Champions League

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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 ...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

4Mar By Silver Emmanuel4 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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

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 ...

Read More

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...

Read More

12Feb By Silver Emmanuel37 Comments

Champions League

Real Madrid’s Bellingham strikes late in win over Man City

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid (R) on the ball challenged by Bernardo Silva of Manchester City (L) during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid C.F. at Manchester City Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Manchester, England. Real Madrid’s Galacticos just don’t know when they are beaten. Manchester City just keep on making the same mistakes. Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time goal sealed a stunning comeback for Madrid and a 3-2 lead in its Champions League playoff against City. In six frantic minutes at the end of a breathless first leg Tuesday, the Spanish giant scored twice to take a precious advantage into next week’s match at the Bernabeu. City led 2-1 after 80 minutes at the Etiha...

Read More

12Feb By Silver Emmanuel6 Comments

Champions League

Juventus 2-1 PSV: Late goal gives Bianconeri the advantage in Champions League play-off

TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 11: Samuel Mbangula of Juventus celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Juventus and PSV at Allianz Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Turin, Italy. A late winner from substitute Samuel Mbangula ensured that Juventus will be taking a slender lead to the Philips Stadion after securing a narrow victory in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off against PSV Eindhoven. The Bianconeri got themselves in front thanks to a powerful volley from Weston McKennie and carried a deserved lead into the break, before Ivan Perišić scored a leveller just shy of the hour-mark. Thiago Motta’s men must now defend that lead in Eindhoven on February 19th if they are to qualify for the r...

Read More

9Feb By Silver Emmanuel3 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...

Read More

7Feb By Silver Emmanuel2 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 ...

Read More

30Jan By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

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 ...

Read More

29Jan By Silver Emmanuel2 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...

Read More

23Jan By Silver Emmanuel3 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...

Read More

22Jan By Silver Emmanuel1 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...

Read More

22Jan By Silver Emmanuel1 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...

Read More