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      Chelsea can beat any side left in Champions League and need not fear last-16 draw.. bring on Barcelona

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      Chelsea need not worry who they face in last 16 – they can beat any side.
      The Blues are in the hat for the last sixteen of the Champions League and the all important draw takes place this coming Monday.

      Chelsea finished top of Group E with 14 pointsCredit: EPA

      Frank Lampard’s side won their group having not lost a single match, one of only three sides to do that this year.
      Winning the group puts them as a higher seed for the next round draw, meaning they will avoid clubs such as Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
      Chelsea can face any of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Porto, Lazio, RB Leipzig, or Borussia Monchengladbach.
      There is never an easy game in the Champions League, but Chelsea fans are hoping to be drawn against Atalanta, Porto, or Lazio over Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, obviously.

      But the truth is, Chelsea need not worry who they are drawn against, because this season they are capable of beating any team in the world.
      It has been a while since I have felt the genuine confidence to be able to state that.
      I would not worry if we were drawn against Barcelona on Monday – I believe we can beat them.
      This is not me looking through blue tinted glasses, this is a genuine belief that Chelsea can beat anyone based on form and morale.

      Frank Lampard’s men are third in the Premier League table Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      We are on a great run right now and the momentum is building.
      Chelsea have not lost [within 90 minutes] in their last 17 matches, and 7 of those winning games have been thrashings.
      Lampard has tightened up the defence, and turned them into a very dangerous attacking unit as well.
      The new signings that have come in this summer have clicked already and are really making differences all over the pitch and Lampard has his team setup in the style of play and formation that he has been building since the start of last season.
      They are playing with a new-found confidence that will put fear into teams across the world, and fans and pundits alike are taking notice.
      Chelsea were written off as Premier League and Champions League challengers at the start of the season.
      But now pretty much every pundit around is admitting that at the very least, Chelsea must be considered as contenders for both now, and they genuinely are.
      I’m not meaning to get carried away and I will stay grounded, the season is long and we can expect many more bumps along the way.

      Chelsea could come up against BarcelonaCredit: AFP or licensors

      But there is a different feel within the Chelsea camp this season, good morale is seeping through the players and the staff.
      And they have a real strength in-depth – probably the best in world football when you consider the likes of Jorginho and Antonio Rudiger are currently considered backup players.
      This is what can give them the edge over their opponents in the Champions League as further fatigue and fixture congestion kicks in; Chelsea can use their strength in-depth to see them through.
      We are far from invincible, but it is CHELSEA who clubs will be looking to avoid in the draw on Monday, let’s put it that way.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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      Who Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City could face in Champions League last-16 draw including Lionel Messi’s Barcelona

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      LIONEL MESSI and Barcelona could await any of the three remaining English teams in the Champions League last-16.
      Juventus’ stunning win at the Camp Nou on Tuesday night relegated the Spanish giants into second place of their group.

      And they will join the unseeded pack in next week’s draw.
      After Manchester United’s exit from the competition, only Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City remain of the Premier League quartet.
      All comfortably won their group and will be seeded, potentially earning them a calmer path to the quarter-finals.

      Uefa will conduct the draw from their Switzerland headquarters on Monday, December 14 at 11am.
      No team can be drawn against another side from their own country or their first-round group at this point.
      It means Chelsea will avoid a reunion with Sevilla, Porto are off the menu for City, and another clash with Atalanta will have to wait for Liverpool.

      But any of Atletico Madrid, Borussia Monchengladbach, Lazio, RB Leipzig and Barcelona could be drawn against the English trio.

      There is plenty of danger among the unseeded teams with both United’s conquerors Leipzig and Atalanta going deep into last year’s competition.
      Monchengladbach helped knock out Inter Milan and caused Real Madrid significant issues in the group stage.
      And there is plenty of European pedigree in the Sevilla, Porto and Lazio ranks.

      Liverpool will not need reminding of why Diego Simeone’s Atleti are so hard to beat, yet may still fancy revenge for last year’s defeat at this stage.
      Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona may be struggling in ninth place in LaLiga, with the defeat to Juve coming after a shock loss at Cadiz.
      But any side containing Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Co cannot be underestimated with the knockouts coming after the club’s presidential election and the transfer window.
      A significantly different Blaugrana side could step out at the Camp Nou in February to the one we know now.
      Ties are split over two weeks, with the first leg to be played on February 16/17/23/24.
      Unseeded teams will be drawn at home first, allowing group winners home advantage in the second leg.

      Second legs will take place on March 9/10/16/17 with all kick-offs at 8pm.
      Completing the seeded teams are Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
      Victors will be awaiting the quarter-final draw, scheduled for March 19.

      UCL DRAW: SEEDED & UNSEEDED TEAMS

      Seeded: Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, PSG
      Unseeded: Atletico Madrid, Borussia Monchengladbach, Atalanta, Sevilla, Lazio, Porto, Barcelona, RB Leipzig

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      Dani Alves supermodel wife Joana Sanz turned down TWO proposals before their secret fancy Ibiza wedding

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      SPANISH supermodel Joana Sanz made Dani Alves work before she walked down the aisle.
      The 27-year-old, who has strutted her stuff for Jimmy Choo, Gucci and Philipp Plein, turned down TWO proposals before eventually saying ‘I do’ to the Brazilian legend.

      Joana Sanz turned down two marriage proposals from Dani Alves before they eventually got marriedCredit: Instagram @joanasanz

      Sanz (right) is a supermodel who has appeared for Jimmy Choo and GucciCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Sanz, who boasts almost 750,000 Instagram followers, lived in Paris with former PSG star husband Dani Alves, who moved back to Brazil in 2019.
      WHEN IT STARTED
      Joana and Dani, 37, started dating in 2015, after they were introduced by a mutual friend while the galloping right-back was still at Barcelona.
      Joana had been sharing a flat with the girlfriend of one of Alves’ business partners.
      After a year in Turin, where Alves won Serie A and the Coppa Italia and got to the final of the Champions League with Juventus, the pair hooked up.

      Joana, 27, has followed Alves all around the worldCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The 27-year-old grew up in Tenerife, in the Canary IslandsCredit: Instagram @joanasanz
      WEDDING BELLS
      Dani and Joana flew to Ibiza in 2017, where they were married in secret.
      The wedding took place on the island of Formantera, but little is known about who was in attendance or what went on.
      Despite posting often to their social media channels, both Joana and Dani stayed remarkably silent for their secret ceremony.
      Few pictures have been seen.

      Joana and Dani were married in a secret wedding in Ibiza in July 2017Credit: Splash News

      Joana says the secret to her and Dani’s marriage is humourCredit: AFP – Getty
      And Alves – a six-time La Liga and three-time Champions League winner – broke a cardinal rule at a wedding… he wore white.
      We suppose it’s OK if you’re the groom, but Alves then made another fashion faux pas by matching his white three-piece with trainers.
      There was some pre-wedding drama as well.
      TURNED DOWN TWICE
      In Spanish gossip magazine La Vanguardia, Joana revealed that she actually turned down TWO Dani Alves proposals before deciding to marry him after a third.

      She revealed in 2016: “Dani asked me in the hotel room alone. We do not like [putting on a show].
      “It was splendid… he already asked me three times.”
      The glossy also revealed that Joana was wearing two of her engagement rings.
      Joana has been a frequent visitor at the Fifa Best and Ballon d’Or awards evenings, rocking up to the red carpet alongside arguably the best right-back of his generation.

      Born in September 1993, Joana shot to fame as a model at 17 after appearing in the Supermodel of the World contest for top modelling agency Ford.
      Joana and Dani are yet to have children of their own, but she has become like a second mother to his two kids, Daniel and Victoria.
      She says the secret to their relationship is laughter.
      Joana said it would be ‘impossible’ for the couple to not find each other funny.

      “There is humour for a while and I think that over the years it will be more,” she said.
      “It also unites us a lot that we think exactly the same.
      “We finish [each other’s] sentences. It’s scary.”

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      Best XI of players knocked out of this season’s Champions League including Fernandes, Lukaku and Camavinga

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      THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE has waved goodbye to a number of top stars with the end of the group stage.
      Big-name teams including Manchester United, Inter Milan and Ajax are all out after this week’s deciders.

      How a team of stars knocked out of the Champions League this year may line up

      That has left Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire with a spot in the Europa League for the New Year.
      All three make it comfortably into a top XI of stars knocked out of the Champions League.
      Maguire is alongside Inter ace Stefan de Vrij, although club-mate Milan Skriniar is another good shout for the position.
      After drawing with Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night, Antonio Conte’s men not only missed out on the last-16 but a Europa League spot as well.

      Finishing bottom of Group B was a terrible result for Inter with Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi’s inclusion in this XI a demonstration of their star power.
      Ajax were on the cusp of a final appearance in 2018, but for Tottenham and Lucas Moura, yet have failed to reach the knockouts in both years since.

      A late defeat to Atalanta dumped the Amsterdam club into the Europa League, including star playmaker Dusan Tadic and goalkeeper Andre Onana.

      Completing the defence is Zenit Saint Petersburg left-back Douglas Santos, the Brazilian competing with Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax for a spot in this line-up.
      Two emerging stars feature in this XI with fans hoping to see Eduardo Camavinga and Dominik Szoboszlai strut their stuff on the big stage soon.
      Midfield ace Camavinga, 18, is linked with Manchester United and Real Madrid, meaning his next venture into Europe may not be with Rennes.

      Bruno Fernandes will have to wait for his shot at Champions League glory

      Eduardo Camavinga is one of Europe’s brightest talentsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Szoboszlai will have the opportunity to impress at Euro 2020 with Hungary.
      But RB Leipzig and Real Madrid are rumoured to want the winger in January – a move which would mean he can play in the Champions League last-16.
      Narrowly edged out by Szoboszlai on this list are a number of top forward-thinking players including Shakhtar’s Tete, United’s Edinson Cavani and Marseille star Florian Thauvin.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Rio Ferdinand makes Champions League predictions with Bayern winning and just one other club threatening Prem sides

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      BAYERN MUNICH are the biggest threat to a Premier League side winning this year’s Champions League, according to Rio Ferdinand.
      The former Manchester United defender believes only the reigning champs or Paris Saint-Germain can stop an English side claiming the crown.

      Rio Ferdinand has cast his predictions for the Champions League knockoutsCredit: PA:Press Association

      Defending champions Bayern Munich are tipped to go all the wayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all booked their place in Monday’s last-16 draw with ease.
      And Jurgen Klopp’s side are just behind Bayern in Ferdinand’s prediction for the competition.
      He said on BT Sport: “I put Bayern Munich favourites, but I would have Liverpool close second favourites.
      “It is great to see big teams are in there, the English boys are in there bar Manchester United disappointingly.”

      United’s exit led to the ‘devastated’ Ferdinand joking that he ‘hadn’t slept’ after the defeat to RB Leipzig.
      The Germans could recreate their run to the semi-finals having beaten the Red Devils and PSG en route to the last-16.

      When it restarts we will have to readdress our expectations for certain teams because form and injuries play a big part.
      Rio Ferdinand

      And it is Les Parisiens, last year’s beaten finalists, who the 42-year-old expects to challenge again.
      He added: “I think the English teams will go deep in the tournament, I think they have got some real quality, Bayern and possibly PSG are the only threats.

      “If [Bayern] don’t have injuries, I think they will go on and do it again.
      “With the experience they have in that team and the explosiveness they have got in the wide areas.”
      Monday lunchtime’s draw could see Barcelona drawn against one of the three remaining English teams.
      Lazio, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Monchengladbach are also possibilities with teams from the same group kept apart at this stage.

      Chelsea are a potential ‘dark horse’ in Ferdinand’s mind, if they can keep the injuries to a minimum by the knockouts in February.
      He noted: “They are a team that are starting to gel together, you can see Frank has done good business up to now in the transfer market.
      “Get through the Christmas period and New Year and see how the squad is shaping up injury wise and form wise.
      “When the Champions League restarts again we will have to readdress our expectations for certain teams because form and injuries play a big part.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Pierre Webo handed a special jersey by PSG president following delayed game in wake of official race row

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      PSG handed race-row victim Pierre Webo a special jersey after the delayed Champions League tie with his club Istanbul Basaksehir.
      Romanian fourth official Sebastian Coltescu may quit football rather than face a possible 10-match Uefa ban after both sides accused him of racism.

      PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi gives Pierre Webo a No9 shirt after the Istanbul coach was the subject of an allegedly racist comment in the original tie

      Pierre Webo was among those angered by what he perceived as racism towards him from Romanian fourth official Sebastian Coltescu

      Players from both teams, including PSG superstars Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, warmed up for Wednesday’s game in tops with a clear anti-racism stanceCredit: EPA

      Coltescu sparked a walk-off after he allegedly identified Basaksehir coach Webo as “the black one” when asked by referee Ovidiu Hategan who to approach.
      Webo was shown a red card but was on the bench for Wednesday’s tie – lasting 76 minutes due to its 14th minute abandonment on Tuesday – as Uefa suspended his ‘sending-off’ while they investigate racism claims.
      And after PSG’s 5-1 win, the French champions’ supremo Nasser Al-Khelaifi acted to show the two clubs’ solidarity by giving the Cameroonian a No9 shirt with his name on it.

      PSG joined with visitors Istanbul Basaksehir in taking the knee before kick-off in Wednesday’s rearranged Champions League tie
      Players from both teams had warmed up in “No to Racism” T-shirts.

      And they also took a knee alongside the new match officials from Holland and Poland.
      Neymar’s treble and a double from strike-partner Kylian Mbappe helped PSG top Goal H ahead of Manchester United’s conquerors RB Leipzig.

      But the fall-out from Tuesday night’s original tie continues.
      Coltescu denied he had done anything wrong, telling Romanian reporters: “I just try to be good.

      “I’m not going to read any news these next few days. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not racist. At least, that’s what I hope.” More

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      Watch Romelu Lukaku BLOCK goal-bound Alexis Sanchez header in dying seconds as Inter Milan crash out of Champions League

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      ROMELU LUKAKU unbelievably blocked Alexis Sanchez’s last-minute goal-bound header as Inter Milan crashed out of the Champions League.
      The Serie A side finished bottom of Group B following the 0-0 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk – who were also knocked out.

      Alexis Sanchez was denied by Romelu Lukaku in the dying stages of the gameCredit: Reuters

      The Italian giants huffed and puffed for 90 minutes at the San Siro desperately trying to find the winner they needed to progress.
      And when Antonio Conte’s side were eventually granted the clearest of chances, in the dying seconds, they were denied by main man Lukaku.
      With 88 minutes on the clock, fellow ex-Man Utd frontman Sanchez leapt highest to meet a corner and produced a bullet header destined for the back of the net.
      But instead it clattered into the face of Lukaku, who was standing in an offside position.

      Inter Milan, who thumped Shakhtar 5-0 in last season’s Europa League semi-finals in August, needed to win to qualify.
      They also had to see the other match, between Real Madrid and Borussia Moenchengladbach, not end in a draw.
      As Madrid won that game 2-0, Monchengladbach needed Inter’s game to end as a draw to see them go through.
      And incredible footage showed the Bundesliga side huddled at the side of the pitch after full-time, watching the end of Inter’s game on a tablet.

      Inter Milan had 20 shots on goal, but failed to break the deadlock against Shahktar.

      Romelu Lukaku was unable to find a breakthrough for Inter MilanCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      After losing vs. Real Madrid, Gladbach needed Shakhtar Donetsk to draw with Inter Milan to secure their place in the #UCL knock-out stages.They watched the last few minutes on a tablet at the side of the pitch until the final whistle…Scenes 😂 pic.twitter.com/xqcwYfBZyE
      — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 9, 2020

      Lautaro Martinez nearly got the early breakthrough they needed but his shot thumped against the crossbar from Nicolo Barella’s cross.
      After that, Inter forced a succession of corners and tried their luck from long range but gave Shakhtar’s 19-year-old goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin little worry about.
      Lukaku saw a header stopped by Trubin after the break before Shakhtar – who also required a win to qualify – began to mount some attacks of their own.
      Tete, one of six Brazilian-born players in Shakhtar’s starting line-up, tested Samir Handanovic with a fizzing long-range shot and Maycon sent the rebound over the bar.
      Trubin pushed a Christian Eriksen drive out from under the bar in stoppage time as Inter’s European season came to an underwhelming conclusion.
      It is the third season in a row that Inter Milan have been knocked out in the group stages.
      And they have no European football to look forward to in the New Year, as a draw meant Shakhtar took third spot, and a consolation place in the Europa League knockout stages.

      Inter Milan finished bottom of their Champions League group Credit: AP:Associated Press

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      Man City 3 Marseille 0: Sterling scores 1,000th City goal at Etihad after Aguero hits net on return

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      SERGIO AGUERO capped a grand old night for Manchester City by marking his return to action in the only way he knows.
      Raheem Sterling later it a landmark night by scoring the club’s 1000th goal at their Etihad home late in the second half.

      Sergio Aguero scored his 255th goal for Manchester City Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ferran Torres has proved his potential in the Champions League this seasonCredit: Reuters

      So it was fitting that the man who has scored more of them than anyone should get in on the celebrations with a goal.
      Aguero had knee surgery in late June and has made only four appearances since – with the last one coming a fortnight ago.
      But the veteran forward showed he has lost none of his predatory instincts as he tapped home a rebound within 10 minutes of coming off the bench.
      City have played 444 times competitively here since leaving Maine Road in 2003 – and there have been few more low key than this.

      Pep Guardiola’s men had already secured their place at the top of their group and had little riding on this one.
      Ferran Torres’ opener was their 100th under the manager in this competition – and once again they go into Monday’s draw in good shape.
      Five wins and a draw in the group show why they will once again be among the favourites – so could this be the year they finally make an impact?
      A much-changed City team started brightly with Phil Foden playing a pass into Riyad Mahrez but Steve Mandanda saving well.

      Raheem Sterling made it 3-0 in the dying stages of the gameCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ilkay Gundogan’s free-kick from the right found the head of defender Aymeric Laporte but his effort was just too high.
      At the other end, former West Ham man Dimitri Payet did put the ball in the net on the half hour – but he was denied by the linesman’s flag.
      Deputy keeper Zack Steffen was called into action when Pape Gueye controlled and shot from a narrow angle but the US international was equal to it.
      Guardiola had said that places were up for grabs for Saturday’s Manchester derby but not many would have caught his eye in an uneventful first half.
      City began the second half with Sterling off the bench and straight away had more intent.
      They took the lead within three minutes of the restart as Bernardo Silva fed Mahrez out of the right and he rolled a ball into the middle.
      Torres got there first and rolled the ball under Steve Mandanda as he continued his excellent goal-scoring form in this competition.
      That’s four in five European games now for the £20.8million summer signing who has enjoyed himself in this competition.

      Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the second half of the clashCredit: PA:Press Association

      Eric Garcia was forced off the field after he picked up a knockCredit: PA:Press Association
      Midway through the second half, Aguero replaced Mahrez to begin his latest comeback.
      And typically it did not take long for him to get in on the act as Mandanda could only parry an thumping header from Nathan Ake.
      Aguero reacted quickest and rolled home the rebound for his second goal of the season – making his case to play some part against United at the weekend.
      There was still time for Sterling to get in on the act as a cross shot from Torres was parried by Mandanda.
      It cannoned into defender Alvaro Gonzalez and dropped perfectly for the England forward to tap over the line for the easiest goal he will score this season.

      City star Nathan Ake in action against Hiroki SakaiCredit: Reuters

      Kyle Walker in action during the Champions League tieCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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