Bilbao will hope that inviting Javier Clemente to take charge for the third time in his career will pay off.In the Bundesliga, the top two meet tonight with Werder Bremen aiming to end Bayern Munich's perfect record - five wins, no goals conceded - since moving to the Allianz Arena.Leaders Bayern have an injury doubt over Michael Ballack and a mental one over Roy Makaay. Ballack suffered a bruised right thigh in the midweek defeat to Juventus while Makaay has not scored since August."Roy has a problem in his head," said coach Felix Magath. "He missed a chance against Juventus that he would have taken before without doubt I mean no reproach, though. His place is not under question."Juventus' domestic primacy is also under threat having lost at Milan last week. Should they fail to see off fifth-placed Livorno, and Milan defeat inconsistent Udinese, the latter could go top.Milan, who have won seven successive Serie A matches, have Cafu, Alessandro Nesta and Marek Jankulovski back from injury.In France, the leaders Lyon, who are nine points clear in Ligue 1 and unbeaten in regulation time in 19 matches this season, play Toulouse..
Robert Pires believes he may have a chance of returning to the France team after his fellow international outcast Nicolas Anelka was welcomed back into the fold. Raymond Domenech, the France coach, has recalled Anelka, the Fenerbahce striker, after a three-year absence, for France's next two friendlies against Costa Rica and Germany. Pires, who has not been picked since the Arsenal midfielder criticised the coach last year, believes Anelka's return gives him a chance to make his own peace with Domenech. "I am very happy for Nicolas and I hope that one day I will follow in his path," he said. "His cap gives me a real hope to be given the opportunity to play at the World Cup."Nico has been good with his club and, therefore, he was selected. Now my responsibility is to display the same performances with my club and live in hope of being called up."One month ago people believed Anelka had to be back with France and he deserved it. The only thing I can do is to be equally convincing with Arsenal, although I will respect the coach's choice."Referring to his criticism of Domenech, Pires said: "I don't have the right to lose the plot, I did that once and I hope the coach will not blame me for that forever.
From now on I am going to to live with the hope I will be recalled too."Joaquin, the Real Betis winger who has been linked with a move to Liverpool, says he is unhappy about being left out of the Spain squad for the World Cup play-off against Slovakia. "I'm sad, hurt and annoyed about not being called up," he said after hearing that Luis Aragones, Spain's coach, had omitted him from the 22-man squad."But these things happen in football and it happened to me before with Inaki Saez [Aragones' predecessor]. It is up to me to keep working hard and try to get back in next time.". Sir Bobby Robson could still become Hearts manager but he has told the Edinburgh club the ball is in their court. The 72-year-old had been strongly linked with the Tynecastle job following the shock departure of George Burley two weeks ago. However, after the chief executive Phil Anderton and the chairman George Foulkes were dismissed, the veteran coach appeared to be hesitant over a move to Edinburgh. But Robson insists he has not ruled himself out of the job yet The former England manager said: "It is still an open book.