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      Mystery as Real Madrid name ineligible player in Champions League squad to face Man City

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      REAL MADRID manager Carlo Ancelotti has named Aurelien Tchouameni in his travelling squad to face Manchester City – despite the midfielder being suspended.Los Blancos will travel to England this week to face Pep Guardiola’s side in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.Aurelien Tchouameni has been named in Real Madrid’s travelling squadCredit: GettyHe received his third yellow card of the Champions League campaign last weekCredit: GettyNothing separates the two teams following last week’s thrilling 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.But Ancelotti has a huge decision to make with Tchouameni unavailable to play.The Frenchman has jumped from midfield to defence in recent months due to Real Madrid’s injury issues.But now either Nacho Fernandez or Eder Militao will likely step into the position.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTchouameni was hit with the suspension last week after receiving his third yellow card of the Champions League campaign.He was not expected to travel to Manchester this week as a result.However, the 24-year-old has been named in Ancelotti’s 22-man squad for Wednesday’s fixture.Real Madrid were disqualified from the Copa del Rey back in 2015 for fielding an ineligible player.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTchouameni has been integral for Real Madrid this seasonDenis Cheryshev played and scored for the La Liga giants against Cadiz in the round-of-32 when he should have been serving a one-match suspension.Los Blancos launched two appeals over the incident but lost both, meaning they were kicked out of the competition.Haaland slapped by referee during Man City’s clash with Real MadridAncelotti will be desperate to avoid making a similar mistake this week.Speaking after his side’s 1-0 win over Mallorca at the weekend, the Italian claimed: “We are not going to win the game [vs Manchester City] through fitness, but through attitude. City are physically very strong.” More

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      Bayern Munich vs Arsenal – Champions League quarter-final: Wounded Gunners face mammoth second leg – stream, team news

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      ARSENAL will be licking their wounds after recently suffering a crucial blow in their domestic title pursuit – but a Champions League win over Bayern would certainly lift their spirits.The Gunners had a huge opportunity to reclaim the Premier League summit spot on Sunday after seeing Liverpool lose to Crystal Palace.Arsenal’s title charge took a huge blow on SundayCredit: ReutersBayern Munich’s 11-year Bundesliga run came to an end this seasonCredit: GettyBut top-four chasing Aston Villa had thoughts of their own as goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins saw Unai Emery’s men escape the Emirates with all three points.Now it’s advantage Manchester City in the title race.However, Mikel Arteta will be determined for his side to bounce back against a wounded Bayern Munich team who officially surrendered the Bundesliga crown to Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.Furthermore, it provides Arsenal with the chance to deny arch-nemesis Harry Kane from winning a trophy in his first season with the Bavarians.Read more on ArsenalWhen is Bayern vs Arsenal?
      Bayern Munich host Arsenal for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final THIS Wednesday – April 17.
      It is scheduled to kick off at 8pm BST.
      The Allianz is the allocated arena for this titanic clash and it can host approximately 70,000 passionate fans.
      Leandro Trossard’s late goal in the first leg earned Arsenal a 2-2 draw with Bayern at the Emirates.
      What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
      Bayern Munich vs Arsenal will be broadcast LIVE on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
      Coverage is expected to commence from 7pm BST – a whole hour before kick-off.
      Fans can stream the entire action via the discovery+ app.
      Alternatively, SunSport will have coverage of the whole match through our live blog. 
      What is the team news?Thomas Tuchel will have to make do without electric winger Kingsley Coman as he sustained a fresh groin injury on the weekend.Sacha Boey (hamstring), Noel Aseko Nkili (ankle), Tarek Buchmann (thigh), Bouna Sarr (cruciate ligament), Leroy Sane (groin) and Serge Gnabry (hamstring) are all doubts for the second leg.Most read in Champions LeagueWhile Alphonso Davies is suspended for picking up five yellow cards in Bayern’s Champions League campaign.Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta will be sweating over the fitness of captain Martin Odegaard who limped off during Arsenal’s devastating loss to Aston Villa.Martin Odegaard limped off during Arsenal’s loss against Aston VillaCredit: GettyJurrien Timber continues to nurse his long-term knee injury.What are the odds?
      Bayern to win 13/10
      Draw 13/5
      Arsenal 7/4
      To qualify
      Bayern 8/11
      Arsenal 11/10
      *Odds courtesy of Paddy Power are correct at time of publication More

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      Man City vs Real Madrid – Champions League quarter-final: European giants resume their last-8 thriller – stream, teams

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      MANCHESTER CITY and Real Madrid resume their mouthwatering Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday – and it could go either way.The first leg at the Bernabeu saw Bernardo Silva give City the lead before Carlo Ancelotti’s men fought back with two goals in two minutes through Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo.Bernardo Silva and Josko Gvardiol were both on the scoresheet in the first legCredit: GettyFederico Valverde’s screamer levelled up the tieCredit: GettyHowever, Phil Foden continued his stand-out season by levelling the scoring, and then Josko Gvardiol’s incredible strike swung the tie in City’s favour once again.But in true Madrid style, Federico Valverde volleyed home a sensational strike leaving the tie at 3-3 going into the second leg.Both teams will have momentum going into this game after winning their respective domestic league matches on the weekend.So it is not to be missed and SunSport has all the information on the upcoming blockbuster below.Read more on Man CityWhen is Man City vs Real Madrid?
      Manchester City’s titanic Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid will take place on Wednesday, April 17.
      It is scheduled to kick off at 8pm BST.
      The Etihad is the chosen venue for this huge clash and it can host approximately 53,400.
      It ended 3-3 in the first leg.
      What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
      Manchester City vs Real Madrid will be broadcast LIVE on TNT Sports 1
      Coverage is expected to commence from 7pm BST – a whole hour before kick-off.
      Fans can stream the action on discovery+.
      Alternatively, SunSport will have minute-by-minute action through our live blog.
      What is the team news?Pep Guardiola joked that influential midfielder Rodri will miss the second leg against Real Madrid before revealing that he is fit to play after being rested during the Luton thrashing.Rodri was rested for the home win against LutonCredit: GettyKyle Walker made his return to the bench following an injury he picked up on international duty with England.Most read in Champions LeagueHowever, the City boss will be sweating over the fitness of John Stones who is going through current muscle issues.Elsewhere, David Alaba (cruciate ligament), Thibaut Courtois (knee) and Aurelien Tchouameni (suspended) are all unavailable for the Champions League serial winners, Real Madrid.What are the odds?
      Man City to win 4/6
      Draw 3/1
      Real Madrid to win 19/5
      To qualify
      Man City 1/3
      Real Madrid 21/10
      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes are correct at time of publication More

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      Bayern Munich ‘ready to make humiliating approach to sacked boss after losing title to Bayer Leverkusen’

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      BAYERN MUNICH are reportedly ready to rehire Julian Nagelsmann.Thomas Tuchel is confirmed to be leaving the Bundesliga giants at the end of this season.Julian Nagelsmann is the favourite to become the new Bayern Munich managerCredit: GettyThomas Tuchel is set to leave at the end of the seasonCredit: GettyThe manager only has the Champions League left to compete for this season.Bayern were dumped out of the DFB-Pokal by third-tier Saarbrucken back in November.This came after the club lost the German Super Cup to RB Leipzig at the start of the season.To make matters worse, Bayer Leverkusen secured the Bundesliga title with five games to spare, putting an end to Bayern’s 12-year domination.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSTuchel’s departure was announce in February, with the club now looking to appoint his successor.The Bavarians’ first choice was said to be poaching the manager who took their crown – Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen.But after Alonso committed to stay another season with the Bundesliga champs, Christian Falk reports that Bayern have turned their attention to their former boss.Nagelsmann was sacked by the club last season due to the lack of player development, despite leaving them in an unassailable position at the top of the Bundesliga.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt has also been claimed that there are three other names on Bayern’s list of potential replacements for Tuchel.Brighton and Hove Albion’s Roberto De Zerbi, former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick and Benfica manager Roger Schmidt are the other candidates.Bayer Leverkusen celebrate in dressing room as they seal Bundesliga titleBayern appreciate De Zerbi for his style of play, but his inability to speak German and large team of assistants is apparently not ideal.The Italian has reportedly been approached and is interested in the role.Bayern would move on to these options should Nagelsmann opt to stay as Germany’s manager.Outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has not been named as a potential option to replace Tuchel at Bayern, but he is in the running to replace Nagelsmann as the national team boss if he moves back to Munich.Klopp is set to take a second sabbatical of his career and it is claimed that Germany are willing to accommodate that wish and hire him in 2025.Tuchel showed why he could be the perfect man for Man Utd, says Andy DillonBy Andy Dillon
      TOMMY TUCHEL could not have done it better had he submitted his CV to LinkedIn or Indeed.
      Somehow mustering some gumption from the worst Bayern Munich team in more than a decade to stop a rampant Arsenal dead in their tracks is a spectacular job advert for a manager soon to be looking for work.
      If Sir Jim Ratcliffe wasn’t watching from his Old Trafford office or from the cinema room in one of his tax havens, he should have been.
      They may have even sat up and taken notice in Newcastle or in the owners’ Riyadh hub as Tuchel reminded everyone of his credentials as a top-level coach with devilish timing.
      If change is coming then Tuchel is playing a trump card.
      His side turned up and cowed the team that, as far as the current Premier League goes, is the best in England.
      It may only add to the questions around Tuchel that after tossing away the only league easier to win than Scotland’s or Spain’s, Munich have sprung to life in Europe.
      After 11 years unopposed as German champions, Chelsea’s former manager has chucked it in at home in a remarkable act of ineptitude. But freak years can happen.
      Tuchel is an enigma. But that is part of the appeal as much as winning the Champions League with Chelsea just three months after taking the job.
      With no new signings, he took a team that had lost five of the previous ten games and turned them into European Champions.
      With Ratcliffe considering swingeing budget cuts at Old Trafford, a coach who can perform wonders on peanuts would be music to his ears.
      Click here to ready Andy’s column in full.
      Or to read more from Andy Dillon, click here. More

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      Huge Arsenal boost as Bayern Munich hit with two major injury blows for Champions League second leg

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      ARSENAL have been handed a major boost ahead of the second leg of their quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich.That’s after another Bayern player picked up an injury ahead of their clash on Wednseday.Kingsley Coman was withdrawn with injury against KolnCredit: GettyGnabry is a doubt having been taken off against ArsenalCredit: Getty Bayern managed to sweep FC Koln aside yesterday with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Raphael Guerreiro and Thomas Muller.But winger Kingsley Coman picked up an adductor muscle injury in the match and had to be withdrawn in the 50th minute.The club have confirmed Coman is likely to miss the Arsenal game.In addition to France international Coman, Thomas Tuchel confirmed he has two more injury problems ahead of the crunch clash.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe told Sky: “The big downside to the whole game is the injury to Kingsley Coman. It makes me very sad because I know how hard he worked and how important he is for us. “First Serge Gnabry is out, then he [Coman] and Leroy Sane are doubts [for Wednesday].”In addition to the three injuries to Bayern’s wingers, they will also be without another key player due to suspension.Alphonso Davies’ yellow against Arsenal in the first leg means he will miss the game at the Allianz.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSManuel Neuer is also having his minutes managed having only returned from injury for the first leg against Arsenal.The German no1 was rested in Bayern’s victory over Koln.Raging Bukayo Saka pushed away from referee after Arsenal are denied last-minute penalty against Bayern Munich Thomas Muller was asked about Bayern’s injury concerns going into their second leg with Arsenal.The forward insisted he had seen the club cope without its stars before and said: “It’s not the first time in my time here that we lost important players towards the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Champions League, that was the case with Rib [Ribéry] and Rob [Robben] from time to time.”How Arteta made Arsenal horrible again, with Tony Pulis tactic and gentle star turned into Diego Costa-style hate figureBy Dave Kidd
      BOTTLERS, chokers, shandy-drinking southern softies.
      These were the charges levelled at Arsenal when they blew the title last season.
      And even if the actual reason they failed was because William Saliba got injured and Rob Holding had to start, Mikel Arteta clearly took those accusations to heart.
      If his team are not crowned champions next month, the Gunners boss has categorically ensured that they won’t go down being accused of nicey-niceyness.
      Because, as well as being thrillingly entertaining and free-scoring when they want to be, this season’s Arsenal are also thoroughly horrible.They are not here to make friends. They are not interested in being anybody’s second-favourite team.
      And so, six days after stink-bombing the Etihad with a display of Mourinho-esque anti-football for a 0-0 draw, Arsenal turned up at the home of former bogey-team Brighton and s***housed their way to a thoroughly impressive 3-0 win.
      How wonderful for the travelling Gooners to witness Ben White — against his former club — going down as if he’d taken a bullet to his neck when Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan brushed against him.
      White is renowned as a gentle and decent bloke, intelligent enough to challenge the zeitgeist and claim there might be things in life other than football.
      And yet suddenly he’s become some Diego Costa-style anti-hero hate figure, his wife goading the masses by posting social-media pictures of them playing a childish card game on a sun lounger after he’d refused an international call-up.
      Because Arsenal are horrible again. Even Ben White is a villain.And that might just be Arteta’s greatest triumph.
      Click here to read Dave Kidd’s column in full.
      To read more from Dave Kidd, click here. More

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      Kalvin Phillips could end season from hell with TWO European winners’ medals despite disastrous West Ham loan

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      KALVIN PHILLIPS could end a season to forget with European winners’ medals for Manchester City AND West Ham.If City retain the Champions League, Phillips qualifies after three cameos and a dead-rubber start.Kalvin Phillips could end the season with another two European medalsCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunAnd two more bit-parts for the Hammers mean the same in the Europa League.But they might not be pride of place on the mantelpiece.Phillips, 28, joined the East Londoners in the January transfer window after struggling to make an impact at the Etihad.Fat-shamed by Pep Guardiola, his game time was limited to just ten appearances in the first half of the season.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSThat did, though, include four Champions League matches.Treble-winner Phillips came on in the 83rd minute in the 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade then the 89th minute as City beat Young Boys by the same scoreline.He got 29 minutes from the bench in the home tie against the Swiss outfit then played the full 90 and scored in the final group game away in Belgrade. City had already booked their spot in the knockout stages with five wins from five before his late penalty in the 3-2 victory. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPhillips endured a nightmare start to life at West Ham, gifting a goal away on his debut, seeing red at Nottingham Forest then played his part in the almighty collapse at Newcastle before swearing at a fan. He has also been dumped out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the Euros before being sidelined with a hamstring injury as his season goes from bad to worse.West Ham boss David Moyes slams Bayer Leverkusen’s bench as ‘a disgrace’ for what they did during fiery clashKarren Brady on West Ham breaking into Big Six

      THERE are unofficial guarantees in the future of our league football and they are held by the presumptuously named Big Six, with one or two wealthy others knocking at the door.
      You have to believe, don’t you, and I do — that my team could be hammering at the door along with the likes of Aston Villa and another of the liquid-gold clubs, Newcastle United.
      However, an elite section is not as it should be in the best possible world.
      Despite our ambitions at the London Stadium, the people who run the game must at least try to bring more clubs back into the big-time picture.
      Since the rebel rich blithely tried to join a European Super League and were scuppered by their supporters, the game has moved further towards the wealthier and successful clubs.
      So now the task should be to try to prevent the cliff edge that is forming, not between the top flight and the Championship, but between the top six in the PL and the rest.
      Not an easy thing to do. 
      READ THE FULL EXCLUSIVE COLUMN HERE

      Phillips, though, did come on as a late substitute in both legs of the Europa League last-16 tie with Freiburg, a 1-0 defeat away and a 5-0 win at the London Stadium.And it means this torrid campaign – which so far has yielded just 622 minutes of action across five competitions – could still end with double Euro glory. West Ham must overturn their first-leg deficit against Bayer Leverkusen before facing AC Milan or Roma in the semis – with Liverpool Atalanta, Benfica or Marseille awaiting in the final.Meanwhile, reigning kings of Europe Manchester City are the favourites to lift the iconic Champions League trophy once again this season. Pep Guardiola’s men got a thrilling 3-3 draw away at Real Madrid and will be confident of going through to take on Arsenal or Bayern Munich for a spot in the final. Phillips scored a penalty in the 3-2 win away at Red Star Belgrade in DecemberCredit: GettyThings have not been easy for the midfielder at West HamCredit: Getty More

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      Marcus Rashford to STAY at Man Utd as PSG show no interest whatsoever in pushing through transfer to Paris

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      MARCUS RASHFORD’S future is at Old Trafford — after Paris Saint- Germain made it clear they have NO interest in signing he struggling frontman.Rashford, 26, has been linked with a PSG move as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who is destined for a Real Madrid switch.Marcus Rashford played the whole of Man Utd’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth but is struggling to regain his best formCredit: GettyThe Manchester United academy product, 26, only signed a £325,000-a-week agreement until 2028 last summer.And sources have told SunSport that PSG believe the talk was only used to improve the terms of his contract offer.A source said: “PSG have never been interested in signing Marcus.“And given his struggles on and off the pitch this season, they have given it no consideration at all. He will not be moving to PSG.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS“He might benefit from the noise around a possible transfer going away so he can concentrate on reigniting his United career.”The England ace played all of Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw at Bournemouth.But he once more struggled to make a real impact – let alone match his sizzling form of last season.Two equalisers from Bruno Fernandes, including a controversial penalty, rescued the Red Devils.Most read in FootballBut the fortunate point was United’s fourth Prem game in a row without a win.And they now sit seventh, 10 points off the top four.Paul Merson rules one team OUT of Premier League title race as Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City’s three-way fight hots upBoss Erik Ten Hag said: “We have to win our games and we have dropped too many unnecessary points in the last few games.”But he praised the key influence of Fernandes in another match where United lacked threat in attack.The Dutchman said: “Scoring twice, very creative, it’s true he gives a lot of energy to the team. “He is acting as a captain, bringing the energy and we are very pleased with this.”Tuchel showed why he could be the perfect man for Man Utd, says Andy DillonBy Andy Dillon
      TOMMY TUCHEL could not have done it better had he submitted his CV to LinkedIn or Indeed.
      Somehow mustering some gumption from the worst Bayern Munich team in more than a decade to stop a rampant Arsenal dead in their tracks is a spectacular job advert for a manager soon to be looking for work.
      If Sir Jim Ratcliffe wasn’t watching from his Old Trafford office or from the cinema room in one of his tax havens, he should have been.
      They may have even sat up and taken notice in Newcastle or in the owners’ Riyadh hub as Tuchel reminded everyone of his credentials as a top-level coach with devilish timing.
      If change is coming then Tuchel is playing a trump card.
      His side turned up and cowed the team that, as far as the current Premier League goes, is the best in England.
      It may only add to the questions around Tuchel that after tossing away the only league easier to win than Scotland’s or Spain’s, Munich have sprung to life in Europe.
      After 11 years unopposed as German champions, Chelsea’s former manager has chucked it in at home in a remarkable act of ineptitude. But freak years can happen.
      Tuchel is an enigma. But that is part of the appeal as much as winning the Champions League with Chelsea just three months after taking the job.
      With no new signings, he took a team that had lost five of the previous ten games and turned them into European Champions.
      With Ratcliffe considering swingeing budget cuts at Old Trafford, a coach who can perform wonders on peanuts would be music to his ears.
      Click here to ready Andy’s column in full.
      Or to read more from Andy Dillon, click here. More

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      How Kylian Mbappe’s incredible seven-year body transformation propelled skinny teen into world’s best player

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has entered his physical prime as he prepares to move to Real Madrid this summer.The 25-year-old has grown from a boy to a man in Ligue 1, first with Monaco and then with current side Paris Saint-Germain.A throwback picture of a skinny teenage Kylian Mbappe being interviewed in 2017 has done the round on social mediaCredit: XThe Frenchman has become an incredible athleteCredit: ReutersMbappe clashed with Kieran Trippier at the old White Hart Lane as a 16-year-oldCredit: Rex FeaturesMbappe debuted for Monaco as a skinny 16-year-old in 2015.He even featured as a scrawny youngster against Tottenham at the old White Hart Lane that year, before fans realised what an icon he would become.The following season, Mbappe really rose to superstardom as Monaco reached the Champions League semi-finals.In a throwback snap shared earlier this week, an 18-year-old Mbappe could be seen chatting to a reporter after grabbing a Champions League brace against Borussia Dortmund in April 2017.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe starlet wore his Monaco shirt and shorts in the picture as well as a pair of sliders – and looked every bit the skinny teenager.That season Mbappe announced himself to the world, scoring 26 goals in all competitions.He subsequently moved to PSG that summer, and has continued to go from strength to strength as he’s grown into his body.According to Goal, Mbappe eats six meals a day.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThey claim that he begins his day by eating boiled eggs with avocado.He then has a protein bar, before tucking into a tuna or chicken wrap with salad.Fuming Kylian Mbappe’s incredible reaction to being subbed by PSG in Marseille victoryFor his fourth meal, Mbappe has a protein shake accompanied by fresh fruit.His fifth consists of chicken or fish served with brown rice.And he then finishes with a protein shake.Mbappe has seen his minutes begin to dwindle during the second half of this season, as PSG boss Luis Enrique prepares for his imminent exit.After being hooked during a recent clash with Marseille, Mbappe could be seen rolling his eyes and shaking his head.Enrique was unhappy with his forward’s response, telling Prime Video: “It’s the same music every single week, the same music… it’s so boring. I am the manager, I make the decisions every day, every week. “I am going to do the same until my last day in Paris. I always try to find the best solution for my team. Even if you don’t (understand the decision), I don’t care. I don’t care at all.”READ MORE SUN STORIESMbappe did play the full 90 of PSG’s Champions League clash with Barcelona in mid-week, but was unable to stop his side from slumping to a 3-2 defeat.His contract will expire at the end of the season, when he is expected to finally sign for Real Madrid.Mbappe has put in plenty of gym workCredit: Getty More