Cassano loaned out to Sampdoria by Real

Real Madrid's troubled Italian international striker Antonio Cassano was sent on loan to Serie A outfit Sampdoria on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old has not enjoyed a successful time at Real and had several run-ins with the authorities at the club since moving from AS Roma in January 2006 for five million euros (6.9 million US dollars).

He was briefly suspended in October 2006 following a bust-up with then Real coach Fabio Capello and has had trouble keeping his weight down.

"Real Madrid can announce they have agreed that Antonio Cassano will play the coming season at Sampdoria on loan," read a statement from the Spanish champions.

"At the end of the season, the Italian club has the right to buy him if they should so wish."

Cassano was overlooked by Marcello Lippi for Italy's World Cup squad last year, but earned a recall under his successor Roberto Donadoni.

Cassano scored on his Italy debut against Poland in November 2003 and played for the Azzurri at the 2004 European championships in Portugal where they went out in the first round group stage.

Rosicky reveals emotion at Sparta Prague return

Arsenal's Tomas Rosicky said Wednesday's Champions League clash away to his formative club Sparta Prague will be an emotional homecoming.

The Czech Republic midfielder is set to play against what he still calls his club for the first time ever in the crucial third qualifying round first leg match in his home city.

The 26-year-old played for Sparta from a young age until he signed for Germany's Borussia Dortmund in 2001.

"It will be the first time I have played against them," he told Arsenal TV Online.

"I grew up there. This is my club. I was there from seven or eight until my 20s and Sparta Prague prepared me for all the steps throughout my career.

"My brother played for Sparta Prague and my father played for Sparta Prague so it is a bit emotional.

"It will be strange for me because I have feelings for the club."

Five Gunners players left behind for the Prague trip were those not fit enough to feature in Arsenal's opening English Premier League match, a 2-1 home win over Fulham.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is therefore expected to name an unchanged side.

Striker Eduardo da Silva has not recovered from an ankle injury, nor have midfielders Abou Diaby and Denilson.

Veteran midfielder Gilberto will not be included after being given an extended break following Brazil's Copa America triumph.

Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor, still a few days short of match fitness, has also been left behind.

Benitez refuses to set Torres goal target

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez tried to dampen down the expectation surrounding striker Fernando Torres on Tuesday by refusing to set his 26-million-pound Spanish international a goal target.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Champions League third qualifying round first leg clash at Toulouse, Benitez praised his star buy but also tried to ease the pressure on the former Atletico Madrid man.

"He did the talking for himself the other day (Saturday) on the pitch, playing well, working hard," said Benitez. "You could see the things we were looking for: pace, quality, work-rate and good team spirit.

"After the game he said he was happy, comfortable and expecting something more difficult but he was happy with his role.

"But it's not just about one game, we need to see him after two or three to see if he can manage properly with a lot of defenders, in games at home also, with our supporters, the other teams playing deep and compact. But we'll see, for now he's happy."

Pressed on what target he was setting the 23-year-old, Benitez would not be drawn on committing to a figure.

"I can't say I wish for a number of goals from him. I feel it's important for me and for him if the team can win and you can see goals from all around the pitch, not only wingers, strikers or midfielders.

"I was really pleased with (Dirk) Kuyt last season; he didn't score 20 goals but was a fantastic player for us and hopefully it will be the same with Torres."

Benitez is likely to field the pair together after they hit it off in the 2-1 Premiership victory at Aston Villa at the weekend, although given Benitez's penchant for tinkering, it would be no surprise to see either Peter Crouch or Andriy Voronin in the starting line-up.

England striker Crouch and Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun are back in contention having been left out of the squad against Villa.

The club's website reported that changes were likely from the team that won at Villa Park, with Crouch and Benayoun likely to feature.

"We know it is going to be a difficult game because the French league is of a good standard," Benitez said.

"Toulouse are a good team with good players and we will need to be careful."

One player in particular that Benitez is wary of is Johan Elmander, who scored a last minute winner as Toulouse beat champions Lyon 1-0 on Saturday.

"We have a lot of respect because they have a lot of good players," said the Spaniard. "We were watching Elmander as one of the options for us in the past and I know we can talk about several players."