Champions League

10Apr By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Unai Emery Makes Bold Claim for Second Leg After Aston Villa’s Loss to PSG

PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 09: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa high fives Unai Emery, Manager of Aston Villa, as he is substituted on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa FC at Parc des Princes on April 09, 2025 in Paris, France. Paris Saint-Germain earned a 3-1 win over Aston Villa in the first leg at Parc des Princes on Wednesday, coming from behind after a 1-0 deficit with three unanswered goals. While PSG showed their quality, could manager Unai Emery be partly to blame for the situation that allowed the Parisians to stage a comeback? After Aston Villa took the lead, Desire Doue quickly equalized, sending the teams into halftime at 1-1. Doue’s goal seemed to set the tone for the second half. Early on, Khvicha Kva...

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10Apr By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

Champions League

Lewandowski leads rout as Barca beats Dortmund in first leg

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 09: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona shoots whilst under pressure from Felix Nmecha of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 09, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona thumped visiting Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg on Wednesday after Robert Lewandowski scored twice against his former club to earn the Catalans a sizeable lead ahead of next week's return visit to Germany. Undefeated since late December, treble-chasing Barca predictably dominated the opening stages and grabbed the lead with Raphinha's strike in the 25th minute. A string of saves from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel frustra...

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9Apr By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Barcelona squad named for Dortmund first leg

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 08: Robert Lewandowski during FC Barcelona training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League, football match against Borussia Dortmund, at Ciudad Esportiva Joan Gamper on April 08, 2025 in Sant Joan Despi, Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona will welcome Borussia Dortmund for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, and Hansi Flick has called up the following 23 players for Wednesday’s game: Goalkeepers: 13. Iñaki Peña, 25. Wojciech Szczesny, 31. Diego Kochen Defenders: 2. Pau Cubarsí, 3. Alejandro Balde, 4. Ronald Araujo, 5. Iñigo Martínez, 15. Andreas Christensen, 23. Jules Kounde, 24. Eric García, 32. Héctor Fort, 35. Gerard Martín Midfielders: 6. Gavi, 8. Pedri, 14. Pablo Torre, 16. Fermín López, 21. Frenkie de Jong Forwards: 7. Ferran Torres...

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9Apr By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

Champions League

Emery relishing PSG tie but wants European consistency

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 2: Aston Villa Manager Unai Emery during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Aston Villa FC at Amex Stadium on April 2, 2025 in Brighton, England. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says the Champions League quarter-final against his former club Paris Saint-Germain will be "special and spectacular," but he is focused on leading his side to consistent success at Europe's top level. Emery will return to Paris for Wednesday's first leg having managed the newly crowned Ligue 1 champions from 2016 to 2018, leading them to a league title in the 2017-18 season. The Spaniard, who took charge of Villa in 2022, guided the Birmingham side to their first appearance in Europe's elite club competition in over four decades and now hopes to extend thei...

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9Apr By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Stunning Rice double fires Arsenal to 3-0 win over Real Madrid

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Declan Rice scores Arsenal's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Emirates Stadium on April 08, 2025 in London, England. Declan Rice's two fantastic freekicks and a striker's finish from Mikel Merino gave Arsenal an emphatic 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium. The hosts had the better of the first half as Real began slowly, with Eduardo Camavinga almost conceding a calamitous own goal when he blocked Antonio Rudiger's clearance before Thomas Partey shot straight at Thibault Courtois. Real grew into the contest and threatened on the break, though their few opportunities came from Arsenal errors and ...

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8Apr By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

De Jong revival helping Barca dream as Dortmund visit

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 02: Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona reacts during the La Liga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on April 02, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Barcelona's improvement under Hansi Flick helped Frenkie de Jong return to form and in return the Dutchman's presence has allowed his club to aspire to new heights this season. The Catalan giants are in contention for a possible quadruple and host Borussia Dortmund in a Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday. Since De Jong has reestablished himself, Barcelona have stepped up a gear, battling their way back to the top of La Liga as well as sailing onwards in Europe. They last won the Champions League in 2015 and after a catalogue of humiliations find themselves back a...

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7Apr By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Arsenal vs Real Madrid early injury news as 9 ruled out and 4 doubts

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, applauds the fans following the team's draw during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on April 05, 2025 in Liverpool, England. A look at the injury news surrounding Arsenal and Real Madrid as they prepare to face off in the Champions League. Arsenal now turn their attention to a Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium after their draw with Everton on Saturday. The Gunners will be prioritising the Champions League at this stage having fallen out of the Premier League title race, but they will have to earn their spot in the next round, facing the current champions. Though, Los Blancos suffered a setback of their own on Saturday, losing at home t...

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13Mar By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

Champions League

Real Madrid reach Champions League quarter-finals after penalty drama

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 12: Antonio Rüdiger of Real Madrid (L) helps Ángel Correa of Atletico (R) during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 second leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid C.F. at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on March 12, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico 4-2 on penalties to reach the Champions League quarter-finals following an enthralling last-16 tie which ended 2-2 after extra time in a raucous atmosphere at Metropolitano on Wednesday. Antonio Rudiger converted the winning spot-kick for Real after their second-leg match finished 1-0 to Atletico thanks to an early goal from midfielder Conor Gallagher after Vinicius Jr. missed a late second-half penalty for Real. Atletico were fuming after fo...

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12Mar By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

Champions League

Champions League: Inter oust Feyenoord, ease into quarters

Milan, Italy - March 11: Marcus Thuram of Fc Internazionale celebrates after winning the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro) on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Sportinfoto/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) Inter Milan, Italy's only representative left in the Champions League, cruised into the quarter-finals on Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over Feyenoord at San Siro to progress 4-1 on aggregate. Marcus Thuram scored a exceptional goal and Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty to set up a clash in the last eight with German giants Bayern Munich.

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11Mar By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

Champions League

Capello: ‘Guardiola’s arrogance cost him several Champions League titles’

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 8: Josep Guardiola Manager of Manchester City reacts during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Manchester City FC at City Ground on March 8, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images) Fabio Capello admitted that Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona marked one of the three ‘football revolutions’ that he experienced in his lifetime, but was also very critical of the current Manchester City manager, suggesting his ‘arrogance’ and desire to be ‘the main character’ ended up damaging his career.“ I really appreciated Guardiola as a coach; he did beautiful things,” Capello told Spanish newspaper El Mundo in an interview.“I have experienced three revolutions in football, roughly one every twenty years: Cruyff’s Ajax, Sac...

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11Mar By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

Champions League

Barca squad named for Benfica 2nd leg

SANT JOAN DESPI, SPAIN - MARCH 10: Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona attends his press conference during the training day of FC Barcelona ahead the UEFA Champions League, football match against SL Benfica at Ciudad Esportiva Joan Gamper on March 10, 2025 in Sant Joan Despi, Barcelona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images) Barcelona will face Benfica in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, and Hansi Flick has called up the following 23 players for Tuesday’s game: Goalkeepers: 13. Iñaki Peña, 25. Wojciech Szczesny, 31. Diego Kochen Defenders: 3. Alejandro Balde, 4. Ronald Araujo, 5. Iñigo Martínez, 23. Jules Kounde, 24. Eric García, 32. Héctor Fort, 35. Gerard Martín Midfielders: 6. Gavi, 8. Pedri, 14. Pablo Torre, 16. Fermín Ló...

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6Mar By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

Champions League

Raphinha returns to haunt Benfica again with long-range stunner

LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 5: Raphinha Dias of Barcelona celebrates his goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first Leg match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on March 5, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. Raphinha has scored another goal against Benfica in a challenging first leg of the Champions League round of 16. The Brazilian winger intercepted a poor pass given by Antonio Silva in order to unleash an unstoppable shot towards the Portuguese's goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. While the Ukrainian did not have a chance to save the strike, the ball hit the bottom right corner to hand Barcelona a crucial away win at Estadio da Luz. Raphinha's winner comes after the Catalans were reduced to 10 men after Pau Cubarsi was sent ...

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6Mar By Silver Emmanuel5 Comments

Champions League

Liverpool stuns Paris St. Germain late in first leg of Champions League clash

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 5: Harvey Elliott of Liverpool scores his goal to make it 0-1 during the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint Germain v Liverpool at the Parc des Princes on March 5, 2025 in Paris France. Liverpool substitute Harvey Elliott scored a last-gasp winner 47 seconds after coming on to help his side earn a fortunate 1-0 win against Paris St. Germain, which outplayed the Premier League leader during the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday. Elliott slotted home in the 87th minute against the run of play after a pass from fellow substitute Darwin Nunez for a victory in Paris that Liverpool hardly deserved after goalkeeper Alisson kept it in the game with a string of magnificent saves. Liverpool's goal was its first shot on target and sec...

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5Mar By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

Champions League

Inter’s strike force seize control of Champions League last-16 tie

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - MARCH 5: Marcus Thuram of Internazionale celebrates 0-1 with Kristjan Asllani of Internazionale , Lautaro Martinez of Internazionale , Alessandro Bastoni of Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League match between Feyenoord v Internazionale at the Stadium Feijenoord on March 5, 2025 in Rotterdam Netherlands (Photo by Jeroen van den Berg/Soccrates/Getty Images) Inter Milan's powerful strike duo of Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez combined to give the Italians a handy 2-0 advantage over Dutch side Feyenoord after an absorbing Champions League last-16 first leg Wednesday. Quality finishes either side of half-time from the French and Argentinian strikers proved the difference between the two teams, who meet again in Milan for Tuesday's second leg, with the w...

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5Mar By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

Champions League

Arsenal path to Champions League final as Madrid showdown looms

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta applauds his side's travelling supporters at the end of the match during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Arsenal FC at City Ground on February 26, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images) Arsenal can have one eye on the Champions League quarter-finals after a sensational display against PSV on Tuesday night. The Gunners beat the Dutch side 7-1 in Eindhoven on a remarkable night, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side in complete control of the last-16 tie ahead of next week’s second leg in north London. A place in the quarter-finals is effectively guaranteed but it will be a significant step up for Arsenal. The Gunners will take on either Real Madrid or Atletico Ma...

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4Mar By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

Champions League

Aston Villa’s late double secures advantage over Club Brugge

BRUGGE, BELGIUM - MARCH 4: Marco Asensio of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between Club Brugge KV and Aston Villa FC at Jan Breydelstadion on March 4, 2025 in Brugge, Belgium (Photo by Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images) Aston Villa hit two goals in the final 10 minutes to put one foot in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after a 3-1 win against Club Brugge in the last-16 first leg. Villa are enjoying a dream debut season in Europe’s premier club competition and only a second-leg collapse on home soil next Wednesday will deny them a last-eight meeting with either Liverpool or Paris St Germain. The tone for a glorious night in Belgium was set after just 135 seconds whe...

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18Feb By Silver Emmanuel5 Comments

Champions League

Feyenoord knock AC Milan out of Champions League

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 18: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan competes for the ball with Gijs Smal of Feyenoord during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between AC Milan and Feyenoord at on February 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) AC Milan crashed out of the Champions League after being held to a draw by Feyenoord in the second leg of their knockout play-off at San Siro Stadium. The Italians wiped out a 1-0 deficit in last week's first leg after just 36 seconds as Santiago Gimenez netted against his former club with the fastest goal in this season's Champions League. But Milan full-back Theo Hernandez was sent off in the 51st minute for two yellow cards and Feyenoord substitute Julian Carranza headed in t...

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17Feb By Silver Emmanuel39 Comments

Champions League

Rodgers urges Celtic to be bold against Bayern

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seen at full time during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee United FC at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers urged his underdog side not to die wondering in Tuesday's must-win Champions League second-leg away at Bayern Munich. Harry Kane and Bayern Munich dominated most of the first leg of their Champions League playoff at Celtic Park. Bayern are in the driver's seat for a spot in the last 16 after a 2-1 win at Celtic Park on Wednesday. Under this season's new Champions League format, Celtic made it out of the group stage for the first time since 2012-13, finishing 21st in the table. But their progress has come in spite of poor away form in Eu...

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14Feb By Silver Emmanuel39 Comments

Champions League

Harry Kane: We knew the atmosphere would give Celtic momentum

Glasgow, United Kingdom - February 12: Auston Trusty of Celtic FC and Harry Kane of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and FC Bayern München at Celtic Park on February 12, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane spoke to TNT Sports after his side’s 2-1 victory over Celtic in the Champions League knockout playoffs on Wednesday evening. The England skipper put the visitors on a path to victory following his well-executed volley nestled past a helpless Kasper Schmeichel in the Celtic net shortly after the interval. The six-time winners of the competition displayed their qualities throughout the 97 minutes in ball possession and chance creation, but Daizen Maeda’s late ...

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12Feb By Silver Emmanuel6 Comments

Champions League

Arsenal Champions League path becomes clearer as Mikel Arteta awaits draw

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Arsenal FC at Molineux on January 25, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. Arsenal can cautiously start to prepare for a potential Champions League last-16 meeting after Juventus and PSV Eindhoven were involved in the first play-off ties of the season. Mikel Arteta's side are taking their chance to rest and recover. Left without a game this week due to a premature FA Cup exit last month, Arsenal bypassed the need for a further two-legged knockout tie in Europe by finishing third in the group phase. They were behind only Barcelona and Liverpool at the summit of the 36-team league. The top eight sides secured safe passage into the last-16, which sta...

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