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      Champions League and Europa League venue changes: Man Utd in Turin, Arsenal in Rome & all stadium switches

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      EUROPEAN football returns with the knockout stages, but for a number of English teams it will look very different.
      Despite ties continuing to take place over the traditional two-leg format, some teams will be forced to forfeit home advantage due to Covid restrictions.

      The Stadio Olimpico in Rome will host Arsenal’s away game against BenficaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Which Champions League ties will have venue changes?

      Both Liverpool and Man City will visit the Puskas Arena in BudapestCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      RB Leipzig vs Liverpool – Puskas Arena, Budapest

      RB Leipzig are unable to host Liverpool in their home stadium as entry to Germany from the UK has been banned for all non-residents.
      Jurgen Klopp himself was unable to return to the country to attend his mother’s funeral under the entry rules.
      Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City – Puskas Arena, Budapest
      For the same reason as RB Leipzig’s game against Liverpool, Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City will be unable to go ahead as planned.
      Therefore Budapest has stepped in to host both matches.

      Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea – National Arena, Bucharest
      Entry to Spain from the UK has been banned for all non-residents.
      Therefore this match has been moved to Bucharest.
      Atletico Madrid will have fond memories of the National Stadium as Diego Simeone won his first trophy – the 2012 Europa League – there.
      Which Europa League ties will have venue changes?

      The Juventus Stadium will host Real Sociedad vs Man UtdCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Benfica vs Arsenal – Stadio Olimpico, Rome
      The UK bans all non-residents from entering the country from Portugal.

      Were Arsenal to play Benfica in Lisbon, the entire squad would be forced to undergo a ten-day hotel quarantine on return.
      Therefore, the match has been moved to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
      Real Sociedad vs Man Utd – Juventus Stadium, Turin
      Due to the Spanish government’s travel restrictions, Real Sociedad will host Man Utd at Juventus’ stadium in Turin.

      Molde vs Hoffenheim – Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal
      Despite stadiums in Spain not being allowed to host British clubs, Villarreal have been given permission to stage Molde vs Hoffenheim.
      The game has been moved as Norway has closed its borders to all non-resident foreign nationals.
      Arsenal vs Benfica
      The Benfica team are currently banned from travelling to the UK, along with all non-residents entering from Portugal.
      Arsenal had announced that Olympiacos’ Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens would host the match.
      However this post was later removed from their website and social media accounts.

      What happens if a home team can’t move its tie to a neutral venue?
      Where travel restrictions are imposed by the home team’s government, the club must find a new venue or be deemed to have forfeited the match 3-0.
      Where travel restrictions are imposed by the away team’s government, that club will be asked to find a new venue or have Uefa choose one for them.
      Do away goals still count double?
      Uefa have confirmed that away goals WILL count double in all European ties this year.
      That means, for example, that the rule will apply even if Benfica host Arsenal in Italy and Arsenal host Benfica in Greece. More

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      Chelsea confirm Champions League clash vs Atletico Madrid will take place in Bucharest due to Spain’s Covid travel ban

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      CHELSEA’S Champions League away tie with Atletico Madrid will be played in Romania.
      Uefa have confirmed the match on February 23 will now be held at Bucharest’s Arena Nationala.

      Chelsea will travel to Romania for their first leg against Atletico MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Thomas Tuchel’s side in training at their Cobham base on TuesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Spanish government Covid restrictions on travel from the UK meant that Thomas Tuchel’s squad were unable to fly to Madrid to play the La Liga leaders in the Wanda Metropolitano.
      Atletico told Uefa that Bucharest was their preferred choice if a switch was necessary.
      Diego Simeone’s side beat fellow Spaniards Athletic Bilbao there to win the 2012 Europa League.
      The decision means that all of the three English clubs in the Champions League last 16 will play their “away” legs on neutral territory.

      Both Liverpool and Manchester City will travel to Budapest’s Puskas Arena for their games against Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively
      Manchester United’s Europa League last 32 first leg against Real Sociedad has been moved to Turin while Arsenal and Benfica will play both legs of their tie on neutral ground.
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      Benfica’s “home” leg will now be played in Rome, with the second tie, nominally at Arsenal, will be held in Piraeus, at the home of Olympiakos.

      It means only Spurs – who meet Austrians Wolfsberger – and Leicester, who play Slavia Prague, will play their next European ties as originally scheduled.
      However, apart from Arsenal, all the English teams will have home advantage for the return legs, although all those games will remain behind closed doors.

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      Al Ahly 0 Bayern Munich 2: Lewandowski moves up to third in most international club goals to reach Club World Cup final

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      BAYERN MUNICH remain on course to win a historic sextuple after they beat Al Ahly 2-0 in the Club World Cup semi-final.
      Robert Lewandowski proved to be the difference at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium as he found the back of the net in either half to bring up 29 goals for the season.

      Bayern Munich Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in the first halfCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lewandowski celebrates after finding the back of net against Al Ahly in the Club World Cup semi-finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The 32-year-old – who has now scored the third amount of goals in club international competitions – broke the deadlock in the 18th minute in Qatar.
      Lewandowski scored from close range after being found by Serge Gnabry, with the Poland international taking a touch before calmly slotting home.
      And he made sure Bayern secured their place in Thursday’s final after heading home in the 85th minute.
      The former Borussia Dortmund marksman got on the end of Leroy Sane’s floated cross to seal the victory for the Bavarian giants.

      They will now face Tigres after the Mexican outfit beat Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras 1-0 on Sunday.
      Bayern are aiming to become just the second team to win the sextuple as they look to equal Barcelona’s stunning feat in 2009.
      Hansi Flick’s side won the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League last term.
      And they have added the German Super Cup and Uefa Super Cup to their trophy collection this campaign.

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      Lewandowski doubled his tally after heading home late on at the Ahmed bin Ali StadiumCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Poland international Lewandowski has scored 29 goals in all competitions this termCredit: AFP or licensors

      Hansi Flick has lost just four matches since taking charge of Bayern in November 2019Credit: EPA

      The six-time European Cup winners came close to winning the sextuple in 2013, winning all trophies that calendar year except the German Super Cup after being defeated by Dortmund.
      Lewandowksi may take all the credit for Bayern’s triumphs, but boss Hansi Flick has turned the club into a European powerhouse after taking charge in November 2019.
      He took the reigns at the Allianz Arena when the club were in fourth place as they flattered to deceive under Niko Kovac.
      Since his appointment, Flick has lost just four games out of 68 matches – winning an incredible 58 of them.

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      Barcelona taunted by France Football with fake pic of Lionel Messi in PSG kit a week before Champions League clash

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      BARCELONA have been taunted ahead of their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain after newspaper France Football put a picture of Lionel Messi wearing the Ligue 1 side’s kit on their front page.
      The media outlet claims Barca’s legendary striker, 33, is edging ever closer to a Parisian switch with his contract expiring this summer.

      France Football have mocked Barcelona with a fake picture of Lionel Messi in a PSG shirt

      Messi is edging closer to a PSG switch with ex-Barca teammate Neymar playing a key roleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Former Nou Camp team-mate Neymar is apparently playing a key role in convincing Messi to join him in the French capital.
      And PSG are now believed to be ahead of Manchester City, who wanted to sign Messi last summer, in the race for the Argentine’s coveted signature.
      Messi was desperate to quit Barcelona in 2020, and remains intent on leaving after details of his mega-contract were leaked to the public.
      Messi has since reportedly threatened to sue five Barcelona insiders he believes responsible.

      And it seems there is no way back for Nou Camp chiefs as they look to rectify the situation.
      French giants PSG have now emerged as the leading contender for Messi, who has scored 651 goals in 757 games for Barca.
      Mauricio Pochettino looks set to keep hold of star duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe on new long-term contracts.
      And he wants Messi to join them in a fearsome three-man attack as PSG and Barcelona prepare to face each other in Europe.

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      France Football have now upped the ante by mocking up a picture of Messi in PSG’s kit and adorning their front page with it.
      The move is sure to infuriate Barca boss Ronald Koeman, who last week slammed Angel Di Maria for saying there was a ‘big chance’ of Messi going to Paris.
      The Dutch tactician fumed: “It’s disrespectful. It’s wrong to say such a thing and only heats up the Champions League game even more.
      “It’s not fair. I don’t think it’s respectful towards Barcelona to talk about a player of ours.
      “They talk about Leo a lot. He’s a Barcelona player, and we have a tie to play against them.”

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      Chelsea’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid set to be moved to Bucharest due to Spain’s Covid travel ban

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      CHELSEA are set to play their Champions League last 16 first leg tie with Atletico Madrid in ROMANIA.
      LaLiga leaders Atletico are desperate to play the February 23 game on home soil in the Wanda Metropolitano.

      Chelsea came through a group involving Rennes, Krasnodar and SevillaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Atletico won the 2012 Europa League final in BucharestCredit: AP:Associated Press

      But Spanish government restrictions on travel from the UK have still to be lifted.
      They are expected to be extended beyond the current deadline of February 16, meaning the Spanish side will have to find an alternative location.
      And the preferred option is understood to be Bucharest’s Arena Nationala, the venue where Diego Simeone’s side beat Marcelo Bielsa’s Athletic Bilbao to win the Europa League in 2012.
      It means that all three English sides are now likely to play their Champions League last 16 away ties on neutral soil while retaining home advantage for the second leg.

      Uefa have already confirmed that Liverpool’s first leg against Leipzig will be played in Budapest next week.
      And Manchester City are unlikely to be allowed to travel to Germany to face Borussia Monchengladbach eight days later.
      The Covid restrictions will also impact on the Prem clubs in the Europa League, with the same Spanish border controls meaning Real Sociedad will have to find a new venue for their game with Manchester United.

      Liverpool will face Leipzig at Puskas Arena in HungaryCredit: Getty – Pool

      Arsenal and Benfica are almost certain to have to play both legs of their last 32 tie in third countries.

      But Spurs are able to travel to Austria for their tie with Wolfsberger, while Leicester can fly to Prague for the clash with Slavia in the Czech capital.
      Rangers, meanwhile, will face Belgian side Royal Antwerp.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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      Liverpool to face RB Leipzig in Budapest for Champions League first leg after coronavirus rules force tie out of Germany

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      LIVERPOOL’S Champions League last 16 away tie against RB Leipzig will be played in BUDAPEST, Uefa confirmed.
      It follows after the German government banned travel to the country from areas that have mutant strains of the coronavirus, until February 17.

      Liverpool’s Champions League last 16 away tie against RB Leipzig will be played in BudapestCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      An application by Leipzig for special permission for Liverpool to enter the country was refused by federal police.
      And now Uefa have announced the venue change with the 8pm UK kick-off time remaining the same.
      They said: “UEFA would like to thank RB Leipzig and Liverpool FC for their close cooperation and assistance in finding a solution to the issue at hand, as well as the Hungarian Football Federation for their support and agreeing to host the match in question.”
      The Puskas Arena in the Hungarian capital will now stage the game on February 16.

      Bundesliga outfit Leipzig also considered moving the game to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but opted to stay in mainland Europe.
      Manchester City are likely to play the first leg of their tie against Borussia Monchengladbach eight days later on neutral territory.
      Their home matches in the second legs will go ahead as planned unless UK border regulations change.
      Arsenal and Benfica, though, are now almost certain to have to play both legs of their Europa League last 32 tie on neutral grounds.

      Uefa is expected to confirm the venues in the next 48 hours.

      They recently insisted the delayed Euro 2020 will go ahead as scheduled this summer.
      But Euro bosses have left themselves a get-out clause if the virus runs out of control and forces last-minute changes.
      The viability of a tournament held in 12 nations has been under increasing question as the pandemic continues to hold sway across Europe.
      But after a virtual meeting with all 12 planned host nations on Wednesday, Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin confirmed there were no current plans to rip up the current schedule.

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      Champions League proposed format changes that could see ALL Big Six clubs qualify sparks blazing row among Prem sides

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs were embroiled in a furious row over proposed changes to the Champions League.
      The latest meeting of the 20 ‘shareholder’ clubs was dominated by a terse and tense debate over the plans, explained for the first time by League chief executive Richard Masters.

      Liverpool beat Tottenham to win the Champions League in 2019Credit: Rex Features

      At the height of the bust-up, which saw a scheduled two-hour virtual meeting lasting more than three hours, one club chief even threatened to SUE Uefa.
      Masters outlined the latest proposals, which have emerged after a series of meetings between Uefa bigwigs and representatives of a small number of members of the European Club Association, including Manchester United.
      Uefa, seeking to ward off the genuine threat of a breakaway European Super League, is proposing extending its blue riband competition to 36 clubs, four more than the current 32.
      All clubs would play 10 games in the initial phase, using the so-called “Swiss system” to compile a table of all 36 sides.

      But three of those places would be available to clubs based on previous European performances.
      As SunSport revealed in December, that opens the prospect of all of the Prem Big Six qualifying for the Champions League, even if they finish out of the top four.
      The unveiling, ahead of a meeting of the major European leagues on Friday was the first time Prem clubs had officially discussed the projected changes.
      And while Masters was merely explaining what is likely to be on the table, there was significant club anger over the possibility of Big Six clubs leapfrogging other Prem rivals into the Champions League cash cow, despite finishing BELOW them in the table.

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      League chief executive Richard Masters explained the plans during the meetingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish was among the loudest voices dismissing the plans as  both wrong and unfair.
      Other clubs backed Parish as they argued the ECA was seeking to operate as little more than a self-interested cartel by introducing the effective backstop for failure before the legal threat was made.
      That view was made stronger as it emerged the preferred method for determining the three extra places is Uefa’s “10-year historical” calculation, which gives extra weight for past European trophy success.
      But SunSport can also reveal that among the proposals being mooted by the ECA for European football from the 2024-25 season is a mandated reduction in the size of top flight domestic leagues.
      The preferred number is 16, four fewer than the Prem currently has, but there is a growing push for an “absolute maximum” of 18 teams.
      That would be a red light for the majority of Prem but is the long-term aim of the Big Six and will be part of their demands when the promised “Strategic Review” of the League is discussed later this month.
      Equally critically, the current 125 Champions League games would be almost doubled by ba 180-match opening phase.
      That has brought serious worries about the knock-on effects of the value of the Prem broadcasting and sponsorship deals in a depressed post-Covid market.

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      Liverpool face Champions League trip to London or Budapest for Leipzig tie after Covid crackdown ruled out Germany trip

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      LIVERPOOL’S Champions League clash against RB Leipzig could take place in Budapest or London as they will not be allowed into Germany.
      All flights from the UK are banned until February 17 and the Anfield side’s application for a special permit to travel was yesterday thrown out.

      Liverpool could face a trip to Budapest for the Champions League clashCredit: PA:Press Association

      Now Liverpool’s last-16 opponents face a race against time to find an alternative venue for the first leg, which is due to be played on February 16.
      A German government statement read: “The Federal Police informed RB Leipzig that the case does not fall under the category of exceptional circumstances.”
      London and Budapest have been mentioned as possibilities but switching the tie to play the first leg at Anfield is not an option.
      It has now emerged that Borussia Monchengladbach are also making contingency plans ahead of their clash with Manchester City.

      Danish club FC Midtjylland have been approached to see whether they could stage that game on February 24 if the border ban is extended.
      Liverpool are being kept informed, with Uefa seeking venues confirmed by Monday.
      The governing body remain in talks with Leipzig and hope a suitable plan can be drawn up in that time frame.
      As for City, sources at the Etihad say they are still expecting that their Champions League fixture will take place at the Borussia Park Stadium.

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      Jurgen Klopp’s will not be allowed to travel to Germany for the matchCredit: AFP

      Gladbach have explored several other options for their meeting with boss Pep Guardiola and his Premier League leaders.
      FC Midtjylland were sounded out as their MCH Arena has already been a venue in the competition.
      City played there in a Uefa Cup qualifying tie in August 2008, when Mark Hughes’ men squeezed through on penalties.
      Uefa have also given Prem chiefs permission to schedule Manchester City’s postponed game at Everton directly against BT’s Champions League coverage.
      A Covid outbreak at City saw the trip to the Toffees on December 28 called off just hours before kick-off.
      It is one of three Prem games rescheduled for later this month on Champions League nights.
      Uefa previously threatened action against top-flight leagues who overlapped with their official dates.
      Burnley v Fulham and Leeds v Southampton, on February 17 and 23 respectively, will kick off at 6pm to avoid a direct clash.
      City’s game will be an 8.15pm start on Amazon Prime on Wednesday February 17 after the green light from European chiefs.

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