Champions League

MARCUS ALLBACK had a baby named after him in honour of his “crappy” historic winner for Copenhagen against Manchester United.His career was reborn in the Danish capital after he failed to make a name for himself at Aston Villa.
Marcus Allback played in the Premier League for Aston VillaCredit: PA:Press Association
Allback, now 50, scored against Man Utd for CopenhagenCredit: Sportsbeat Images
The ex-Sweden striker consigned United to a shock 1-0 loss by scoring Copenhagen’s first Champions League goal in 2006.
Allback’s scrappy finish was decisive both on the night and in a delivery room.
He said: “To get a first goal and first points in the Champions League against the giants of Man United was massive.
“I still get recognised in Denmark, largely because of that goal. It was a big moment for football in Denmark.
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“It was my only chance in the game. The ball came across and I was going to volley it but missed it, then scored with the second attempt after Edwin van der Sar went down.
“I’d hardly had a touch and it was a crappy goal but nobody cared. You don’t get remembered for how it was scored.
“Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal disallowed and a draw was a fair result but we held on and the celebrations were amazing. I can remember it so clearly and it’s always talked about when I go to Denmark.
“I had a really good story two or three years ago when I was back in Copenhagen for a game and a lady and her son came up to me asking for a photo in the street.
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“She explained she was pregnant when she was at the game against United and decided to name her son Marcus when he was born for that reason.
“It was a little bit surreal that happened in honour of my crappy goal!”
Allback thinks Copenhagen can see off United once again tonight and gain revenge for a 1-0 loss at Old Trafford last month.
I’d hardly had a touch and it was a crappy goal but nobody cared. You don’t get remembered for how it was scored.Marcus Allback
He said: “United will be on a high after beating Fulham but they are not in a great moment. They are not the force they were and it would not be a surprise like it was when we beat them 17 years ago.
“They had many stars in the team but now things are difficult for United.
“Copenhagen have a chance of beating them, there’s no doubt about that.
“They are the biggest club in Scandinavia now and that all started with that win in 2006. United will be favourites but Copenhagen are very capable of beating them and obviously they need the win.” More

THE Atletico team that booted Celtic off the park in ’74 took a bow before kick.Then the current lot inflicted another defeat just as painful.
Morata and Griezmann both scored twice for Atletico MadridCredit: Reuters
Maeda was sent off in the first halfCredit: PA
It was a miserable night for Brendan RodgersCredit: Kenny Ramsay
Celtic were thumped in MadridCredit: Kenny Ramsay
Brendan Rodgers’ side were left bruised, battered and beaten in an agonisingly sore Champions League result.
Daizen Maeda’s first-half red card had the Hoops boss fuming.
But from that moment on the Northern Irishman could only stand back and watch Diego Simeone’s La Liga outfit got their Euro campaign back on track.
Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata both scored twice with Samuel Lino and Saul Niguez getting in on the act.

It was to be Celtic’s most stinging Champions League defeat since they lost 7-1 to PSG in November 2017.
Rodgers had high hopes of pulling off a shock result here too, urging his men to believe before kick-off.
But all hoped faded the moment Maeda was sent off after 23 minutes.
Celtic were already 1-0 behind by the time he was trudging off the pitch and up the tunnel.
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And the galling thing was that it was a goal Atletico didn’t need to work for.
With only six minutes on the scoreboard clock, it was a time for calm heads and composure. 
Everything Rodgers talked about in the build-up.
But Joe Hart came swinging for a corner he should have just plucked from the air.
The ex-England No1 ended up keeping the scoreline respectable with a number of top saves.
But at that moment, his mistimed punch only went as far as danger man Riquelme, who delivered a ball straight back into the box.
Callum McGregor then didn’t get enough on his headed clearance.
And before he knew it, fantastic Frenchman Griezmann was firing a shot into the net from the edge of their box.
There was even a slight deflection off Cameron Carter-Vickers to help it on its way.
A quality team as good as Atletico don’t need that kind of encouragement.
Celtic had looked decent going forward too.
There were no signs of any inferiority complex in the minutes before the goal.
And the response to going behind from Scotland’s champions was positive too.
Maeda looked like he had the beating of full-back Hermoso in a one-v-one situation.
After 15 minutes there was even a VAR check to decide if the Celtic winger was entitled to a penalty after a tangle between the pair inside the Atletico box.
It was another incident which didn’t go Celtic’s way.
Soon, though, came the real moment of controversy when the two players came face to face again.
Maeda was running away from the Atletico goal, chasing a loose ball, when he dangled a leg in front of Hermoso as the two came together.
There was clearly no intent from the Japan forward to hurt the defender.
But in this day and age it’s the type of challenge that’s asking for trouble.
The Slovakian ref, Ivan Kruzliak, initially decided it was only worthy of a yellow card.
But when the Atletico bench saw a re-run of the flashpoint they erupted.
There’s no doubt it heaped pressure on the official when he was then instructed to take a look on the monitor.
That’s why Rodgers lost his cool.
He stepped out of his technical area, furiously pointing his finger at Simeone for attempting to influence the referee.
But by then Maeda’s face was already decided.
The outcome was a forgone conclusion as soon as VAR stepped in and urged the ref to take another look.
There was no way back for Celtic after that.
Rodgers kept two players up top –  Luis Palma and Kyogo on his 100th Celtic appearance  – in the hope of catching Atleti on the break.
There was one moment when Alvaro Morata sliced a clearance inside his own box, forcing keeper Jan Oblak to make a reaction save to prevent an OG.
But Rodgers’ side were right up against it.
Going 2-0 down just seconds before the half-time whistle made it mission impossible.
This time Griezmann turned provider with a cross into the box which was headed back into the mix by Jose Maria Giminez.
It was left for Morata to finish the move like he did when the teams met at Celtic Park.
The second half became backs to the wall stuff for Scotland’s champions.
They knew their fate was already sealed and it was just a case of how sore the defeat they’d be made to suffer.
Hart made a series of cracking stops.
But Atletico’s third goal was on its way and it arrived on the hour mark.
Alistair Johnston got no luck whatsoever when a cross from substitute Marcos Llorente struck him and fell perfectly for Griezmann.
He then rifled a volley past Hart who was beaten all hands up.
It was now damage limitation for Celtic but Atletico were in no mood to take it easy, even after Griezmann and Riquelme was taken off.
Within seconds of going on, sub Lino curled an unstoppable shot past Hart.
There was still 20 minutes left to play but by now many of the Celtic support had seen enough.
But still the home side wanted more.
In 76 minutes Morata smashed home his second of the night with another shot Hart couldn’t get near.
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It still wasn’t over with Saul finishing inside the six yard box to make it a 6-0 defeat to leave Celtic’s Euro hopes hanging by a thread.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

ERLING HAALAND has been left less than impressed after being asked for his shirt at half-time.As he walked off the pitch at Etihad Stadium with Manchester City 2-0 up over Young Boys, the Norwegian was approached by defender Mohamed Ali Camara.
Erling Haaland was asked for his shirt by Young Boys captain Mohamed Ali Camara at half-timeCredit: TNT Sports
The Manchester City ace looked less than impressed during the exchangeCredit: TNT Sports

With cameras following their every step, the 26-year-old Young Boys captain asked Haaland for his shirt as they approached the tunnel.
Haaland could be heard responding “you can’t do this,” but as Camara persisted, the 23-year-old did hand over his shirt.
Camara subsequently patted Haaland on the back as they headed to the changing rooms.
Fans were left divided by the move, heading to X, formerly known as Twiter, to debate the incident.
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One such fan said: “Ridiculous!!! End of game yes but at half time ????”
Another agreed, commenting: “A player should be focused on the match and not that if you ask me.”
By comparison, one added: “Why not, if I was in Young Boys I would too.”
While a fourth wrote: “No time to wait. Every opportunity you have, grab it.”
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In the second half, Haaland added his second of the night in the 51st minute with a wonderful shot across the goal, beating an outstretched Anthony Racioppi in the Young Boys goal.
With the game seemingly sealed at 3-0, he was swiftly pulled along with Kyle Walker at the 61st minute.
Norwegian midfielder Oscar Bobb and England’s Kalvin Phillips were brought on to replace the duo.
City went on to close out the game 3-0 to seal a spot in the Champions League Round of 16 having won all four of their group games so far.
The next team to have the opportunity to swap shirts with Haaland will be Chelsea, who face the Cityzens at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side will hope to take the opportunity to pull clear of second-placed Tottenham, who lost both Micky van de Ven and James Maddison to injuries during their 4-1 loss to Chelsea on Monday.
Spurs will also be without Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie who were both sent off in the manic game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Haaland finished the night with two goals as City progressed to the Round of 16Credit: Getty More

JUST over a month on from battering PSG, Newcastle’s Champions League adventure is in serious danger of ending in a damp squib.And to think it was just a fortnight ago that Geordie icon Kevin Keegan said with a straight face that the Magpies could lift the trophy.
Niclas Fullkrug fires Dortmund into the leadCredit: Getty
Fullkrug celebrates his openerCredit: EPA

Well, they will now almost certainly have to beat PSG in their backyard to stand a chance of reaching the knockouts.
Two defeats on the bounce to Borussia Dortmund show Toon are a still a long way off really mixing it with the European giants.
It could have all been so different if Joelinton didn’t nod an absolute sitter wide at 1-0.
But Newcastle didn’t look like a Champions League outfit for the most part, and they’ll now need a minor miracle if they want to remain one after Christmas.
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Their demolition of PSG showed they can handle anyone at St James’ Park.
Yet on the road, on the biggest stages, and they are way off it.
Niclas Fullkrug and Julian Brandt saw them off and while Eddie Howe’s squad is down to its bare bones, they did themselves no  favours here.
Howe has barely put a foot wrong in two years at the helm but starting youngster Lewis Hall and benching first-choice wingers Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon has to go down as one.
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A hammer blow for Newcastle United! 👀German international Niclas Fullkrug bags his first goal in the #UCL as Dortmund take the lead! 🟡⚫️ pic.twitter.com/2Vfp1sItjn— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2023

Julain Brandt fires home Dortmund’s secondCredit: Rex
Brandt is congratulated for his clincherCredit: PA
With only 13 available outfield players due to an ever worsening injury crisis, Howe could only name eight subs instead of 11.
Two of those were keepers while two more were kids who have never featured for the Magpies. 
Dortmund, the only side to beat the Magpies in the last 12, did a job on them at St James’ Park. 
The Germans were Harry Kane-d by Bayern Munich last weekend but, shooting towards the bouncing Yellow Wall in the first half, they were all over Newcastle early on. 
Nick Pope denied Fullkrug and Karim Adeyemi, with the latter – an old school bruiser of a centre-forward – causing the defence no end of problems. 
But just when it looked like Newcastle had weathered the storm and were growing into it, Fullkrug struck. 

Teenage left-back Hall was already having a rough ride and he was at fault for the opener as he failed to deal with it in the box, allowing Marcel Sabitzer to get on the ball and square for the striker to bury. 
Newcastle had moments in the first half, yet they were too few. 
Dortmund double their lead! 👀Newcastle could be in trouble now as Julian Brandt finishes a brilliant counter attack to put the home side 2-0 up! 🟡⚫️#UCL pic.twitter.com/7ELBjduUY2— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2023

The match was momentarily delayed by a fan protestCredit: Reuters
Eddie Howe’s side endured a difficult night in GermanyCredit: Getty

Kieran Trippier’s low cross from a smart routine corner just behind the lurking Callum Wilson was as good as it got. 
On top of Hall having a stinker, Trippier couldn’t stop giving it away, Jamaal Lascelles looked shaky in the heart of defence, Joe Willock was off the boil, Joelinton was ineffective on the left wing, and Wilson was isolated on his own up top.
Changes were needed to keep their Champions League dreams alive, and Howe hooked Hall and Wilson for Almiron at the break.
And within minutes of the restart the Mags had one of their most promising openings when Fabian Schar played a beautiful ball over the top to the onrushing Tino Livramento.
While it didn’t lead to anything, hope was restored for the travelling Toon Army.
And they really should  have levelled up soon after when Livramento delivered a wicked cross from the right.
It was the perfect ball, requiring the simplest of headers – but Joelinton somehow nodded wide from four yards.
With his head in his hands, Howe knew that was THE chance. 
The odds were stacked against them creating anything better as the clock ticked on.
The locals were starting to worry as Newcastle started to dominate.
You could feel the tension inside the Westfalenstadion as Trippier lined up a free-kick from the left touchline with 12 minutes remaining.
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But the England right-back’s delivery was woeful, headed clear at the front post, and it was game over seconds later. 
Dortmund broke at breakneck speed with Julian Brandt taking it on and on before firing off his left peg past Pope into the bottom corner.
Dortmund have done the double over Newcastle despite their Saudi billionsCredit: PA More

NEWCASTLE’S Champions League clash at Borussia Dortmund was momentarily delayed after home fans threw tennis balls and fake bars of gold onto the pitch.The match was stopped shortly after half time for the pitch to be cleared.
Supporters threw fake gold bars onto the pitchCredit: Rex
Nico Schlotterbeck helps clean the pitchCredit: AP
Gregor Kobel clears his penalty areaCredit: Getty
Dortmund fans held a defiant bannerCredit: Getty
Dortmund fans were believed to be protesting against reforms to the Champions League format next season, and the corrupting effect of money in football more broadly.
A banner in the stands read: “You don’t care about the sport – all you care about is money.”
Players helped to get the game going again as quickly as possible by clearing rubbish and fake gold bars from the pitch.
But as the game continued, there was still rubbish on the pitch at the end Dortmund were attacking.

A document entitled Reclaim the Game laid out a section of Dortmund fans’ grievances online.
It features the tagline: “Football for millions of fans, not for billions of Euros!”
Dortmund led 1-0 at the time of the protest.
After peppering Nick Pope’s goal for much of the first half, it was Niclas Fullkrug who gave the home side the lead with a close range finish.
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Julian Brandt fired home a second for Dortmund in the second half, clinching a 2-0 victory.
The German side have now done the double over the Toon, despite the Prem side’s Saudi billions.
Newcastle and Dortmund are both scrapping to get out of a competitive Group E.
They went into tonight’s match level on four points after three games.
AC Milan are set to host Paris Saint-Germain later this evening in the group’s other match.
Fans lobbed fake gold bars onto the pitchCredit: Reuters More