Bayern Munich began their Champions League campaign in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 victory over Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. The six-time champions struggled to break down Bodo/Glimt before the interval, but the contest changed when Jamal Musiala fired home the opening goal two minutes into the second half. Harry Kane headed in the second goal on […]
Continue Reading
Sabah’s remarkable journey added a sense of romance to their first Champions League appearance at Old Trafford. The Azerbaijani club did not exist 10 years ago and had finished 41 points behind the league leaders in 2024-25, making their unexpected title triumph last season even more impressive. Manager Valdas Dambrauskas has overseen an exceptional transformation […]
Continue ReadingPochettino believes he deserves to have a Premier League championship on his résumé. He also spent one season in charge of Chelsea, where he found it difficult to earn the full support of the fans. Although Chelsea ended the 2023-24 campaign in sixth place, neither Pochettino nor the club is likely to remember that season […]
Continue Reading
Champions League football on a Thursday? This week’s unusual schedule features Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Roma among the clubs taking part. When the men’s Champions League adopted its new format for the 2024-25 season, one week of each campaign was reserved solely for Europe’s leading club tournament. Fixtures during that period are staged on […]
Continue Reading
After setting new standards in the Champions League last season, Arsenal have started strongly once more. Travel disruption on Tuesday delayed the team and many of their supporters, while Napoli made Mikel Arteta’s players wait for a breakthrough. Martin Ødegaard eventually delivered it with the decisive goal 15 minutes before the final whistle. Arsenal were […]
Continue Reading
Raphinha responded to his Ballon d’Or shortlist exclusion on the pitch, scoring twice as Barcelona cruised past Feyenoord with a 5-1 Champions League victory. The Brazilian was unexpectedly left out of the 30-player list announced this week, but showed no sign of frustration as he maintained his excellent early-season form at a rain-drenched Camp Nou. […]
Continue Reading
Michael Carrick is looking forward to guiding Manchester United back into the “magical” Champions League, although he acknowledged that playing on Thursday evening before Sunday’s derby was “not ideal”. United host Sabah at Old Trafford as they return to the Champions League following a two-year absence. The Azerbaijani side, founded less than 10 years ago, […]
Continue Reading
Mbappe remains a considerable distance from setting the all-time scoring record, although he is currently the nearest active challenger. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the Champions League rankings with an extraordinary 140 goals, while Lionel Messi follows in second place with 129. As neither legendary player now competes in Europe, their respective totals are unlikely to increase. […]
Continue Reading
Football can be absurd, confusing and wonderfully entertaining all at once. On an evening that produced 37 attempts and 13 often remarkable saves, José Mourinho’s current club defeated his former side Inter as he returned to the Champions League with Real Madrid. Explaining exactly how they managed it is difficult, although Thibaut Courtois provided much […]
Continue Reading
The away side held a convincing and fully deserved lead at the interval, with McGinn’s opening goal taking his European tally for the club to a record 12. Buendia also found the net before Jackson scored his first Villa goal, taking advantage of an ill-judged charge from Yann Sommer to put the visitors firmly in […]
Continue Reading