Champions League

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...

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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...

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21Jan By Silver Emmanuel1 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 Silver Emmanuel2 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 Silver Emmanuel1 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 Silver Emmanuel1 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver Emmanuel3 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 Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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 Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

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 Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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 Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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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