Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 275 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Thomas Tuchel recalls how Dortmund bus blast left him ‘like a robot’ and he can ‘still see nails sticking in the bus’

      by

      THOMAS TUCHEL’S journey to a Champions League final is a familiar one but the story behind it is unique.The reasons why Chelsea’s animated German manager can approach such a momentous test of nerve and character with such easy cool are rooted in his past.
      Borussia Dortmund’s bus was attacked in 2017Credit: EPA
      Thomas Tuchel was in charge of the German club that dayCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Facing Manchester City and all their wealth as underdogs in the biggest club match in the world holds no fear when you have faced death.
      Tuchel walked away when three pipe bombs were hurled at the Borussia Dortmund team bus on its way to a Champions League quarter-final in 2017.
      The culprit, Sergej Wenergold, driven by a lunatic lust for money, stood to make millions if the share price of the club fell as a result of his barbaric act.
      It didn’t. He was caught and Tuchel insists an event that should leave indelible mental scars barely registers in his thoughts just a few years on.
      The fact Chelsea’s quirky and charming head coach only drops the jovial tone of his colourful back story momentarily when describing his ordeal, underpins the character of a man comfortable in his own skin.
      It is his biggest asset trying to get a handle on life as a Premier League boss at one of its most volatile clubs.
      Tuchel, 47, said: “It did not catch me like it caught others, I have to say. Even today I do not feel the danger that we’ve been in.
      “I can still see the nails sticking in the bus, I can see the nails sticking around where I sat.

      “I heard that the nails went over 50 metres and then into other windows of houses and stuff.
      “Hopefully, it will not catch me up some day but I don’t think about it when I go on a bus or through a crowd. And I’m not waiting for it. I don’t want it to come.
      “But it was absolutely surreal. I was in court later to meet the guy who admitted to doing it. I even felt sorry for him a little bit.
      “I could not even feel anger, like ‘Wow, what could you have done?’.
      “My wife constantly tells the story that I went home late, of course. I drove home. I texted her that ‘everything is OK, don’t worry’.
      “She was in the stadium, then went home and my manager was there.
      “They were quite freaked out and I came home a little bit like a robot, not talking too much about it.
      “I was in front of the TV watching Barcelona against Juventus because it was a Champions League night. She was thinking, ‘That’s a bit weird’.
      Nail piercings were visible across the bus’ exteriorCredit: EPA
      Sergej Wenergold was behind the bizarre money-making plotCredit: EPA
      “The biggest impact for me was the next morning when I saw my players and they were waiting for me in my office. That was when I really realised. ‘Wow, this is…’ 
      “Maybe I am hiding it. It’s still there but it did not have the huge impact that you maybe can imagine.”
      Just because Tuchel is not worried does not mean he does not care about success.
      He was on the losing side in last season’s final — as his Paris Saint- Germain went down 1-0 to Bayern Munich — before accepting the offer to replace Frank Lampard in January.
      Standing out from the crowd for his height and modest football talent, an injury forced Tuchel to end his playing career at just 25.
      It is this and what followed that shaped the man who will lead out Chelsea in Porto on Saturday night.
      Tuchel was a centre-back for SSV Ulm in southern Germany when his knee-cartilage issue struck in 1998.
      He said: “I did not have a good insurance policy for my injury, so the money I saved I spent on my rehabilitation because I tried to come back for more than half a year.
      “I had to accept it was impossible and started to study economics in Stuttgart as I had no other ideas.
      CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 30/1 FOR MAN CITY OR 40/1 FOR CHELSEA TO LIFT THE TROPHY
      Falling out of this bubble, with nobody taking care of me, taught me a tough lesson.Thomas Tuchel
      “While studying, I wanted to earn some extra money and so went to work in a bar like a normal student.
      “First of all I was a glass collector. The next step was serving because I was safe enough with the tray. I was the guy to get them from the bar and take them to people’s tables, either for free or double the price, depending on my mood!
      “Maybe after two or two-and-a-half years, I was behind the bar. Maybe not looking like Tom Cruise — but I felt like Tom Cruise.
      “It taught me a lot. Until then I was this kid who was a bit better than the other kids, so you end up going to Augsburg, a bit of a bigger club, and you’re a little bit famous.
      “Then you play maybe for the Under-18s of Germany and you have some days off school.
      “Then become professional in the second division and I was living in this bubble. I got a lot of attention, a lot of positive feedback, a lot of my self-confidence from all that.
      “Falling out of this bubble, with nobody taking care of me, taught me a tough lesson.
      Thomas Tuchel is preparing for his second Champions League final in a rowCredit: AFP
      “Overcoming my pride to go into a bar — because now we can talk and laugh about it — but taking the first step to admitting I needed some extra money and to step out there and to go into ten or 12 cafes and bars to ask, ‘Do you need help?’.
      “There was some pride to swallow but it was good.”
      Those years in Stuttgart’s grungy Radio Bar, where they sell skateboards in the basement, will keep Tuchel grounded.
      He barely drinks having worked so closely with alcohol.

      Should Chelsea win in Porto, Tuchel will be the tall bloke sipping on a small G&T at the party.
      He said: “People say, ‘Yeah I will get drunk,’ because that is easy, two gin and tonics and that’s it.
      WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      “We will have fun, we will have a lot of fun, of course. But I love it when other people are happy. It means more to me at Christmas that I have good presents for others.
      “I’m not the guy to dance on the table but I will be so super-happy if we win and I see my team, my staff, the families…
      “And when I feel what it means to my family and to people around my family — to my grandma and others.
      “This is huge for me and, if we go out, we will have fun — I’ll not drink still water all night.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Raucous Chelsea and Man City fans drink beers and lap up Porto sunshine ahead of Champions League final More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Ilkay Gundogan limps out of Man City training in massive Champions League final injury scare for Pep Guardiola’s men

      by

      ILKAY GUNDOGAN was forced out of training on Friday after suffering a thigh injury.Manchester City face Chelsea in the Champions League final tomorrow and the German had been expected to start in Porto.
      Ilkay Gundogan was forced out of Manchester City training on FridayCredit: Getty
      The knock could be a big blow for the midfielder, pictured here earlier in the sessionCredit: The Sun
      But Pep Guardiola may have to find a replacement after a scare just over 24 hours before the match.
      City fans will hope that Gundogan’s exit was simply a precaution with no further news yet from the club.
      The 30-year-old trudged out of the session inside the Estadio do Dragao and headed straight down the tunnel.
      It is thought he had felt discomfort in his thigh before departing the workout.
      Clips from the open training session showed Gundogan taking a heavy blow from team-mate Fernandinho as he challenged for a cross, after which he was slow to get back to his feet.
      The midfielder has been a start of City’s Premier League-winning season, scoring 17 goals – three of which coming in the Champions League.
      Guardiola was already monitoring the player’s fitness having left him out of last weekend’s win over Everton due to a knock.
      Otherwise, City were hoping to enjoy a clean bill of health for the final.
      Chelsea have welcomed Edouard Mendy and N’Golo Kante back to training ahead of Thomas Tuchel naming his side.
      More to follow… More

    • 263 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Hilarious moment BBC reporter left speechless as cheeky Man Utd fan kid says he hopes Chelsea ‘leather’ City live on TV

      by

      A BBC reporter was left speechless as a kid at Phil Foden’s old primary school told him that he hopes Chelsea’ ‘leather’ Manchester City in tomorrow’s Champions League final.The segment, broadcast live on the telly, was planned to look ahead to the big game.
      The BBC reporter pulled a face as the kid stood looking nonplussed
      Phil Foden isn’t being supported by all the kids at his old schoolCredit: Reuters
      Heading to Foden’s old stomping ground, producers would have expected the kids to be behind the Man City and England wonderkid.
      But one boy they spoke to was anything but.
      Catching wind of the little lad’s allegiances, the reporter said: “You’re a United fan aren’t you?”
      And after the boy said ‘yes’, the reporter followed up by asking if he’d still be rooting for City tomorrow night.
      Without breaking stride, the kid, not looking impressed at all by the suggestion, replied: “I hope Chelsea absolutely leather them.”
      The reporter pulled a face before swiftly deciding to move on.
      But by this point, the kid was already a hero in the eyes of Manchester United fans watching.
      One wrote online: “To that kid’s parents. You’ve raised him right!!!”
      Manchester City have trained in Porto ahead of tomorrow’s crunch clashCredit: EPA
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      Another added: “Absolute class from the kid.”
      A City fan even admitted: “Fair play to the kid , that’s how it should be.”
      Another United fan commented: “Not all heroes wear capes.”
      A Red Devils fan account added: “This kids going straight to the top.”

      City travel to Portugal hoping to win their first ever Champions League crown.
      United, meanwhile, have won it three times during their illustrious history, in 1968, 1999 and most recently in 2008.
      If Chelsea do manage to ‘leather’ City, they will take home their second Champions League trophy – having won the tournament in dramatic fashion back in 2012.
      WIN £50,000!Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
      WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Man City vs Chelsea FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Champions League Final More

    • 188 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne says he doesn’t even remember Chelsea winning Champions League

      by

      KEVIN DE BRUYNE has warned old club Chelsea that he is hungry for more silverware – after admitting he does not remember their night of glory nine years ago.The Belgian won his ninth major trophy in six glittering years when Manchester City picked up the Premier League on Sunday.
      Kevin de Bruyne is desperate to add the Champions League to his impressive trophy cabinetCredit: Getty
      But he is looking to make it double figures when he goes up against his former employers in Porto tomorrow night.
      KdB was a Blues player when they won the Champions League in 2012 – but is not even sure he watched the final after he was not invited to Munich.
      He said: “We’ve been winning so many trophies over the last six years, been competing in every competition and that’s what I like.
      “I want to win again – I can’t wait for the next one to come round so we can try to win again.”
      Thomas Tuchel masterminded two victories over City in the final few weeks of the season.
      But Pep Guardiola had made wholesale changes to his side for both matches – and KdB does not believe it will have much bearing on the game.
      He added: “I just think it’s a different situation. We changed a lot for both of the previous ones but the manager thought we could win both the games with that team.
      “In the semi-final we didn’t perform well. But in the league game we could have been two-nil up at half-time. I think it would have been difficult to come back from there.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      “It’s a totally different situation playing in the Champions League final where it’s all or nothing.”
      The Belgian superstar had signed for the Blues four months before their glory night in Munich – and made his debut for them in a pre-season game for them that July.
      Yet he was not invited to the match when club legend Didier Drogba rolled in the winning penalty.
      And having spent the previous few months on loan back at Genk, he does not even remember watching his new club’s triumph on television.
      De Bruyne shrugged: “I wasn’t there. I don’t think I was invited. I don’t remember much about it to be honest.
      “With Champions League finals, sometimes I watch them – sometimes not. It just depends on the situation. I don’t recall too much about that one.”
      It is a story typical of his two-and-a-half years on the books at Stamford Bridge.
      He made only nine appearances for the London side and spent much of his time there out on loan in Belgium or Germany.
      WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      How ironic that his long wait to reach a Champions League final will end tomorrow night – against his former employers.
      Asked if that made the game in Porto extra special, KdB said: “Not really.
      I’ve not really any bad feelings towards them. It was a part of my life that happened.
      “It was a good step for me but I just wanted to play.
      “People think about the couple of months that I didn’t play but before then I’d done the pre seasons, I’d been on loan to my old team and to Germany. I grew up a lot as a player.
      “Then I came back and I didn’t play a lot so I made a decision and in the end everyone was happy with it. So I don’t think anyone looks back at it as a bad decision.”
      While it never worked out for him with Chelsea, he looked a perfect fit for City the minute he walked through the door.
      He has lived through six years of frustration in this competition – reaching the semi-final and three quarters before finally making the big one.
      The Belgian maestro played just nine times in a Chelsea shirt across two-and-a-half yearsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      He is not sure if he even watched the shootout win over Bayern Munich in 2012Credit: Getty
      The Belgium international always knew it would come, saying: “I had the feeling from the beginning here. People talk about failure when you don’t win the Champions League but it’s so difficult to win it.
      “We’ve been fighting for it for the last six years – we’ve always been around the quarter finals, semi-finals. Always been around the best eight teams in Europe.
      “But when you play knock-out, small situations can make a difference.
      “In the bad situations, we maybe made too many mistakes and this year we didn’t. We’ve been very compact when it became difficult. We’ve done it in the right way this year.”
      Having broken boss Guardiola’s last-eight hoodoo against Borussia Dortmund, KdB felt the shackles were off.
      He noticed a ‘freedom’ in the semi-final victory over Paris Saint-Germain and that could spell bad news for Thomas Tuchel’s men.
      De Bruyne said: “I felt the second game there was some nerves. Everyone was thinking ‘not this again’ – but I think the way we responded was really good.
      “Controlled the game, then in the semi-final I didn’t feel any of the nerves. It maybe felt like a hurdle was past.
      Everyone has a sense of regret if you don’t win a Champions League but I think Vinny helped to create the history for this clubKevin de Bruyne
      “The games against PSG we felt free. It felt fairly good in that aspect.”
      His fellow Belgian and former team-mate Vincent Kompany spent 11 years at City and left two years ago without lifting this trophy.
      Other legends such as David Silva, Yaya Toure, Pablo Zabaleta and Joe Hart were the same.
      The midfielder – who turns 30 next month – has a few years left yet but wants to make sure when he does go it will be with no regrets.
      De Bruyne said: “These guys played a major part. If we won it on Saturday then I’m sure Vinny would be really happy.
      “Everyone has a sense of regret if you don’t win a Champions League but I think he helped to create the history for this club.
      “He won so many things so I think he’ll be fairly pleased with his career.”
      Having waited all this time, there is no way De Bruyne will be missing his first chance to star in a final.

      City have had to tread carefully with their superstar nursing three separate injuries over recent weeks to his knee, calf and a tight hamstring.
      But he showed no ill-effects in the 5-0 thumping of Everton on Sunday and he confirmed that he will be raring to go in Portugal.
      He added: “I could have played against Brighton but the manager decided not to put me in.
      “But I’m happy I was able to play the full 90 against Everton and show that I’m a good rhythm.”
      De Bruyne picked up a ninth winner’s medal with Manchester City on SundayCredit: PA

      Man City vs Chelsea FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Champions League Final More

    • 225 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Manchester City boss Guardiola says it means ‘absolutely nothing, zero’ that Chelsea have beaten his side twice already

      by

      PEP GUARDIOLA insists it means ‘absolutely nothing, zero’ that his Manchester City side have lost twice to Chelsea already.The two sides meet in an all-English Champions League final in Porto on Saturday.
      Pep Guardiola is not worried his Manchester City side have lost their last two against ChelseaCredit: Getty
      The Blues backed up their FA Cup semi-final win with a victory at the EtihadCredit: AP
      Chelsea have won their last two meetings between the clubs but City boss Guardiola is not worried about previous results going against him.
      Asked by Rio Ferdinand with BT Sport about the impact of those two defeats, he said: “Absolutely nothing, zero.
      “I know how we have prepared this final.
      “We played two days after the Dortmund game away and in the [FA Cup] semi-finals, yes well done, well deserved, congratulations Chelsea.
      “On Saturday, it’s a new game we face and we will see what happens.
      “If we had won these two games, my position would be the same because I know what the Champions League is.
      “The season is gone, it’s over – just one game, the Champions League, everyone else is on the beach thinking about next season.”
      City beat Frank Lampard’s side 3-1 on January 3 but just three weeks later, the Englishman was sacked and replaced by Tuchel.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
      “Absolutely nothing! Zero.” Pep Guardiola has faced Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea twice this season and lost both times… But that doesn’t faze the Man City boss! 👊 🚨 The latest installment of #RioMeets drops in ONE HOUR 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Ro35LhSGK2— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 27, 2021

      WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      Tuchel masterminded a 1-0 win in the FA Cup semi-final on April 17, days after qualifying for the Champions League semi-finals.
      And then Marcos Alonso scored an injury-time winner when the teams faced off at the Etihad in the Premier League on May 8.
      City were ahead in the league match when Sergio Aguero’s Panenka penalty failed before a second-half comeback.
      In both matches, though, Guardiola did not field his strongest XI.
      As well as beating City twice, Tuchel managed to get Chelsea into the top four and secure Champions League football – although they did lose the FA Cup final thanks to Youri Tielemans’ stunner for Leicester.
      Questioned about Tuchel’s impact at Stamford Bridge, Guardiola added: “It’s massive.
      “Even in the first match, the draw against Wolves, I already saw some routines, some processes that I remember when I faced him at Mainz and especially Borussia Dortmund.
      “When he arrived there, it was a tough league we won with Bayern Munich.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      The two managers faced off during their time in Germany togetherCredit: Getty
      Sergio Aguero missed a penalty which could have put the game to bed in MayCredit: AFP

      Pep Guardiola seems animated at airport as Man City fly out to Portugal for Champions League final to face Chelsea More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Pep Guardiola seems animated at airport as Man City fly out to Portugal for Champions League final to face Chelsea

      by

      PEP GUARDIOLA put on an animated display at the airport as Manchester City jetted to Porto for Saturday’s Champions League final with Chelsea.The Premier League-winning boss looked like he was hardly able to contain himself as he jollied about with airport staff.
      Pep Guardiola put on an animated display as Man City jetted off for the Champions League finalCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Guardiola was made to wait on his own for a different shuttle to take him to the planeCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Guardiola was not able to board the shuttle bus taking him from a private terminal to the team’s plane with the rest of the City crew.
      Instead, Pep had to wait with a lone security guard on the tarmac.
      And seeing the funny side, he threw his arms up in the air wondering why he wasn’t able to get on the previous vehicle.
      The good-natured scene put smiles on the faces of Guardiola and the airport staff with him.
      WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game this summer 
      WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      And he didn’t have to wait long before another bus came to ferry him to the aircraft.
      Guardiola could have been feeling a bit antsy after SunSport exclusively revealed star player Kevin De Bruyne has been nursing THREE injuries ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
      The Belgian has been managed ankle, hamstring and calf issues since last month’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.
      Meanwhile, City will host a viewing party for the final at the Etihad, with 4,000 supporters able to watch the clash with Thomas Tuchel’s Blues.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
      City will be playing in their first-ever Champions League final this weekendCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Guardiola was finally able to board a different bus to ferry him to the aircraftCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

      They are sure to be in for a great game, which could follow the pattern of Man United’s Europa League defeat against Villarreal and go to a penalty shootout.
      Should the game not be settled in 120 minutes, City goalie Ederson has revealed he is eager to be the man to take the crucial fifth penalty for his side.
      The result of the final could also play a huge part in City’s transfer ambitions this summer.
      Harry Kane is a target after telling Spurs he wants out.
      And victory in Porto would be sure to boost City’s credentials as frontrunners for the England captain’s coveted £200million signature.

      Man City vs Chelsea FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Champions League Final More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Thomas Tuchel MUST start winning trophies at Chelsea or faces being sacked like Frank Lampard, claims Wayne Bridge

      by

      THOMAS TUCHEL must start winning trophies at Chelsea – or he will be sacked just like Frank Lampard.That is the view of former left-back Wayne Bridge, who knows all about the pressure and demands for titles at Stamford Bridge.
      Wayne Bridge insists Thomas Tuchel must start delivering silverware quickly at ChelseaCredit: GettyWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      Lampard was axed in January after 18 months in charge with no silverware to his name and replaced by the German.
      But despite scraping a top-four finish, Tuchel suffered defeat in the FA Cup final to Leicester.
      However, he has a chance to end the club’s two-year wait for a major honour in Saturday’s Champions League showpiece against Manchester City.
      And Bridge, 40, believes Tuchel must start delivering trophies soon or Roman Abramovich will wield the axe once again.
      He told bettingexpert.com: “If he stays on he’s going to have to start winning trophies but I don’t think there’s loads of pressure in terms of what he has achieved so far in terms of where Chelsea were.
      “There’s always pressure in big games, you don’t want to lose and Tuchel will put that pressure on himself to win.”
      Tuchel, 47, has five trophies to his name in his managerial career so far – but did lose this match last year when his Paris Saint-Germain side were beaten by Bayern Munich.
      He has masterminded wins over Pep Guardiola’s City in their last two meetings which could be an advantage.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

      As revealed by SunSport, N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy have returned to training ahead of the match in Porto.
      But Bridge sat on the fence when giving his prediction for the final between two of his former sides for whom he made a total of 200 appearances.
      He added: “They’re two great teams and Pep won’t let the recent matches affect him, but it could be at the back of his mind.
      “Tuchel and Chelsea will definitely take a lot from beating them and it can work for them, but they won’t be comfortably expecting to win.
      “They know they can beat City and they can do it again.
      “In both the recent games between these sides Chelsea dominated the midfield and beat City, Chelsea got the better of them in the middle of the park and that will be vital again.”
      The former left-back played for both teams during his career and refused to pick a winnerCredit: Getty

      Man City vs Chelsea FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Champions League Final More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Uefa chiefs discuss SCRAPPING away goals rule in Champions League and other competitions from start of next season

      by

      UEFA club supremos will discuss plans to axe the away goals rule tomorrow.SunSport revealed last month that Europe’s Club Competitions Committee was ready to change the much-criticised rule.
      The away goals rule in Uefa competition, which saw Spurs beat Man City in 2019, could be scrapped as early as next seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Andres Iniesta famously knocked Chelsea out of the 2009 Champions League semi-finals on away goalsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      But a proposal for away goals to count extra in the first 90 minutes of the second leg was parked.
      It was felt that stopping the advantage of away goals in extra-time would be too confusing.
      Instead, panel members will debate scrapping the rule, originally introduced in the 1965-66 season.
      Uefa is understood to be ‘neutral’ over the proposal, which must be approved by the ruling executive committee.
      If club chiefs agree, it could end for 2021-22 European competitions.

      FIFA has opened the door for ex-players to be in the VAR room.
      At the moment only current and recently retired referees — in the last three years — are allowed roles in the video booth.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
      Former stars could be allowed into the VAR room to offer a player’s perspective on decisionsCredit: EPA

      But Fifa president Gianni Infantino suggested the rules could change.
      Infantino said: “The real problem isn’t VAR but how it is applied and used. You can’t blame VAR if it’s not applied properly.
      “It’s only been with us since 2018 and we can improve a few things.
      “We will have to think about not having referees but specific VAR experts who can be responsible.”
      That suggests former stars could be brought into the process to offer a player’s perspective on what should and should not be penalised.
      Fifa has taken control of VAR from the International FA Board and is pushing for ‘semi-automatic’ offside calls using skeletal modelling — with decisions signalled to the ref and his assistants within seconds — for the 2022 World Cup finals.
      And Infantino is also a supporter of the ‘daylight’ offside law proposed by Arsene Wenger.
      He said: “We’re testing a possible new offside rule.
      WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
      The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
      And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
      CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
      Dream Team Euros

      £50,000 jackpot
      The best fantasy football game this summer
      Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
      FREE to play

      “VAR has created an unexpected situation.
      “Before VAR, referees were told to give the doubt to the attacker — but with VAR there are no doubts any more.
      “We shouldn’t cancel a goal just because the nose is offside — but that’s the rule. So you have to see if you need to change the rule.”
      Just seven players have managed to score a hat-tricks of CL hat-tricks
      Man City vs Chelsea FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Champions League Final More