Champions League

COPENHAGEN boss Jacob Neestrup reckons last night’s win over Manchester United was his side’s “weakest” Champions League group stage performance of the season so far.The Danish champions came back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to dramatically defeat the three-time champions of Europe 4-3.
Jacob Neestrup guided his side to a 4-3 win over Man UtdCredit: Rex
The result saw the Red Devils fall to the bottom of Group ACredit: Getty
Roony Bardghji’s 87th minute strike sealed a significant scalp for Copenhagen.
But their manager Neestrup believes it’s the worst his team has played in Group A.
Speaking after the game, the 35-year-old said: “For me as Copenhagen coach, it was by far the weakest performance in the group stage so far.
“So if you take the picture today we maybe didn’t deserve three or even one point.
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“But if you take it over four rounds then it is very very well deserved that Copenhagen is in second place because I believe we have been the second best team, not today, but over four games.”
Copenhagen drew 2-2 with Galatasaray in Turkey on matchday one, before narrowly losing 2-1 at home to Bayern Munich next time out.
Their unfortunate 1-0 loss at Old Trafford followed, before the 4-3 triumph against United yesterday.
The result leaves Copenhagen second in the group, level on four points with Galatasaray, eight behind Bayern and one ahead of United.
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Next time out they travel to Munich, before hosting Galatasaray on matchday six.
After last night’s defeat, which saw Marcus Rashford controversially sent off on 42 minutes with his side leading 2-0, Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag vowed that his side’s fortunes will turn around.
He said: “This squad is resilient. The whole season, so many decisions are against us, so many setbacks for injuries.
“Every time there is a spirit, there is a fight and we will keep going because I am sure and I said to the lads it will turn – on one moment in the season it will turn in our favour.”
United host Luton on Saturday, having lost nine of their 17 matches in all competitions so far this term.
Erik ten Hag’s side have lost nine of their 17 games this seasonCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans have spotted Andre Onana’s unusual reaction to Bruno Fernandes’ penalty last night.The Red Devils lost 4-3 in Copenhagen, leaving their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.
A fan in the crowd captured Andre Onana’s reactionCredit: X
The Cameroonian’s expression remained deadpanCredit: X
Ten-man United had led 3-2 on the night, courtesy of Bruno Fernandes’ 69th minute penalty.
But, in footage taken from the crowd, Onana can be seen not even watching the Portuguese’s spot kick.
Instead the Cameroonian stared deadpan into the crowd.
Sharing the clip to social media a fan wrote: “My Manc mate took this vid last night, what on earth is Onana doing?”
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To which another joked: “Batteries died.”
A third quipped: “It’s giving off vibes when the teacher stops talking when the whole class is being too loud and just stands there waiting.”
While a fourth called it a “Temporal glitch”.
A fifth cruelly joked: “He’d probably do a better job at saving the ball looking that way.”
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While another added: “Man looking like he’s buffering.”
Man Utd had led 2-0 on the night courtesy of Rasmus Hojlund’s first-half double against his former team.
Disaster struck in the 42nd minute, when Marcus Rashford was controversially sent off.
Copenhagen were level by half-time, thanks to goals by Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves.
Fernandes did reclaim the lead for United from the penalty spot.
But late goals by Lukas Lerager and, the fittingly-named, Roony Bardghji consigned Erik ten Hag’s side to a damaging defeat.
Man Utd fell to a dramatic 4-3 defeat in DenmarkCredit: Getty More

A SUPERCOMPUTER has revealed Arsenal have an excellent chance of winning the Champions League this season.Although it’s even better reading for Manchester City who are favourites to secure a second Champions League trophy in a row.
Manchester City have the highest chance of winning the Champions League againCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Sevilla has helped boost their chances of going all the wayCredit: Getty
The masterminds over at Bettingexpert have built BETSiE – a supercomputer tasked with determining probabilities in football.
BETSiE takes into account multiple data points including expected goals and assists and runs a simulation 100,000 times.
Having done all of that it’s Pep Guardiola’s Man City team that have the highest chances of being crowned champions of Europe once again.
The Cityzens have more than a 30 per cent chance of winning the Champions League and are almost 50/50 when it comes to making the final.
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Bayern Munich are trailing some way behind in second place with a 15 per cent chance of European glory while Real Madrid are the third most likely team to lift the trophy at Wembley Stadium come May.
Despite never winning the competition and returning to it for the first time since 2017, Arsenal are the fourth most likely to win it all.
The Gunners, who are top of their group after a 2-0 win over Sevilla on Wednesday, are predicted to have an 8.65 per cent chance of winning the Champions League for the first time.
That’s about as far as the hope goes for the English clubs with both Newcastle and Manchester United’s chances of success looking very slim.
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The Magpies fell to the bottom of Group F after their 2-0 away defeat to Dortmund and are predicted to have just a 25 per cent chance of making it to the last 16.
While Man Utd’s 4-3 loss to Copenhagen has added to their misery and it’ll be no surprise for Erik ten Hag that his side have LESS than a one per cent chance of winning the Champions League.
Other European giants such as PSG, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan all have a small chance of going all the way.
But if the stats don’t lie then it looks like the Wembley arch will be lit Sky Blue when the tournament comes to an end with the City’s growing inevitability continuing to set the standard for world football.
Harry Kane could end his trophy drought if Bayern Munich win the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
Manchester United’s chances of success are slim following their 4-3 loss to CopenhagenCredit: Getty
Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund handed their Champions League dreams a severe blowCredit: PA More

A CHEEKY tactic by Alejandro Garnacho failed to pay off for a second time thanks to en eagle-eyed FC Copenhagen star.The Manchester United winger ruffled some feathers during their 1-0 first leg win when he intentionally scuffed the penalty spot just before Jacob Larsson’s missed spot kick.
Denis Vavro kept a close eye on Alejandro Garnacho on WednesdayCredit: Getty
Garnacho angered some when he seemed to intentionally scuff the penalty spot during their first leg win against CopenhagenCredit: Twitter @big_AaK
On Wednesday, ahead of Copenhagen’s first-half equalising penalty, Garnacho again looked to target the penalty spot.
But defender Denis Vavro was having none of it.
He told bold.dk: “I saw that he tried to do something about the penalty kick, but Kevin Diks stood in front and blocked.”
The 27 year old then added: “It is the second time. And then on our track? To me he is a clown.”
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And Vavro wasn’t done there, claiming 19-year-old Garnacho “has the mentality of a child when he tries something like this again. In an away game”.
He added: “[It’s] one thing is at home in the 97th minute, but here in the first half. I don’t understand him trying to do that.”
Diogo Gonçalves ultimately scored to tie the game at 2-2 heading into the break after Marcus Rashford’s questionable red card in the 42nd minute.
The Red Devils took the lead once more via a spot kick of their own in the 70th minute, converted by Bruno Fernandes.
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Unfortunately for Erik ten Hag’s side, 17-year-old Roony Bardghji ultimately gave Copenhagen a memorable 4-3 win in the 87th minute.
The loss leaved United bottom of their Champions League group after four games on just three points.
Copenhagen, by comparison, sit second on four points ahead of Turkish giants Galatasaray on goal difference.
Meanwhile, German champions Bayern Munich have walked through the group with four wins in four.
Garnacho was left gutted as Man Utd fell to another catastrophic defeat last nightCredit: Getty More

JUDE BELLINGHAM was reunited with former Birmingham manager Pep Clotet at the Bernabeu on Tuesday evening.The England international, 20, was handed his first-team debut by the Spanish coach, 46, back in August 2019.
Jude Bellingham reunited with Pep Clotet at El Clasico last month
Bellingham was handed his Birmingham debut by Pep ClotetCredit: PA
He went on to feature 44 times for the Blues before he joined Borussia Dortmund the following summer.
Now establishing himself as one of the best in the world at Real Madrid, Bellingham first embraced Clotet at El Clasico last month.
Bellingham scored a brace including a stoppage-time winner as Los Blancos ran out 2-1 winners.
And Clotet, who most recently managed Torpedo Moscow earlier this year, shared a picture of the pair together alongside a caption praising the midfielder.
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He said: “What a joy to see you on the pitch again and see the player you are, @judebellingham.
“Thanks to @dazn_es and @squirante for the invitation to a massive game like #ElClasico and for capturing a really special re-encounter.”
To which Bellingham replied: “A pleasure as always to see you gaffer, thanks for everything!🤍”
Then on Tuesday evening, a video was shared by Giorgia Cenni of the pair meeting once more.
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They shared some words by the side of the pitch during the warm-up at the Bernabeu.
Bellingham did not feature in the game as Real Madrid claimed a 3-0 win over Braga to book their place in the knockout stages.
But he is expected to return for their LaLiga clash at home to Valencia on Saturday.
Bellingham has scored 13 goals and provided three assists in 14 games since joining Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men sit second in the LaLiga table, two points adrift of surprise leaders Girona but two ahead of Barcelona. More