Champions League

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 EmmanuelNo 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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 Silver Emmanuel2 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 Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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 Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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 Silver EmmanuelNo 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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8Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

PSG Receive Boost Ahead of Crucial Champions League Fixtures Against Girona, Arsenal

The international window hasn’t been kind to Paris Saint-Germain with key players like Vitinha, Désiré Doué, and Warren Zaïre-Emery suffering injuries. After the alarm bells went off with their midfield suffering multiple blows ahead of an intense next few weeks, there’s a sigh of relief. The Parisians have a mix of good and bad news as club football returns this week and the UEFA Champions League kicks off this month. PSG will face Stade Brestois on September 14 and the Spanish side Girona on September 18. Afterward, the Ligue 1 side face Stade de Reims on September 21 and Stade Rennais on September 27 before their showdown with Arsenal on October 1. As a result, the capital club need all their players healthy for these next couple of weeks and while they suffered scares, L’Equipe ...

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5Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Liverpool reveal why three stars left out of Champions League squad

Liverpool have revealed why three of their first-team stars were omitted from their Champions League squad. The Anfield outfit are finalising preparations for this season's new 36-team league format and new manager Arne Slot has named 25 players in his side.Eight of the squad members must be 'locally trained players' while four of these must be 'club trained' adding further restrictions to the footballers the boss can choose. The Reds are set to come up against AC Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid, Girona, Lille and PSV, in the league stage of the competition but some supporters were concerned that a number of snubbed names would not feature in these matches. In particular, many were shocked to see Harvey Elliott, Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah left off t...

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14Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Lille defeats Fenerbahce in Champions League qualifying

Canadian Jonathan David's 118th-minute penalty for France's Lille on Tuesday ended Turkey's Fenerbahce's hopes of making the revamped Champions League.Lille advanced as the 3-2 winner over Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce after two legs in the third qualifying round.David's penalty lifted Lille into a 1-1 draw Tuesday. Lille won the first leg 2-1.Fenerbahce scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time through Bafode Diakite's own-goal to go 1-0 ahead in the second leg in Istanbul and take the match to extra time.Mourinho was hired in June on an $11-million annual salary to try to win Fenerbahce’s first Turkish league title since 2014. He was attempting to get his new team into the revamped 36-team league stage of the Champions League, which he won with Porto in 2004 and Inter ...

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2Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League

Real Madrid Unstoppable, Win 15th Champions League Trophy

 Eder Militao, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo of Real Madrid pose for a photo with the UEFA Champions League Trophy as they celebrate after Real Madrid defeat Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Final match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid CF at Wembley Stadium on June 01, 2024 in London, England. Real Madrid withstood a Borussia Dortmund barrage to win the Champions League for the 15th time as Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior struck late in a 2-0 win at Wembley on Saturday.Right-back Carvajal headed in from Toni Kroos’ corner on 74 minutes before Vinicius fired into the far corner to extend the Spanish giants’ record as the most successful club in Champions League history.Madrid have now won their last nine European Cup finals and won the competiti...

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