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AC Milan wing-back Ignazio Abate admits they panicked in defeat at Champions League opponents Barcelona.

The Rossoneri went into last night’s European Cup round of 16 tie with a 2-0 first leg advantage, but they were soundly beaten 4-0 by the Spanish giants.

“We weren’t very proactive, we played a lot of long balls rather than playing the ball on the ground,” the full-back told Sky Sport Italia.

“We gifted the first half to our opponents, even if Lionel Messi invented those two fine goals. We were never in the match and we can’t afford to gift 45 minutes of a game to a team like Barcelona.

“We improved a little in the second half, going close to scoring, but you need experience to play at places like the Camp Nou – and that is not a criticism of my younger teammates.”

Former Newcastle striker Nile Ranger has admitted a charge of common assault following an incident in Newcastle city centre, reportsSkySports.

The 21-year-old was arrested after police received reports of a fight between a couple in the car park of The Gate entertainment complex on Wednesday evening.

The former England U19 player, who left the Magpies by mutual consent two weeks ago, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates Court on Friday.

Court officials confirmed he admitted a charge of common assault and he was given conditional bail and will appear again on 9 April for sentencing.

Nuri Sahin says he’s fortunate to have played with Real Madrid starCristiano Ronaldo.

The Real midfielder is now on-loan with Borussia Dortmund.

“It was a great opportunity to play with him [Ronaldo],” he told AS. “He is an incomparable professional, he’s incredible. In one year, I learned a lot from Cristiano. Maybe some people will not think so, but he is very humble and friendly.

“Moving to Madrid was a dream. I did it. I had an injury in the first training session, and if that had not happened, I’m sure it would have been different for me.

“But that is football. I don’t want to return to the past. I’m at one of the best teams in the world, I never let my head drop and I think I will be very successful.”

According to reports from Spain, Mediaset is to take on a package of live weekly free-to-air La Liga matches which were previously held by Marca TV, reports SportsPro.

The new arrangement, which local reports suggest is not entirely unexpected as Marca TV effectively had a month-by-month arrangement with right-holder Mediapro, is due to kick-in from the start of April.

Mediaset’s first game will be Real Betis versus Getafe on 1st April, with its deal set to run until 2015.

Lionel Messi was thrilled with Barcelona‘s Champions League triumph over AC Milan.

Messi took to Weibo to express his delight:

“How happy am I! I knew we could do it. We needed a game like that with a happy Nou Camp. We played a great game!”

Meanwhile, AC Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy has denied reports Messi snubbed him when he asked for his shirt after the game.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is delighted with his first call to the France squad.

Pogba has been named in Didier Deschamps’ squad for games against Spain and Georgia.

“This call-up is very important for me,” he told L’Equipe. “From the moment I got into the Under-16 side, my objective has always been to reach the senior squad.

“Obviously I am very happy and it is an honour to wear this jersey. However, this is only the first step and the really difficult stuff comes now.

“I have to continue working hard, as I have not ‘arrived’ yet. I need to improve in order to become a real top player.”

Former Napoli midfielder Alain Boghossian says Laurent Blanc is keen on the job.

Blanc has been linked with Andrea Stramaccioni’s job this week.

“Blanc would certainly be delighted to sit on the Nerazzurri bench,” Boghossian, who assisted Blanc with the French national side, toldTMW.

“It’s a nice place with an important club – there is everything that you need to do well. Basically, you never turn down the Inter bench.”

Barcelona are keeping tabs on Thomas Vermaelen‘s situation atArsenal.

The Daily Mail says Vermaelen is facing a fight to save his Gunners career as manager Arsene Wenger gets tough with his underachievers.

The former Ajax man could find himself heading for Emirates exit as Wenger starts plotting his summer shake-up, with Barcelona long-term admirers of the central defender.

England coach Roy Hodgson expects Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole andManchester United defender Rio Ferdinand to mend their differences after including both in his latest squad.

Ferdinand and Cole clashed after the John Terry race row.

Hodgson said: “They are very good friends from what I understand but we are talking about a football team here, not purely individuals.

“I would expect the pair of them to do their jobs for England, for Ashley to play as well as he can at left-back and for Rio to do his job at centre-back.

“I don’t envisage any problems. If there are any I’ll have to deal with them but I hope that the long-term friendship will re-emerge and any unfortunate incidents along the way will be quickly forgotten.

“At the moment he’s (Ferdinand)in a rich vein of form. For me it was a no-brainer. We need a good centre-half, he is a good centre-half and he’s playing well so I’ve selected him.

“It’s not more complicated than that. There are no sinister reasons behind the selection or his lack of selection in the past.”

England coach Roy Hodgson hasn’t lost confidence in Manchester Unitedstriker Wayne Rooney.

Hodgson maintains Rooney, who has scored 33 goals in 79 internationals, is a vital member of his team.

He said: “As England manager, I’ve never had any issues with Wayne and I’m pleased to have the chance to work with him in the coming eight or nine days.”

Rooney, of course, was sent off when England played Montenegro in aEuro 2012 qualifier and was banned for the first two games of the finals.

But Hodgson does not foresee problems when England return to Montenegro for the game on March 26.

He said: “I don’t think I will speak to him personally on the matter because he is more than aware.

“You don’t forget your sendings-off.

“On the other hand, I want to emphasise that his disciplinary record, ignoring that occasion which he paid dearly for, has actually been very good.

“Wayne has not let me down as a player so I have no reason to doubt him.

“He’s scoring goals and there’s no reason for his confidence to be fragile. He’s so experienced.”