Champions League

BORUSSIA DORTMUND’S new heir to Jude Bellingham has revealed why he has changed his name.The young star created headlines by scoring twice in Dortmund’s opening Champions League win over Club Brugge.The English striker changed his name in the summerCredit: ReutersHe has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season and some have tipped the Englishman to follow in the footsteps of Bellingham and Jadon Sancho.Jamie Gittens is the name on fan’s lips but the striker used to go by a different name, and he explained the change.The 20-year-old was formerly known by Bynoe-Gittens, and used to wear that name on the back of his shirt.But the youngster cut his name in half at the behest of his father.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGittens told Dortmund’s official website: “Both are my father’s names, but he said he thinks it’s better if I’m just called Gittens because it’s shorter.”Most people know him as Gittens, so in the future, I’ll only wear Gittens.”The “shorter the better” he told German outlet Bild.Gittens has announced himself on the European stage but took a little longer than Bellingham to make an impression at Dortmund.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe scored his first Champions League goal last season but ended the season with just two goals in 34 games.However new boss Nuri Sahin appears to have got the best out of him as Gittens also scored twice Eintracht Frankfurt off the bench.The new Champions League format explained More

FILIP PANAK captained Sparta Prague to their first Champions League victory in 21 years last night after battling back from a life-threatening illness.The defender, 28, has suffered with several injuries since joining Sparta in 2019.Filip Panak was in action against Salzburg last nightCredit: GettyPanak, 28, helped his side to a famous victoryCredit: AFPIn this period he has missed more than 800 days of football due to persistent knee issues.And in addition to battling to resume his career, Panak even found himself fighting for his life following one operation.As per Czech outlet TN, he said of that period: “In the first stage after the first operation I had inflammation in my knee and my kidneys failed.”I spent two weeks in the ARU and another two weeks in orthopaedics cleaning it up after the operation.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”At that point it wasn’t about football or sports, it was about for my life.”I went on dialysis, my liver was also dying. At that moment, it was about how to save my life.”With the help of his friends and family, as well as doctors, Panak was able to recover from the lowest situation of his career.He also had words of encouragement from a former Arsenal star.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWho are these famous footballers?Tomas Rosicky knows all about injury setbacks, having suffered with several during his decade at the Emirates.As sporting director at Sparta, Rosicky was able to support Panak.Thomas Rosicky announces retirement… last of the 2002 Nike Cage greats “He told me not to succumb to it, to try to think positively,” Panak said of those conversations with Rosicky.”I told him that every time I come home, I’m in a bad mood, that my life outside of football depends greatly on my knee pain.”And he confirmed that he knows exactly what I’m talking about, that he’s experienced it too.”Having largely put the worst of those injury issues behind him, Panak has been able to play for much of the last two years.And following Ladislav Krejci’s departure for Girona in the summer, he was even appointed Sparta’s club captain.Last night, he proudly led his side out as they took on Salzburg in the Czech capital.And it was to be a special night, with goals by Kaan Kairinen, Victor Olatunji and Qazim Laci securing Sparta’s first Champions League victory, discounting qualifying rounds, since 2003.For his solid performance, Panak even earned the man of the match award.Last night’s game also marked the first time Sparta have ever begun their Champions League campaign with a win.Having broken their duck, the Czech side will hope to make more history in this year’s competition.READ MORE SUN STORIESNext time out they will travel to Germany to face Stuttgart.Then on matchday three, Panak is set to lead his side out against 2023 European champions Manchester City.Panak earned the man of the match award More

A CHAMPIONS LEAGUE club has axed its manager after just one game in the tournament’s new format.There have been a mixture of opinions about the new system as the increased number of fixtures has players concerned for their welfare.Sergej Jakirovic has been sacked by Dinamo ZagrebCredit: GettyHis side were beaten 9-2 in the Champions League by Bayern MunichCredit: GettyHarry Kane scored four goals in the gameCredit: APDespite concerns, the first two matchdays have served up some thrilling games and lots of goals.The most goals came in Bayern Munich’s 9-2 drubbing of Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night.As a result of the match, Dinamo have parted ways with their manager Sergej Jakirovic.A club statement read: “GNK Dinamo would like to inform the public that a mutual termination of the contract with the former coach of the Blues, Sergej Jakirović, has been agreed upon.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”The first team will be led in the short term until a decision on a new long-term coaching solution is made by former member of the professional staff, Sandro Perkovic.”We thank Sergej Jakirovic from the bottom of our hearts for everything he has given for our club and wish him the best of luck and success in his future career.”We hereby appeal to the media and the public to be understanding towards Sergej Jakirovic and his family and not to worsen an already stressful situation.”Dinamo president Velimir Zajec – who had a spell as interim manager of Portsmouth – thanked the coach for his efforts but insisted the club’s interests must come first.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “First of all, I want to thank Sergej Jakirovic for all the results he achieved.”We had a pleasant cooperation, he left an impression on me of a quality person and I wish him the best of luck in his future career.’Brain-breaking’ intro to Champions League MOTD divides fans as BBC decision shows ‘game has never been more gone'”The most important thing in these situations is to remain human, and to put Dinamo’s interests first.”It is now up to all of us to make a quality decision about a new coach in this difficult moment for Dinamo and to return to winning ways.”The heavy defeat to Bayern saw the German club set a number of records.It is the first time a club in the competition has hit nine goals in a single match.England captain Harry Kane netted four of the goals in the game, three of which came from the spot.Kane took his career tally in the Champions League to 33 as he surpassed Wayne Rooney’s record of 30.He was also the first Englishman to score four times in a single game in the tournament.One saving grace for Dinamo is that the seven-goal defeat is not the worst in the history of the competition.READ MORE SUN STORIESBesiktas and Malmo have both been beaten 8-0 in their games against Liverpool and Real Madrid, respectively.The Reds dispatched the Turkish outfit by the huge margin in 2007, while Madrid hammered Malmo in 2015.New Champions League formatEach club will play eight matches in the opening phase – against seeded opposition, in a system designed to ensure that teams play opponents of similar difficulty.The top eight teams in the “final” table will automatically go through to the last 16, where they will be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.Despite there being just eight matches in the opening phase, European matches will be spread over 10 midweek slots.The new Champions League format also sees the implication of two additional qualifying spots.They will be awarded to the nations that are top of the “country coefficient” chart each season. More