
Ferrari said they were "naturally disappointed" with the decision, adding they felt "that we had provided sufficient significant new elements for the FIA to re-examine the decision especially in the context of the particular conditions and multiple incidents that occurred during the final restart."
Their statement concluded: "We are however respectful of the process and of the FIA decision. We are now looking forward to entering broader discussions with the FIA, Formula One, and all the teams, with the aim of further improving the policing of our sport, in order to ensure the highest level of fairness and consistency that our sport deserves.
Under-pressure head coach Simone Inzaghi says criticism will help him improve as his Inter side prepare to try and secure a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The Nerazzurri have taken just one point from their past five Serie A matches, slipping to fifth place to put Inzaghi under increasing scrutiny.
Inter were beaten 1-0 at home by Monza on Saturday and have been licking their wounds ahead of a second leg against Benfica at San Siro on Wednesday that they will start with a 2-0 lead.
Inzaghi says he will not be affected by flak that comes his way as that is nothing new to him.
He told reporters on Tuesday: "I don't think it's strange [for questions to be asked over his future].
"Here at Inter, if you read before the Barcelona or Porto matches it was the same thing.
"It's something I'm used to, as long as they criticise me [and not the players] it's not a problem: as far as me and my staff, the criticisms help us to improve more and more.
"We know we have not had the path that Inter should have in the league, like many other teams we've had problems, but there are still eight games to go and we still have a margin.
"We have to be good at isolating ourselves and try to provide an important evening for our fans."
Inter may have a very different squad next season, with Milan Skriniar on his way to Paris Saint-Germain, Romelu Lukaku's loan deal coming to an end and also Stefan de Vrij among a group of players who are nearing the end of their contracts.
Inzaghi will not use that as an excuse.
He added: "We have to be good at isolating ourselves, as far as players are concerned, we have several who have contracts that are about to expire, but I see them working well every day.
"It's part of today's football to always be criticised or in the balance. We have to be good and strong, with a cool head and always think about the next match which at the moment is Benfica."
Manchester City have submitted a planning application for the expansion of the Etihad Stadium, the club announced on Tuesday.
City's statement described "the development of a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination".
The work centres around the Etihad's North Stand, which would be expanded to increase the stadium's capacity to over 60,000, City added.
A revamped fan zone, a new club shop, a club museum and a hotel also form part of the proposal.
City estimate it will bring more than £300million investment into the area, with the work set to take up to three years to complete.
The Premier League champions' announcement came following a period of consultation with supporters, during which City said feedback found fans were in favour of the plans.
The Etihad, listed as the City of Manchester Stadium, is included in the United Kingdom and Ireland bid to host Euro 2028. That bid listed a 61,000 capacity.
Javier Zanetti says under-fire head coach Simone Inzaghi knows Inter must end their Serie A slump as he fights to keep his job.
The pressure increased on Inzaghi when the Nerazzurri were consigned to a 1-0 defeat by Monza at San Siro on Saturday.
Inter have slipped to fifth in the table, two points behind fourth-placed fierce rivals Milan after taking just one point from their past five matches.
Inzaghi's side are still in the hunt for two trophies, leading Benfica 2-0 in their Champions League quarter-final ahead of a home second leg on Wednesday and locked at 1-1 with Juventus in a Coppa Italia semi-final.
Inter vice-president Zanetti played down reports that crisis talks were held with Inzaghi following their latest loss last weekend, but confirmed he had spoken to the former Lazio boss.
The former Argentina international told DAZN: "Let's say we always talk, I like to do it especially with a clear head the day after the match.
"On Wednesday we'll all be together to try to get to this semi-final Champions League that we have been missing for a long time. We hope that the team can respond on the pitch."
Draymond Green pleaded his innocence for the stamping incident that led to his ejection from Monday's 114-106 loss to the Sacramento Kings, calling on referees to help him out.
Green was called for a flagrant-2 foul and subsequently ejected in the fourth quarter of the Game 2 loss in the Golden State Warriors’ playoffs first round loss after an altercation with Kings center Domantas Sabonis.
The Warriors big man stamped on Sabonis’ chest, after the latter fell to the ground and appeared to grab Green's leg as Golden State tried to launch a fast break following Stephen Curry's rebound from Malik Monk's missed two-point attempt.
Lithuanian center Sabonis was on the floor in pain for several minutes. While Green was ejected, Sabonis was called for a technical foul for the grab.
The Warriors All-Star claimed it was the second time in two games that he had been grabbed, citing a similar incident in Game 1 involving Monk and calling for more assistance from the officials.
"My leg got grabbed," Green told reporters. "Second time in two nights. Referees just watch it. I've got to land my foot somewhere.
"I'm not the most flexible person, so I'm not stretching that far. I could only step so far in pulling my leg away. It is what it is."
Green said the referees told him he had been ejected because he "stomped too hard", while he was not surprised Sabonis stayed down injured given the impact.
Sabonis refused to be drawn on the incident, nor whether there was any animosity between him and Green as a result.
"It's playoff basketball," Sabonis told NBA on TNT. "This is it, we're here to fight. Every time we step on the floor, we're going to give everything for our team-mates and the franchise.
"We're both fighting for the rebound. We fell on each other, stuff happens, it's basketball, we've got to move on, next play."
Doc Rivers' "cursing" had the desire effect as the Philadelphia 76ers stepped it up in the second half to take a 2-0 lead over the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference playoff series.
The Nets led Game 2 at Wells Fargo Center on Monday by five points at half-time and Rivers decided just over a minute into the third quarter it was time for him to unleash some verbal volleys.
Sixers head coach Rivers' intervention sparked his side into life and they went on to win 96-84.
Tyrese Maxey top scored with 33 points, including six three-pointers, while Joel Embiid finished with 20 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks.
Tobias Harris also weighed in with 20 points and 12 rebounds as Philadelphia took command of the first-round series before travelling to New York for Game 3 on Thursday.
Asked what Rivers said during a huddle early in the third quarter, James Harden said: "Cursing us out. That's it. Just cursing us out.
"The first possession, we didn't run a play that he drew up, for whatever reason. But we got it right."
Rivers felt the Sixers made life difficult for themselves before raising their game to dominate the second half.
"We got guys to the right space," Rivers said. "Joel was patient. James was patient. We moved the ball, we got every shot we wanted.
"That was a hard game, because we got outside of ourselves in the first half. I thought we were forcing it. We were trying, nothing selfish, but we're trying to score all of us, instead of being there giving you the answers with their traps. Trust your stuff, trust your spacing, move the ball and the right guys are going to end up with the ball.
"And if we do it enough, eventually, Joel, you're gonna get one-on-ones, and then you're going to dominate the game. And I thought we did that in the second half."
Cam Johnson led the Nets with 28 points but they were unable to level the series.
The Boston Bruins continued their historic season with a 3-1 Game 1 victory in the first-round series against the Florida Panthers at TD Garden on Monday.
Boston put together the greatest regular season record in NHL history at 65-12-5, beating the previous record held by the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings (62-13-7) by three wins.
Kicking off their Eastern Conference playoff campaign, the Bruins jumped ahead in the first period through a David Pastrnak goal, before Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk added one each in the second period either side of Matthew Tkachuk's lone Panthers score.
While the Bruins came out with the win, they finished on the wrong end of the total shot count 32-29, also trailing slightly in hits (44-43).
Head coach Jim Montgomery said the score was not indicative of the general play, but at this time of year they will take whatever they can get.
"Results matter more than the process right now," he said. "When we look at our five-on-five game, we were not very happy with our process.
"So we can get better there, but the result was really good, and I think the result comes from we had some players play really well, especially our goaltender.
"The intensity of the playoffs, it surprised us a little bit, and I think we had a little bit of nerves."
Marchand is no stranger to playoff hockey, winning the Stanley Cup with the Bruins back in 2011, and he made it clear Boston are not happy with just the regular-season record.
"I don't think we've ever been satisfied with any game we've had this year," he said. "It's always good to start the first game with a win, but we haven't accomplished anything yet."
Tkachuk credited the Bruins with the way they improved the longer the game went on.
"There were parts of our game that were good, and I feel like [the Bruins] got a little bit better as it got on," he said. "Especially when you have a two-goal lead, it's easier to play.
"You're playing safer, and they packed it in pretty good on us, but I'm confident in our team, in our game, and seeing a lot of things that I think we could hang with these guys."
Game 2 will also take place in Boston on Wednesday before the series heads to Florida.
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