UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid beset by injuries ahead of Atalanta clash
Real Madrid and Atalanta resume their Champions League last-16 tussle on Tuesday following the Spaniards’ 1-0 first-leg win in Bergamo. With a single goal separating the sides ahead of kick-off, the Italian side will fancy their chances of reaching the competition’s quarter-finals for the second season running. After succumbing in both of their previous home matches in the Champions League round of 16, the reigning La Liga title-holders face the prospect of losing three in a row for the first time in the club’s history. Stakes are high for both teams as they prepare to trade tackles at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium. Real Madrid Preview Los Blancos have only failed to progress from one of their last nine Champions League knock-out ties in which they won the first leg away from home. Zinedi...
Man Utd and PSG turned down chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, claims Italian journalist
Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain both rejected the opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus last summer, according to La Repubblica journalist Emanuele Gamba. The 36-year-old’s future has been at the centre of a lot of speculation in the last few days following Juventus’ early exit from the Champions League at the hands of Porto. Oliveira scored twice to eliminate Juventus This is the third year in a row that the Italian giants have suffered disappointment in Europe, having previously been knocked out by Ajax and Lyon. Given the current financial climate, Juventus’ failings on the pitch and Ronaldo’s ambition, it would not be surprising to see the Portuguese forward move on in the upcoming transfer window. Two clubs that have apparently already turned down Ronaldo once ...
Jordan Henderson and other Liverpool players react to CL win vs Leipzig
Liverpool progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating RB Leipzig 2-0 (4-0 on aggregate) on Wednesday night in Hungary. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane scored for the Reds as they finally returned to winning ways. Jordan Henderson, the Reds skipper, who is currently out injured, wrote on his Instagram story – ‘Well done lads. On to the quarters we go’. Several other Liverpool players also shared their reactions after the game. From front to back lads worked hard for that win! Big clean sheet too. pic.twitter.com/5EIfjjfMer — Andy Robertson (@andrewrobertso5) March 10, 2021 Bring on Quarters. pic.twitter.com/IXMkn4Oo2B — Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) March 10, 2021 Job done! 💪🏻🔴Quarter-finals! pic.twitter.com/oB4NC56xAu — Adr...
Juventus’ €100m Cristiano Ronaldo gamble has failed – it’s time to cash in
Juventus have suffered their fair share of Champions League heartbreak. Having last won the tournament in 1996, they have since been defeated in five finals, most recently in 2017. In hopes of lifting the trophy once more, they signed the man dubbed ‘Mr. Champions League’ himself – that man, of course, being Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is the competition’s all-time top goalscorer and has lifted the trophy five times. Juventus themselves know better than anyone how much the forward relishes this competition: he bagged a brace against them in the 2017 final and scored three against them in the 2017/18 quarter-finals, including a stunning bicycle kick. Ronaldo’s stunning bicycle kick brought the Allianz Stadium to its feet Despite his supreme ability, however, the signing of Ronaldo was a huge...
Messi misses penalty as PSG eliminate Barcelona from Champions League…again
Paris Saint-Germain reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League after seeing out an entertaining 1-1 draw at home to Barcelona, winning 5-2 on aggregate. It was a positive start from Ronald Koeman’s men. Ousmane Dembele had two good chances to open the scoring but converted neither, while Keylor Navas turned Sergino Dest’s effort onto the crossbar. On the half hour mark, PSG got the chance to take the lead on the night when VAR awarded a penalty for Clement Lenglet’s trip on Mauro Icardi. Kylian Mbappe stepped up and bagged his fourth of the tie. Dembele wasted another chance to get on the scoresheet after being played through by Antoine Griezmann, placing his strike straight at Navas. But it wasn’t long before Lionel Messi had his say. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner picked up the ...
Juventus legends slam Cristiano Ronaldo after Champions League exit
Juventus legends Fabio Capello and Alessandro Del Piero have hit out at Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo following the club’s exit in the Champions League round of 16 at Porto’s hands. The Old Lady lost the first leg 2-1, with Ronaldo performing well below his usual standards. He was expected to be the one to lead a second leg comeback, but was unable to prevent the game from going to extra-time while teammate Federico Chiesa struck twice. Then, with a penalty shoot-out looming, the 36-year-old turned his back on Sergio Oliveira’s low free-kick, resulting in Porto netting a crucial second to lead the tie on away goals. Adrien Rabiot’s late header two minutes later was not enough to salvage the tie, and the Italian giants were eliminated. Ronaldo was visibly frustrated in a quiet nigh...
Predicted Liverpool XI v RB Leipzig: Klopp to make five changes, 27-yr-old key star set to return
Liverpool host RB Leipzig in the Champions League knockout round later tonight. The Reds managed to win the first leg 2-0 away from home, and they will be hoping to get the job done in the second leg. Liverpool have been in abysmal form, having lost four of the last six matches in all competitions, and Jurgen Klopp is under pressure to guide his team into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. A win here would give them some much-needed relief and confidence heading into the remainder of the season. Despite their problems in the league, the Reds have been quite impressive in the European competition, and they will be eager to grind out a positive result against the German outfit. Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight Champions League matches and will fancy their...
Juventus knocked out by Porto in enthralling Champions League tie
Porto progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals after a breathless second leg against Juventus. Both sides had glorious chances to open the scoring in the first ten minutes. Alvaro Morata was first, seeing his header well saved by Agustin Marchesin after Juan Cuadrado’s inch-perfect cross. Shortly afterwards, Mehdi Taremi had his close range effort blocked by Leonardo Bonucci, and proceeded to head the rebound against the crossbar. But it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken, and it was the away side who found the net. Taremi won his side a penalty following Merih Demiral’s challenge. Sergio Oliveira stepped up and placed his spot kick into the bottom corner. There was little in the way of goalmouth action before the break, with Porto looking solid at the back. Marchesin deni...
Another injury blow for Liverpool, Barcelona sweating on key player
The Champions League has reached the knockout stage, and the round of 16 features some exciting UCL fixtures. We’ll update this story with reports, results and the latest Champions League highlights as the second-leg games are played. The action is already underway, with Juventus facing Porto while Borussia Dortmund host Sevilla. Juventus XI: Szczesny, Cuadrado, Bonucci, Demiral, Alex Sandro, Chiesa, Rabiot, Arthur, Ramsey, C Ronaldo, Morata. Porto XI: Marchesín, Manafa, Pepe, Mbemba, Zaidu, Sergio Oliveira, Uribe, Otavio, Corona, Marega, Taremi. Can Juve turn around their #UCL last 16 tie? — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 9, 2021 Dortmund take a 3-2 lead into their #UCL second-leg vs Sevilla… Dortmund XI: Hitz, Morey, Can, Hummels, Schulz, Delaney, Bellingham, Dahoud, Reus, Haza...
Boost for Barcelona as Paris Saint-Germain star misses out
The Champions League takes centre stage over the next two weeks as the eight second-leg ties in the round of 16 are played across Europe. The action gets underway on Tuesday with a pair of fixtures that are finely poised. Juventus head into their second meeting with Porto needing to overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first leg. Borussia Dortmund will fancy their chances of reaching the quarter-finals as they hold a 3-2 advantage over Sevilla. Liverpool continue their quest for Champions League glory as they go head-to-head with RB Leipzig on Wednesday. The Reds lead 2-0 after the first leg, and it would be a surprise if they failed to progress to the last eight. Paris Saint-Germain are also well placed to go through as they hold a 4-1 lead over Barcelona. However, PSG star Neymar will miss th...
New Champions League format set to be agreed “within weeks”
European Clubs Association Chairman Andrea Agnelli has claimed that a shake-up to the Champions League format is close to being agreed. Agnelli, who is also Chairman of Italian giants Juventus, has proposed several reforms to UEFA, including a new “Swiss system” format to European football’s biggest competition. This may involve expanding the tournament to 36 teams instead of 32. Agnelli has been at the heart of Champions League restructure negotiations As quoted by the Guardian, Agnelli said: “I think we’re very close to my ideal Champions League – I think the Swiss system is beautiful. “I think it will provide great opportunities for those teams participating in that competition. It will provide the knockouts that are the essence of any competition. “It’s very, very close to an ideal Cha...
Uncertainty for Liverpool ahead of Leipzig return
According to the Daily Star, there is a good chance of Liverpool playing the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against RB Leipzig away from home. Due to the new coronavirus strain in the United Kingdom, the Reds were not allowed to enter Germany, and the first leg was moved to the Puskas Arena in Budapest. Provided the second leg is held at Anfield, it will be mandatory for Leipzig to undergo a 10-day quarantine on their return. On that basis, it looks like the match could be shifted to another venue unless the German government eases its travel restrictions on Friday, something which hasn’t been ruled out. The Stadio Friuli in Udine and De Kuip in Rotterdam were considered, but it looks like Budapest will also host the second leg. Liverpool had a good outing in the Hungaria...
