Atlético's Godin doubtful
A week before the Champions League semi-final first leg against FC Bayern Atlético Madrid's defensive chief Diego Godin is rated doubtful. The Uruguayan had to be replaced with a thigh injury ten minutes into Wednesday's contest, a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao. The men from the Spanish capital are level on points with table-toppers Barcelona in La Liga. Atlético's dress rehearsal for the CL clash is on Saturday, a league match against ninth-placed FC Malaga at 18.15 CET.
FCB women seal Champions League berth
With four matches to go in this season's Bundesliga campaign the FC Bayern Women have sealed a spot in the 2016/17 Champions League. After FFC Frankfurt lost Wednesday evening's match against Freiburg they can no longer catch up with Thomas Wörle's troops, who are guaranteed to finish in the top two.
Boateng and Robben work towards comebacks
Blazing sunshine, temperatures around 20 degrees and a day free of training: wonderful conditions for the FCB pros on Thursday. Only long-term absentees Jérôme Boateng and Arjen Robben reported to the Säbener Strasse facility. On Friday the squad will work out under Pep Guardiola's auspices to prepare for Saturday's match away to Hertha Berlin.
Hertha rotate against Bayern
One day after the 3-0 DFB Cup semi-final defeat against Dortmund Hertha coach Pal Dardai announced at least three changes to the starting XI against FC Bayern. "We'll try to field a fresh team and rotate," explained the Hungarian. Valentin Stocker, Peter Pekarik and Tolga Cigerci will make the starting line-up. Keeper Rune Jarstein and centre-back John Anthony Brooks were not able to train on Thursday and are rated doubtful for Saturday's encounter with FCB. "We'll do everything to snatch a point," said Dardai.