The two Italian clubs could face heavy punishments, with the Nerazzurri in particular likely to have their European squad reduced in size
Inter and Roma could face significant punishments for failing to meet Uefa’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions, with an initial verdict possible as early as Wednesday.
The two Italian clubs are thought to be among those being monitored by the investigatory chamber of Uefa’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), which looks into FFP breaches.
In Inter’s case in particular there are grave concerns over their ability to meet the parameters.
FFP measures have been in place since 2011, with clubs restricted in their spending to ensure they make losses of no greater than €30 million over the three-year period between 2014 and 2017.
While neither Inter nor Roma faced punishments amid the slew of fines which were handed out at the end of February to Hull City, Panathinaikos, Ruch Chorzow and Hapoel Tel-Aviv, the CFCB has begun looking into fresh cases in light of deals completed during the January transfer window.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Inter are expected to send club officials Marco Fassone, Michael Bolingbroke and Michael Williamson to a summit in Nyon next week to discuss a significant shortfall in the Nerazzurri’s transfer activity.
Not only are the club expected to be handed a fine of around €6-7m, but they could also see their squad for Uefa competitions at their next entry being reduced from 24 players to 21, although the club are hoping to seek a 23-man compromise.
The CFCB are also said to be investigating Roma, but the capital club have yet to be alerted of the full extent of their overspend. The full judgement is expected to be less damning than that on Inter, but the fact that Uefa have looked closely at the Giallorossi’s spending in the past means they could come under significant scrutiny.
Roma were very accepting of Uefa's previous probe, insisting in a club statement: "We support Uefa's efforts through FFP to ensure financial stability in football – it is very much in line with our strategy and actions.
"Our current ownership took over a club in economic distress just three years ago and were very clear from the outset that our club would be run as a business in order to maximise economic success along with on-field performance."
Villarreal coach is aware his side face a tough task to reach the Copa del Rey final at the expense of the Catalans, whom they trail 3-1 after the opening leg.
Villarreal coach Marcelino has stressed that his team must be very clever if they want to beat Barcelona in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie on Wednesday.
The Yellow Submarine were defeated 3-1 in the first leg at Camp Nou, but Marcelino has insisted that they will not go all-out attack right from the start in the return in an attempt to turn the tie around.
"You can’t beat Barca with heart alone. You have to be very clever," the Villarreal coach said at a press conference.
"We will try to be organised in defence and tight at the back. When we have the ball we have to be daring, precise and quick - something that is difficult.
"We will not go out and leave ourselves open. We have recent experience that helps us so that we can win with a clear idea of how to play.
"Recently, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid - both with the cup tie against them - conceded two goals in the opening 25 minutes playing that way. If there are goals, we will be in big trouble."
Villarreal and Barcelona have met three times so far this season, with the Catalans emerging victorious on each occasion.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus will undergo further evaluation on his knee after leaving Tuesday's German Cup match in the first half.
Reus was injured as Dynamo Dresden's Dennis Erdmann shoved him near the penalty area. The 25-year-old hobbled off the pitch before receiving treatment on the sideline.
A report on Dortmund's website said Reus would be evaluated on Wednesday morning.
It's the latest setback for Reus, who missed the World Cup with an injury to his left ankle, then was sidelined again in November after injuring his knee.
Reus had scored in five straight games in all competitions before Tuesday's cup match.
Without him, Dortmund were still able to advance to the quarterfinals by ousting third-tier Dynamo Dresden 2-0 on two goals from Ciro Immobile.
"It wasn't an easy game," Immobile said. "When an opponent is so strong in defense and is so compact it is difficult for any team. The most important thing was to win this game and to take another step towards Berlin."
Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp said he was "satisfied" with the victory.
"The match was a test of character for us," he said. "We tried to do a few things, we could have been cleverer and could have made it easier for ourselves. We could have worked together better when going for the second ball. It was difficult to play here, every time we got the ball we had problems on this pitch.
"But when you win 2-0 after 90 minutes, then everything is all right."
The midfielder feels he is not at the same level as his illustrious team-mate and was pleased Juventus managed to deny Roma at the Stadio Olimpico
Claudio Marchisio says he is a completely different player to Andrea Pirlo and should not be compared to his Juventus team-mate.
The 29-year-old was used in his fellow Italy international's role in the 1-1 Serie A draw with Roma on Monday due to the latter's injury and put in a good performance in front of Juve's defence.
Nevertheless, Marchisio was quick to stress he is not at the same level as Pirlo in the latter's position.
"There are comparisons that can’t be made between two completely different players," Marchisio told Sky Italia. "We know what Andrea offers us.
"Personally speaking, I have undergone an important evolution in a role which I enjoy playing. With the attributes and qualities I possess, I’ll try to help the team out."
The central midfielder then went on to voice his satisfaction with the Scudetto holders' draw against second-placed Roma, although he feels they could have bagged the full three points with a bit more luck.
"We secured an important result in Roma’s own backyard. It’s not easy to come away from here, at the home of Serie A’s second-placed side, with our nine-point advantage still intact.
"Nevertheless, there’s regret at leaving with a draw.
"We started well and were able to break the deadlock. We created chances when we had numerical supremacy but were unable to put the game to bed."
The French boss has given up hope of winning the Premier League this season but believes overhauling Manchester City is a realistic goal.
Arsene Wenger has admitted defeat in Arsenal's quest for the Premier League title and has instead set his sights set on chasing down second-placed Manchester City.
The Gunners moved up to third place in the Premier League table after beating Everton 2-0 on Saturday but remain nine points shy of leaders Chelsea, who also have a game in hand. On the other hand, they now lie just four points behind Manuel Pellegrini’s men after City lost to Liverpool.
With 11 matches left to play this season, Wenger has not given up hope of finishing as runners-up – a feat the north Londoners have not managed since the 2004-05 season.
"At the moment we're nowhere near winning the Premiership and nowhere close to being in the race, but we want to do as well as we can," the Frenchman admitted.
When asked if the Gunners could overhaul the champions ahead of Wednesday’s showdown with QPR. “Of course it is possible,” said Wenger
“If you ask a team four points behind us if they could catch us and they would say certainly, yes.”
He continued: “It's very tight. Man City are four points ahead and there are plenty of people chasing us in the top four. It's down to consistency.
“We have seen things change quickly in the last two or three months of the season. We have to focus on finishing as well as we can.”
Wenger also confirmed that Aaron Ramsey is fit again and back in the squad to face QPR, while Francis Coquelin will need to wear a protective mask if he is selected after sustaining a broken nose against the Toffees.
Krystian Bielik will continue to play for the Under-18s, meanwhile, and is unlikely to make his first team debut this season.
City's defence of their league title took a blow with their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday but the manager insists he is not obliged to secure a trophy to keep his job
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini insists that he is under no pressure to win silverware this season or lose his job.
The Chilean's position at the Etihad Stadium has come under scrutiny after a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool left the champions five points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea, who also have a game in hand, as well as a damaging loss to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League tie.
But Pellegrini is unconcerned by reports that City are weighing up other options and says that the only time he feels under pressure is when his team fail to perform to the fullest of their ability.
"I never have any pressure about the amount of titles," he told the media. "The only pressure for me is when I see my team not playing in the way I want them to play.
"I repeat, when I signed my contract I was not told I had to win one title every year or five in five years. The title is important but not the only important thing."
Pellegrini confirmed that he had no fresh injury worries ahead of Wednesday's match against rock-bottom Leicester City but did hint at changes to his starting XI.
"The whole team is fit," he said. "We'll see how players from Sunday recover."
The former Barcelona coach dismissed rumours that he is on the verge of leaving the German champions and stressed he is happy in Munich
Pep Guardiola has no intention of leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the 2014-15 campaign amid rumours linking him with a move to Manchester City.
The 44-year-old's contract with the Bundesliga champions runs until the summer of 2016, but negotiations over an extension have been put on hold until the summer, fuelling speculation about a potential exit.
Nevertheless, Guardiola has made it clear that he is keen to stay at Bayern for the foreseeable future and has not been in touch with any other clubs.
"Manchester City? I did not receive any offers and I am not waiting for them. I hope to stay at Bayern Munich for a long time," Guardiola said at a press conference.
"I have a contract with this wonderful club and aim to fulfil that. I have not received any offers.
"We'll sit down in the summer and talk. I am very happy here and this is a extraordinary club
Guardiola joined Bayern ahead of the 2013-14 campaign and guided them to the domestic double as well as the European Supercup and Club World Cup in his first season in charge of the Allianz Arena side.
The Bavarians currently sit atop of the Bundesliga table, while they are still in the race to win the Champions League and DFB Pokal, too, as Guardiola aims to emulate Jupp Heynckes and guide Bayern to the treble.
