Melbourne Victory's remarks about Allianz Stadium's poor pitch could be a sign they're already doling out excuses for an A-League grand-final loss, former Sydney FC captain Mark Rudan suggests.

Gianluigi Buffon celebrated his 100th Champions League game for Juventus in typical fashion on Wednesday, making a string of brilliant saves in a 2-0 win at Monaco in the first leg of their semi-final.

Victory creator-in-chief James Troisi says his team can find a way through the Sky Blues defence.

Victory's ultimate utility and club man would love to be called a four-time A-League champion.

David Carney is on the verge of a second A-League title with Sydney FC.

Sky Blues striker Bobo is set to sign a marquee contract extension with the A-League grand finalists.

• Eamonn Tiernan

A-League champion Jason Geria and former Socceroo Tony Vidmar support Canberra's A-league bid.

• Eamonn Tiernan

Melbourne Victory's Carl Valeri is gunning for his second A-League title against Sydney FC in as many years.

• Dominic Bossi

In a week Bobo is hoping to be celebrating the A-League title, the Brazilian striker is also expecting to seal his future with Sydney FC by signing a new one-year-deal with the club.

England international Aaron Lennon has been detained under the Mental Health Act amid concerns for his welfare.

Ghanaian midfielder Muntari said he suffered abuse throughout his side's 1-0 defeat at Cagliari but was booked for dissent when he asked the match official to stop the game.

• Michael Lynch

Does the Professional Footballers Australia team of the year - loaded with Sydney defenders and Melbourne Victory attackers - provide the best clue as to how Kevin Muscat's outsiders could derail the Sky Blue Express in the "Big Blue" grand final on Sunday?

Cristiano Ronaldo struck a brilliant hat-trick as Real Madrid crushed rivals Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday morning.

• Dominic Bossi

FFA has been unsuccessful in their quest to have the Waratahs match against the Blues moved to North Sydney Oval.

• Dominic Bossi

The "Coach Whisperer" who helped Graham Arnold turn from an actor to the best coach of the A-League season

• Dominic Bossi

A-League clubs have walked out of a meeting with Football Federation Australia after rejecting a redistribution offer from head office.

Liverpool's Emre Can produced a goal of stunning brilliance to earn a crucial 1-0 victory at Watford to boost the Reds' push for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

• Dominic Bossi

Milos Ninkovic was named the Johnny Warren Medal winner, one of three individual awards for the Sky Blues.

Chelsea have kept their noses in front in the race for the Premier League title as they won 3-0 at Everton on Sunday.

• Dominic Bossi

FFA will give clubs the biggest indication yet of their share of the broadcast deal but owners are prepared for the grant to come in well under their demands.

• Michael Lynch

So the form book works out again, as it invariably does in the A-League championship race.

• Michael Lynch

It was the enormous confidence of Melbourne Victory's record-breaking striker Besart Berisha which put Kevin Muscat's team into the A-League grand final, and it is the same reserves of belief which can power them to an upset victory, the Kosovan hit man believes.

• Dominic Bossi

The Sky Blues captain says has never played in a team as strong and unified as this Sydney FC squad.

• Michael Lynch

A confident Kevin Muscat, pumped by the semi-final win over Brisbane, declared that Melbourne Victory could end Sydney FC's record-breaking season in misery.

• Michael Lynch

Hard-fought 1-0 semi final win ensures Kevin Muscat's team will progress to an A-League Grand Final showdown with Premiers Sydney FC.

• Dominic Bossi

Former Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson has launched a scathing attack on the Sydney FC defender.

• Michael Cockerill

Twenty-four hours before the grand final, there's a Super Rugby game at Allianz Stadium.

Bayern Munich have celebrated a record-extending fifth consecutive Bundesliga title after crushing VfL Wolfsburg 6-0 to open up an unassailable 10-point lead over second-placed RB Leipzig with three matches remaining.

Sunderland's 10-year stay in the Premier League has come to an end after they lost 1-0 at home to Bournemouth, leaving them 13 points adrift with four games remaining after Hull City held on for a goalless draw at Southampton.