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      Hated European Super League is back on the table after shock court ruling in HUGE blow to Uefa and fans

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      FOOTBALL fans fear the hated European Super League is on the way back following a sensational ruling by the European Court of Justice.The court has determined Fifa and Uefa acted against competition law when they blocked the formation of a European Super League in 2021.
      Real Madrid President Florentino Perez is one of the advocates of the European Super LeagueCredit: AP
      Football fans around the country protested the Super League when it was proposed two years agoCredit: Getty
      “Football is not for sale” ❌UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin on the European Super League ruling and the new format proposal from A22 Sports ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/k3evJhy2Mp— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 21, 2023

      Twelve of Europe’s biggest clubs proposed the formation of a European Super League two years ago.
      The proposal was met with significant backlash as fans across the continent protested the idea.
      Premier League clubs pulled out one by one following the visceral reaction from fans, who now fear the Super League could be introduced after all.
      Now the Super League has announced a new open format consisting of 64 teams and three divisions – Star, Gold and Blue – with promotion and relegation included.
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      Teams will play 14 games a season with seven at home and seven away, with the top teams battling it out in play-offs at the end of the season.
      One supporter reacted to the court ruling saying: “RIP football as we know it 😭”
      Another added: “Football is about to be ruined then…”
      A third wrote: “We the fans still don’t want that shoddy league.”
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      And another commented: “Super league here we go.”
      Spanish giants Barcelona have instantly voiced their “satisfaction” with the court ruling.
      In a statement published on their website, the Catalans wrote: “As one of the clubs driving the Super League project, FC Barcelona feels that the sentence paves the way for a new elite level football competition in Europe by opposing the monopoly over the football world, and wishes to initiate new discussions as to the path that European competitions should take in the future.”
      Club president Joan Laporta also released a video voicing his support for the hated Super League.
      And their fellow LaLiga rivals Real Madrid and their president Florentino Perez did likewise with a statement on their website.
      However, English football fans may not need to be concerned as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his government have promised to stop clubs from joining new competitions that would kill off the domestic game.
      And United released a statement confirming their anti-Super League stance.
      It reads: “Our position has NOT changed”.
      “We remain fully committed to participation in UEFA competitions, and to positive cooperation with UEFA, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.”
      Bayern Munich followed suit saying: “It’s very clear: the door for the Super League at FC Bayern remains closed.
      “Such a competition would represent an attack on the importance of domestic leagues and the statics of European football.”
      And Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin: “I hope they start that competition as soon as possible with two clubs.
      “I hope they know what they are doing which I am not so sure about. Football is not for sale.”
      But conspirators Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are refusing to give up on their breakaway project despite it crashing and burning inside 48 hours two years ago.
      The latest idea put forward was for up to 80 clubs to leave Uefa to form a new competition.
      But that would NOT include any Premier League clubs, with Madrid-based sports marketing firm A22 using the success of English football as a justification for the new tournament.
      And in a boost to that trio of clubs the European Court of Justice ruled that Fifa and Uefa rules giving them the power to approve club competitions “are contrary to EU Law”.
      The Court said: “The Fifa and Uefa rules making any new interclub football project subject to their prior approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting clubs and players from playing in those competitions are unlawful.
      “There is no framework for the Fifa and Uefa rules ensuring that they are transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate.
      “Similarly the rules giving Fifa and Uefa exclusive control over the commercial exploitation of the rights related to those competitions are such as to restrict competition, given their importance for the media, consumers and television viewers in the European Union.
      “The Court observes that the organisation of interclub football competitions and the exploitation of the media rights are quite evidently economic activities.
      “They must therefore comply with the competition rules and respect the freedoms of movement, even though the economic pursuit of sport has certain specific characteristics, such as the existence of associations having certain regulatory and control powers and the power to impose sanctions.”
      The only consolation was the Court not giving specific approval for Super League.
      It said: “That does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved.
      “The Court, having been asked generally about the FIFA and UEFA rules, does not rule on that specific project in its judgement.”
      Real Madrid and Barca have responded positively to the court’s judgement, while Super League CEO Bernd Reichart has voiced his approval.
      A statement read: “UEFA-monopoly is over. Football is FREE. Clubs are now free from the threat of sanction AND free to determine their own futures!”

      “For fans: We propose free viewing of all Super League matches.”
      “For clubs: Revenues and solidarity spending will be guaranteed.”
      Real Madrid released a statment that read: “At Real Madrid we welcome with enormous satisfaction the decision adopted by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which is responsible for guaranteeing our principles, values ​​and freedoms.
      “In the coming days we will carefully study the scope of this resolution, but I do anticipate two conclusions of great historical significance. Firstly, that European club football is not and will never again be a monopoly. And secondly, that from today the clubs will be the masters of their destiny.
      Read more on The Sun
      “The clubs see our right to propose and promote European competitions that modernize our sport and attract fans from all over the world fully recognized. In short, today the Europe of freedoms has triumphed again and today football and its fans have also triumphed.
      “In the face of the pressures that we have received for more than two years, law, reason and freedom prevail today. And for this reason, Real Madrid will continue working for the good of football.” More

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      My dad is legendary football manager of Champions League giants – now I’m following in his footsteps as his assistant

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      DAVIDE ANCELOTTI is following in his father’s footsteps in football management.Carlo Ancelotti, 64, is one of the most decorated managers currently working in football.
      Davide Ancelotti is the assistant coach for his father CarloCredit: Getty
      He is on his way to becoming a manager in his own rightCredit: Alamy
      The Italian boasts an incredible trophy cabinet, including titles with AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
      Ancelotti has also won a host of domestic cup competitions as well as the Champions League on four occasions.
      He keeps his family close however as his son, Davide, is currently his assistant at Real Madrid.
      The retired midfielder had a short playing career having been at AC Milan and Borgomanero.
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      However, he hung up is boots at just 22 in 2009 in order to pursue a career in management.
      The now 34-year-old first foray into coaching came in 2012 as he started working at PSG as a fitness coach.
      His work coincided with his dad working as the first-team manager at the club.
      He earned his Uefa A licence in 2016 and became his father’s assistant for the first time at Bayern.
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      Davide followed his dad to jobs at Napoli, Everton and now Madrid.
      While at the Toffees the Italian would take sessions with club legend Duncan Ferguson.
      Davide has taken charge on the touchline for Madrid already in his career.
      However, he was not able to give instructions as he did not have his Uefa pro licence during the match against Celta Vigo in 2022.
      He has since been awarded the licence after completing a coaching course in Wales earlier this year.
      Davide has been hailed as Madrid’s “bad cop” in the past.
      He was credited with a plan to beat Chelsea in last season’s Champions League in which he wanted his team to use the “dark arts”.
      He has already started to attract interest from clubs keen to give him the top job.
      In April, Swiss side FC Basel were linked with a move.
      He was also tipped as a replacement for Frank Lampard after he was aced at Everton.
      Read more on The Sun
      There has also been international interest.
      Father Carlo has been heavily linked to the Brazil job and the rumours have also suggested that Davide could follow suit.
      The pair often exchange tactical ideasCredit: Getty
      Davide has worked with his dad at many of Europe’s top clubsCredit: Getty More

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      I faced Guardiola in his first game as a manager – now I’m out to stop him winning only trophy he’s missing at Man City

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      URAWA RED DIAMONDS coach Maciej Skorza has waited 15 years for the chance to lock horns with Pep Guardiola again.And the Pole cannot wait to see if his underdogs can shock the world.
      Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will face the manager he met in his debutCredit: Getty
      Urawa Red Diamonds coach Maciej Skorza defeated Guardiola in 2008Credit: Getty
      Skorza, 51, was in the away dugout in the Nou Camp as Guardiola’s first game as a coach in 2008 ended in a 4-0 Champions League qualifying win.
      While Wisla Krakow won the second leg 1-0, Guardiola’s side went on to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United 2-0 in the 2009 Final in Rome to complete the first of his many Trebles.
      Skorza, who will step down after the tournament, recalled: “I had the great pleasure to meet Mr Guardiola 15 years ago and I have to admit that from that moment I have admired his work. 
      “He is the No1 manager in the world, so personally it is a special moment to play against his team again after 15 years.
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      “So it is fantastic for me and for my team, because we are playing the best team in the world as well.
      “This is a rare opportunity but our dream is to play in the Final.
      “On paper, City are a better team than us in every aspect. But in football, sometimes, it doesn’t work like that.
      “I believe in my players because we have a fantastic team with fantastic character.
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      “We know we will suffer on the pitch at times but we have to keep going and keep fighting and try to realise our plan.
      “What is important is how we manage the space behind their defence. I believe that we can play a very good game.
      “What the result will be, nobody knows – it’s football. But the most important thing is keeping this team spirit at the top level.”
      Erling Haaland will not be risked after being left out of training, although Kevin De Bruyne could be back on the bench for City.
      Guardiola said: “This is the one trophy we don’t have, so we want to close the circle and have won everything we can win.
      “You have a responsibility to win all the games and every competition.
      “The players know that and we’ll try to perform well.”
      Probable teams: 
      Read more on The Sun
      Manchester City: Steffen; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Kovacic; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish
      Urawa Red Diamonds: Nishikawa; Sakai, Scholz, Hoibraten, Akimoto; Ito, Iwao; Okubu, Yasui, Koizumi; Kante. More

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      Kai Havertz is finally winning argument with Arsenal fans and proving why the ‘snowflake’ has had £135m splashed on him

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      HE’S cost around £135million in combined transfer fees.He’s scored the winner in a Champions League final.
      Kai Havertz joined Arsenal from Chelsea this summer for a fee of £65millionCredit: ARSENAL
      The Germany international struggled during the early stages of the seasonCredit: GETTY
      But the 24-year-old appears to have finally found his feet at the EmiratesCredit: REX
      At 24, he’s played for the current leaders of the Bundesliga and the Premier League and he’s been a European and world club champion elsewhere.
      Supremely versatile, he operates as a centre-forward, a No .10, a central midfielder and last month he scored an international goal while playing at left-back.
      He is genuinely two-footed, good in the air, stands at 6ft 4in but possesses a velvet touch and a rare footballing intelligence.
      We are talking about Kai Havertz, a man who suffered dog’s abuse from a sizeable proportion of his own supporters after his £65m summer move from Chelsea to Arsenal.
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      After four goals in his last seven games (and it would have been five but for a questionable VAR call at Villa Park), the German is starting to win over that difficult crowd at the Emirates.
      And while Declan Rice is rightly hailed as the summer signing most likely to turn Arsenal from contenders into champions, Havertz is showing he can also play a significant role.
      Many wondered why Mikel Arteta shelled out such a vast sum on Havertz, when an out-and-out goalscorer appeared the more obvious hole in Arsenal’s squad.
      And what is Havertz exactly? What does he do? Where is his best position?
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      Kai Havertz has scored four goals in his last seven gamesCredit: PA
      Personally, though, I’ve always had a great appreciation of Havertz.
      The bloke who sits next to me when I go to cover Chelsea sometimes uses this as proof of my inability to properly understand football.
      But football is a game of opinions and just because my colleague’s opinion on Havertz is wrong, he’s perfectly entitled to hold it.
      Ed Sheeran has sold more than 150million records worldwide. So people are often wrong.
      Havertz, who scored Chelsea’s goal in the 1-0 Champions League final win over Manchester City in 2021, is an acquired taste.
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      He’s one for the purists. And he’s a throwback too. Watch most Premier League matches live and you will marvel at the extreme tempo — the pace, the athleticism and the appetite of players are constantly improving.
      But Havertz isn’t about all that. He is a player who can slow things down, pick a pass and manipulate a football like Dimitar Berbatov and few other players to have ever graced the Premier League.
      Like the great Bulgarian before him, he operates best when given the tactical freedom to knit play together.
      He’s a drifter and he’s an artist.
      While most players in the English top flight possess a manic work-rate and a demonic desire to run, Havertz can appear languid and waft around the pitch.
      He can be regarded as a luxury player. A snowflake.
      In such a rarefied environment as the Premier League, he can look like the sickly child who usually brings in a sick note to avoid PE.
      Unless, like Gunners boss Arteta, you know what you’re looking for.
      Kai Havertz is finally rewarding Mikel Arteta for keeping the faith in himCredit: ALAMY
      The Arsenal fans who wondered about Havertz and criticised him early on were not entirely wrong.
      The former Bayer Leverkusen man suffered a difficult start and, like pretty much every player who spent last season at Chelsea, he was low on confidence.
      Most players take time to settle at a new club and while Rice was always likely to hit the ground running after his £105m switch from West Ham, it was unsurprising that Havertz needed more patience.
      But a midfield trio of Rice, Havertz and Martin Odegaard is one capable of winning the Premier League.
      And when the top two in the table meet at Anfield on Saturday, with the winners taking the Christmas No 1 spot, that Arsenal threesome can prove it.
      Liverpool, as always, will attack with thunderous intensity and press like men possessed.
      And there will be times out there when Havertz might appear like a lost soul.
      But watch closely and he’ll do something special.
      Read more on The Sun
      On current form, he will do something game-changing.
      Because you don’t have £135m spent on you and you don’t win the Champions League and you don’t start for the Premier League leaders without being a seriously good player. More

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      Who is Champions League draw host Reshmin Chowdhury and is she married?

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      RESHMIN Chowdhury is one of football’s most popular pundits.But who is she and is she married? From her sporting success to her family life – here’s everything you need to know about Champions League draw host Reshmin Chowdhury.

      Instagram / @reshmintv

      Reshmin Chowdhury reporting from the Champions League final Who is Reshmin Chowdhury?
      Reshmin Chowdhury is a British sports journalist, broadcaster, and event host, who has enjoyed a stunning broadcast career after making a name for herself working for Real Madrid from 2008 to 2010.
      Since then, she has worked for BBC Sport, Uefa, ITV, Discovery, Fifa, BT Sport, beIN Sport, talkSPORT and TNT Sports.
      She has also presented the Champions League draw, revealing the perils of the draw in a 2019 column for SunSport.
      In 2015 Chowdhury won the Media Award at the Asian Football Awards. More

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      Supercomputer predicts Champions League winners after last 16 draw as holders Man City land dream Copenhagen tie

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      MANCHESTER CITY have been backed to retain the Champions League trophy following their dream draw. The English and European champions face Copenhagen while rivals Arsenal play Porto.

      Following the draw, OLBG’s supercomputer ran its algorithm after compiling data from all group stage results.
      And they tip Pep Guardiola’s City with a huge 49 per cent chance of winning it all.
      Bayern Munich – with star striker Harry Kane in fine form – come in at second with just an 18 per cent chance.
      Real Madrid are placed third with 14 per cent while Arsenal are fourth at nine per cent, above even PSG.
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      The Gunners’ current squad will be in unfamiliar territory despite the club’s affinity with the last 16 under Arsene Wenger.
      North London’s Arsenal last competed in the last 16 in 2017 but they have failed to make it beyond that stage since 2010.
      City have made two of the last three finals and are looking to become the first English side since Nottingham Forest in 1979 and 1980 to win the title in back-to-back seasons.
      The last time they failed to progress past the round of 16 was in 2016/17, Guardiola’s first season in charge.
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      Elsewhere, ex-Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham will be returning to Germany to face RB Leipzig with Real Madrid.
      Bayern and Kane will be up against Lazio in their own tie.
      And there is also a tasty tie between last season’s Serie A and La Liga winners in Napoli and Barcelona. More

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      Champions League draw LIVE: Latest reaction as English giants Arsenal land former winners while Man City get dream tie

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      THE draw for the last-16 of the Champions League has concluded at the Uefa headquarters in Switzerland.Premier League giants Arsenal will face a tough trip to former winners Porto while Manchester City will take on Copenhagen.
      Jude Bellingham and Champions League kings Real Madrid will play German side RB Leipzig.

      TV channel: TNT Sports 1
      FREE live stream: Uefa’s official website/app

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      Follow our live blog below…
      Madrid blow
      Real Madrid will likely be without David Alaba for their clash against Lazio.
      Madrid confirmed Alaba had suffered a torn ACL in a statement.
      It read: “Following tests carried out on our player David Alaba, he has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
      “He will undergo surgery in the coming days.”
      Credit: Getty
      ‘Let’s go’
      Thomas Muller has taken to social media following the Champions League draw.
      He said: “Rome we are coming, let’s go FCB!”
      Credit: Twitter
      Vieira homecoming
      Fabio Vieira will face some familiar faces when Arsenal take on Porto.
      The midfielder joined the Gunners from the Portuguese giants in 2022.
      Credit: Getty
      Inzaghi reacts to draw
      Simone Inzaghi has reacted to seeing Inter Milan be drawn against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
      He will come face to face with Diego Simeone who he used to be team-mates with at Lazio.
      It will be a great round of 16 clash, with two top teams in two beautiful stadiums in front of packed houses.
      We are happy because we continue to take part in big European games consistently.
      Atletico have played two finals in the last ten years and have a great history in this competition, our club is no different and we want to try to dream again to give our fans further joy.
      The Atletico boss is Diego Simeone, a great coach who I have an excellent relationship with. I won a lot with him, including a league title with Lazio.
      Now it’s time to focus on the upcoming month, though: we have some big league matches as well as the Coppa Italia Italian Super Cup.
      After that, we will start to think about preparing for these two big games: they will be two battles, we’ll have to work hard to be ready.Simone Inzaghi
      Deco on Barcelona draw
      Deco has reacted to Barcelona’s round of 16 draw against Napoli.
      He said: “There is still time to go but they are league champions, like we are, and I believe we will see two tough games.
      “There is no luck in the Champions League.
      “We are talking about Napoli, league champions, and they have quality players.
      “In football talking about luck does not make sense.” 
      Bayern react to draw
      Bayern Munich stars Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller have reacted to the round of 16 draw against Lazio.
      Neuer said: “It’s an Italian team, who are always set up well tactically. We’ve already got positive experiences against Lazio.
      “We go into the games as favourites but can’t underestimate them. I have very positive memories of the stadium.
      “The fans in Italy are always very loud. Everyone’s looking forward to the matches. We’ll try to win both games.”
      Muller added: “I’m excited about the draw. It’s an exciting city. Lazio as a club are always interesting.
      “When you’re through to the round of 16, you’ve done a good job. It’s an old, famous stadium that’s seen so many battles in the past.
      “We’re focusing on the job. It’s a nice one to face.”
      Credit: Getty
      Terry backing Madrid
      John Terry has backed Real Madrid to win the Champions League title.
      Following the draw, he said: “I think team-wise you have to look at Real Madrid.
      “For me, I think they have been fantastic, probably for the last seven or eight years in the competition and are always there.
      “I think Bellingham has been incredible as an individual and they obviously have a fantastic manager in Carlo who I worked alongside for many years at Chelsea.
      “He’s a great man manager, so the players love him, great tactically and I think they will go a long way.”
      Credit: AP
      Recap of the draw
      Here is the draw in full…
      Porto v Arsenal
      Napoli v Barcelona
      PSG v Real Sociedad
      Inter Milan v Atletico Madrid
      PSV v Borussia Dortmund
      Lazio v Bayern Munich
      Copenhagen v Man City
      RB Leipzig v Real Madrid
      More from Edu
      Edu has also insisted that Arsenal need to “maintain” the performances in order to progress in the competition.
      He added: “The most important thing for us is to maintain our performances and the way we are playing.
      “That’s our focus, that’s where we want to be and want to keep growing, so let’s see how far we can go in the competition.
      “We want to try and go as far as possible, but we are very much concentrating on playing well, performing well and playing the best football we can, and then we’ll see how far we go.”
      More from Begiristain
      Txiki Begiristain has also insisted that Man City “know” how to win the Champions League.
      He added: “We know what it takes now to win this Champions League and we want to do it again,”
      “We finished top of the group, and we have played well in Europe.
      “Once we are in the knockout rounds, we have to understand why we are. The respect for all the contenders is huge.
      “But, of course, all the opponents will be difficult and the first one we have to work on is Copenhagen.”
      Credit: PA:Press Association
      City need to be ‘careful’
      Director of football Txiki Begiristain has also reacted to Manchester City’s round of 16 draw against Copenhagen.
      He said: “In the group phase they played against Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and Manchester United and they went through. They were the second-best team in the group so it means a lot.
      “They have been better than Manchester United and Galatasaray, two clubs with a much more experience in the Champions League than them. So we have to be careful.
      “We have to take it seriously and respect what they have done. They have something very good.
      “We have already played Copenhagen (in the Champions League last season) so we go back to Copenhagen which is a wonderful place to visit.
      “They played very well at home but what happened two years ago means nothing.”
      Europa Conference League draw

      Sturm Graz vs Slovan Bratislava
      Servette vs Ludogorets
      Union Saint-Gilloise vs Eintracht Frankfurt
      Real Betis vs Dinamo Zagreb
      Olympiacos vs Ferencvaros
      Ajax vs Bodo/Glimt
      Molde vs Legia Warsaw
      Maccabi Haifa vs Gent

      Aston Villa will head straight into the round of 16.
      Edu reacts to draw
      Edu has reacted to Arsenal’s draw against Porto in the Champions League round of 16.
      Speaking after the draw, he said: “We are going to play against a club that is very used to playing in the competition because they play in it every single year and they have a lot of players as well with big experience.
      “We have to understand how are we going to play and respect them as much as we can. We will play our game and see if we can go through this stage.
      “We can see how they are playing, how organized they are, and the players that they have. Porto is a club that you have to be really prepared to play against or we’ll have problems, so what we have to concentrate on is maintaining our levels and the way we are playing.”
      Credit: Sunday Times
      Champions League top scorers
      Despite not making it past the group stages, Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojund is among the Champions League top scorers.
      The Danish striker netted five times in the groups, equal to Alvaro Morata, Antoine Griezmann and Erling Haaland.
      Who will finish the campaign with the most goals?

      Supercomputer prediction

      A supercomputer has predicted Arsenal to win the Champions League.
      The Gunners returned to the competition this season for the first time since 2016/17.
      But it is like Mikel Arteta’s side have never been away as they picked up four wins from their six group matches.
      They even qualified with a game to spare after thrashing Ligue Un side Lens last month.
      Now a supercomputer devised by OLBG has predicted the Gunners to win the Champions League after compiling data from all group stage results ahead of the round of 16.

      Top assister
      Bukayo Saka has impressed in his debut campaign of the Champions League.
      The Arsenal star has assisted the most amount of goals [4] in the competition.
      Will he impress in the knockout stages?

      Jesus’ Champions League dream

      Gabriel Jesus has previously admitted that he wants to win the Champions League with Kai Havertz, having lost out on the cup to the German in 2021.
      He said: ”A lot, we are always joking that he [Havertz] won the Champions League against me and I always say I want to win one with him!”
      ”We always joke [about it], but now I want to win with him and Jorginho as well. He is an amazing player and the way he plays he is so strong and tall, with his quality as well he helps us a lot.
      ‘Quietly like me, he is always fighting and helping the team and the way this guy has arrived is massive. We are very happy we have him.”

      Europa League preliminary round draw
      Here is the complete draw for the Europa League preliminary round.

      Shakhtar v Marseille
      Galatasaray v Sparta Prague
      Braga v Qarabag
      Benfica v Toulouse
      Young Boys v Sporting Lisbon
      Lens v Freiburg
      Milan v Rennes
      Feyenoord v Roma

      The winners could face the likes of Liverpool, West Ham and Brighton in the following round.
      When will the draw be confirmed?
      Uefa have confirmed that the exact date and times of the round of 16 matches will be announced this evening.
      Credit: Reuters
      Full story of the draw
      Check out SunSports’ full story on the Champions League draw.

      Vieira homecoming
      Fabio Vieira will face some familiar faces when Arsenal take on Porto.
      The midfielder joined the Gunners from the Portuguese giants in 2022.
      Credit: Getty
      More fan reaction
      Football fans have been left fuming after the Champions League draw for the Last 16 was picked this morning.
      Supporters suggested that the random draw was “rigged” after Manchester City were picked against the “easiest” team in the pot and Arsenal were handed a tough tie.
      The Cityzens were drawn against Copenhagen, while Arsenal will face Porto who won the competition back in 2004.
      Copenhagen are ranked as the 37th best team in Europe according to Uefa’s own club coefficient.
      While Manchester City are considered the best team in Europe off the back of their Champions League success last season.

      Man City record vs Copenhagen
      Manchester City face Copenhagen in the Champions League round of 16.
      City beat the Danish side once in the group stages last season 5-0, drawing the other game 0-0.
      City also beat Copenhagen in the Uefa Cup 4-3 on aggregate back in 2009.
      Credit: Rex
      More on Porto’s CL history
      The Portuguese giants have won the Champions League twice in the club’s history.
      Porto first won the tournament in 1987 and again in 2004.
      The second victory was when the club was managed by Jose Mourinho.
      Credit: Getty
      Arsenal fans react to draw
      Arsenal fans have been reacting to their Champions League draw against Porto on social media
      One fan posted: “One of those teams that are exceptionally fiddly to eliminate but you’d make Arsenal strong favourites.”
      A second wrote: “Lol we are winning this comfortably at home.”
      Another added: “They’ve got some decent players. Good keeper. Won’t be easy.”
      Credit: AP More

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      Furious fans say Champions League draw is ‘rigged’ as Man City get ‘easiest’ tie but Arsenal face previous winners

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      FOOTBALL fans have been left fuming after the Champions League draw for the Last 16 was picked this morning.Supporters suggested that the random draw was “rigged” after Manchester City were picked against the “easiest” team in the pot and Arsenal were handed a tough tie.
      John Terry was picking the teams for the Champions League last 16 drawCredit: Reuters

      The Cityzens were drawn against Copenhagen while Arsenal will face Porto who won the competition back in 2004.
      Copenhagen are ranked as the 37th best team in Europe according to Uefa’s own club coefficient.
      While Manchester City are considered the best team in Europe off the back of their Champions League success last season.
      Fans were quick to offer their opinions on the favourable draw that was picked out by Chelsea legend John Terry.
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      Taking to social media, one wrote: “This is so rigged.”
      While another added: “The draw is always rigged for Man City, that’s so sad.”
      A third chimed in saying: “Of course City get Copenhagen, it’s so rigged”
      A fourth suggested it was the easiest tie that Pep Guardiola’s side could have got, writing: “Man City always getting easy opponents.”
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      There is no suggestion the draw was in any way fixed.
      Copenhagen earned their place in the last 16 after finishing second in Group A ahead of Manchester United.
      The Danish side took three points off the Red Devils winning 4-3 and losing 1-0 Erik ten Hag’s struggling side.
      The full draw was announced as Europe’s elite prepare to face off against each other for a place in the quarter finals.
      The fortunate draw for Man City carries on a recent trend for Guardiola’s side.
      Their opponents at this stage of the competition in the last four years read Copenhagen, RB Leipzig, Sporting Lisbon and Borussia Monchengladbach.
      City came through all of those ties.
      Man City’s previous Last 16 opponents
      2023/34 – FC Copenhagen
      2022/23 – RB Leipzig
      2021/22 – Sporting Lisbon
      2020/21 – Borussia Monchengladbach

      Manchester City will face Copenhagen as they look to retain the trophy this yearCredit: AFP
      Arsenal will face Porto after topping their groupCredit: AFP More