Champions League

ARSENAL star Riccardo Calafiori hobbled off injured against Shakhtar Donetsk.The Gunners won their third Champions League game of the season 1-0 – but the victory was dampened due to the defender appearing to hurt his knee.Riccardo Calafiori appeared to hurt his knee vs ShakhtarCredit: GettyThe defender receieved treatment but could not continueCredit: GettyHe hobbled off and was replaced by Myles Lewis-SkellyCredit: GettyWith 68 minutes on the clock, Calafiori slipped and appeared to twist his leg on his way down.The Italian briefly tried to soldier on after receiving treatment but immediately signalled to the bench that he would have to come off.Team-mates Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard consoled him while he grimaced. Calafiori was replaced by wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the 18-year-old’s introduction was delayed after the fourth official demanded he took out an ear piercing.Calafiori has struggled with knee issues already this season and was seen wearing strapping after the win over Leicester in September.His injury could speed up the return of Oleksandr Zinchenko from a knock.The Ukrainian was named on the bench tonight but deemed not fit enough to play.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSZinchenko has not been seen since featuring for ten minutes in the 1-1 draw with Brighton back in August.Arsenal welcome Liverpool to North London on Sunday in a huge game in the race for the Premier League title.Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori reveals he learned English through Netflix and drill music Mikel Arteta called Calafiori’s injury a “worry” after tonight’s win but did not rule him out the weekend’s game.But he revealed Saka was “unlikely” to feature as he is yet to train since sustaining a hamstring issue.Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor GunnersARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…DAVID RAYA – 7Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stagesPushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.BEN WHITE – 6Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team. Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.Marked improvement in the second half.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.DECLAN RICE – 6Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area. LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.GABRIEL JESUS – 8Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net. KAI HAVERTZ – 7Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.SUBSMikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/A More

A TEENAGE sensation heartbreakingly had a record-breaking debut Champions League goal ruled out just minutes into his first game.Francesco Camarda took to the field during AC Milan’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge.Francesco Camarda thought he had become the Champions League’s youngest goalscorerCredit: GettyHis AC Milan team-mates lifted him up highCredit: GettyThe joy was ripped away when VAR showed he was offsideCredit: GettyAged just 16 years and 226 days, the youngster replaced Alvaro Morata up front for the Italian giants at the San Siro for the final quarter of an hour.In doing so, he became the youngest Italian and youngest AC Milan player in Champions League history – and just seventh overall. And he thought his dream debut had turned into real-life fantasy just 12 minutes after taking to the field. That is because ‘next Erling Haaland’ Camarda lost his marker in the middle of the area and headed a cross beyond Simon Mignolet.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe teenager immediately sprinted away in celebration, ripping off his shirt and then sliding on his knees on the famous San Siro pitch.The adoring crowd went wild, thinking one of their own had become the Champions League’s youngest scorer ever – eclipsing Ansu Fati’s record of 17 years and 40 days. Camarda – a transfer target for Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham – was even hoisted up by his jubilant team-mates as he beat his chest for the fans.However, his moment of sheer delight was ripped away from him in devastating fashion.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBecause the semi-automated offside technology showed the striker had drifted just off – and therefore the goal was chalked off.To make matters worse, Camarda got dealt with a double-whammy because it appears he received a yellow card for his topless celebration.How Liverpool outsmarted Chelsea with Slot’s genius ‘traffic jam’ trick and Curtis Jones masterclassCamarda came to fans’ attention a few years ago with his outrageous numbers in the AC Milan academy.He scored a whopping 247 goals in 40 games in 2017-18, 172 in 31 in 2018-19 and 64 in 16 games in 2019-20.That totalled 483 goals in 87 matches – at an average of 5.5 per game. AC Milan had to get special permission from the Italian Football Federation to select him in the squad for a Serie A game last November when he was still only 15.And he made his first-team bow as the league’s youngest debutant aged 15 years and 260 days. While Mignolet got a reprieve for the Camarda header, he was not so fortunate for his howler in the first half.Christian Pulisic scored directly from a corner as the ball evaded everyone – including the former Liverpool goalkeeper who flapped as the ball flew past him.Camarda came on for Alvaro Morata on 75 minutesCredit: GettyCamarda slid on his knees after taking his shirt offCredit: GettyCamarda’s pals mobbed him after the goalCredit: EPAThe referee signalled the goal could not standCredit: X @footballontntThe youngster was booked for taking his shirt offCredit: GettyChristian Pulisic consoled the teenCredit: RexMilan manager Paulo Fonseca also tried to comfort his young sensationCredit: Getty More

CHRISTIAN PULISIC scored directly from a corner – as another forgotten Premier League player suffered a howler in goal.Pulisic, 26, is now playing his football with AC Milan.Christian Pulisic scored directly from a cornerCredit: X @@footballontntThe ball ended up in the back of the netCredit: ReutersSimon Mignolet was the goalkeeper who dropped the clangerCredit: X @@footballontntAnd he broke the deadlock in their Champions League clash with Club Brugge at the San Siro in unusual fashion.Pulisic trotted over to take an inswinging corner from the left with 34 minutes on the clock.But rather than deliver a cross for his team-mates to get on the end of, the American’s whipped centre headed straight for goal.And it ended up in the back of the net in bizarre scenes – thanks in part to a Simon Mignolet blunder.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPulisic and Mignolet have a combined 243 Premier League appearances – 20 goals in 98 games for Pulisic and 80 clean sheets in 245 appearances for Mignolet. The ex-Liverpool and Sunderland goalkeeper somehow allowed the ball to squeeze in.Former Chelsea winger Pulisic lapped up the adulation of his fellow stars and fans as replays showed Mignolet’s nightmare.The goalkeeper got caught out and was likely expecting a touch from an attacker.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut it did not arrive and the Belgian ended up diving helplessly to the floor as the ball flew past.Defender Maxim De Cuyper tried his best to clear the ball off the line but got himself in a muddle, too.Ex-Chelsea star Christian Pulisic agrees to do ‘unbelievable’ lewd celebration if he scores against Man CityThings went from bad to worse for Club Brugge just six minutes later.That is because Raphael Onyedika saw red after a lengthy VAR check.The Nigerian midfielder caught Tijjani Reijnders high on the ankle in the challenge – but looked shocked to be sent for an early bath.There was no touch from an attacker on the way inCredit: GettyMaxim De Cuyper could not clear the ball off the lineCredit: X @@footballontntPulisic celebrated as Mignolet ended up in the netCredit: X @@footballontntPulisic could not believe his luckCredit: GettyOwen Hargreaves Season PredictionsHARGREAVES ON BELLINGHAM“I SAW the Super Cup and Jude Bellingham played the best game of his life.“He’s playing a bit more in his natural position, a little bit deeper. He’s the perfect midfield player.“Jude is just going to get better and better with Kylian Mbappe and Endrick.“I know a lot of people have not seen much of Endrick but to go with him and Rodrygo, Valverde, Modric, Courtois and Alaba, Rudiger, Carvajal . . .“That is some collection of players, it’s amazing.”HARGREAVES ON CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DARK HORSES“PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN, just in the way Luis Enrique plays. He plays such aggressive football and they’ve got so many really good ball players.“I’m happy to see they’re focused on young French players. That’s probably what they should have done long ago.“Inter are really good. They’ve got a clear identity to how they play under Simone Inzaghi.“Marcus Thuram came on a free, it’s amazing no one else picked him up.“They’re not the most offensive team but often those teams do really well in the Champions League.“They don’t make mistakes in silly moments.”HARGREAVES ON PREM CONTENDERS“MANCHESTER CITY have the best squad and they’re using four centre-backs so defensively they’re a bit more stable.“Arsenal need a little bit more experience in the Champions League. “To win the Champions League might take a little bit more time in the transfer windows. But they’re going to win trophies, it’s a question of when.“Liverpool have crazy firepower. Federico Chiesa is an amazing player and he’ll suit the Premier League because he’s crazy explosive.“I’m excited for Aston Villa as Villa Park is going to be one of the best atmospheres in Europe this season.”HARGREAVES ON PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR“MICHAEL OLISE is going to be great at Bayern Munich.“Playing at Crystal Palace he probably didn’t get the notoriety he deserved but he’s such a good finisher and technically really good.“Endrick at Real Madrid is cool because people don’t know a lot about him. He’s still so young but he’s just got it.“Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen is an amazing player with a really unique style. His numbers from last season were crazy.“As a young kid, putting himself in the Ballon d’Or conversation is rare. He’ll be playing at Real Madrid or Man City in a couple of years. More

ASTON VILLA could be undone by their OWN player when they play Bologna tonight.Unai Emery’s side are looking to make it three wins from three in the Champions League after a 3-0 win over Young Boys and 1-0 win over Bayern Munich.Samuel Iling-Junior is on loan at Bologna from Aston VillaCredit: RexIling-Junior is able to play against his parent club tonight so could be a huge own goalCredit: RexThe next test as they bid to strengthen their spot in the top eight qualifying spots sees them host Italian side Bologna.However, Villa may end up shooting themselves in the foot.That is because they have Samuel Iling-Junior on loan at the Serie A outfit.Iling-Junior joined the midlands club as part of the deal that took Douglas Luiz to Juventus.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Villa opted to loan the 21-year-old out in order to continue his development before he ever played a game for them.While this would not be a problem if it was an English domestic competition, there are no rules restricting loan players from facing off against their parent club in Uefa competitions.Previous examples where this has been seen included Philippe Coutinho facing off against Barcelona while playing for Bayern Munich, scoring two goals and adding an assist in an 8-2 win.Another saw then-Chelsea loanee Thibaut Courtois playing for Atletico Madrid and subsequently knocking out the Blues.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSKingsley Coman is another prime example when he made one and scored one goal for Bayern Munich to knock Juventus out at the last-16 stage in 2016.Fortunately, Villa’s fate will not be decided by tonight’s result, though it could serve to be a dent to their aspirations to make the knockout rounds.Emi Martinez reveals Unai Emery’s genius pre-match preparation that inspired Aston Villa to win over Bayern MunichIling-Junior has played five times off the bench for Bologna this season, scoring once.Bologna lost 2-0 to Liverpool in their last Champions League game, while their opener ended in a 0-0 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk.Speaking about his return to England to play Villa Iling-Junior told Sky Sports: “You always want to feel wanted and have conversations with the people around you.”Especially being part of a swap deal, you want to know you’re not just a part of it and are someone that is wanted by the club. “Aston Villa made me feel that way.”On his loan transfer, he added: “It was more about seeing the progression of my career and my development.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I could have had another year where I was coming off the bench and not getting as many minutes as I would like.”So I spoke to the coach and we decided it was best for me to go on loan.” More