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      When is Champions League last-16 draw? Teams, TV channel, stream and full schedule for fixtures

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      THERE’S nothing quite like a Champions League draw to rattle your nerves – and the last-16 pairings will be revealed sooner than we think.Manchester City became the first English club to qualify and the holders can wrap up Group G with a 100% winning record should they win on matchday six.
      Manchester City currently have a 100% win record in the Champions League this seasonCredit: Getty
      Newcastle were robbed of a point after Kylian Mbappe’s late penaltyCredit: Getty
      Arsenal just need a point from their final two games to book themselves a last-16 spot.
      While Manchester United and Newcastle’s routes to the next round is a little bit more complicated.
      But when exactly is the Champions League draw?
      When is the Champions League last-16 draw?

      Fans find out the fate of the Champions League draw on Monday, December 18.
      It is scheduled to get underway at 11am GMT – 12pm local time.
      The huge draw will take place in Nyon, Switzerland.
      Group winners are set to face runners-up in other groups unless they play in the same country.

      Read more in Champions League
      How can I watch it?

      Fans can watch the Champions League last-16 draw for FREE on UEFA.com.
      Alternatively, tune into SunSport’s live blog which will have the latest updates as the draw is announced.

      What teams will be in the Champions League last-16 draw?

      Atletico Madrid (ESP)
      Barcelona (ESP)
      Bayern Munich (GER)*
      Borussia Dortmund (GER)
      Lazio (ITA)
      RB Leipzig (GER)**
      Manchester City (ENG)*
      Real Madrid (ESP)
      Real Sociedad (ESP)

      *Confirmed group winners*Confirmed group runners-up
      When do the Champions League last-16 matches take place?
      The round of 16 will be played over the course of four weeks
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      First legs: 13/14/20/21 February 2024
      Second legs: 5/6/12/13 March 2024 More

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      Rio Ferdinand breaks silence after Man Utd legend taken ill during TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage

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      RIO FERDINAND has spoken out after the Manchester United legend was taken ill during TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage on Tuesday.The sports pundit has assured fans on his social media that he is well and will be heading to Istanbul ahead for Man Utd’s clash against Galatasaray.
      Rio Ferdinand has confirmed he is well and ready for Manchester United match on Wednesday nightCredit: X/rioferdy5
      Ferdinand fell ill during the TNT Sports Champions coverage on TuesdayCredit: Alamy
      The Manchester United legend was part of the coverage alongside Laura Woods, Jermaine Jenas and Shay Given for Newcastle’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
      However, having provided insight before the match and at half-time, he was absent after the game with TNT confirming he had left due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
      It was later reported he felt ill and returned to the hotel to rest.
      Ferdinand has now confirmed he is feeling better and will return to screens tonight to cover Man Utd’s match from Rams Park in Istanbul.
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      In a tweet, the England icon said: “Don’t panic people… I’m alive & kicking ready for tonight’s action in Istanbul! UNITED UNITED ❤️.”
      He then attached a video of sports pundit Darren Fletcher and himself riding through the airport in Paris heading for their flight to Istanbul.
      And again Ferdinand reassured fans that he would not miss Man Utd’s Champions League clash on Wednesday night.
      He said: “I almost didn’t make this flight man. I almost didn’t make this game.
      Most read in Football
      “But it’s Manchester United in Istanbul I had to be here.”
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      United fans are still buzzingfrom Alejandro Garnacho’s mind-blowing goal against Everton and United’s Premier League form.
      Having won five games out of their last six, they’ll be hopeful of securing a much-needed victory in their Champions League group stage clash.
      Ten Hag’s men have only secured one win out of four in group A and sit bottom of the table.
      They lost 3-2 to Galatasaray at home last month and are desperate to turn things around. More

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      Former Man Utd star Dimitar Berbatov sends club X-rated warning as Red Devils prepare to step into ‘crazy atmosphere’

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      DIMITAR BERBATOV has issued a stark warning to Manchester United ahead of their crunch Champions League clash with Galatasaray.The Red Devils face the Turkish champions in Istanbul this evening with their hopes of reaching the last 16 hanging by a thread.
      Manchester United’s hopes of reaching the last-16 of the Champions League are on a knife edgeCredit: PA
      The Red Devils must beat Galatasaray in Istanbul to have any chance of reaching the knockout stagesCredit: EPA
      Ex-United hitman Dimitar Berbatov has urged Ten Hag’s troops not to make any stupid mistakesCredit: Getty
      Erik ten Hag’s troops are ROCK BOTTOM of Group A with just three points to their name after four matches, although they are just a solitary point behind second and third-placed FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
      Defeat at the notoriously hostile Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi stadium will end United’s slim hopes of reaching the knockout stages and leave them battling for a Europa League place.
      And former Red Devil Berbatov insists his old side’s predicament is all of their own doing.
      He told Betfair: “The chances are still there for United to qualify – they can do it.
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      “It depends on the other games as well. It’s going to be tough for sure because United have put themselves in that position.
      “Now, they need to get out of this position and this goes by taking points from Galatasaray, away, which is not an easy thing to do and Bayern Munich, it’s Bayern Munich. So, it’s very difficult.
      ‌”United need to get a good result at Galatasaray.”
      Bulgarian Berbatov is adamant Ten Hag’s hot and cold charges need to put the hostile atmosphere they’ll experience to the back of their minds as soon as they step out on the pitch.
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      He said: “With United’s current form, the chances are there for them.
      “Every game is different, especially when you go to Galatasaray – they have good players and crazy fans.
      “But forget that when you step on the pitch, try to concentrate and know you have good players, hungry players coming into the team full of confidence and try to mix it with experience.
      “Try to attack and score goals and don’t make f***ing stupid mistakes.
      ‌”I remember playing against Besiktas for Spurs at the old Inonu Stadium – we won 2-0 – but Robbie Keane was two or three metres from me, I was screaming loudly to try to make him hear me, and he couldn’t hear.
      ‌”The stadium was like an earthquake. They were passionate and supported their team.
      “Galatasaray get even more passionate when a big team like United come to their ground, so that’s why I’m expecting a crazy atmosphere.”
      Ten Hag knows his troops will walk into a cauldron this evening but is confident they’ll be able to handle the fiery atmosphere and get a result.
      The Dutchman said: “We know we can [win away in Europe] and we are confident.
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      “The last games away from home in the leaue were also very hostile environments.
      “We played very well. We were very clam and composed.” More

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      I’m a Newcastle fan – I had to turn my Christmas lights off after Kylian Mbappe’s devastating late penalty

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      A FUMING Newcastle fan switched off his Christmas lights after the draw against PSG.The disgruntled supporter was left seething after a controversial penalty decision saw Kylian Mbappe deny the Magpies a famous win.
      PSG were awarded a fortunate penalty against NewcastleCredit: Getty
      One fan was left fuming called into talkSPORTCredit: TalkSPORT
      Tino Livramento was harshly judged to have handled the ball after it deflected from his chest in the 98th minute.
      PSG players went beserk as referee Szymon Marciniak refused to give the decision, only for VAR to send him to the monitor which resulted in a penalty.
      Mbappe dispatched the penalty, leaving Newcastle fans devastated.
      One fan, Kyle, called into talkSPORT to vent their frustration and revealed that the result dampened their festive spirit.
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      Kyle said: “No I am not alright.
      “Everyone with half a brain cell realised that it was not the right decision and that Newcastle should have won the match.
      “I had to turn my Christmas lights off man.
      “I was not in the mood anymore.”
      Most read in Football
      Many of Kyle’s fellow supporters understood his frustrations as one said, “a reaction shows the passion” while another added, “I feel his pain”.
      The VAR official, Tomasz Kwiatkowski, who insisted on another look on the incident has been axed from tonight’s Champions League clash between Real Sociedad and RB Salzburg.
      Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey believes that Uefa should come out and address the decision.
      While manager Eddie Howe thought that the penalty was not the “right decision”.
      As a result of the 1-1 draw, Newcastle are on the cusp of being knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage.
      The Magpies sit third and would have the consolation of dropping into the Europa League if they maintain their position. More

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      Phil Foden up to fourth in Dream Team rankings after 23-point haul in Gameweek 13

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      MANCHESTER CITY treated their supporters to a rare thimble of jeopardy last night.The Champions League holders went 2-0 down to RB Leipzig at the Etihad via Lois Openda’s brace to briefly introduce the possibility that they might not top Group G.
      Whether any of the home fans were duped is another matter as there was a sense of inevitability about the comeback from Pep Guardiola’s side, who ended up 3-2 winners to ensure a perfect start of five wins from five European games this season.

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      Tuesday night’s big winner from a Dream Team perspectiveCredit: Dream Team
      The star of the show was Phil Foden (£4.9m).
      City’s homegrown hero was credited with two assists, for Erling Haaland’s (£7.9m) obligatory goal and Julian Alvarez’s (£4.2m) winner, while also swooping three bonus points.
      Sandwiched in between his assists was a neat goal of his own, the latest display of his deft footwork.
      When all was said and done, Foden took the Bundesliga outfit for 17 Dream Team points, his best single-game return of the campaign so far.
      Added to the six he earned against Liverpool at the weekend, the 23-year-old finishes Gameweek 13 having plundered 23 points – the most among all assets at the time of writing.
      Naturally, this impressive haul has catapulted him up the Dream Team rankings, he’s now second among midfielders having moved to 128 points overall, eight short of Bukayo Saka (£6.5m).
      Most read in Football
      Easy does itCredit: AP
      In fact, Foden is now the fourth-best performer among all players taking overtaken the likes of Kieran Trippier (£5.2m), Ollie Watkins (£4.8m) and Jarrod Bowen (£5.3m) this week.
      The latter is the only midfield asset to have scored more goals than Foden at this stage – West Ham’s top scorer has nine in all competitions to his compatriot’s six.
      Bowen and Foden are level with Bruno Fernandes (£5.7m) on 18 shots on target each, the joint-most among midfielders right now.
      The secret to Foden’s continued success is he’s so much more than just a goal threat.
      Only four assets in his position have created more big chances (seven) and only three have registered more than his six assists – he’s a top-tier creator.
      Foden and Doku have 51 bonus points between themCredit: Reuters

      The so-called ‘Stockport Iniesta’ is also one of the most passionate bonus point collectors.
      At this juncture, only Jeremy Doku (£4.2m) and James Ward-Prowse (£4.4m) have more and the leading pair are just one ahead on 26 to Foden’s 25.
      With an ownership of 28%, Foden is currently the second-most selected midfielder in the game but his popularity is likely to increase further after a sparkling spell of form.
      He’s notched 61 points in six outings across the last four Gameweeks!

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      VAR who gave controversial PSG penalty in Newcastle clash AXED for Champions League game tonight

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      THE VAR official who awarded Paris Saint-Germain a controversial penalty against Newcastle has been axed for a Champions League game tonight.Toon looked on course to do the double over Kylian Mbappe’s side as they led 1-0 in Paris with moments to go.
      The VAR official who gave PSG a controversial penalty against Newcastle has been axedCredit: Getty
      Tomasz Kwiatkowski instructed ref Szymon Marciniak to review the incident, resulting in a successful PSG penaltyCredit: Getty
      But disaster struck in the 98th minute when a point-blank shot was fired at Tino Livramento.
      The ball hit his chest before deflecting onto his arm.
      And PSG players went beserk as referee Szymon Marciniak refused to award a spot-kick.
      However, VAR official Tomasz Kwiatkowski instructed Marciniak to rewatch the incident on the pitch-side monitor.
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      And despite replays showing Livramento knew nothing about the handball, Marciniak decided to reverse his decision.
      Mbappe then fired home a penalty to seal a 1-1 draw, leaving Newcastle’s hopes of reaching the next round of of their hands.
      The decision from VAR was blasted by the wider football world, with many calling it a “robbery”.
      And the backlash has now been felt by Kwiatowski, who will no longer be on VAR duty for tonight’s Champions League clash between Real Sociedad and RB Salzburg.
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      The decision is sure to please Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who was left deflated after yesterday’s final whistle.
      He said: “Yes, I do (have a sense of injustice). It wasn’t the right decision in my opinion. There are so many things to take into account at that moment, the speed first.

      “It was a ricochet that when it is slowed down looks completely different to the live event.
      “The ball hits his chest first, comes up and hits his hand. But his hand is not in an unnatural position, it is down by his side but he is in a running motion.
      “I feel it is a poor decision and it’s hugely frustrating for us.” More

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      Rio Ferdinand taken ill while working on TNT Sports forcing disappearance during PSG vs Newcastle clash

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      RIO FERDINAND was forced to pull out of TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage on Tuesday after falling ill, according to reports.The Manchester United legend was part of the coverage alongside Laura Woods, Jermaine Jenas and Shay Given for Newcastle’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
      Rio Ferdinand was forced to leave the match earlyCredit: Alamy
      However, having provided insight before the match and at half-time, he was absent after the game with TNT confirming he had left due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
      The Daily Mail now claim that Ferdinand was taken ill during the match and subsequently returned to his hotel to rest.
      He is now understood to be feeling better and will return to screens tonight to cover Man Utd’s match against Galatasaray from Rams Park in Istanbul.
      Rangers legend Ally McCoist stepped in for Ferdinand at full-time after commentating on Newcastle’s visit to PSG.
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      The match ended 1-1 following a controversial 98th-minute penalty.
      Eddie Howe’s side were seconds away from clinching a monumental away win when Ousmane Dembele’s flick bounced off Tino Livramento’s chest and onto his elbow.
      Polish referee Szymon Marciniak was unmoved and immediately waived play-on.
      But play was halted by VAR and Marciniak was called over to his screen to watch slow-motion replays before pointing to the spot.
      Most read in Football
      Reacting to the incident, McCoist said: “That is absolutely never a penalty.
      “If we’re giving penalty kicks for that in the biggest club competition on the planet, it’s a disgrace.” More

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      Fans full of emotion as Premier League legends Rob van Persie and ripped Fernando Torres meet as managers for first time

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      FANS were left emotional after seeing Fernando Torres and Robin van Persie meet on the touchline.During Feyernoord’s Uefa Youth League clash against Atletico Madrid, the two Premier League shared an embrace.
      Fernando Torres, left, and Robin van Persie, right, met for the first time as managersCredit: Rex
      The two are former stars of the Premier LeagueCredit: Alan Walter – The Times
      The former strikers used to terrorise defences in England’s top flight during their careers on the pitch.
      Now, they are both making their own way as coaches.
      Van Persie and Torres are both in charge of their boyhood clubs’ U19 teams.
      Before the match in the Uefa Youth League, the two shared an embrace leaving fans to reminisce.
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      One commented: “Fernando Torres and Robin van Persie: From smashing in goals across Europe to managing against each other in the Uefa Youth League.”
      A second wrote: “I really miss these two players on the pitch.”
      A third said: “How time flies … what we were watching are now memories. Please! Take me back.”
      A fourth added: “What a journey for these legends! Respect for their passion and dedication to the game.”
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      Torres, 39, came out on the winning team as Iker Luque Sierra netted the only goal of the game.
      Van Persie, 40, made his name in English football at Arsenal before he made the controversial move to Manchester United in 2012.
      The switch paid off as he won the Premier League title in his first season at Old Trafford.
      Since retiring in 2019, the Dutchman has been working at Feyenoord as a coach.
      He started as the assistant manager before taking on roles with the youth teams.
      Torres, on the other hand, came through the ranks at Atletico Madrid before switching to Liverpool.
      The Spaniard became one of the best forwards in Europe while at Anfield.
      He left the club in a £50million switch to Chelsea in January 2011 and won the Champions League, however, he struggled to recreate his Liverpool form.
      Torres retired in 2019 and took up his current role at Atletico in 2021.
      He has also had a massive body transformation and now boosts the muscles of a bodybuilder. More