Hamburg - Forward Lukas Popolski faces grave consequences if he misbehaves in the Germany jersey again, coach Joachim Loew said in a newspaper interview published on Thursday.

Loew told the Badische Zeitung daily that Podolski "lost a lot of sympathy" when he slapped captain Michael Ballack in the face during a heated argument between the two in the second half of last week's World Cup qualifier in Cardiff against wales.

Rome - AC Milan star Kaka has ruled out a possible transfer to Real Madrid, which this week had been rumoured by Spanish media but dismissed by the Italian club.

"I didn't have contacts with Real Madrid," the 26-year-old Brazilian told La Gazzetta dello Sport Thursday. "No one looked for me. I think I have declared my pleasure and my will to remain at Milan.

London, Apr. 9 : Chelsea FC propelled itself into the semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday, thanks to a stunning double strike by Branislav Ivanovic.

Chelsea defeated Liverpool FC by three goals to one.

The Sun quoted Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink as saying: "That even amazed me."

Serbian defender Ivanovic bagged two headed goals - his first for the club - and Didier Drogba added a third after Fernando Torres had shot Liverpool ahead.

Hiddink said: "It was well deserved but a real surprise to be honest, especially after starting sloppily.

Hamburg  - Barcelona handed out a 4-0 drubbing to Bayern Munich in their quarter-final first-leg Champions League clash Wednesday while Chelsea came from behind to stun Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield.

Lionel Messi netted a brace for the Spanish league leaders while Branislav Ivanovic also scored twice for Chelsea to leave both sides in a strong position ahead of next week's second-leg ties.

Barcelona struck twice in the first 15 minutes against Bayern at the Camp Nou as the German champions once again paid the price for their defensive frailties.

Barcelona  - Barcelona have one foot in the semi-finals of the Champions League after thrashing Bayern Munich 4-0 on Wednesday in a one-sided quarter-final first leg.

Barca turned in the performance of the European season to put brittle Bayern to the sword, thus confirming their candidacy for the continental crown.

Jurgen Klinsmann's side carried on from where they left off in Wolfsburg on Saturday, where they lost 5-1 - feeble in defence and swamped in midfield.

Liverpool - Chelsea have one foot in the last four of the Champions League after they stunned Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield on Wednesday.

Fernando Torres put Liverpool ahead after just six minutes but Chelsea were the better side after that and two goals from defender Branislav Ivanovic and one from Didier Drogba completed a well-earned victory.

Five-time champions Liverpool will need a massive performance now in the second leg at Stamford Bridge if they are to even stand a chance of progressing.