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      Champions League clash DELAYED with conditions unplayable after smoke from flares covers entire stadium

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      REAL MADRID’S showdown with Brest was delayed by around five minutes due to flares let off by supporters.Smoke from the flares severely affected visibility, with kick-off in the Champions League clash pushed back to allow the air to clear.Smoke caused by flares led to kick off being delayedSupporters let off flares ahead of kick-offCredit: ReutersAfter a delay of around five minutes, the match was finally able to get underway.With all 18 Champions League games on Wednesday supposed to kick-off simultaneously, the delay caused a headache for Uefa bosses.Ligue 1 side Brest are enjoying their first-ever European campaign.But they have not been able to play matches at their Stade Francis-Le Ble home, as it does not meet Uefa regulations.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInstead they have had to host Europe’s elite at Stade de Roudourou in Guingamp, around 70 miles away.Despite the distance, their supporters have done their best to make the 19,033-capacity stadium home for their European games.Surprise packages of this season’s Champions League, the French debutants have already beaten PSV Eindhoven and Sturm Graz in Guingamp, while they have drawn with German champions Bayer Leverkusen at their temporary home.Real Madrid appeared unbothered by the slight delay to proceedings.Most read in Champions LeagueSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYKylian Mbappe returned to France to face BrestCredit: EPAWinger Rodrygo gave the European heavyweights the lead shortly before the half hour, before they powered to a 3-0 victory. The two sides met on a chaotic final matchday in this season’s Champions League league phase.Ally McCoist explains the new Champions League format Brest had gone into the match a point ahead of their esteemed visitors and will now contest the playoffs for a spot in the last-16.Elsewhere on the night, Manchester City hosted Belgian side Club Brugge.Ahead of the game emergency services had to be called after a huge fire broke out just outside the Etihad Stadium.The incident occurred under two hours before kick-off, with footage showing a City club merchandise van up in flames.The match was able to kick-off at 8pm as planned.City booked their place in the Champions League play-offs with a 3-1 win – but not without a scare first. Emergency services were forced to be called to the EtihadCredit: AP More

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      ‘Where the hell is it’ – Fans baffled and can’t find TNT Sports goals show during night of Champions League chaos

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      FOOTBALL fans were left baffled and scrambling to find TNT Sports goals show on the night of Champions League chaos. There were a total of 18 games on offer during the final group stage matches on Wednesday. Morgan Rogers celebrates a goal for Aston VillaCredit: GettyFans were rushing to the goals show to keep track of all the action – but could not find it.That was because it was on TNT Sports 5 – leaving viewers confused.One said: “Absolutely crazy decision by TNT Sports to hide The Goals Show on Discovery+ tonight.”Clearly so many people trying to access, the whole thing is glitching. Great job everybody.” READ MORE IN football Another added: “How can it be so hard to watch the Goals Show, on today of all days.”One raged: On the night of all nights, the Goals Show is not available for @NOWTV customers because it’s on a channel above TNT4. “What’s the point in paying for it? It should have been advertised as a limited service.”Another fumed: “Sorry, this whole night is about watching it via a “Goals Show” and then the Goals Show is not on any actual channel? Is that right?”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLiverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa were all in action on a bumper evening. All four Premier League teams remain in the competition after a night of drama. Shock moment Aston Villa & Celtic fans clash before Champions League showdown as FLARE launched towards home supportersArne Slot saw his Liverpool side lose for just the third time this season as they went down 3-2 at PSV Eindhoven. Despite the defeat, Barcelona’s draw with Atalanta means the Reds qualify top of the table.They will be joined in the last-16 by both Arsenal and Villa, with Unai Emery’s side beating Celtic 4-2.Manchester City will now face a playoff after coming from behind to beat Club Brugge.Pep Guardiola’s men will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in a play-off round in February. More

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      Fire breaks out outside Etihad as fans evacuated and emergency services called before Man City’s Champions League clash

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      A FIRE broke out just outside the Etihad as thousands of fans were evacuated under two hours before Manchester City’s Champions League clash.The Premier League champions host Club Brugge needing a win to guarantee qualification into the knockout stages after a nightmare season so far.A fire broke out outside the Etihad stadiumCredit: RexA merchandise van caught fireCredit: PAAn ambulance rushes to the sceneCredit: RexEmergency services put out the fireCredit: RexEmergency services were quick on the sceneCredit: RexAnd things got off the a dramatic start when a large fire broke out just outside the stadium as supporters gathered before the game.Footage emerged showing a City club merchandise van up in flames.Fire trucks and ambulances were seen also rushing to the scene as thousands of fans looked on in shock.Smoke billowed from the blaze towards the stadium with reports some had entered the fan concourses.The surrounding area was evacuated as emergency services put out the fire – as the club released a statement. It read: “Manchester City FC can confirm that there has been a fire in one of the outside merchandise kiosks, located near the entrance to the Colin Bell West Stand.”Emergency services are present at the scene and the fire has now been extinguished. “The safety of all attending the match tonight is our top priority, and as such all events planned for West Stand reception have been cancelled, including the welcome event for new players, and the first team arrival.”Most read in FootballA spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Just before 6pm this evening (Wednesday 29th January), two fire engines from Blackley and Philips Park fire station were called to reports of a building fire involving an outbuilding on the car park of the football ground on Rowsley Street, Manchester.“Crews arrived quickly at the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish the fire, they are currently dampening down any hotspots and making the area safe. Kyle Walker opens up on ‘uncomfortable’ conversation with Guardiola as he admits ‘things weren’t going well’ at Man City“Firefighters have been in attendance for around thirty minutes and are still at the scene.”New signings Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis were all due to be unveiled in the area before kick-off.That event was ultimately cancelled.City’s team bus usually arrives in between a huge crowd of fans – but this was also scrapped.Supporters had been preparing to get themselves inside the stadium in a bid to cheer on hosts. City sit 25th in the new-look League Phase table – just outside the top 16 play-off spots. To progress, Pep Guardiola’s side must win due to goal difference of the teams around them.The top eight automatically qualify for the last 16 and are joined by the winners of a play-off round between those that finished ninth to 24th.Those that finish 25th to 36th are eliminated from all European competition – teams no longer drop into the Europa League.Guardiola said: “The situation that we have is that we have to win the game and if not we will not continue in this competition.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We want to have another chance to play another two games, to have the chance of the next stages. “It’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity.” More

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      How European play-offs could dramatically change Dream Team landscape in February

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      THE league phases of the Champions League and Europa League will reach a dramatic conclusion this week.Amid all the excitement, Dream Team managers should pay careful attention to how it all plays out as the results could have a dramatic impact on the game’s landscape.Keep a keen eye on tonight’s actionCredit: Dream TeamLiverpool are one of only two teams (alongside Barcelona) to have already secured automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16.Only a disaster for Arsenal away to Girona (combined with unfortunate results elsewhere) will prevent the Gunners from joining Arne Slot’s side in the last 16.However, Aston Villa’s fate is less certain ahead of their clash with Celtic at Villa Park.A win over the Scottish giants will give them every chance of an automatic spot but they’ll also need at least one of Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, Milan, Atletico Madrid or Inter to falter to a certain degree.Emery has overseen four wins from seven in the Champions League this seasonCredit: ReutersAs for Manchester City, the 2023 winners of the competition are at risk of elimination following defeat to PSG last week.Pep Guardiola’s troops are currently 25th in the table but will earn a play-off spot with a win over Club Brugge at the Etihad this evening.Hypothetically, let’s say both Villa and Man City end up finishing between 9th-24th in the table and progress to the play-off round.The first legs of the Champions League play-offs are schedule for February 11th/12th and the second legs for February 18th/19th.Most read in FootballThis would mean double headers for Villa and Man City in Gameweeks 23 and 24.Man City’s stuttering campaign may create an opportunity for Dream Team bossesCredit: GettyAt present, Liverpool and Everton are the only teams set to pull double duty in Gameweek 23 (due to the rescheduled Merseyside derby) but additional fixtures for the likes of Erling Haaland (£7.9m), Phil Foden (£6.6m), Morgan Rogers (£3.5m), Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) and others would change the outlook considerably.It’s a similar situation in the Europa League with the play-off legs for the continent’s secondary competition also scheduled for Gameweeks 23 and 24.However, both Manchester United and Tottenham are in strong positions to qualify for the last 16 automatically after wins over Rangers and Hoffenheim respectively in Gameweek 20.The Red Devils are fourth ahead of their trip to FCSB, who are also pushing for a top-eight finish, while sixth-placed Spurs host Swedish outfit Elfsborg knowing a positive result will ensure they avoid the stress of the play-offs.Man United’s late winner against Rangers delivered a huge boostCredit: GettyMore than a few Dream Team bosses will be hoping things go awry for Man United and Spurs on Thursday night as that will mean more point-scoring opportunities for Bruno Fernandes (£6.3m), Dejan Kulusevski (£4.4m) and company next month.Make no mistake, the addition of extra fixtures for any of the aforementioned teams in February will affect transfer and captaincy strategy.Dream Team’s Match Centre will update as required once the European play-offs are confirmed but it’s never too early to start formulating potential plans.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor example, Haaland is currently second among the most transferred-out players prior to Gameweek 22 but those managers will probably be scrambling to bring him back in if City end up in the Champions League play-offs.All eyes on the Etihad this evening…Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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      What do Man City need to guarantee qualification to the Champions League last 16?

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      MANCHESTER City may be established European juggernauts – but the new league format has made things trickier to navigate.Following defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the Sky Blues sit 25th in the League Phase table – just outside the play-off spots – on eight points with one more game to fight for.Anything other than win in City’s last league game will end their Champions League campaignCredit: GettyPep Guardiola’s side had the chance to put themselves in a reassuring position in their penultimate game in Paris, but the 4-2 capitulation – when they led by two – has given advantage back to direct rivals PSG.City’s final game will pit them against fellow last 16 hopefuls Club Brugge at the Etihad on Wednesday.Brugge, one of nine teams still in contention for a playoff spot, sit 20th on 11 points.PSG and last playoff spot holder, Stuttgart, also clash on the final matchday.read more on MAN CITYWhat do Man City need to guarantee qualification to the Champions League last 16?For City to progress they must secure a win due to goal difference of the teams around them.The introduced eight-game ‘Swiss model’ has scrapped the traditional 32-team group stage of Europe’s top club competitions for a 36-team league phase.The top eight automatically qualify for the last 16 and are joined by the winners of a play-off round between those that finished ninth to 24th.Those that finish 25th to 36th are eliminated from all European competition – teams no longer drop into the Europa League.Most read in FootballAccording to Opta’s supercomputer – which simulates the 2024-25 UCL league phase 50,000 times to work out a team’s Champions League knockout likelihood – City have an expected points of 10.1.According to that algorithm, City had an 84 per cent chance of reaching the play-offs prior to their defeat in the French capital.Fan spot classy gesture from Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson to Man City newbie Abdukodir Khusanov after horror debutThe new tally of 63.8 per cent still gives them a chance of playoff qualification, but there is plenty of room for error with a 36.2 per cent chance of elimination.Despite the array of permutations and the number of teams involved, City’s task remains simple – win and they qualify for the play-off round. More

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      What do Aston Villa need to guarantee qualification to the Champions League last 16?

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      DESPITE the loss to Monaco last week, Aston Villa are still among possible contenders for automatic Champions League qualification.The Villans’ high flying Champions League campaign took another hitch as an uninspiring 1-0 defeat in Monaco left them outside the top eight – which guarantees progression to the last 16.A win in Villa’s final league game will give them a chance of qualifying for the Champions League last 16Credit: ReutersUnai Emery’s men are ninth in the League Phase table, joint on 13 points with five other teams, including Bayer Leverkusen, who occupy the final automatic spot. So far, Villa have won four, drew once and lost twice.What do Aston Villa need to do to guarantee Champions League round of 16 qualification?Their final game, Celtic at home, provides an enticing affair where only a win will give them a chance to go straight into the Round of 16. The opportunity arose after Bayern Munich’s shock defeat to Feyenoord and Brest’s defeat.read more on aston villa Those not in the top eight positions either fall into the play-off spots – ninth to 24th – or are immediately eliminated.Villa are offered the security blanket of at least a play-off spot.Opta have calculated that the Midlands side are favourites to scrape the all-decisive eight spot.A supercomputer simulation – that estimates the likelihood of teams finishing in the competition – has Villa down for a 52.6 per cent probability of clinching it.Most read in Champions LeagueFor that to happen, Villa will have to beat Celtic and also need one of Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan or Atalanta to not follow suit. The teams behind Villa – Monaco, Feyenoord, Lille and Brest – can also match the former’s final tally but their goal difference is inferior.Champions League club send Micah Richards shirt with very cheeky nickname on the back thanks to his Brest obsession Villa’s potential for a seeded spot will likely hinge on Atalanta and whether they can beat Barcelona – which would be needed to stay in the top eight. All outcomes are permutation-driven and ultimately out of Villa’s hand, who can only win to give themselves the best possible chance. More

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      Phil Foden swipes at Gareth Southgate for playing him out of position at Euros as England star says ‘we never got going’

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      PHIL FODEN has finally got his spark back and is now aiming to light up the rest of Manchester City’s season.The Premier League’s Player of the Year in 2023-24 felt burnt out when he returned to the club following last summer’s European Championship.Phil Foden opened up on his Euro 2024 heartacheCredit: GettyAlthough England reached the final in Germany, it was a difficult tournament for Foden.The hangover from that disappointment lasted several months and it is only since the start of 2025 we have begun to see the old Foden again.It cannot be a coincidence that six goals in the last four Prem games have coincided with a mini-revival for Pep Guardiola’s team.And they need their homegrown star to continue to shine to help save their Champions League skins tonight.READ MORE IN football Only a win over Club Brugge will be enough for the 2022-23 winners to avoid an embarrassing early exit.Yet with Foden back in form, most expect them to get the job done.The hopes of a fifth straight Prem title may be all but gone but the midfielder insists City have plenty to play for — and he intends to be at the centre of it.Foden, 24, said: “Even though it’s been a challenging season, we’ve still got things to look forward to.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“Because we’re having a bit of a blip, we can’t lose belief in that.“I still believe we can do good things and come back from this. I want to try to show I’m a leader by turning up in big moments and help the team when I can. Kyle Walker opens up on ‘uncomfortable’ conversation with Guardiola as he admits ‘things weren’t going well’ at Man City“We need to look at finishing at least top four in the Premier League — aiming to win the Champions League and the FA Cup as well.”Foden has been pivotal to City’s recent success which has seen them win six of the last seven Prem titles.It is only 19 months ago they did the Treble but Foden feels all the exertions of recent years finally caught up with him in August.He could not find the energy which has been such a key feature of his game — leaving fans wondering what was wrong.Foden said: “For me, football is played with the brain and when the brain is mentally fatigued you’re not going to see a player for who he is.“I’m normally itching to get back but when I came back my body and my mental state was low.“I’ve been playing since the age of five pushing myself every day to be the best I can.“When you add up all the games and all the travelling it is a lot for the body. “I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent when I was training, and there were a few niggles. There were times when I was getting frustrated.“My body didn’t feel how I was used to and it’s something I’ve had to deal with.“I feel that’s the reason why I had a slow start to the season. I had a bit of rest, just to give my body time to recover.“I took the start of the season very slowly, I didn’t play much. I was resting and trying to get back to myself.“When you start the season good, I feel you have the rest of the season good. I feel frustrated I didn’t get out what I wanted to. The position I was put in on the left was very difficult to influence the game.Phil Foden “But I missed periods at the start of the season so I think that’s why it’s taken me so long to get going.”Foden is looking much more like his old self now — as City have started to go through the gears since Christmas.But the regrets over his time at the Euros with the Three Lions — when so much was expected of him — still linger.The England faithful even came up with a song — an adaptation of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in Dark.But Foden was stuck out on the left by former boss Gareth Southgate and never really got going — even though he played every game as the Three Lions reached the final.He said: “I feel frustrated I didn’t get out what I wanted to. The position I was put in on the left was very difficult to influence the game.“Coming off last season — being the best player in the Premier League and playing centre midfield — I do feel the position was quite difficult to get used to.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’m one who can play multiple positions and I had to try to deal with it the best I could. “I don’t feel like England ever got going or performed to our potential.”Gareth Southgate played Foden on the leftCredit: Alamy More

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      Only Man City’s meltdown has saved Champions League – new format has been an ocean of filler to TV schedules

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      ONLY Manchester City’s meltdown has saved tonight’s Champions League bonanza from becoming the mother of all damp squibs.When Uefa revealed their grand plan for one monster 36-club league to replace the group phase, this was supposed to be a red-letter night.Man City have struggled in the Champions League this seasonCredit: RexThe tournament has undergone a revamp this yearCredit: ReutersWith 18 matches kicking off simultaneously, it was a feast of football, enough to melt the remote controls of goggle-eyed supporters across the continent.And yet only City’s clash with Club Brugge holds true jeopardy for both clubs.Etihad boss Pep Guardiola’s fallen Premier League champions need to win, while their Belgian opponents need a draw to avoid elimination.Had this been a normal campaign for City, there would be little English interest in tonight’s proceedings.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLInstead, Pep’s men have lost at Sporting Lisbon, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain while squandering a three-goal lead at home to Feyenoord, so it is ‘game on’ in Manchester.This new format — the most-hyped ‘Swiss model’ since Ursula Andress stepped out of the sea in Dr No — was supposed to make it nigh-on impossible for Europe’s richest clubs to fail to progress to the knockout phase.Yet City have contrived to make a serious hash of it all and ended up in the elimination zone along with the usual suspects from Eastern Europe and the Alps.And the prospect of elimination for the 2023 European champions is the only true intrigue in the mammoth fixture list.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWe’ve had 126 matches and in essence it’s been an ocean of largely meaningless filler content for the TV schedules.While adding to fixture congestion, viewer fatigue and player burnout at many elite clubs who face a month-long Fifa Club World Cup next summer.How Omar Marmoush helped Pep Guardiola reinvent Man City’s tactics in one gameFA Cup third and fourth-round replays were scrapped to accommodate this monstrosity — with non-league Tamworth missing out on a rematch with Tottenham.And the two legs of the Carabao Cup semi-finals are being played FOUR WEEKS apart — meaning most neutrals will have forgotten the first-leg results before the return matches are played.This Champions League format bastardises the whole idea of league football — the idea that every team in the table plays each other.And while seeding is meant to balance out the ‘weight’ of clubs’ fixture lists, true sporting integrity has been lost.Fans have struggled to grasp the complexities of the format — the top eight go directly to the last 16 in March, while the next 16 face a two-legged play-off, with only the bottom 12 dumped out.Three more of tonight’s games — Aston Villa’s Battle of Britain with Celtic, Lille v Feyenoord and champions Real Madrid’s clash at French club Brest — all represent a sort of shootout for a place in the top eight.But even that does not bring the jeopardy of elimination from the event, those who fail to gain automatic qualification only face an extra round.The most likely result of the night would be a draw between Stuttgart and PSG, who would both progress to the play-offs.So what could bring back genuine excitement to Europe’s elite club competition?READ MORE SUN STORIESHow about a straight knockout competition like the original European Cup?As if anyone at the top table would vote for danger when they can grow fat on the proceeds of ever-increasing TV filler instead.New Champions League format is a snorefestBy Dan KingUEFA sold the idea of expanding the Champions League from 32 to 36 teams, with each playing eight games instead of six in the opening phase, as a way of creating more competitiveness and excitement.The biggest clubs would have two matches against their peers, rather than having to wait until the knockout stage to meet.The smaller clubs would meet teams of a similar level twice and have a chance of tasting victory that was so hard to achieve if you were the bottom seed in a group of four.Ignoring for a moment the fact that the real motivation was the simple equation of more games = more money, the theory itself already looks flawed.None of the matches between European giants has delivered a compelling contest yet.And why would they? At the start of the long season with more matches in it, why would any team with ambitions to win things in the spring, go out all guns blazing in the autumn?Especially when they know they have six games NOT against big sides to make sure they accrue enough points to qualify at least for the play-off round (and even more games).There is even less jeopardy than before.Read the full column on the Champions League format fail and why everyone – including YOU – needs a rethink. More