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      Who could Liverpool face in the Champions League Last 16 draw?

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      AHEAD of today’s draw, Liverpool have a better understanding of who they will play in the Champions League last-16.The top eight clubs advanced directly to the round of 16 under the new league phase format, avoiding a two-leg elimination play-off match.Mo Salah and co will look to add to the club’s six European titlesCredit: ReutersTo guarantee the eight unseeded teams in the round of 16, the teams ranked ninth through twenty-four were forced into a play-off stage.Despite losing their last match to PSV Eindhoven, Arne Slot’s team easily advanced through the league stage to take the top spot.Liverpool are not the competitions top scorers or the best defensive side, yet their sheer consistency and versatility has made them the tournament’s favourites according to various sources. Who could Liverpool face in the Champions League Last 16 draw?Following their league-stage position, Liverpool were allocated to play either the 17th and 18th seed or the winner of the play-off matches between the 15th and 16th seeds.READ MORE IN LIVERPOOLThey had four potential opponents going into the playoffs: Paris Saint-Germain, Brest, Benfica, or Monaco. You would think that would guarantee a very smooth trip to the quarterfinals.After a thrilling 3-3 draw in Portugal on Tuesday, Benfica advanced past Monaco 4-3 overall, and PSG crushed French compatriots Brest 7-0 in the second leg after winning the first leg 3-0.PSG or Benfica will be Liverpool’s confirmed opponent in the last-16 draw on Friday, February 21.Either March 4 or March 5 will see the first leg of those ties, with the follow-up matches taking place a week later.Most read in Champions LeagueAnfield will host the second match, while Liverpool will travel as seeds for the first leg. More

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      Who could Aston Villa face in the Champions League Last 16 draw?

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      ASTON VILLA will learn who they will face in the round of 16 of the Champions League and how they can get to the final THIS WEEK. Under the new league phase structure, the top eight teams avoided a two-leg play-off match and went straight to the round of 16.Teams placed ninth through twenty-four were compelled to participate in a play-off stage, where games were played over the previous two weeks, in order to secure the eight unseeded teams in the round of 16.Morgan Rodgers has been Aston Villa’s standout player in both domestic and European actionCredit: GettyAfter a 4-2 victory over Celtic on the penultimate matchday of last month, Unai Emery’s team finished in the top eight and advanced to the round of 16 as a seeded side. Villa accumulated 16 points with the result against Celtic being there fifth win in the league phase to sneak into the final seeded spot. Who could Aston Villa face in the Champions League Last 16 draw?The play-off ties’ 9th and 10th slot winners or the 23rd and 24th slot winners were assigned to Villa because of their eight-place league performance.READ MORE IN ASTON VILLA Those were Club Brugge, Atalanta, Sporting or Borussia Dortmund. After a 3-0 first-leg victory against Sporting, last year’s finalists Dortmund were virtually guaranteed to advance to the round of 16 and did so with a stalemate in the second leg. While Brugge defeated Atalanta 3-1 in their second leg, winning 5-2 overall with an early brace from Chemsdine Talbi proving decisive in match momentum. Villa’s opponent, either Dortmund or Club Brugge, will be determined by the draw in the round of 16 on Friday, February 21.Most read in Champions LeagueThe first leg of the last-16 matchups will take place on either March 4 or March 5, while the subsequent matches will follow a week later.Villa Park will host the second match, while Villa will travel as seeds for the first leg. More

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      Who could Arsenal face in the Champions League Last 16 draw?

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      TODAY’S draw will reveal Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 opponents.The top eight clubs advanced directly to the round of 16 under the new league phase format, avoiding a two-leg play-off match.Arsenal’s two potential opponents were decided on WednesdayCredit: GettyTo guarantee the eight unseeded teams in the round of 16, the teams ranked ninth through twenty-four were forced into a play-off stage – which saw the games completed over the past two weeks.The North London club coasted through their league phase with relative ease as they won six out of their eight games.Mikel Arteta’s side finished third – joint on points with Barcelona’s 19 – just behind table-toppers Liverpool. Who could Arsenal face in the Champions League Last 16 draw?Due to their third-place league performance, Arsenal was paired with either the 13th and 14th slot winners of the play-off ties or the 19th and 20th slot winners. READ MORE IN ARSENALThey were either PSV Eindhoven, Juventus, Feyenoord, or AC Milan.Following a 1-1 draw at the San Siro on Tuesday, Feyenoord advanced over AC Milan 2-1 on aggregate as Julian Carranza stunned the Serie A powerhouses with an equaliser in the 73rd minute.On Wednesday, Juventus led PSV 2-1 going into their second leg in Holland, but the Dutch champions rallied for a 4-3 aggregate victory after extra time.The last-16 draw on Friday, February 21 will decide Arsenal’s opponent, whether it be PSV or Feyenoord. Most read in Champions LeagueEither March 4 or March 5 will see the first leg of the last-16 matches, with the follow-up matches taking place a week later. Arsenal will travel for the first leg as seeds, while Emirates Stadium will host the second game. More

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      Man City to rake in £41m windfall for summer rebuild after picking best possible year for early Champions League exit

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      MANCHESTER CITY can press ahead with their team-rebuilding plans this summer despite their early Champions League exit.Pep Guardiola’s men failed to reach the last 16 of the lucrative competition for the first time since 2013 after Kylian Mbappe’s stunning hat-trick for Real Madrid.Manchester City were dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid this weekCredit: GETTYTheir stint in this season’s Champions League has added to Pep Guardiola’s summer war chestCredit: GETTYThat means they miss out on around £9million for reaching the knockout stage proper — along with the chance to go for around £44m more in prize money.Normally that could have hit their summer budget but City are heading for the money-spinning Club World Cup in June and July.The 32 teams are set to bank around £41m apiece just for playing in the USA tournament — with the prospect of doubling that for going all the way to the final.That should help to bridge any shortfall in the City coffers from a rare failure in Uefa’s showpiece competition — which saw them knocked out in the play-off round by Real Madrid on Wednesday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey have secured Champions League football every year since they first qualified in 2011 — but face a battle to extend that sequence into next season.Despite spending more than £175m on four signings last month, Guardiola is keen to bring in more new faces this summer.Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz and Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso are targets.City’s elimination at the hands of Real has raised further doubts over Guardiola’s future with the club.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSPep Guardiola insists he will still be in charge of Manchester City next seasonCredit: GettyBut when asked if he’ll be at Eastlands next season, the Catalan told Movistar: “Yes, yes, yes, I’m going to stay [at City]. “We have drawn a very strong opponent at the best moment of the season and when the opponent is superior.’Pep Guardiola is stressed, man’ – Fans fear for Man City boss as Etihad legend spotted with fresh scratches on head”There is no other option than to congratulate them. Ten or 12 years ago we weren’t even in the picture.”It’s a competition with many details, a very emotional competition, and I have very few complaints about how we’ve behaved in Europe.”City will be back in action on Sunday, welcoming title-chasing Liverpool to the Etihad. More

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      Conference League clash SUSPENDED mid-game after fan chaos as rivals throw flares at each other

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      RIVAL fans hurled flares and fought in the stands – forcing a Uefa Conference League game to be SUSPENDED near the end.The shocking scenes erupted as Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana battled Bosnian visitors Borac Banja Luka.Trouble exploded late in a tense finale to the play-offMatch officials had no choice but to halt playLithuanian ref Manfredas Lukjancukas halted the play-off at the Stadion Stozice as smoke billowed out from behind a goal.Fans threw missiles and it even appeared that pieces of railing were detached from the stands as the skirmishes continued.The lengthy delay was one reason for 19 MINUTES of stoppage time.Both clubs are now certain to face a Uefa probe.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBorac went through to the last 16 as a 0-0 draw meant they triumphed 1-0 on aggregate.It came on the same night Fenerbahce’s Europa League clash with Anderlecht was suspended for FIFTEEN minutes after fighting in the stands.Footage on social media reportedly showed a small segment of Olimpija fans attacking their counterparts.Some Borac supporters responded by throwing flares at the advancing yobs.Most read in FootballThe away supporters could be seen charging at the home fans after flares were thrown in their directionBut they ended up being lobbed back at them as the louts continued to run riot.The stadium announcer repeatedly pleaded for order, which was only restored after more than five minutes.Earthquake strikes Lisbon during Champions League press conference and leaves whole room shakingSlovenian midfielder Sandi Ogrinec had hit the only goal of the tie for Borac against his home-country club in time added on during the first leg.And in Thursday’s return, Olimpija’s Alex Blanco saw Djordje Despotovic save his seventh-minute penalty – a costly failure as it turned out. More

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      Tributes flood in as Celtic European Cup final hero dies

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      TRIBUTES are being paid to former Celtic goalkeeper Evan Williams, who has sadly died at the age of 81.Williams, born in Dumbarton, played for the Hoops between 1969 and 1974 and was the goalie for their second European Cup final appearance.Evan Williams (right) at the funeral of fellow Celtic hero Tommy GemmellCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun GlasgowWilliams in action for Celtic in the 1972 Drybrough Cup final against AberdeenCredit: Scottish News and SportWhen Celtic took on Feyenoord in 1970, Williams won man of the match on a night when the Glasgow side lost 2-0 but it could have been a lot worse if not for the man between the sticks pulling off a string of impressive saves.Williams was the first choice ‘keeper in three league title-winning seasons from 1970 through to 1972 and had the unenviable task of taking over from Lisbon Lion hero Ronnie Simpson.He held onto the No.1 jersey after signing from Wolves despite the attentions of John Fallon and Denis Connaghan.Williams made 148 appearances for Celtic before leaving to join Kilmarnock, taking with him four league winners’ medals and two Scottish Cup winners’ medals.Hugh Jordan, a journalist who was a friend of Williams, posted on Facebook: “It’s with great sadness I report the death of my friend Evan Williams, the former Celtic goalkeeper. “He passed away in Helensburgh earlier today, aged 81. “As schoolboys, Evan and I both played football for St.Patrick’s, Dumbarton, although he was a few years older. Not a lot of people know this, but Evan was capped as a schoolboy international playing outfield, which he did at every opportunity. “He would have been well suited to the modern game. Evan signed for Celtic after a stint with Wolverhampton Wanderers and he soon became Jock Stein’s most trusted keeper. Most read in Football”He gave a great performance in the 1972 European Cup final when Celtic lost 2-1 to Feyenoord and afterwards, Dutch superstar Wim Van Hannigan handed Evan his jersey, which he treasured. “40 years ago in July, I accidentally broke my arm, but hadn’t realised until I woke up in agony at 3.00am. Unable to move, I rang Evan who was working as a taxi driver. He came straight over, helped me get dressed and took me to hospital. Barry Robson Part 2 The Tommy Burns quip which brought him crashing to earth on day one at Celtic and the attitude problems which hit him at Rangers”Evan’s dad was Welsh and although I didn’t know him, I knew his mum Nellie very well. She was very proud of Evan and so was I. “I fondly remember great European nights at Celtic Park when he provided a safe pair of hands between the posts.”Upon hearing the news, one fan said: “Sad to hear the news that former Celtic goalkeeper Evan Williams has passed away.”Another said: “So sad to hear my old school friend and Celtic goalkeeper Evan Williams has passed away rest in peace God bless, hail hail.”Maryhill Bertie Auld CSC commented: “Rest in peace Evan Williams. A lovely man and a great Celt.”While this supporter said: “Farewell to Evan Williams who has passed away. The first goalie I ever saw play for Celtic in 1972. A Celt to the core. rest in peace, Evan.”David Currie, who was coached by Williams, recalled: “Sad to hear of the passing of former Celtic goalkeeper Evan Williams. He was my goalie coach at Dumbarton Harp under 21s and I remember he would regularly tell me that Pelé ‘took two touches but scored three goals’ against him! Lovely guy and great coach. RIP the ‘Golden Throw’.”Legendary Celts boss Jock Stein once said of Williams: “I didn’t realise how important you were to Celtic until you weren’t there anymore, and I didn’t realise that goalkeeper is the hardest position of all.”Williams also played for East Fife, Third Lanark, Aston Villa, Clyde and Stranraer before retiring in 1976.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe managed Vale of Leven and then Ardeer Thistle in the junior ranks.Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Europa League clash STOPPED with players immediately sent off pitch after chaos breaks out in stands

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      A EUROPA League clash was suspended for FIFTEEN minutes after a fight broke out in the stands.Fenerbahce and Anderlecht players were asked to leave the pitch just SEVEN minutes into their second leg knockout tie in Brussels.A Europa League clash was suspended for 15 minutes after a fight broke out in the standsBoth sets of players were asked to leave the pitchThe referee and Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho were asked to make way down the tunnel insideFenerbahce went 1-0 up inside four minutesFenerbahce were 3-0 up after the first leg in Turkey last week and things got off to the perfect start on Thursday after Youssef En-Nesyri scored inside four minutes.But, just after the celebrations had calmed down, the match was suspended after fans began fighting in the crowd.Both sets of players headed over to where the trouble was, including former Manchester United star Fred, before they were pulled away.Former QPR star Bright Osayi-Samuel went the closest to the chaos and urged security staff to intervene, before Milan Skriniar dragged him away from the area.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFenerbahce gaffer Jose Mourinho appeared to instruct his players to come off the pitch amid mayhem in the stands.Both teams headed back to the dressing room, although other fans at Anderlecht’s Lotto Park Stadium remained in their seats. It was initially unclear what caused the halt to the game, but TNT Sports’ live coverage claimed it was due to a security issue.Referee Sandro Schaerer and Mourinho also swiftly made their way down the tunnel to allow riot police to deal with the disturbance. Most read in FootballRiot police rushed into the stands to deal with the crowd trouble, while stewards also did what they could to defuse tensions.The match has since resumed after a 15 minute stoppage.Anderlecht equalised through Luis Vazquez, before taking the lead in the 55th minute.But centre-back Yusuf Akcicek made it 2-2, which saw Mourinho’s side win 5-2 on aggregate. Fenerbahce are enjoying an impressive season, although they languish six points behind arch-rivals Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig despite winning 18 of their 23 league games.Their squad includes several former Prem stars including Tadic, Dzeko, Fred, Caglar Soyuncu, Diego Carlos, Allan Saint-Maximin, Sofyan Amrabat and Cenk Tosun. More

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      Micah Richards reveals he supports two Premier League teams but it ‘depends if I’m off air or on air’

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      MICAH RICHARDS revealed he supports TWO Premier League teams… and his loyalty depends on whether or not he’s on TV.Richards, 36, rose to prominence in 2005 with Manchester City and went on to win the Premier League title in 2012 as well as the FA Cup the year before.Micah Richards revealed he supports two Premier League teamsCredit: SkyRichards supports Manchester City and Arsenal, depending on whether he’s on airCredit: SkyThe former defender amassed a total of nine goals and 11 assists in 245 appearances with City, where he played for 10 years.The ex-England international enjoyed his most prominent years at Man City, so it comes as no surprise when he roots for Pep Guardiola’s side while on air.But Richards revealed he also supports another team when he’s off air… and that’s none other than Arsenal.Big Meeks appeared on the latest edition of A League of Their Own, where he joined host Romesh Ranganathan as well as guests Tony Bellew and Sean Dyche.Read More on FootballBellew asked the former Aston Villa ace: “Meeks, who do you support champ?”Richards responded: “Who do I support? Well, depends if I’m on air or off air.”Bellew insisted: “Well, we are on air then tell us the truth.”Richards replied: “Man City.”Most read in FootballRanganathan jumped in: “Off air: Arsenal!”Richards confirmed: “Yes!”‘How wrong…’ – Kate Abdo mercilessly trolls CBS Sports panel as Henry, Carra & Richards ‘left her out’ of TV outingThat led to quite a mixed reaction with some members of the crowd exclaiming in shock. More