What the back pages of the papers say - April 24

Cristiano Ronaldo blew a golden opportunity to put Manchester United in the driving seat for a place in the Champions League final when he missed a high-pressure penalty in last night's goalless draw against Barcelona.

Also: Hours after helping Chelsea to a draw at Liverpool, Frank Lampard was back at the bedside of his mother Pat, yesterday as her health suddenly worsened.

THE SUN

Cristiano Ronaldo vowed to bounce back from his penalty pain and send United to the Champions League final.

Also: John Arne Riise is so ashamed by his Euro clanger that he is even refusing to speak to his family about it... Newcastle are close to signing £12million-rated Croatian midfield star Luka Modric.

DAILY EXPRESS

Cristiano Ronaldo was, for once, the villain as Manchester United blew a great chance to stun Barcelona in the Nou Camp last night.

Also:John Arne Riise was so distraught with his own-goal against Chelsea that he refused to speak to his own family about the howler that has left Liverpool's Champions League dreams teetering on the brink... Tom Hicks spent almost three hours in talks with Rafa Benitez yesterday as the Liverpool manager sought reassurances about both his and the club's future.

DAILY MIRROR

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a marvellous chance to put Manchester United within touching distance of the Champions League final when he boobed with a penalty.

Also: Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho is being hawked round the Premier League after a potential move to AC Milan collapsed yesterday... Petr Cech insists that it is Chelsea's refusal to panic under pressure that has put them just two victories away from the brink of a remarkable double.

DAILY STAR

Manchester United gratefully took a Champions League semi-final first-leg 0-0 draw away from Barcelona last night.

Also: Tom Hicks was locked in talks with Rafa Benitez for three hours yesterday as the Liverpool manager asked for reassurances about both his and the club's future... Martin O'Neill will ask Randy Lerner to smash the Aston Villa pay structure to stop Gareth Barry leaving at the end of the season.

THE TIMES

Manchester United took a faltering but significant step towards the Champions League final last night as, after an early penalty miss from Cristiano Ronaldo, they survived concerted pressure from Barcelona to earn what they hope will be a valuable 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp.

Also: The burgeoning rivalry between Chelsea and Liverpool could spill over into the transfer market this summer with the London club preparing to move for David Bentley, one of their long-term targets.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

A rare penalty miss by Cristiano Ronaldo denied Manchester United the chance of a famous victory in the Nou Camp last night.

Also: Newcastle are close to buying highly-rated Croatia midfielder Luka Modric in a £12million deal with Dinamo Zagreb... Steve Bruce, the Wigan manager, has voiced fears that Rafael Benitez could distort the battle for Premier League survival this weekend by resting several key Liverpool players against third-bottom Birmingham at St Andrews on Saturday.

THE GUARDIAN

Frank Lampard returned to the bedside of his critically ill mother, Pat, last night after her condition deteriorated markedly during the day.

Also: John Arne Riise's brother has revealed the depth of the Liverpool defender's despair by admitting it will be days before they speak about his Champions League aberration against Chelsea.

THE INDEPENDENT

Liverpool's co-owner Tom Hicks visited the club's training ground again yesterday in the wake of Tuesday's 1-1 Champions League draw against Chelsea.

Also: Allen Stanford said talks are ongoing with the England and Wales Cricket Board about a possible Twenty20 tournament to rival the Indian Premier League.