When asked about the two semi-finals in a television interview in the tunnel straight after the final whistle, Mourinho told TeleMadrid: “For me the big question is knowing who will play against Barca in the final.

“It will be a great semi-final, Bayern against Real Madrid, and the best team will go on to play against Barca.”

Mourinho then walked away from his interviewer, who quickly followed up by asking the Portuguese why he was so certain that Barcelona would be in the final.

“Because they are very good.” the Blancos boss added, before abruptly ending the interview.

Barca wil first face Chelsea in the last four of the competition later this month, in a semi-final tie identical to the one the Catalans won in Pep Guardiola’s first season, 2008-09, en route to the trophy, and which was marked by refereeing controversies in the second match in London.

Mourinho later said he would be ‘ashamed’ to win in such circumstances, describing the game as ‘the scandal of Stamford Bridge’.

United have opened up a five-point lead over their city rivals having spent the majority of the season trailing. But with his side set to travel to the Etihad Stadium in their penultimate away game on April 30, Sir Alex has dismissed any suggestion that the game no longer holds the same significance.

“Derby games are always important, and it could be even more important this year,” he told Northern Irish radio station U105.8fm.

“It’s bound to have an impact on the eventual winner, albeit that we’re going into it with a nice healthy lead.”

And Buffon believes that Conte’s arrival from Siena last summer served as the catalyst for the club’s rapid transformation from also-rans to title contenders.

“The secret of our success is the ambition our coach has,” the Italy captain explained to the Il Corriere dello Sport.

“He has shown that ambition since day one and has combined that with hard work.

“Conte has brought a new mentality to the club. He has pushed us to sweat, to find strength and to undergo hard work in order to cancel out the last two disappointing campaigns.

“He brings that winning mindset to the club every day based on his own hard-working, committed character.”

However, Buffon admitted that he did not envisage Conte turning things around in such a short period of time.

“I certainly didn’t expect us to have the campaign we have had so far, although I did hope we could do well,” the former Parma man revealed.

“Now we have a Coppa Italia final to look forward to and we will not give up in the Scudetto race.”

Juve currently trail league leaders Milan by four points ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Napoli in Turin.

“I haven’t heard from Moratti since 1994, almost 20 years ago, when he called me but I, probably mistakenly, replied that I was already committed [to going to Lazio],” he told Corriere dello Sport.

“Perhaps he was offended and so I haven’t heard any more. If he calls me back now? Impossible … I do not answer unknown numbers!”

Inter currently sit seventh in Serie A and are in danger of missing out of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Corinthians have confirmed that Adriano‘s contract with the club was cancelled with “just cause”.

It emerged last Monday week that the former Inter striker had parted company with the Sao Paulo-based outfit, after a sustained effort to get the 30-year-old fit for the new season.

Corinthians refused at the time to publicly reveal the exact details behind Adriano’s departure, despite reports that he had been let go because of his poor attitude

Consequently, the club have now attempted to set the record straight, while at the same time seemingly leaving the door open for the former Brazil international’s return.

“In light of news reports on the termination of the employment contract of the player Adriano, the board of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista announces that the release of the forward, which occurred on 12/03, was made with just cause,” read a statement released by Corinthians on Friday.

“The failure to disclose the decision at that time was due the club’s interest in preserving the rights of the athlete and not stating facts that pertain only to the parties involved.

“Even after the decision to terminate the contract between player and club for just cause, Corinthians remains open to further dialogue.”

Adriano only joined the current Brazilian champio

Samir Nasri’s winner condemned Di Matteo to his first defeat since taking over as caretaker following the departure of Andre Villas-Boas last month but the Italian believes his side’s experience could give them the edge over Spurs.

“The experience factor will definitely play a role because we have players who are used to playing pressure,” he said.

“The teams are fighting for fourth spot and we all understand the importance of that. We want to take advantage of our home form and a win would give us a big lift, but even if we manage to just get a draw then we are still in it. If we lose it will be very difficult.”

“It was a bit of a setback for us on Wednesday but it was a great effort. Anyone who saw the game will know we created a lot of problems for City so we will take a lot of confidence into tomorrow’s game,” Di Matteo added.

Defender Branislav Ivanovic is a major doubt to face Spurs after suffering a groin strain but midfielder Oriol Romeu and captain John Terry are both back from injury.

And with games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle among Chelsea’s remaining fixtures, Di Matteo is thankful to have Terry back in the ranks.

“He’s a very influential player for us and we’re happy that he is available again. I’m very pleased,” he said.

“We have the most difficult fixture list compared to the other teams but we have a good squad and all the resources we need to be able to challenge for fourth place.”

Hatem Ben Arfa opened the scoring with a venemous left-footed strike before Robin van Persie equalised less than a minute later.

Then, after a hard-fought second half, Thomas Vermaelen popped up in stoppage time to sweep home Theo Walcott’s cross and give the Gunners a vital win.

Arsene Wenger made just one change from his side’s 3-0 win over AC Milan, with Mikel Arteta replacing Gervinho.

For Newcastle, Ryan Taylor was forced out with injury and Papiss Cisse dropped to the bench, with Ben Arfa and Gabriel Obertan coming in.

After an open and entertaining start, the Magpies took a stunning lead in the 14th minute. Vermaelen gave the ball away cheaply in midfield to Cheick Tiote, who slid in Ben Arfa, and the Frenchman cut inside Kieran Gibbs before smashing the ball past Wojciech Szczesny at his near post.

Less than a minute later the Gunners were level. Straight from the kick-off, Tomas Rosicky released Walcott down the right side, the Englishman crossing for Van Persie who turned onto his left foot and slammed the ball past Tim Krul.

The Dutchman went close with a free-kick soon after but the Arsenal skipper’s effort flew into his compatriot’s arms.

Newcastle were holding their own with a five-man midfield and the pace of Ben Arfa, Gabriel Obertan, Jonas Gutierrez causing problems on the counter attack.

Gutierrez also went close after Mike Williamson nodded down Yohan Cabaye’s deep free-kick but the Argentine’s effort was charged down.

Arsenal had a great chance to take the lead late in the half, a corner from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fell to Walcott but, though the England winger’s scuffed effort beat Krul, it was hacked off the line by Danny Simpson.

Former Nottingham Forest defender James Perch was brought on at half-time in place of Davide Santon in an attempt to stem the tide of Arsenal’s right-sided attacks through Walcott and Bacary Sagna.

The Gunners made a good start to the second period, Walcott saw a firm header palmed away by Krul before Oxlade-Chamberlain hit a dipping volley over the bar.

The Magpies were on the ropes as Arteta’s volley was blocked before Krul saved smartly from Van Persie’s snapshot. Oxlade-Chamberlain was looking lively on the left, flying past two players before showing a lack of composure and firing well wide.

Alan Pardew made a change, bringing on derby hero Shola Ameobi for Obertan, who had struggled to impose himself, and the big striker tucked in behind the totemic Demba Ba.

Arsenal continued to press, Walcott getting the better of Perch down the right before cutting the ball back to Rosicky, who scuffed his shot well wide.

However, Wenger felt the need to make a change as he searched for a winner, replacing a visibly disappointed Oxlade-Chamberlain with Gervinho.

The game had become a scrappy affair with Cheick Tiote and Laurent Koscielny going into Howard Webb’s notebook and Ba on the end of some rough treatment from the Arsenal defenders.

Sloppy play in defence almost cost Newcastle as Simpson and Ben Arfa tried to play their way out from the back. Gibbs nipped in to steal the ball and fed Van Persie but the Dutchman was unable to capitalise with a wild right-footed effort.

The Gunners were hammering on the door but were unable to find a goal. Arteta fired a free-kick across the six-yard box which fell to Gervinho but the Ivorian was caught off balance and scuffed his effort wide.

Krul was also at his very best in the 90th minute to keep the score down. Alex Song’s chipped ball in found Vermaelen and the Belgian’s looped header looked destined for the net before the Dutchman sprung into life to superbly tip the ball over the bar.

The Gunners still poured forward in stoppage time as Sagna whipped a fine ball into the path of Walcott, but the Englishman’s first-time effort was blocked by Fabricio Coloccini, with Arsenal players claiming handball by the Argentine.

Arsenal finally got their goal in the fifth minute of added time. Theo Walcott led the charge down the right flank before sweeping a cross into Vermaelen who smashed home a deserved winner to ensure the Gunners have come from behind to win their last four games, a Premier League record.

The 35-year-old has been strongly linked with pastures new in the summer, when his contract with the Bundesliga outfit expires.