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Watch Chelsea v Werder Bremen on Chelsea TV

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Manager Jose Mourinho has started with Thibaut Courtois in goal for Chelsea in today’s preseason friendly game against Werder Bremen.

The Belgian international who returns from his loan, is expected to be the club’s first choice keeper ahead of Petr Cech this coming season and Mourinho wants to start a good platform with those who will be playing in front of him.

Meanwhile, returning veteran forward Didier Drogba is named on the bench, alongside Eden Hazard and Gary Cahill.

Summer signing Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and Diego Costa all start this game in attacking positions, while captain John Terry is partnered in the heart of the defense by Kurt Zouma.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Filipe Luis either side of them at the full-back positions.

Chelsea Team: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Terry (c), Filipe Luis; Van Ginkel, Matic; Salah, Fabregas, Torres; Diego Costa. Subs: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Christensen, Chalobah, Ake, Mikel, Baker, Boga, Hazard, Drogba, Solanke.

Watch the match live on Chelsea TV

Diego Costa Starts For Spain v El Salvador – Live World Cup Warm-up

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(SportingAlert.com) — Diego Diego starts for Spain in tonight’s World Cup tune-up friendly game against El Salvador at FedEx Field.

Follow Live GameCast Streaming Coverage

Diego has been bothered by a hamstring injury and it was suggested that the Atlético Madrid forward would have been given more time to recover from the problem.

However, he starts this evening as the main striker with Cesc Fàbregas and Pedro also starting in the attack as well.

Andrés Iniesta, Xabi Alonso are joined in midfield by another Atlético Madrid player, Koke, with Javi Martínez, Juanfran, Sergio Sergio and Jordi Alba in the back line.

Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Juan Mata, Santi Cazorla, Gerard Piqué, David Silva and Fernando Torres are all amongst the players on a very strong bench for Spain.

Spain, the defending champions from 2010 in South Africa, are in Group B with the Netherlands, Chile and Australia.

The defending champs, the No.1 team in the FIFA World Rankings, open up against the Netherlands.

Spain v El Salvador

Spain: Casillas, Juanfran, Ramos, Martinez, Alba, Xabi Alonso, Koke, Iniesta, Pedro, Fabregas, Diego Costa. Subs: De Gea, Reina, Albiol, Azpilicueta, Pique, Xavi, Mata, Busquets, Cazorla, Silva, Torres, Villa.

El Salvador: Carrillo, Garcia, Mendoza, Barrios, Larin, Alvarez, Ceren, Menjivar, Flores, Santamaria, Burgos. Subs: Hernandez, Molina, Alas, Aguila, Renderos, Ceren, Blanco, Lemus, Sosa.

Torres Starts: Spain v Bolivia World Cup Warmup Live on ESPN3

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(SportingAlert.com) — Fernando Torres starts for Spain in tonight’s international friendly World Cup 2014 warmup against Bolivia at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Torres, who has been struggling with his form, has been given another chance to impress boss Vicente del Bosque, who has delayed naming his team until next week.

Xavi starts in the midfield alongside Santi Cazorla and Ander Iturraspe, while Torres, Juan Mata and Pedro lead the attack.

Pepe Reina has been selected over David De Gea to start in goal, while Andrés Iniesta, Cesc Fábregas, David Silva, Sergio Busquets and young Gerard Deulofeu are all on the bench.

Silva initially was named in the starting lineup, but was replaced by Mata when the changes came back before kick-off.

Spain is still without several first team players, including Sergio Ramos, David Villa and the injured Diego Costa.

Live Streaming Coverage is on ESPN3.com and ESPNDeportes.

Spain v Bolivia

Spain: Reina, Azpilicueta, Pique, Javi Martinez, Moreno, Xavi, Iturraspe, Cazorla, Mata, Torres, Pedro. Subs: De Gea, Albiol, Iniesta, Deulofeu, Fabregas, Silva, Busquets, Jordi Alba

Bolivia: Quinonez, Diego Bejarano, Eguino, Raldes, Gutierrez, Marvin Bejarano, Melean, Chumacero, Mojica, Arce, Martins. Subs: Vaca, Miranda, Veizaga, Cardozo, Pena, Arze, Danny Bejarano, Arrascaita, Zenteno

Referee: Lorenc Jemini (Albania)

De Gea, Carvajal named in Spain 30-man squad for FIFA World Cup

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MADRID (Sporting Alert) — Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is among three uncapped players named by Spain coach Vicente del Bosque in his provisional 30-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil this summer.

Del Bosque will eventually trim his squad down to 23 before next month’s tournament.

De Gea’s inclusion was no real surprise, following his impressive season with Manchester United, and the season ending injury to Barcelona’s Victor Valdes.

The other two uncapped players in the World Cup squad are Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Iturraspe.

Also named in Del Bosque’s provisional squad are Chelsea forward Fernando Torres, Atlético Madrid duo Diego Costa and David Villa and Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata.

Meanwhile, there was no place for Real Madrid midfielder Isco and Tottenham forward Roberto Soldado.

Spain squad

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, David de Gea, Pepe Reina.

Defenders: Jordi Alba, Raul Albiol, Cesar Azplicueta, Dani Carvajal, Juanfran, Alberto Moreno, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos.

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Santi Cazorla, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Ander Iturraspe, Koke, Javi Martinez, Juan Mata, Jesus Navas, David Silva, Tiago Alcantara, Xabi Alonso, Xavi.

Forwards: Diego Costa, Fernando Llorente, Alvaro Negredo, Pedro, Fernando Torres, David Villa.

Chelsea v Atletico Madrid Live Stream and Scores Updates

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Eden Hazard has passed a fitness test and starts for Chelsea in tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge.

Watch Chelsea v Atletico Madrid Live Streaming on FoxSoccer2Go | Follow Live Scores and Updates

Hazard will lineup in midfield alongside Ramires, David Luiz and Willian, while skipper John Terry, who was initially ruled out because of the ankle injury he picked up in the first leg, starts in the backline as well.

Fernando Torres leads the attack, with the likes of Oscar, Andre Schurrle, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o on the bench.

Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel are both missing because of suspension, while first choice goalkeeper Petr Cech is out with a shoulder injury.

On loan Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, meanwhile, is among the starters for Atletico Madrid, but captain Gabi is suspended.

Forward Diego Costa, who has been linked to Chelsea and Adrian Lopez lead the front line.

Chelsea v Atletico Madrid

Chelsea: Schwarzer, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Luiz, Willian, Azpilicueta, Hazard, Torres
Subs: Hilario, Oscar, Schurrle, van Ginkel, Ba, Eto’o, Kalas

Atletico Madrid: Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe Luis, Koke, Tiago, Mario Suarez, Turan, Diego Costa, Adrian
Subs: Aranzubia, Raul Garcia, Villa, Rodriguez, Alderweireld, Sosa, Diego

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)

Torres and Diego Costa Start: Watch Atletico v Chelsea Live Stream

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MADRID (Sporting Alert) — Jose Mourinho has made six changes from the team that was beaten at home by Sunderland for tonight’s Championships semi-final first leg clash with Atletico Madrid at Vicente Calderon.

Watch Atletico Madrid v Chelsea Live Stream at UEFA.com via FoxSoccer2GO

Former Atletico forward Fernando Torres is amongst the changes made by Mourinho and he takes the starting place upfront for the injured Samuel Eto’o.

Ashley Cole also starts for the suspended Branislav Ivanovic, with David Luiz, Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel and Petr Cech also amongst the starters for the English Premier League side.

Andre Schurrle and Demba Ba are both on the bench.

Meanwhile for Atletico Madrid, who dumped Barcelona out of the tournament in the quarter-finals, Diego Costa, who has been linked with a summer move to Stamford Bridge, starts.

Arda Turan is on the bench after recovering from a groin strain, but defender Javi Manquillo, who recovered from a neck injury is not in the squad.

Atletico Madrid team: Courtois, Godin, Filipe Luis, Juanfran, Miranda, Mario Suarez, Koke, Raul Garcia, Gabi, Diego, Diego Costa. Subs: Aranzubia, Alderweireld, Tiago, Arda Turan, Rodriguez, Sosa, Villa.

Chelsea: Cech, Cole, David Luiz, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Lampard, Mikel, Willian, Torres. Subs: Schwarzer, Aké, Kalas, Van Ginkel, Schürrle, Ba.

Demba Ba Starts For Chelsea v Swansea: Live Scores, Teams

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(Sporting Alert) — Jose Mourinho has decided to reward Demba Ba for his match-winning performance in the Champions League in midweek with a starting Chelsea place against Swansea City in the Premier League today.

Swansea City v Chelsea Live: Follow Live Radio Commentary | Live Soccer Scores and Updates | Watch Live Stream on NBCSports Extra

Ba, who has been used sparingly this season by Mourinho, came on and scored the winner against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and manager has decided to name him in the starting team to lead the attacking line.

Both Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto’o start on the bench today.

Also starting for Chelsea are Willian and Andre Schurrle, who were both very impressive against PSG, as well as Ramires, Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah.

Ashley Cole, David Luiz are Oscar amongst the subs.

Swansea, in the meantime, has recalled Pablo Hernandez, who comes in for the injured Michu, while Nathan Dyer replaced Jonathan de Guzman, who is on the bench.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Matic, Salah, Willian, Schurrle, Ba. Subs: Cole, Luiz, Torres, Oscar, Mikel, Schwarzer, Eto’o.

Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Chico, Williams, Ben Davies, Britton, Shelvey, Dyer, Hernandez, Routledge, Bony. Subs: Fulton, Amat, Taylor, de Guzman, Tremmel, Ngog, Emnes.

Eto’o could be on the bench: Chelsea v PSG Champions League quarter-final 2nd leg TV Channels

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Jose Mourinho is set to start with Fernando Torres in his attack, while Samuel Eto’o could be on the bench for Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final second leg clash with the visiting Paris St Germain.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL SECOND LEG
Place: Stamford Bridge
Date: Tuesday, 8 April
Kick-off: 19:45 BST
TV Channels Live Streaming Coverage: FoxSoccer2Go.com, SiriusXM FC, BBC Radio 5 live, Fox Sports 1 USA, TEN Sports India, beIN Sports Arabia, UTV, TV3 Ireland, TEN Sports LIVE, UTV, STV Scotland, ITV 1, SuperSport Africa

Torres and the rest of his striking-mates have been heavily criticized this season by Mourinho, who believes his forwards have let him down thus far in this campaign.

However, with Chelsea needing to overturn a 3-1 deficit after losing the first-leg tie in Paris, Mourinho is ready to try with Torres in the attack again, hoping this time he can find some form in front of the net.

Eto’o has been recovering from his hamstring problem and Mourinho is not ruling out using the Cameroon international at some point during the game.

Coming back from a two-goal deficit will not be easy against PSG, but Mourinho says they are all believers.

“I believe and my players believe and that’s the most important thing,” the Chelsea boss said.

“If Paris are knocked out (Tuesday) it will be a big disappointment for them; if we are knocked out then it is something that a lot of people are expecting.

“We have to enjoy the risk of the situation. At 9.30pm [UK time] we can be out, and we know that. But at 7.45pm we have chances to be in the semi-final. So at 7.45pm we have to be ready, with smiles on our faces, to go out and see what happens – but at 7.45pm we believe we can do it.”

In other Chelsea news, Brazilian midfielder Ramires is suspended and will not feature, while Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are both cup-tied and are ineligible. Marco van Ginkel could be on the bench.

For PGS, in the meantime, leading striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss the game because of a hamstring injury sustained in the first leg at the Parc des Princes last week.

This means that Edinson Cavani will now play through the middle as the center forward and he could very cause the same kind of problems as Ibrahimovic.

Paris St-Germain v Chelsea Live TV Channels, Scores and More

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PARIS (Sporting Alert) — Jose Mourinho is set to start striker Fernando Torres in Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final first leg clash at Paris St-Germain on Wednesday night.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG
Venue: Parc des Princes
Date: Wednesday 2 April
Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Live TV Channels and Streaming: BBC Radio 5 Live, SiriusXM FC, Sky Sports 1, SuperSport, Fox Soccer 2Go.com, Fox Sports 1 USA, Fox Sports GO, beIN Sports Arabia, True Sport, RTE 2, TEN Sports

Experienced forward Samuel Eto’o, who has been favoured by Mourinho in the big games, did not travel with the English Premier League side to Paris after failing to recover from the a hamstring injury he suffered early in the 6-0 win over of Arsenal last month, while Demba Ba has struggled to get into the team.

This means that Torres will likely lead the attacking line at Parc des Princes.

Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are both ineligible after representing Benfica and Basle in the group stages of the competition.

PSG claims they are the underdogs coming into this tie, but Mourinho not buying it.

He said: “Paris has a team full of fantastic attacking players, not to mention the other ones. I could speak for hours about Thiago [Motta].

“I watch a lot of Paris matches, and Laurent Blanc has a clear philosophy. They keep the same philosophy, even when they change three midfielders, like against Bayer Leverkusen in the [round of 16] second leg.”

Chelsea will need to keep a close eye on leading striker Zlatan Ibrahimović and striker partners Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi, attacking players Mourinho reveals will make the difference at this stage of the competition.

Chelsea v Galatasaray Live CL Streaming and Team News

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Striker Samuel Eto’o returns to the starting lineup for Chelsea for tonight Champions League last-16 second leg clash with Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea v Galatasaray Live CL Streaming | Follow Live Latest Soccer Scores

Eto’o comes back into the team for Fernando Torres, who scored the opening goal in the tie, while starting also is playmaker Oscar.

Starting also is Eden Hazard, a player Jose Mourinho said is “the best young player in the world,” with Ramires and Willian, who were both sent off in the English Premier League defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend, start also.

Meanwhile forward Didier Drogba is amongst the starters tonight for Galatasaray, while attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who played for Mourinho at Inter Milan in Roberto Mancini starting XI as well.

“We know it will be really difficult because Chelsea are one of the best teams in Europe,” Mancini said.

“But in football you never say never. Anything can happen if you believe in yourself.”

Both teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Chelsea v Galatasaray

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Lampard, Oscar, Hazard, Willian, Eto’o. Subs: Schwarzer, Luiz, Torres, Mikel, Schurrle, Ba, Kalas.

Galatasaray: Muslera, Alex, Chedjou, Kaya, Eboue, Felipe Melo, Inan, Sneijder, Kurtulus, Drogba, Burak Yilmaz. Subs: Ceylan, Burdisso, Gulselam, Hajrovic, Bulut, Balta, Sarioglu.

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)