By Chris Wright

Pies pick of the 15 most 'caption-tastic' photos from pre-Champions League training sessions across the continent(ish)...

"Just give that a sniff Danny, does it smell of broccoli to you?"

Bayern Munich's David Alaba is house-trained, though sadly not training pitch-trained

'The Chosen One' walks among the Ajax squad

"Oh right!

• The Independent proves prophetic qualities in its' pre-CL profile of attack minded Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick. (The Independent)
• Leander Schaerlaeckens is less prophetic but all the more impressed by Ralf Rangnick's attack minded Schalke. (ESPN)
• Zonal Marking is not too impressed by all the ludicrous defending going on between Inter and Schalke.

• The Independent proves prophetic qualities in its' pre-CL profile of attack minded Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick. (The Independent)
• Leander Schaerlaeckens is less prophetic but all the more impressed by Ralf Rangnick's attack minded Schalke. (ESPN)
• Zonal Marking is not too impressed by all the ludicrous defending going on between Inter and Schalke.

Well, that and comedy defending.

By AVI CREDITOR

Sergio Santana's goal in the 57th minute was the difference, as Monterrey held serve at home and defeated Cruz Azul, 2-1, in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League semifinal Wednesday night.

Monterrey's Neri Cardozo opened the scoring in the ninth minute, but Cruz Azul's Adrian Cortes answered off a free kick just minutes into the second half to give his side a crucial away goal.

Kenny Dalglish Rafa Benitez Didier Deschamps Ralf Rangnick Frank Rijkaard Andre Villas Boas Jurgen Klopp Other

HOFFENHEIM, Germany Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp has confirmed the sale of Luiz Gustavo was one of the main reasons for Ralf Rangnick's departure from the club. Rangnick and Hoffenheim parted company after four and a half years together by mutual consent after the Brazilian midfielder was sold to Bayern Munich behind the coach's back.

HOFFENHEIM, Germany Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp has confirmed the sale of Luiz Gustavo was one of the main reasons for Ralf Rangnick's departure from the club. Rangnick and Hoffenheim parted company after four and a half years together by mutual consent after the Brazilian midfielder was sold to Bayern Munich behind the coach's back.

I've got a splitting headache that's either down to not having a drink since New Year's or Roy Hodgson's continued employment, so it being January and all we might as well dive right into the further headache of rumours rumours rumours...

* Add another name to the pile alongside Klopp and Villas-Boas and Deschamps, as Ralf Rangnick comes out of nowhere to top the betting sites all looking to make you fabulously wealthy by betting on who the next manager of Liverpool Football Club will be.