Champions League

9Feb By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez ruled out of Champions League clash against Man City

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 08: Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid in action during the Spanish League, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on February 8, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. Lucas Vazquez has been ruled out of Real Madrid’s Champions League play-off first leg away to Manchester City with a hamstring injury. Madrid announced the Spain international has an issue with his left hamstring and will not travel to Manchester for Tuesday’s first leg of the play-off tie. “Following tests carried out on Lucas Vazquez today by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left hamstring meaning he will not be in the squad to travel to Manchester,” a statement said. “His recovery will be ass...

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7Feb By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Man City name Ballon d’Or winner Rodri in squad for Champions League run in

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 29: Rodri of Manchester City portrait before the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Manchester City and Club Brugge KV at City of Manchester Stadium on January 29, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) Manchester City showed faith in Rodri’s potential return to action this season by registering the injured Ballon d’Or winner in its Champions League squad for the knockout phase. UEFA set a midnight Thursday deadline to submit updated squad lists for European competitions. With a limit of three new signings in the midseason transfer window allowed, City left teenage defender Vitor Reis – who joined from Palmeiras last month – out of their squad for the knockout stages of Europe’s ...

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30Jan By Football Flame1 Comment

Champions League

Man City and PSG win to advance in Champions League

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 29: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates with Savinho and Ederson after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Manchester City and Club Brugge KV at City of Manchester Stadium on January 29, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) Manchester City stayed in the Champions League, barely. Paris Saint-Germain saved its elite status in style. Both had risked embarrassing exits before winning on Wednesday, grateful to be among the 24 teams in the knockout stage. In the new playoffs-round draw Friday, they will also find defending champion Real Madrid or Bayern Munich who finished in mid-table after the 36-team standings was finalized. City flirted with a disaster before rallying to beat Club Brugge 3-1 ...

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29Jan By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Sparta ends Champions League campaign in Leverkusen

28 January 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia, Leverkusen: Soccer, Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen - Sparta Prague, Final training, BayArena: Leverkusen's Patrik Schick in action at the final training session. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa (Photo by Federico Gambarini/picture alliance via Getty Images) Sparta Prague will conclude their Champions League journey Wednesday with a match against Bayer Leverkusen, marking the end of their first appearance in the competition in 19 years. The German champions feature former Sparta players Matěj Kovář and Patrik Schick, who has scored 17 goals this season. Leverkusen has secured a playoff spot and aims to finish in the top eight for a direct round of 16 berth. Sparta, currently 29th in the 36-team standings, was eliminated after a 0-1 l...

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23Jan By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Joao Neves leads PSG to massive win over City

PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 22: Joao Neves of PSG controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City at Parc des Princes on January 22, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images) Paris Saint-Germain showed that there is life in their UEFA Champions League campaign still with an incredible fightback from 2-0 down to win 4-2 against Manchester City at a rainy Parc des Princes on Wednesday. Trailing by two goals eight minutes into a miserably cold second half, Luis Enrique's men only needed seven more to be back in with the game flipping from zero goals to four inside of the opening 15 minutes of the second half before winning it late on with two more goals. Substitute Jack Grealish had given City th...

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22Jan By Football Flame1 Comment

Champions League

Liverpool 2-1 Lille: Virgil van Dijk, Arne Slot equal records in Champions League success

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Liverpool FC and LOSC Lille at Anfield on January 21, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images) Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and manager Arne Slot have both equalled respective Champions League records in the team's 2-1 win over Lille this evening. On a largely stress-free night, Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead, before Lille, who went into the night 21-games unbeaten, had Aissa Mandi sent off for two bookings. However, Lille gave the hosts a minor scare when Jonathan David levelled, but Harvey Elliott's deflected strike reinstated the lead just five minutes later. Those three points were enough to seal a top-ei...

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22Jan By Football Flame1 Comment

Champions League

Hat-trick hero Pavlidis stars as Benfica succumbs to Barcelona

LISBON, PORTUGAL - JANUARY 21: Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona scores an own goal, scoring SL Benfica's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at Estadio do SL Benfica on January 21, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) Vangelis Pavlidis stood tall as a chief protagonist in Benfica’s epic UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona, scoring three times in their dramatic 4-5 away loss to the Catalonian outfit. The Greek striker bagged his hat-trick inside the first thirty minutes of the contest on Wednesday morning (AEDT), giving the Portuguese side a 3-1 lead heading into half time. His first came in just the second minute of the contest when he hit the ball home from close ra...

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21Jan By Football Flame1 Comment

Champions League

Champions League: Saliba to miss Zagreb clash

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 1: Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta celebrates the 1-3 win William Saliba during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at Brentford Community Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images) Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed that William Saliba will miss the Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday but added that he expects a quick return to action for the centre-back. Saliba missed Arsenal's draw against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday with a muscular injury that Arteta had said he was "very worried" about. But, the Spaniard's concerns have been allayed by Saliba's progress in the days since. "He's evolving really well," Arteta said in a news conference ...

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11Dec By Football Flame2 Comments

Champions League

Salah keeps Liverpool perfect as Madrid regain winning ways

GIRONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 10: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool FC celebrates a goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6, match between Girona FC and Liverpool FC at Estadi de Montilivi on December 10, 2024 in Girona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images) Champions League leaders Liverpool maintained their 100pc with a 1-0 win at Girona while holders Real Madrid regained their form with an entertaining 3-2 win away to Atalanta in Italy. Arne Slot’s Liverpool have 18 points while Girona are at the opposite end of the table after their fifth defeat of the competition. However the hosts made Liverpool work for the victory and in the opening half had chances to take the lead but were foiled by the visitors’ keeper Alisson. Liverpool struggled against a ...

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10Dec By Football Flame1 Comment

Champions League

Emery relishing chance to take Villa to knockout phase

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Unai Emery manager of Aston Villa talks to the press during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 press conference at Red Bull Arena on December 09, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Neville Williams/ Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Image) Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is relishing the opportunity to take his side one step closer to Champions League knockout qualification at RB Leipzig in an important game for both teams. A loss at Club Brugge and a draw at home to Juventus means Villa have failed to win either of their last two European games after starting the competition with three straight victories. But Emery’s side still sit only one place outside the top eight and a win on Tuesday could see them climb back into the ...

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9Dec By Football Flame1 Comment

Champions League

Alonso: Inter European ‘strongest teams’, Bayer ‘can’t wait’

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 9: Headcoach Xabi Alonso of Leverkusen during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 press conference at BayArena on December 9, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images) Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso admits it will be ‘fantastic’ to face Inter as they will try to win in ‘every possible way’ against one of the ‘strongest teams in Europe’ to qualify among the Champions League top eight. Last season’s Europa League finalists and the Nerazzurri are set to meet on Tuesday in a clash opposing two sides separated only by three points in the standings of the renewed Champions League’s group phase, and the Spanish coach claimed they are ‘looking forward’ to hosting a team with ‘great players and one o...

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8Dec By Football FlameNo Comments

Champions League

Ferland Mendy to miss Atalanta Champions League clash

GIRONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 07: Ferland Mendy of Real Madrid in action during the Spanish league, La Liga EA Sports, football match played between Girona FC and Real Madrid at Estadio de Montilivi on December 7, 2024 in Girona, Spain. (Photo By Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) Real Madrid confirmed Sunday that left-back Ferland Mendy had suffered a thigh injury and will be unable to face Atalanta on Tuesday in the Champions League. Mendy came off hurt in the second half of Madrid's 3-0 La Liga on over Girona on Saturday. "Following tests carried out on Ferland Mendy today by Real Madrid's medical department, the player has been diagnosed with a muscular injury to his right quadriceps," said Los Blancos in a statement. Madrid did not state how long the French international w...

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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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