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      Champions League final tickets: Are Man City and Chelsea fans allowed to attend and where will the match be held?

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      THE Champions League is down to the last four and Man City and Chelsea are both in strong positions to qualify for the final.City were 2-1 winners away to PSG while Chelsea scored the crucial away goal to secure a 1-1 draw at Real Madrid.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      The Champions League final will be in Istanbul
      Though because of the global covid pandemic, the competition has had a very different look to it this year.
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      When is the Champions League final, and where’s it being held?

      The Champions League final will take place on Saturday, May 29.
      The Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey – famously the location of Liverpool’s 3-3 comeback win over AC Milan in 2005 – will host the showpiece this season.
      The kick-off time has yet to be decided, though it is expected to begin at 8pm BST.

      Are English fans allowed to attend the Champions League final?

      With the UK’s ban on non-essential international travel set to expire on May 17, Chelsea and/or Man City fans should be allowed to travel to Turkey for the match.
      However, the Turkish government will decide if any tickets will be allocated to travelling supporters of the participating clubs.
      Uefa have not placed any restrictions on ticket sales meaning Turkey is allowed to hold the game with any number of fans it chooses.
      Coronavirus cases in Turkey remain high, with the country having just entered a full lockdown.
      This means Turkey is likely to be on the UK’s amber list when travel resumes.
      This would see fans from the UK forced to quarantine for ten days on their return and take a pre-departure Covid test plus PCR tests on Day 2 and Day 8 after landing.
      Despite this, UK fans would have no problems entering Turkey, with the Turkish government set to allow British travellers to enter without proof of vaccination or negative test from May 15.
      There has not yet been any suggestion from the UK or Turkey that fans could avoid quarantine through a bubble arrangement.
      Fans of the two Europa League finalists will get 2000 tickets each for that final in Gdansk, but Uefa have yet to announce an allocation for the Champions League final.

      The Ataturk Stadium plays host this year
      Can I get tickets?
      UEFA have revealed in their latest update that details are to follow soon on how you can get tickets to the big one.
      UEFA said: “The UEFA Champions League Final 2021 will take place in Istanbul, Turkey in the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Saturday, 29 May 2021.
      “Information about the ticket sales for this match (availability of tickets, application deadline, ticket prices, etc.) should be communicated around end of April 2021.
      “More details will follow in due course.”

      What are the Champions League semi-finals?

      Semi-final second legs
      Tuesday, May 4
      Man City vs PSG (8pm BST)
      Wednesday, May 5
      Chelsea vs Real Madrid (8pm BST) More

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      Man Utd icon Sir Alex Ferguson spotted with PSG chief at The Lowry just hours before Man City Champions League clash

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN appear to be pulling out all the stops with a secret weapon as they plot a Champions League comeback against Manchester City.Last season’s beaten finalists are in the North West ahead of their semi-final second leg clash with the Cityzens tonight.
      Sir Alex Ferguson was seen leaving PSG’s hotel this morning alongside their president Nasser Al-Khelaifi (left)Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Sir Alex Ferguson was spotted paying a special visit to the Lowry Hotel this morningCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The ex-Manchester United boss was believed to be visiting the PSG sideCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Mauricio Pochettino and his PSG side are staying at the Lowry ahead of tonight’s clash with Man CityCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Poch may have invited Fergie over for advice as he plots a remarkable comebackCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      They trail 2-1 after losing in the French capital last week and will have to produce a remarkable turnaround at the Etihad to progress.
      However, it appears PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino has called for some advice from the man who was in charge of one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history.
      Legendary former Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, whose Red Devils scored twice to win the 1999 competition 2-1 against Bayern Munich, was spotted visiting the PSG team hotel this morning.
      And photographers were on hand to snap the Scot, 79, entering the Lowry this morning before leaving one hour and twenty minutes later accompanied by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
      MEN claims the hotel has no other guests staying there due to the current coronavirus restrictions and is only hosting PSG’s squad and its staff.
      There has been no official confirmation of the visit, but Fergie and Pochettino are known to have developed a warm relationship from the Argentine’s time in England with Southampton and Tottenham.
      Ferguson, who masterminded 26 victories over City while in charge of United, has spoken glowingly about the 49-year-old on several occasions since he retired from the Old Trafford dug-out in 2013.
      Their friendship continued to blossom after they famously shared a bite to eat over a bottle of red at a Mayfair restaurant.
      Ferguson spent around one hour and twenty minutes at the hotel earlierCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
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      FERGIE’S RECORD AGAINST CITYSIR ALEX FERGUSON took charge of United 47 times in the Manchester Derby against City:
      Played: 47
      Won: 26
      Drawn: 10
      Lost: 11
      Goals for: 78
      Goals against: 59

      Pochettino described the lunch as a ‘dream come true’ and referred to the iconic ex-United gaffer as a ‘very special person’.
      And he also revealed that he paid for the meal after Ferguson challenged him to name Argentina’s goal scorers in the 1930 World Cup final win against Uruguay.
      Whether or not Fergie’s visit will help inspire PSG to a second-successive final remains to be seen.
      City lead 2-1 from the first leg courtesy of second-half goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez turned the scoreline on its head following Marquinhos’ opener.
      The victor tonight will play the winners of Chelsea or Real Madrid in the final on Saturday 29 May.
      Sir Alex Ferguson spent just over an hour at the Lowry where PSG are stayingCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Ferguson masterminded United’s epic 1999 Champions League comeback successCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Fergie and Poch have developed a strong friendship over recent yearsCredit: Getty
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Sir Alex Ferguson cried at home as Ryan Christie broke down in tears after clinching Scotland Euro 2020 spot More

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      Marcelo catches Real Madrid flight for Chelsea clash just in time after election duty with £17k private jet not needed

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      MARCELO managed to catch Real Madrid’s flight to Chelsea in time after completing his election duties.The left-back, 32, was pictured leaving the polling station this morning alongside club officials.
      Marcelo completed his duties for the election in Madrid in time to fly to London with Real MadridCredit: Rex

      And a video then showed him preparing to travel with his team-mates.
      Now he should have no troubles lining up for Los Blancos in the crunch Champions League semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
      Marcelo was randomly selected for election duty last week as voters pick their candidates for the Assembly of Madrid today.
      Real Madrid applied for an exemption for the defender, who also has Spanish citizenship, but the request was denied.
      His role as a back-up monitor meant as long as the people fulfilling the role turned up, he would be excused.
      And after reporting for duty diligently at 8am, Marca report first substitute Marcelo was let go at 9.01am, just 90 minutes before take-off with the squad.
      The polling station was at the Liceo Europeo de La Moraleja school in the suburb of Alcobendas, roughly a 15-minute drive to both the training ground and airport.
      According to La Sexta in Spain, the second substitute, an elderly lady, volunteered to cover Marcelo by remaining on stand-by so he could leave.

      Real Madrid had lined up a £17,000 private jet to fly him over to London tonight in case he was needed all day at the polling station – Uefa rules meant he could not fly on the morning of the game.
      They were also angered that he would be mixing with other people not in their bio-secure bubble and therefore at risk of catching coronavirus.
      Zinedine Zidane commented on the potential issue last week but was confident he would have his 526-appearance star available.
      The Frenchman – already without centre-back Raphael Varane – said: “It is what it is, he will fulfil his obligations. On Wednesday he will be with us, nothing changes.”
      Marcelo started Tuesday night’s 1-1 first-leg draw with Chelsea in the Spanish capital.
      But that was just the four-time winner’s second Champions League outing of the season, with Ferland Mendy often given the nod this term.
      The left-back played 77 minutes in the first leg and will be available for Zinedine Zidane at Stamford BridgeCredit: AP

      Marcelo scores some impressive goals in Real Madrid training More

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      Man City vs PSG: Live stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Champions League semi-final second leg

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      MANCHESTER CITY are on the brink of reaching their first ever Champions League final.But Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain stand in the way of the Premier League champions-elect.
      Riyad Mahrez’s free kick gave Manchester City a 2-1 lead going into the second legCredit: Reuters
      Pep Guardiola’s City have had a rotten run of form in crunch games in this competition in recent years, but this time out they have their best chance under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour.
      When is Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain what is the kick-off time?

      The Champions League semi-final second leg Man City vs PSG is on Tuesday, May 4.
      Kick-off is at 8pm UK time.
      Manchester City have a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Paris.
      If PSG win 2-1 on the night, the the game goes to extra time and penalties.

      What TV channel is Man City vs PSG on and can I live stream it?
      The match will be broadcast BT Sport 2 and BT Sport ultimate.
      BT Sport customers can also live stream the match on the broadcaster’s website and on the BT Sport app.
      Can I watch BT Sport for free?

      EE customers can get BT Sport INCLUDED to their plan at no extra cost if they are on a plan with Smart Benefits – simply log in to EE and choose BT Sport app.
      And then get it on the big screen by texting SPORT to 150 to get a FREE three-month trial of large screen so you can cast all the action on your TV.
      At the end of the three months you will automatically roll onto the £15 per month subscription unless cancelled.

      What is the team news?
      The big news for PSG is tat Kylian Mbappe is questionable after picking up a calf injury in the last game.
      Juan Bernat is still nursing a knee injury and Idrissa Gueye is suspended after his red card in the first leg.
      City have a clean bill of health after their 2-0 win at Crystal Palace. More

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      Kylian Mbappe limps into Le Bourget airport before he touches down with PSG team-mates in Manchester for City clash

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN star Kylian Mbappe limped into Le Bourget Airport this morning as his team headed to England.Despite appearing injured, the French sensation DID join his team-mates on their flight to Manchester.

      Kylian Mbappe touched down at Manchester Airport on Monday morningCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Mbappe and Co checked into The LowryCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Mauricio Pochettino is back in the UKCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Mauricio Pochettino’s men travel to the North West requiring a huge performance, after losing their Champions League semi-final first leg 2-1 to Manchester City last week.
      And they face a race against time to have their talisman fit to help them.
      Mbappe, 22, felt pain in his right calf during last week’s first-leg.
      And while it initially wasn’t thought to be too bad, the forward missed out on PSG’s 2-1 victory over RC Lens at the weekend.
      He has reportedly not fully trained since, but was included in PSG’s travelling party.
      Pochettino, 49, gave an upbeat update yesterday, saying: “I am optimistic, I still am.
      “We think he will be there. We will make a decision before the match but I am optimistic.”
      Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, fully expects the French World Cup winner to be fit to play.

      Neymar was also among the travelling partyCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      PSG have a huge task in overturning their first leg deficitCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
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      When asked if he expects Mbappe to be passed fit, Guardiola, 50, said: “Absolutely, I’m looking forward to it.
      “He’s going to play. I’m looking forward to him playing. For the football, for the game itself, hopefully he can play.”
      On the prospect of facing Mbappe and Neymar, defender John Stones said: “It is never easy whoever we come up against.
      “To come up against two world class players is exciting for us as defenders, to test ourselves and see how we can adapt and keep them quiet and I think we did that really well in the second half of the previous game.
      “Another exciting spectacle and hopefully we can keep the whole team quiet, not just those two and get through to something special.”
      Mbappe has scored 37 goals in 43 games this term – including eight in the Champions League.
      Angel Di Maria returns to ManchesterCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Some of PSG’s younger stars have travelledCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Inside PSG’s dressing-room celebrations after Bayern win as Mbappe dances on table while team-mates soak him with water More

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      Hayes says watching UFC champ Namajunas helped inspire Chelsea’s progress to Champions League final

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      EMMA HAYES revealed watching martial arts ace Rose Namajunas played a part in inspiring her side’s dramatic 4-1 thrashing of Bayern Munich.A clip of the two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion uttering “I am the best” before knocking out Zhang Weili caught the attention of fight fans. 
      Emma Hayes admires the positive attitude of ‘mentality monster’ Rose NamajunasCredit: Getty
      Rose Namajunas won the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship by knocking out Zhang Weili in AprilCredit: Getty
      In UFC 261 in Florida Namajunas delivered a brutal first-round left-footed head kick that stunned Weili who has won 21 of her 23 MMA bouts. 
      The victory saw Namajunas claim the women’s strawweight belt less than four years on from her first title win with a first-round knockout of Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
      Hayes, whose team play Tottenham next, said: “I showed the players a video of Rose Namajunas saying ‘I am the best’ before her fight.
      “At the end (after she’d won) an interviewer says to her, ‘I heard you saying before you are the best’ and she replied ‘I am the best’.
      “And I said to the team mentality monsters (like Rose) block all the noise out, don’t hear anything and tell themselves ‘we are the best’. 
      “I think this team and the spirit we have has demonstrated why we’re going to the first (Women’s) Champions League final for an English team in a long time.” 
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      Chelsea’s 5-3 aggregate semis defeat of German league leaders Bayern will see Hayes become the first female manager in 12 years to lead a team into the final of the tournament. 
      And on Sunday 16 May – at the stadium of Sweden’s national women’s team in Gothenburg – her WSL juggernauts will face a Barcelona side looking to make history of their own.
      Like Chelsea, the dogged Spanish outfit who are top of the La Liga Women’s division, are targeting their first major trophy win in Europe. 
      And Lluis Cortes’ team – currently 14 points ahead of second-placed Levante in Spain’s top flight – endured heartbreak in the 2019 finals when they were beaten 4-1 by Lyon. 
      Chelsea will take on Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final on May 16Credit: Rex

      Chelsea’s clash with the queens of women’s football in Spain will mark a phenomenal milestone in Emma Hayes’ 20-year journey as a coach.
      A journey that has taken Hayes from grassroots work with West Euston girls’ football team in north London all the way to steering Chelsea to nine trophies since her 2012 appointment. 
      And the Kingsmeadow boss will be plotting to win a piece of silverware that has eluded the Blues since the club first took part in the Women’s Champions League back in 2014.  
      Before then Hayes’ players will turn their attention to domestic matters and their final two games of the season.  
      Maximum points for Chelsea away at Spurs, and then home against Reading, will see them claim their fifth WSL title in six years and their first treble.
      Hayes is the first female manager in 12 years to lead a team to the Women’s Champions League finalsCredit: PA
      Hayes added: “We have to win on both fronts and I want to win the league. 
      “I want to win the league as much as anything as that’s your bread and butter.
      “That’s what Vic (Akers) taught me. It’s your bread and butter.” 
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Wins for Chelsea against Tottenham and Reading in the league will see them retain their WSL titleCredit: Prime Media
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Toni Rudiger hands Chelsea massive boost with German set to don protective mask to face Real Madrid in Champions League

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      TONI RUDIGER will have to wear a protective mask against Real Madrid on Wednesday.The centre-back suffered a facial injury at the end of the 1-1 semi-final first- leg draw at Real Madrid in the Champions League.
      Toni Rudiger will have to wear a protective mask against Real MadridCredit: Rex
      He missed Saturday’s 2-0 win over Fulham but trained with a mask on the morning of the match.
      In 2007, former Blues captain John Terry wore one against Valencia just 72 hours after undergoing a cheek operation.
      But there is bad news as Mateo Kovacic has not recovered from a muscle injury which has kept him out for a month.
      Boss Thomas Tuchel said: “For Toni, he can play with a mask, so it’s just about getting used to it.
      “For Kovacic he felt something. It’s very likely he will not make it.
      “But I’m very happy to arrive with this group in the semi-final. We feel ready for a big fight.”
      Talisman Sergio Ramos could be back after knee and calf injuries.

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      Chelsea boss Tuchel was asked whether he will change his tactics if the Real Madrid skipper plays.
      He added: “Maybe we will play with no striker at all and Ramos has nothing to fight against.
      “I have not made my mind up yet. Let’s wait and see if he’s fit.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Thomas Tuchel calls Chelsea v Brighton the perfect match More

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      Chelsea 4 Bayern Munich 1 (5-3 agg) Emotional Hayes hails historic win as Blues reach Champions League final

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      PERNILLE HARDER and Fran Kirby broke Bayern Munich hearts to help Chelsea seal a dramatic 4-1 victory in an unforgettable Champions League semis. A late Harder header and a stylish Kirby brace saw the Blues reach their first-ever final after an end-to-end five-goal second leg thriller. 
      Emma Hayes has made history by steering Chelsea to their first ever Women’s Champions League finalCredit: Getty
      The WSL giants will take on Barcelona who defeated PSG in the contest’s other semi-final clashCredit: Prime Media
      The 5-3 aggregate trouncing of the German giants – which sparked jubilant Blues celebrations – will see Chelsea take on Barcelona for the trophy. 
      The result takes Hayes one step closer to achieving her dream of seeing her side become the most dominant force in women’s club football in Europe. 
      Victory in the finals would see the Blues become the second Women’s Champions League winners from England following Arsenal’s success in 2007.
      And the Kingsmeadow chief admitted to feeling very emotional about a win she imagined as a little girl playing football on the streets of Camden. 
      Hayes said: “I’ve played this out in the Curnock Street Estate. I entered that pitch every day as a nine-year-old about to play in the Champions League final. 
      “Oh my God, my dreams came true. I wanted this win so badly. I mean, it was the longest week in the world. 
      “I had to do everything to keep my emotions in check and keep training normally. I just wanted the game to come. 
      “And fair play to Bayern – they were tremendous opponents. But the resilience in this group is just so unbelievable. 
      “Ann-Katrin (Berger) and the defenders, plus Sophie (Ingle) in front of the back four did a great job. “Niamh (Charles), Millie (Bright) had a job to do today and they along with everybody executed what I asked them to do.
      “We’re there, we’re in the final. I’m overwhelmed with emotion. I almost can’t even let the tears out and I’m so happy for everyone.”
      Ji So-yun was on target for Chelsea who thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1Credit: Prime Media

      The hosts, boosted by the return of skipper Magda Eriksson, went on the attack almost immediately with Kirby jetting down the right and delivering the ball to the Ji So-yun lurking in Bayern’s box. 
      But the Blues playmaker saw her pass intended for Pernille Harder headed out of danger in the second minute. 
      And Bayern countered moments later through Klara Buhl on the left who switched the ball from her left to her right foot before her shot was blocked.
      The 0-0 scoreline lasted until the tenth minute with Hayes’ players eventually rewarded for their attacking efforts. 
      And it was Blues golden girl Kirby who put them 1-0 up following a swift counter which began with Melanie Leupolz dispossessing a Bayern player. 
      And the England forward buried a low left-footed strike in the bottom corner after receiving the ball in the penalty area from Sam Kerr. 
      The Blues appeared to have the upper hand and had another chance to score close to the half-hour mark through Kirby.
      But the forward saw her shot go wide of the box. 
      And the hosts suffered a scare with Sarah Zadrazil lashing in a phenomenal right-footed rocket from 30 yards out to equalise for Bayern in the 28th minute.
      But Chelsea retook the lead with Ji So-yun smashing in smashing in a low drive after her free-kick rebounded off the wall close to half-time
      The second half saw more nerve-wracking end-to-end drama before Pernille Harder headed the Blues 3-1 in front with less than ten minutes of normal time left. 
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      Fran Kirby scored twice to help Chelsea set up a tantalising clash with BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      That goal sparked panic amongst their opponents who poured forward in a desperate hunt for another goal. 
      And the visitors were caught cold when keeper Laura Benkarth was stranded upfield in injury time with Kirby netting to wrap up a historic Chelsea win.
      The result left Bayern boss Jens Scheuer rueing “individual mistakes” within his team’s performance.
      Scheuer said: “Chelsea put in a better performance but they were not the best team over the two matches. They were just more clinical today.
      “We committed too many individual mistakes today and we were made to pay for it.”
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Pernille Harder was on target for Chelsea with a late second half headerCredit: Zuma Press
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More