INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL HEADLINES

*** Manchester United boss David Moyes has declared Robin van Persie as one of the top goalscorers in the world after the Dutchman’s hat-trick defeated Olympiakos and sent the Old Trafford giant into the Champions League quarterfinals. (ESPN)

***Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has joked that he has more trouble justifying his rotation policy to his wife Cristina than the likes of Arjen Robben. The former Barcelona coach often rests high-profile names such as Dutchman due to the Bavarians' busy schedule. (Goal.com)

***Borussia Dortmund reached the Champions League quarter-finals for the second successive season on Wednesday, surviving a 2-1 second-leg defeat by a spirited Zenit St Petersburg to go through 5-4 on aggregate.

***Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti reckons his players are in the right frame of mind going into the El Clasico. Real warmed up for Sunday's clash against Barcelona with a comfortable Champions League win over Schalke.

***Barcelona's Jordi Alba has described Cristiano Ronaldo as "a beast" but says that Real Madrid should be more afraid of Lionel Messi than Barcelona is of the Portuguese. Speaking ahead of this weekend's crucial Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Spain international acknowledged that Los Blancos' No.7 is capable of winning matches all on his own. (Goal.com)

***Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood will shake the hand of Benfica boss Jorge Jesus when the final whistle sounds in his side's Europa League tie in Portugal on Thursday, but he has refused to end his war of words with the Portuguese tactician. (ESPN)

***Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski picked up a yellow card in the club's Champions League match on Wednesday that will rule him out of the first leg of the quarterfinals. It's a decision Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp finds hard to believe.

***Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United's 'desire to win' was the driving force behind their thrilling Champions League last-16 fightback against Olympiakos at Old Trafford. (ESPN)

***Chelsea ace Eden Hazard was thrilled to share the pitch with Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba on Tuesday night. Hazard is swiftly inheriting the title of Chelsea's attacking talisman which once belonged to Drogba, who is now 36.

***Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho. According to reports United moved a step closer to signing Carvalho last night after bidding £25m for the Sporting Lisbon midfielder. (Daily Star)

***Juventus coach Antonio Conte has confirmed Carlos Tevez will start the second leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie with Fiorentina.

***Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

***Manchester United manager David Moyes paid tribute to 40-year-old Ryan Giggs for a superb performance against Olympiakos in the Champions League. He's a freak! David Moyes hails evergreen Man Utd midfielder Ryan Giggs. (Daily Star)

Good Morning Fabulous Football Lovers. Wishing everyone a lovely day ahead. [A.M.A]