Champions League

28Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Liverpool shines in Champions League to dump Madrid

Conor Bradley of Liverpool in action with Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool is 100% on top of the Champions League after dumping title holder Real Madrid into an almost unbelievable 24th place in the 36-team standings on Wednesday. No one felt the embarrassment of Madrid’s 2-0 loss at Anfield more than Kylian Mbappé, the superstar added in the offseason by the storied club that also was European champion against Liverpool in the finals of 2022 and 2018. Mbappé had a penalty saved in the second half and was earlier dumped on his behind by Conor Bradley’s superb tackle in an instant viral moment. Only Liverpool has started the...

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7Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Mikel Arteta blasts penalty decisions in Arsenal’s Champions League loss to Inter

The Referee Istvan Kovacs of Romania warns Mikel Arteta Arsenal FC Head Coach about his conduct with the Argentianian already having been booked during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on November 06, 2024 in Milan, Italy. Mikel Arteta made it abundantly clear that he strongly disagreed with the two penalty decisions that went against his Arsenal side during a 1-0 Champions League loss to Inter on Wednesday. The Gunners had weathered an early storm at San Siro, fighting their way into a cagey contest. As half-time approached with the game still goalless, Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino rose to meet a cross swung into the box. The European champion got his head to the ball before Inter goalkeeper Y...

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6Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Callum McGregor believes Celtic are showing their Champions League credentials

Celtic's Callum McGregor celebrates after the final whistle in the UEFA Champions League, league stage match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Tuesday November 5, 2024. Celtic captain Callum McGregor feels they have shown they belong at Champions League level by going back to basics and proving a point following their difficult night in Dortmund. The Scottish champions followed up their goalless draw at Atalanta by beating RB Leipzig 3-1 at Parkhead on Tuesday to move on to seven points after four matches. Celtic have bounced back in impressive fashion from the 7-1 thrashing in Germany and thoroughly deserved their comeback victory against a side sitting second in the Bundesliga. McGregor said: “I thought we started the game really well and obviously the goal sort of came out of no...

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24Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Lille’s Jonathan David becomes top Canadian goal scorer in Champions League history

Jonathan David of Lille celebrates the victory following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 football match between Atletico de Madrid and Lille OSC (LOSC) at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium on October 23, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. After scoring the winner against Real Madrid, Jonathan David came through with a pair of goals to help Lille beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday. With the goals against Atletico, David became all-time top Canadian scorer in Champions League history with six goals, one more than Tomasz Radzinski, according to UEFA. David, a native of Ottawa, came off the bench to replace Mohamed Bayo in the 65th, then converted a 74th-minute penalty kick for Lille's go-ahead goal at the Metropolitano stadium. His second goal, to seal the 3...

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24Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Raphinha’s star on rise after hat trick vs. Bayern

Raphinha of FC Barcelona competes during the UEFA Champions League day 3 football match between FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain on October 23, 2024. In the most star-studded game on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League, one star wasted little time shining brighter than the rest – Raphinha. Barcelona's 4-1 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday was chiefly a showcase for the Brazilian's skillset as he scored a hattrick, skillfully finding the back of the net on each occasion. He set the tone in the first minute, receiving a slick pass from Fermin Lopez deep in the opposition half before darting towards goal without a defender in sight. The finish, which came from close range after running around goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, was the e...

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23Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

UCL takeaway: Pulisic delivers

Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates the victory at the end of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between AC Milan and Club Brugge KV at Stadio San Siro on October 22, 2024 in Milan, Italy. Tuesday's UEFA Champions League action served as a spotlight for some of the sport's current stars and most in-form talents, with the likes of Vinicius Junior, Christian Pulisic and Viktor Gyokeres kicking off Matchday 3 in fine form. Vinicius was the standout for Real Madrid as his hat trick led their come-from-behind victory over Borussia Dortmund at home, while AC Milan's first Champions League win of the season came on the back of crucial personnel decisions by manager Paulo Fonseca. Sporting Lisbon, meanwhile, kept their unbeaten run alive as Gyokeres stakes his claim...

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22Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Mentality not enough to beat Real, says Dortmund coach

Borussia Dortmund head coach Nuri Sahin speaks during a press conference on October 16, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. Borussia Dortmund will need more than just a strong mindset when they visit champions Real Madrid in the Champions League today, coach Nuri Sahin said as last year’s two finalists meet again in the competition’s new league phase. Real won their 15th European Cup in June at Wembley with Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr. scoring late to claim a 2-0 victory over a Dortmund team who had threatened an upset win after dominating the first hour. “Mentality only is not enough to survive against Real Madrid, especially in this stadium, against the champions of this competition,” Sahin told a press conference on Monday. “We need everything tomorrow. We need a lot of quality, a lot of sel...

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22Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

‘Be surprised’ – Liverpool handed major fitness concern for Arsenal clash amid Champions League doubt

Diogo Jota of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on October 18, 2024 in Kirkby, England. Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is a major doubt for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal after being forced off during last weekend’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at Anfield. The Portugal international was hauled down by Tosin Adarabioyo early in the first half and received treatment before carrying on. However, he was still feeling the effects of the knock and was withdrawn after 30 minutes and replaced by Darwin Nunez. The Reds travel to RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday night and manager Arne Slot has said it is highly unlikely the forward will be involved in Germany, an admission that puts his involvment against the Gunners a few days later in doubt. Slot said: ...

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3Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Lille’s Bruno Genesio celebrates perfect night after upset win over Read Madrid

Lille coach Bruno Genesio hailed his team's perfect night after the Ligue 1 side beat Real Madrid 1-0 to end the 15-time European Cup winner's 14-game unbeaten streak in the Champions League on Wednesday. Lille played without fear, pressed relentlessly and prevailed courtesy of a Jonathan David penalty in first-half stoppage time to wrap up a memorable win and hand Carlo Ancelotti's team its first defeat in all competitions since January. "What this team did is incredible," Genesio said. "We try to put things in place, but you need the players to believe in the plan for this kind of upset to happen. "You have to do everything perfectly, you need a 'keeper who makes the decisive saves, a striker who scores and a bit of luck." Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier certainly did his job, making a handfu...

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1Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Manchester City stroll past Slovan Bratislava for first Champions League win

TOPSHOT - Manchester City's Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland (2L) and team mates vie for the ball with Slovan Bratislava's players during the UEFA Champions League football match between SK Slovan Bratislava and Manchester City in Bratislava, Slovakia on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Joe Klamar / AFP) (Photo by JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images) Manchester City eased to their first victory of this season’s Champions League as they brushed Slovan Bratislava aside 4-0 in Slovakia on Tuesday. Early goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden put them in command before Erling Haaland’s 42nd goal in 41 appearances in the competition and another from substitute James McAtee added the gloss. City also hit the woodwork three times in a dominant performance that added impetus to their campaign after...

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1Oct By Football Flame1 Comment

Champions League

Arsenal scorch European giants as Gianluigi Donnarumma struggles in return

Arsenal posted their first win of the 2024-25 Champions League group stage with a highly impressive 2-0 triumph over fellow European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain in London. Kai Havertz and Bukhayo Saka scored first half goals to ignite a packed Emirates Stadium on Wednesday (AEST) and make amends for a drab 0-0 stalemate with Atalanta in their opening game of the competition in September.   "They were absolutely phenomenal in that first half," Mark Bosnich said on Stan Sport. "They've been threatening this type of performance all season, a complete performance - and that's what you've seen in the first half. PSG's star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma - who earns a reported $19m per year - should have done better with both goals. The Italy No.1 was indecisive for Leandro Trossard's test...

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1Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Chiesa ruled out of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Bologna

One of Liverpool's summer signings will miss the Champions League clash with Bologna after sustaining a minor issue in training. LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: (THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield on September 25, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) The recent arrival was not present with the rest of the squad for their open session in front of the media on Tuesday morning. Diogo Jota was also absent but Liverpool head coach Arne Slot expects him to be in the squad to face the Serie A side at Anfield. Slot said: 'Diogo missed two sessions after the Wolves game as he took a knock. I'm expecting to be with u...

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1Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Arsenal have golden chance to show Arteta progress in PSG litmus test

Rooming with Ronaldinho, playing with Jay-Jay Okocha and making his Champions League debut aged just 18, it is no wonder Mikel Arteta has such fond memories of his time at Paris Saint-Germain.Arteta was just a teenager back then, sent out on loan by Barcelona to gain first-team experience, but his 18 months in the French capital had a profound effect. LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, applauds the fans at full-time following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) The first seeds about one day becoming a manager were planted thanks to the way head coach Luis Fernandez trusted him and Arteta a...

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1Oct By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

AC Milan Predicted Lineup vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Champions League

Champions League action returns as reigning Bundesliga champion Bayer Leverkusen play host to AC Milan at the BayArena. MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 27: Paulo Fonseca, manager of AC Milan, interacts with Alvaro Morata of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 27, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) The Rossoneri is coming off a 3–0 victory over Lecce in Serie A, Paulo Fonseca's third win across all competitions as the new Milan boss. The win was also Milan's second-straight win in league play following its 2–1 triumph over rival Inter Milan at the previous weekend that has it in third place in the Serie A table. Fonseca will look to keep the momentum rolling in a bid to pick up his first three...

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20Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Champions League: Barca lose to Monaco as Arsenal draw with Atalanta

On matchday 1 of the Champions League Barcelona dropped points, Manchester City and Arsenal failed to win and there were some banner results already. Bayern Munich scored nine goals. French club Monaco upset 10-man Barcelona by grinding out a 2-1 victory on Thursday in the Champions League, while a stunning David Raya double-save ensured Arsenal a goalless draw away to Europa League winners Atalanta. Barca have started the season with a perfect record after five La Liga matches but, hindered by a red card in the 11th minute for Eric Garcia, fell to defeat on the French Riviera. Maghnes Akliouche fired the French side into the lead five minutes after Garcia was dismissed for a last-man challenge on Takumi Minamino. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal equalised in the 28th minute with an arrowed ...

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19Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Man City blunted by ‘giant performance’ Inter in Champions League stalemate

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi praised his team's "giant performance" after holding Manchester City to a 0-0 draw in their Champions League opener. The expanded tournament format, designed to pit Europe’s top clubs against each other more frequently, saw both sides start their campaigns with a hard-fought stalemate. Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi said the Italian champions produced a "giant performance" to leave Manchester City frustrated in a 0-0 draw to begin their Champions League campaign on Wednesday. One of the selling points of the new expanded Champions League format was to bring together the continent's elite teams more often before the knockout stage. A repeat of the 2023 final, won 1-0 by City, did little to set the pulses racing, but Inter will feel they should have inflict...

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18Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Bellingham ‘not surprised at all’ after Mbappe strikes in opening Real win

Jude Bellingham discussed Kylian Mbappe's immediate impact in the Real Madrid side, as Los Blancos started their defence of the Champions League trophy with a 3-1 win over Stuttgart. MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 17: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid CF and VfB Stuttgart at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 17, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Endrick and Antonio Rudiger were also on target for the hosts, while the Bundesliga side found the net through Deniz Undav. Bellingham was making his first appearance for Carlo Ancelotti's side since August 18. Jude Bellingham hailed another standout moment in Kylian Mbappe’s career after the ...

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18Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Liverpool kick off UEFA Champions League with 3-1 win over AC Milan

Liverpool celebrated their return to the UEFA Champions League after a one-season absence with a 3-1 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, on Tuesday, overcoming a shaky start with goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai. MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 17: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC embraces Tammy Abraham of AC Milan at the end of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between AC Milan and Liverpool FC at Stadio San Siro on September 17, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) The Reds got off to an awful first few minutes in the battle between the two European heavyweights, as Christian Pulisic fired the Rossoneri in front at home following a quick counterattack in the third minute, aided by L...

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16Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Official: Real Madrid squad list to face VfB Stuttgart

Real Madrid are all set to kickstart the defence of their UEFA Champions League crown tomorrow at the Santiago Bernabeu when they take VfB Stuttgart in their first fixture of the newly-introduced ‘League phase’. Ahead of Tuesday night’s contest in the Spanish capital, manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced the list of players who will be available at his disposal. The big news is that key midfield duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham are back in the squad after spending some time on the sidelines due to injury. It is likely that both are put into the starting XI right away by the manager. Meanwhile, Eder Militao also makes the squad list despite reports suggesting that the Brazilian would miss tomorrow’s game after he missed training today. Tomorrow’s game will see Kylian Mbappe mak...

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15Sep By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

New Champions League format explained and history of changes to groups and knockouts

Fans will have to get their heads around the first major change to the Champions League format for two decades as the new 36-team first-round league phase makes its debut for 2024/25. While the previous incarnation remained the same for several years, the competition is no stranger to change with lots of tweaks and adjustments taking place as UEFA sought the perfect formula for its prized event. The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League will see the competition undergo the most dramatic change in its history this season, with the number of teams increasing and a full-scale revamp to the opening round. The competition proper will now see 36 teams competing for an opportunity at the biggest prize, up from 32, and the more recognisable group stage making way for an intriguing-looking league phase. h...

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