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    Why Arsenal clash with Man City is on at same time as Champions League despite Premier League rules banning it

    THE Premier League fixture between Arsenal and Manchester City will be played at the same time as Champions League ties despite rules banning it. The top of the table clash is all set for Wednesday 15, at the same time Club Brugge face Benfica and Borussia Dortmund welcome Chelsea.
    Man City will play Arsenal at the same time Chelsea play in the Champions LeagueCredit: AP
    Rules prohibit top division domestic matches occurring at the same time as European matches to not give fans across the world a headache with what to watch.
    However, the biggest game of the season has been allowed to happen this Wednesday due to Uefa doing a huge favour in return after the Premier League helped them.
    City’s trip to Arsenal was originally scheduled for the weekend after Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8 and it was therefore postponed.
    The Gunners’ fixture in the Europa League with PSV Eindhoven was also cancelled as a result.
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    The City match was hastily put in the calendar for October 19 but this handed Uefa a major scheduling nightmare.
    It gave the governing body no time to finish the Europa League group stages before the World Cup pause as there was no other available midweek remaining.
    The Prem gave way and further delayed the highly anticipated match until after the tournament in Qatar to accommodate PSV’s trip to the Emirates Stadium, which ended in a 1-0 win to the Gunners.
    This favour has clearly been appreciated by those in charge of the Champions League as there has been zero pushback from them regarding the setting of the game for this Wednesday.
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    Uefa normally frown upon league’s trying to get matches played while their elite competition takes place.
    Arsenal against City kicks-off at 7:30pm and the European clashes begin half an hour later.
    Despite much interest in the Round of 16 matches, many eyes will be on Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta’s sides.
    A win for the current champions would take them above their closest challengers on goal difference, with just three points separating them. More

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    Five English managers will have taken charge of Champions League knockouts after this week as ex-Fulham boss joins elite

    SCOTT PARKER is stunned by the trivia question I pose: “Can you name the only three Englishmen to have managed  in the Champions League knock-out stages?”The 42-year-old former Fulham chief is genuinely surprised that, when his Club Brugge side take on Benfica on Wednesday night, he will be joining such an exclusive group.
    Scott Parker will become the latest Englishman to take charge in the Champions League knockoutsCredit: PA
    Graham Potter will also get his first taste of the last 16, taking the list of bosses to fiveCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Harry Redknapp with Tottenham, Frank Lampard at Chelsea, and Craig Shakespeare when he took over from Claudio Ranieri at Leicester, are the only English bosses to have competed at the sharp end of the world’s elite club competition.
    On Wednesday, that number will swell to five, with Chelsea’s Graham Potter also making his debut in the last-16 away in Dortmund.
    Parker was last seen in an English dugout when his Bournemouth side suffered a humiliating 9-0 defeat at Liverpool in August.
    But in late December he took over the Belgian champions, who sacked his predecessor Carl Hoefkens  despite impressive Champions League wins over Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Porto.
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    Bournemouth’s then-owner Maxim Demin had dismissed Parker with a curt statement, following that Anfield drubbing, after the manager claimed his squad was ‘under-equipped’.
    The former England captain and Footballer of the Year admits his sacking caused deep pain.
     And he wants to challenge the widespread belief managers often have a ‘c’est la vie’ attitude to losing their jobs.
    Parker said: “It was the first time that I had been given  the sack and it’s a tough position. The fear of failure is what drives me — the fear of not being successful, the fear of losing.
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    Harry Redknapp and Spurs enjoyed their time together in EuropeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    “When you are in a job and lose, I’m rational enough to understand why we may have lost and I have an opportunity on Monday morning to do something about it.
    “When you get the sack, that opportunity is done and the  reality is you failed in someone’s eyes. The fact is you are no longer in a job that you devoted so much time to. For that to disappear is tough.
    “I’m not one to accept how everyone sees football management. ‘Yeah, managers just get the sack’. I think that’s extremely harsh.
    “Everyone seems to accept that if you don’t win two games you’re three games away from losing your job. That’s pretty normal now. I don’t think it should be like that.”
    In his only two seasons in the Championship, Parker won promotion with both Fulham and Bournemouth — but on both occasions a lack of investment stymied him.
    He said: “When you come out of the Championship and up into the Premier League the gap is absolutely humongous. You need to change a lot of things.
    “So as quick as I’ve had success — two promotions in the two times I’ve been in the Championship, I’d say that’s pretty successful — the problem I’ve faced then is that leap from the Premier League maybe without huge investment.”
    Frank Lampard soaked up the occasion while Chelsea bossCredit: PA
    Craig Shakespeare managed in the knockouts with LeicesterCredit: PA:Press Association
    When I suggest Parker wouldn’t have been sacked, four games after leading the Cherries to promotion, unless he had publicly criticised the club, his response is: “I don’t know . . .  we had Aston Villa, we won. We then had Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
    “I don’t regret it (speaking out). I’m just someone that wants success. I’m highly committed. That’s why I get out of bed every morning, practically live here until the night, make the sacrifice of moving away, I want my football club to be successful.”
    Parker’s intense nature means management provides only limited pleasure.
    He admits: “The more experienced you get, the failures and losses last even longer.
    “Early on in my career a win lasted a week, you’re on the crest of a wave but the scars, as you get cut along the way, start to dampen it.”
    After 25 years as a player, coach and manager, Parker said he appreciated the ‘oxygen’ of spending more time with wife Carly and his four sons during his brief, enforced, break.
    He turned down offers, believed to be from Championship clubs, but when Brugge came calling he knew it was the right job.
    We meet at the club’s elite-level training base, after a frustrating run of draws have hampered his first six weeks in Belgium’s Jupiler League.
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    And Parker, whose side were held 1-1 at home by Union Saint-Gilloise on Friday, insists: “Managing in the Champions League is the pinnacle of the world we’re in but it wasn’t the main driver in coming here, although that will mean a lot, there’s a much bigger picture.
    “I wanted to challenge myself in a different culture. I wanted the experience of coming abroad to a top club like this.” More

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    Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea: Potter faces tough Champions League tie as Blues take on Bellingham and Co – Stream, TV

    CHELSEA face a tough test as they travel to Borussia Dortmund for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. The Blues were staring an early exit in the face after taking just one point from their opening two fixtures.
    Jude Bellingham in action for Borussia Dortmund in this seasons Champions League.Credit: Reuters
    Mason Mount in Champions League action for Chelsea this season.Credit: AP
    But a rejuvenated Chelsea went on to win their remaining four games – including consecutive victories against Italian giants AC Milan.
    Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund finished runners-up in Group G
    However, Jude Bellingham and Co will feel as if they can get the better of this new-look Chelsea.
    Joao Felix opened his account for the Blues in a 1-1 draw against West Ham at the weekend, with new signing Enzo Fernandez getting the assist.
    Champions League
    When is Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea?

    Borussia Dortmund’s clash with Chelsea will take place on Wednesday, February 15.
    The game will kick off at 8pm UK time.
    Signal Iduna Park will play host.

    What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

    Borussia Dortmund’s clash with Chelsea will be shown live on BT Sport 1.
    You can live stream it from the BT Sport app which is available to download onto your mobile or tablet device.

    Can I watch it for free?

    No, you must have a subscription to BT Sport to watch the game.

    Team news
    Borussia Dortmund are set to be without right back Thomas Meunier as he continues his recovery from a torn muscle fibre.
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    Julian Ryerson should be fit to feature following illness.
    Chelsea will be without Armando Broja, N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Christian Pulisic.
    Denis Zakaria and Wesley Fofana are likely to miss out as well although they have both made significant steps in their recovery. More

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    PSG vs Bayern Munich: Messi and Co host German giants in epic Champions League clash -Stream, TV channel, kick-off time

    FRENCH champions PSG host German giants Bayern Munich in the first leg of a blockbuster Champions League last 16 tie at the Parc de Princes. The Parisians are looking to win their first Champions League title and came close when they lost 1-0 to Bayern in the 2020 final.
    Achraf Hakimi in action for PSG in their 2-1 win over Toulouse.Credit: Getty
    Leroy Sane in action for Bayern during their recent 3-1 win over Wolfsburg.Credit: Getty
    Christophe Galtier’s side finished runners up in Group H which contained Benfica, Juventus and Maccabi Haifa.
    With Lionel Messi amongst the ranks and playing some of the best football of his career, PSG will be hoping this is their year.
    PSG knocked Bayern out of the Champions League on away goals in 2021 after the tie finished 3-3 on aggregate.
    Bayern topped Group C which contained Barcelona, Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen winning all six of their matches.
    Champions League
    Julian Nagelsmann’s men will be hoping to get their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2020 and seventh time in the clubs history.
    The Bavarians currently sit top of the Bundesliga one point clear of surprise package Union Berlin.
    When is PSG vs Bayern Munich?

    PSG vs Bayern Munich will take place on Tuesday, February 14.
    The game will kick off at 8pm UK time.
    The Parc des Princes will play host.

    What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

    PSG’s clash with Bayern Munich will be shown live on BT Sport 2.
    You can live stream it from the BT Sport app which is available to download onto your mobile or tablet device.

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    Can I watch it for free?

    No, you must have a subscription to BT Sport to watch the game.

    Team news
    PSG will be without star man Kylian Mbappe who is out with a hamstring injury.
    Midfielder Renato Sanches is out with a hamstring injury while defender Presnel Kimpembe has missed the last 10 matches with an achillies tendon problem and is expected to miss out.
    Bayern are without goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who is out with a broken leg suffered in a skiing accident.
    Lucas Hernandez is a long term absentee with a knee injury and a return date for Sadio Mane still hasn’t been set although the 30 year old did complete his first session with the ball post surgery.
    Noussair Mazraoui, Ryan Gravenberch and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are all doubts. More

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    AC Milan vs Tottenham: Conte returns to Italy for huge Champions League last-16 tie – Stream, TV channel, kick-off time

    TOTTENHAM take on AC Milan at the San Siro looking to return to London with a positive result in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.Antonio Conte’s side topped Group D thanks to a 2-1 win away at Marseille on match day six.
    Divock Origi in action during AC Milan’s 1-0 defeat to Inter.Credit: Rex
    Dejan Kulusevski in action for Tottenham during their 1-0 win against Manchester City.Credit: Rex
    Spurs won three, drew two and lost one of their group stage matches against Sporting Lisbon, Eintracht Frankfurt and Marseille.
    Conte’s men will be hoping to repeat the north London side’s run to the final in 2019 where they lost 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid.
    Tottenham did knock AC Milan out of the Champions League in the 2010/2011 season 1-0 on aggregate with Petr Crouch’s strike giving Harry Redknapp’s side a 1-0 win in the San Siro before a goalless draw at White Hart Lane.
    Italian Giants AC Milan finished runners up in Group E which contained Chelsea, RB Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb.
    Champions League
    The Rossoneri lost twice to Chelsea, 3-0 at Stamford Bridge and 2-0 at home.
    The Italian champions are struggling in Serie A this season and currently sit sixth, 18 points behind leaders Napoli.
    When is AC Milan vs Tottenham?

    AC Milan vs Tottenham will take place on Tuesday, February 14.
    The game will kick off at 8pm UK time.
    The San Siro will play host.

    What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

    AC Milan’s clash with Tottenham will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate.
    You can live stream it from the BT Sport app which is available to download onto your mobile or tablet device.

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    Can I watch it for free?

    No, you must have a subscription to BT Sport to watch the game.

    Team news
    AC Milan are set to be without first choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan who is out with a calf injury although there are hopes he will be fit for the second leg.
    Right back Alessandro Florenzi misses out with a hamstring injury while there are no set return dates for centre back Fikayo Tomori and midfielder Ismael Bennacer.
    Tottenham will be without goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who is out for around two months.
    Spurs could also be without midfielder Pape Sarr and forward Lucas Moura but both players are close to a return. More

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    ‘It needs to be ours’ – Joao Felix says Chelsea must WIN Champions League ahead of crunch game with Borussia Dortmund

    JOAO FELIX has insisted that Chelsea must win the Champions League this season despite the club’s poor form in the Premier League.The 23-year-old scored his first goal for the Blues during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham.
    Felix has insisted that Chelsea must win the Champions LeagueCredit: YouTube / Chelsea Football Club
    The midfielder scored his first Chelsea goal on SaturdayCredit: Getty
    But after the game he insisted that he is hungry for more success.
    In a post-match interview with Chelsea media, he said: “We have to focus on the next game. The most important game is next, always.
    “It’s the Champions League, that’s the competition we want to win so it starts on Wednesday and it needs to be ours.”
    Chelsea are set to face Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 next week.
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    But while Graham Potter and his team already have their eyes on the prize, the Blues will have to bounce back from a poor run of form if they want to stand any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.
    Chelsea currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, 10 points adrift of Newcastle in fourth.
    They have also been knocked out of both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, meaning that the Champions League is the only competition of which they could realistically win.
    Blues boss Potter currently has the most expensive squad in Europe at his disposal.
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    Chelsea chief Todd Boehly spent almost £300million during the January transfer window alone on key signings such as Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and Benoit Badiashile.
    Felix, who joined the club on loan from Atletico Madrid last month, has said that the team has already established a positive connection.
    He added: “Playing in this team with such good quality, that is immense. It’s easy, we all connect well and when that happens things go well.” More

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    Guardiola names nine teams who wanted Man City kicked out of Champions League as club charged with financial breaches

    PEP GUARDIOLA has revealed NINE Premier League teams wanted Manchester City booted out of the Champions League.The Etihad boss gave a defiant press conference as he spoke for the first time since the club were charged with 115 breaches of financial regulations by the Premier League.
    Pep Guardiola claimed NINE teams wanted Manchester City kicked out of the Champions LeagueCredit: @footballdaily
    Guardiola, 52, recalled when City were found guilty of breaching Uefa’s FFP regulations and banned from competing in Europe for two years in 2020.
    That ban was successfully overturned after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
    But Guardiola sensationally revealed NINE Prem teams wanted City booted out of the Champions League at the time.
    Comparing the 2020 case to now, Guardiola said: “When Uefa make a sentence against us, nine teams – Burnley, Wolves, Leicester, Newcastle, Spurs, Arsenal, United, Liverpool, Chelsea – [wanted City] out of the Champions League when they wanted that position.
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    “There are no enemies or friends, just interests. They wanted to take our position [in the Champions League]. This situation is absolutely zero difference.
    “It’s the same articles, same accusations. You have to go to League One, League Two, no not enough, maybe Conference. We have been in lower divisions.”

    Guardiola joked he’d bring back club legends Paul Dickov and Mike Summerbee if the club were relegated, as he continued to refer to the 2020 case.
    He said: “If we go back there it’s not a problem for us, we will call Paul Dickov and Mike Summerbee… and we will be back I’m pretty sure, if we go there.
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    “But they should wait because [only] in the end is it decided what happens, and they didn’t wait in the UEFA situation.”
    Guardiola suggested on Friday that City are “already being condemned”, despite not being found guilty of breaching financial regulations.
    Speaking on the charges, which were announced on Monday, he declared: “My first thought is we are already being condemned.
    “What has happened after Monday is the same as happened with Uefa [in 2020]. We were condemned. 
    “We have just a charge. Why should when they told me before they defend the accusation from UEFA, the club proved we were completely innocent, why should now be condemned? 
    “19 teams of the Premier League is accusing us without the chance to defend and the words of my chairman my CEO my owner explain everything, you know what side I am on.”
    A breakdown of the financial charges against Man City More

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    Chelsea ‘to listen to offers for Christian Pulisic this summer’ with £58m winger expected to lead Stamford Bridge exodus

    CHRISTIAN PULISIC is reportedly “set to lead a summer clearout” at Chelsea.The American winger, 24, joined the Blues from Borussia Dortmund back in 2019.
    Christian Pulisic looks to be heading out of the Chelsea exitCredit: Getty
    The star has tasted Champions League success in West London but he has struggled for regular action.
    And this term he has been restricted to 21 outings, most from the bench, and just one goal.
    Chelsea’s record January transfer outlay led to them bringing in EIGHT new players in.
    They include a whopping £107m upfront with a potential further £4m to follow in add-ons to Benfica for Enzo Fernandez.
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    And the arrival of Ukrainian Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk has only added more competition for minutes on the pitch. 
    Pulisic has entered the final 18 months of his Stamford Bridge contract and has several PremIer League clubs chasing his signature.
    One of those is Manchester United, while Arsenal and Newcastle are also keen.
    And now a bidding war could be about to begin as ESPN claims Pulisic is “expected to be made available” at the end of the season as the Blues look to trim their bloated squad.
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    However, Chelsea know that they stand to make a “significant loss” on the man they spent £58m on.
    Following his participation with USA at the World Cup, Pulisic refused to rule out an exit when quizzed on his future.
    Speaking on the Indirect Podcast, he said: “I mean, right now I’m absolutely back at Chelsea and focused and ready to finish the season.

    “But you know how things work in football. Things change quickly and anything can happen.
    “At the moment I am just pushing myself in training and working at Chelsea because that’s where I am right now.” More