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      Borussia Dortmund to name 15-year-old goalscoring sensation Youssoufa Moukoko in Champions League squad

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND are set to name 15-year-old goalscoring sensation Youssoufa Moukoko in their Champions League squad.
      The teenager missed out on the initial squad list submitted to Uefa following the closure of the transfer window last week.

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      Youssoufo Moukoko could become the Champions League’s youngest player if he features for Borussia Dortmund in the group stagesCredit: Getty – Contributor

      But, as reported by the Bundesliga, he will be included in the B-list, reserved for young, homegrown talent, once he turns 16.
      Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc confirmed to Bild: “Yes, it’s true. We will register Youssoufa for the Champions League via the B-list.”
      Moukoko’s birthday is on November 20 and therefore could become the Champions League’s youngest player.
      With rules preventing players featuring until they turn 16, the youngster may not have to wait very long to make his European bow.

      Dortmund, who are the odds-on favourites in Group F with Zenit, Club Brugge and Lazio, face the Belgian champions at home on November 24 and Moukoko could be involved.
      Celestine Babayaro holds the current Champions League record, having started for Anderlecht against Steaua Bucharest in the 1994-95 group stage, aged 16 years and 87 days.
      Cameroon-born Moukoko has been in stunning form in front of goal throughout his time with Borussia Dortmund.
      The Germany U20 forward has hit 134 goals in 86 appearances for the Dortmund Under-17s and U19s since making his debut aged just 12.

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      Erling Haaland described Moukoko as the best teenage talent he has ever seenCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      His goalscoring record in the youth ranks with Dortmund is simply staggeringCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      That includes two hat-tricks in his first two outings in 2020-21 and banging in SIX on his U19s debut… aged 14.
      The youngster struck four times in seven Uefa U19 Youth League outings last term and was given permission to skip school to start training with the first team.
      And it did not take him long to impress ‘veteran’ striker Erling Haaland, 20, who said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 15-year-old that good.
      “He’s a lot better than I was when I was 15.”

      Dortmund wonderkid Moukoko, 15, shatters goalscoring records galore

      By Sam Morgan and Jon Boon

      IF YOU think Borussia Dortmund wonderkids Mario Gotze and Christian Pulisic were top drawer, wait till you see the latest kid coming through their ranks.
      Youssoufa Moukoko, their 15-year-old sensation, is currently the hottest prospect in Germany – shattering Bundesliga goalscoring records at U17 and U19 levels in consecutive seasons.
      Read the full feature here

      Uefa draw the teams who will face each other in the Champions League More

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      Chelsea desperate to win Premier League AND Champions League after transfer spending spree, claims Christian Pulisic

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      CHRISTIAN PULISIC claimed Chelsea are desperate to win both the Premier League AND the Champions League after their summer spending spree.
      The Blues spent £230million in the transfer window to bring in the likes of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Edouard Mendy.

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      Christian Pulisic believes Chelsea should be competing to win every trophy this season including the Premier League and Champions LeagueCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Defenders Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr – who joined Porto on loan – also arrived on free transfers.
      And Pulisic knows splashing the cash must translate into silverware, especially after a trophyless season in Frank Lampard’s first year in charge.
      Chelsea will be expecting to improve on their fourth-placed finish – 33 points adrift of Liverpool – from 2019-20 and have a favourable Champions League group-stage draw.

      The American, 22, told CBS Sports: “Chelsea is a club with a lot of history that always wants to compete and win titles.

      “Our goal is to finish at the highest standing in the Premier League and win every trophy available, Champions League included.
      “We’ve got a great group of guys, we’re going to compete, and we’re hungry to win titles.
      “Absolutely. Why not? That’s right where we want to be. I think that’s realistic, and we’re gonna compete hard to get those trophies.”
      Pulisic arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer after a deal was already agreed with Borussia Dortmund prior to the Blues’ transfer ban.

      In his 34 appearances during his debut campaign, the USA international scored 11 goals, including in the FA Cup final before hobbling off injured.
      He returned to action as a late substitute against Crystal Palace last weekend and is looking forward to having a big impact this term – especially alongside new faces at Stamford Bridge.
      Now fully fit again, the new Chelsea No10, taking the number from Willian, added: “We’ve brought in more experienced players this year with some new signings, and I think we also have a great group of young guys so I think it’s a really good mix.
      “Last year was more of a transition year where obviously we couldn’t sign any new players, but we still had some of the guys who’d been there.
      “What was great about last year is a lot of the young guys got a lot of experience.

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      “This year there’s definitely a boosted confidence, we’ve got an edge. We’re ready, we want to compete, and we want to win titles.
      “I had another tough injury, and it was really hard work to get back out there.
      “I’m really excited I got some minutes on Saturday before the break. Now I just wish we had a game sooner, to be honest. But at least I’ll get a little rest.
      “I was just really happy to make my season debut. It felt like a new beginning almost.
      “A new number, a new season. Obviously there are a lot of new players, too. Just a really great feeling overall.”

      Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi shows off amazing ball control with Christian Pulisic More

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      Kevin De Bruyne closing in on new two-year £300,000-a-week Man City contract after Champions League ban U-turn

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      KEVIN DE BRUYNE is closing in on a two-year £300k-a-week contract extension at Manchester City.
      The Belgian superstar currently earns around £280k-a-week basic at the Etihad in a deal that runs until 2023.

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      Kevin De Bruyne is set to sign a new £300k-a-week contract at Man CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And talks between the 29-year-old’s camp and City over prolonging his stay are said to be progressing well.
      De Bruyne has already spent five years in Manchester and has stated that both he and his family are happy there.
      He did admit that if City’s two year UEFA ban had stood then he might have had to consider his future at the club.

      But that was overturned and KdB now looks set to spend the remainder of his top level career with the club.
      Since making the £54million switch from Wolfsburg in August 2015, he has become a huge star for City – helping them win seven major trophies.
      Talks looked likely to stall when De Bruyne’s agent was questioned by police over financial irregularities – allegedly after a complaint from the player’s family.
      But when he does sign, it will be a huge boost to Pep Guardiola and the club after a difficult few months.

      De Bruyne’s current deal has a series of incentives which mean his take home pay is more than £300k-per-week.

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      Meanwhile Pep’s frustration at missing out on a new left-back has been eased by the return from injury of Joao Cancelo.
      The Portuguese international has not been fit for City’s first five matches of the season due to a foot injury.
      But he played 90 minutes for his country in the goalless draw with Spain earlier this week – meaning he will be available after the re-start.
      City were willing to replace Ukraine international Oleksandr Zinchenko during the transfer window if a suitable offer had come in.

      Liverpool boast the most valuable squad in world football
      Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico would have been one option while Pep had also been linked with Bayern Munich’s David Alaba.
      But Cancelo has filled in on both flanks and Guardiola could decide he is a better bet than Benjamin Mendy or Zinchenko for the big games.
      After a slow start following his £60m move from Juventus in summer 2019, he impressed towards the end of the campaign.
      He becomes the latest City player to return after Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan took part in training earlier this week.

      Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores on his England debut in 3-0 win over Wales More

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      Sergio Romero, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo AXED from Man Utd’s Champions League squad as Solskjaer cuts it down to 25

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      SERGIO ROMERO, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have been axed from Manchester United’s Champions League squad by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      The Old Trafford outcasts have been shunned from the 25-man group while new signings Edinson Cavani, Facundo Pellistri and Alex Telles are all in.

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      Phil Jones is one of three big names to be axed from Man Utd’s Champions League squadCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Sergio Romero has also been left out by Ole Gunnar SolskjaerCredit: Rex Features

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      And forgotten left-back Marcos Rojo has been canned as wellCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The Red Devils open their Champions League campaign against Paris Saint-Germain on October 20.
      And there is no room for the out of favour trio.
      United’s other summer signing Donny van de Beek makes the list alongside his fellow new arrivals.

      While homegrown stars Mason Greenwood, Teden Mengi and Brandon Williams remain on the B-list which can be added to until the midnight before each fixture.

      The A and B lists have confused some fans with Chelsea releasing a statement to explain the process yesterday.
      It read: “Each competing club has to submit a List A of their playing staff which comprises up to 25 players with a minimum of eight locally trained players, of whom four must have come through the club’s own ranks between the ages of 15 and 21.
      “Any shortfall in those eight reduces the overall number available, and Uefa have announced five substitutions will be permitted this season, increasing the number of players selected for a matchday squad to 23.
      “In addition there is List B, made up of players aged 21 or younger with two years’ training at the club. This list can be updated at any time up to midnight before a Champions League match.”

      Man Utd’s Champions League squad

      Goalkeepers: David De Gea, Dean Henderson, Lee Grant
      Defenders: Eric Bailly, Tim Fosu-Mensah, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka
      Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Daniel James, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, Facundo Pellistri, Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek
      Forwards: Edinson Cavani, Odion Ighalo, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford

      Argentine stopper Romero, 33, was determined to leave Old Trafford this summer.
      For years he has diligently served as the Red Devils’ reserve and cup goalkeeper.
      But United failed to let him leave in the summer window prompting an angry outburst from his wife on social media.
      But Romero hasn’t given up hope of a move and is keen to escape to the US, according to the Daily Mail.
      The MLS transfer window is open until October 29, giving Romero – currently at home in Argentina while his future is resolved – three weeks to find a club.

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      Fellow Argentine Rojo’s United future is also non-existent.
      The forgotten left-back, 30, has not played for the Red Devils since October 2019 and has been training alone at Carrington.
      Jones is also facing a future away from Old Trafford as one of six stars Solskjaer was trying to sell before the transfer window slammed shut.
      And United still hope to get the 28-year-old off the books in the coming weeks.

      Eddie Hearn wants to stage Wayne Rooney vs Rio Ferdinand charity BOXING match at Man Utd’s Old Trafford More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Barcelona star wins in head-to-head battles ahead of Champions League clash

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      IT IS the question that divides football fans across the globe –  who is better: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
      They gave Clasicos a bit of extra spice for nine years and now as they prepare to face off in the Champions League this season, SunSport looks at how they compare in matches against each other.

      How Messi and Ronaldo compare in head-to-head battles

      The greatest managers of the modern era have had their say, fans have had their say and even former team-mates have waded in on the never-ending GOAT debate.
      So we thought we’d look past the trophies and accolades to see how they fared when they were in direct competition.
      The pair know each other well, of course, having gone toe to toe in dozens of El Clasico contests down the years.
      Not only would the rivals share the same pitch whenever Real Madrid played against Barcelona, but they would tussle for LaLiga supremacy season after season.

      El Clasico has always been more that just a football match to the clubs’ fans and having the two best players in the world took it to a different dimension.
      Ronaldo has gone up against Messi 35 times in total during his spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid as well as on the international stage.
      And fans will be treated to two more match ups this season with Ronaldo’s Juventus drawn in the same group as Barca for the Champions League.
      Barca’s all time leading goal-scorer pipped the former Los Blancos ace by three goals in all of their meetings – finding the back of the net 22 times.

      Ronaldo and Messi have enjoyed a career-long rivalry

      While Ronaldo may have three goals fewer, he holds the record for the scoring in the most consecutive Clasicos – in six consecutive games in 2012.
      Messi poetically netted his 500th goal for the Catalan giants against Real in a thriller in 2017, which also put Barca top of LaLiga.
      The Argentina ace famously celebrated by whipping off his No10 shirt and holding it aloft to the away support to prove why he is considered to be the greatest footballer of all time.
      Ronaldo later had to have his say too, of course.
      The next time he visited the Nou Camp and scored in the Supercopa de Espana final first leg in August 2017, he mimicked his great frenemy’s celebration by showing his No7 shirt to the crowd.
      In that same clash, Ronaldo’s night hit a sour note when he was shown a second yellow card for diving, which resulted in the forward PUSHING the referee.
      He had already been booked for taking his shirt off after mimicking Messi’s celebration.
      That has been the only red card shown to either hero in the duo’s 35 stand offs with Messi managing to keep his cool and escape with three fewer yellows than his arch-rival.

      Lionel Messi scored a last-minute winner to give Barcelona a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in April 2017

      Cristiano Ronaldo showed the Nou Camp who was boss in his celebration
      Football is a results business so when it comes to score lines, the Argentine maestro leads the way.
      In the 35 matches, Messi has 16 wins, Ronaldo has ten and there have been nine draws.
      Ronaldo’s United got the better of Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-finals with a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp and 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
      Messi and Co got their revenge a year later, winning the 2009 final 2-0 as Messi scored a header.
      That started a run of five consecutive wins for Messi over Ronaldo including a 5-0 Barca win and a 2-1 victory for Argentina over Portugal in an international friendly as both players found the net.
      Arguably their greatest contest came in the 2012/13 LaLiga campaign as both players scored twice in a 2-2 draw in Barcelona.
      The Portugal icon left Los Blancos for a new challenge at Juventus two years ago meaning their last meeting was way back in May 2018, another 2-2 draw.
      Messi has played his entire career so far for Barcelona but is set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.

      Brazil icon Pele waded in on the greatest of all time debate.
      The footballing legend reckons Messi is best player of this generation, just months after siding with arch-rival Ronaldo.
      Sun Sport brought to you what the superstars say about each other in the argument that divides football fans across the globe. 
      Pele might not be able to split them but in head-to-head battles Messi edges it.
      Now all eyes are on the European battles ahead this season as Ronaldo goes up against his long-term rival for the first time in a Juventus shirt.

      Arsenal legend Thierry Henry weighs in on Messi vs Ronaldo debate More

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      Man Utd star Rashford reveals ‘selfless’ Lukaku let him take winning penalty vs PSG so he could grab headlines

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       MARCUS RASHORD has sung the praises of former Manchester United team-mate Romelu Lukku for a selfless act at Paris Saint-Germain.
      The Red Devils have been drawn against last season’s finalists in the Champions League group stages.

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      Marcus Rashford has recalled a touching moment with Romelu Lukaku from the famous PSG victory two seasons agoCredit: Getty Images

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      Rashford scored the winner from the penalty spot in the dying secondsCredit: Getty

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will also face RB Leipzig and Turkey outfit Istanbul Basaksehir in Group H.
      However, it is the clash with PSG that naturally has most of United’s supporters excited and remembering the last time the two sides met.
      Having lost the first leg 2-0 at home, United travelled to Paris with little hope of reaching the last-eight in the 2018/19 campaign.
      But they went from the brink of elimination to glory as Lukaku, who left for Inter Milan a year ago, grabbed a brace.

      That meant United led 2-1 on the night as they were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds trailing 3-2 on aggregate.
      Up stepped Rashford, 22, to rifle home the spot-kick and seal his team’s victory via away goals.
      And after United and PSG were drawn together again, the England international took to Twitter to recall the famous night and his pal Lukaku’s kind action.
      He wrote on Twitter: “Let me tell you a little story about @RomeluLukaku9.

      “We are playing PSG in the second leg of the Champions League, with little little hope of qualifying. 2-0 down on agg. 2 mins in, Rom scores. 30 mins in, Rom scores. We need one more goal to qualify. 94th min – penalty…
      “Rom steps up picks up the ball and hands it to me. He knew this was my moment.
      “He knew it would be me that got all news coverage for scoring that penalty and he was ok with that, ignoring the fact that he was the most instrumental part of that win.
      “That tells you all you need to know about @RomeluLukaku9. Selfless, a team player… Never afraid to dim his light for others to shine. That’s my brother and I appreciate him.”

      Lukaku soon read Rashford’s tweet and responded.
      The Belgian wrote: “My brother for life! What a great moment brother one of the best nights in my career! Like we said before the game we were going to qualify the team! My partner.”
      United advanced to the quarter-finals but were knocked out by Barcelona. More

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      Fuming Man Utd fans claim Champions League draw was ‘fixed’ as they get nightmare group with PSG and RB Leipzig

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      ANGRY Manchester United fans claim the Champions League draw has been “fixed” as they face a nightmare group with PSG and RB Leipzig.
      Shocked supporters fumed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men fared far worse than Premier League rivals like neighbours City.

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      Man Utd find themselves in a nightmare group

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      Think they’re taking all these award breaks while the presenters fiddle around and fix the easiest draw for Man City! 🥴
      — For Football’s Sake (@football_sake) October 1, 2020

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      Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces a huge task to get out of a devilish Champions League groupCredit: AFP

      Pep Guardiola’s sidewill play Porto, Olympiacos and Marseille, Liverpool take on Ajax, Atalanta and Midtyjlland and Chelsea are to meet Sevilla, Krasnodar and Rennes.
      And as United fans erupted on social media, one said: “Cannot tell me this isn’t a fix! F**k luck of the draw.”
      Another suggested: “Think they’re taking all these award breaks while the presenters fiddle around and fix the easiest draw for Man City.”
      Seething supporters rushed in with more comments like: “Liverpool get Ajax, City get Porto and we get PSG and the draw is done by 2 of the Chelsea mafia!!!??”

      Liverpool get Ajax, City get Porto and we get PSG and the draw is done by 2 of the Chelsea mafia!!!??Cannot tell me this isn’t a fix! F*ck “luck of the draw” #UCLdraw #mufc
      — Black Lives Matter ✊🏿 (@dukeofpeckham) October 1, 2020

      True, United will also face Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir, who might be fortunate to get any points from the group.
      But that failed to stop Red Devils’ followers from claiming the draw had gone to pot.
      Yet it also inspired taunts from rival fans, including a meme with a weary-looking Hollywood star Will Smith in front of a “pain” message.

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      Liverpool face Champions League group of death with Barcelona, Inter and Monchengladbach if Klopp fears come true

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      LIVERPOOL could be landed in the dreaded ‘group of death’ when the delayed Champions League draw takes place in Geneva tomorrow.
      Jurgen Klopp’s side are the only English representative in the top seeding group, due to their status as Premier League champions.

      The other three English sides – Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea – are all in the second group.

      It means Liverpool have only five potential opponents from that pot, including Barcelona and last season’s knock-out conquerors Atletico Madrid.
      While the final seeding pots will only be confirmed after tonight’s three remaining play-off ties, the Merseysiders could also find themselves with tough opponents from Pot 3, including surprise package Atalanta, Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan and emerging RB Leipzig.

      And bottom pot teams include Germany’s improving Borussia Monchengladbach and Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir.
      Liverpool – labelled ‘sloppy’ in the 3-1 win over Arsenal by Roy Keane – would doubtless back themselves to go through in any event.
      But their fitness levels and squad depth will be challenged like never before.
      Klopp’s team will have to play six fiercely competitive European ties during the most congested season in history – possibly complicating their Premier League title defence as well.

      The Champions League does not start until October 20 as a result of the pandemic and delayed season starts across Europe.

      Liverpool boast the most valuable squad in world football

      In order to cram everything in, it means the entire group phase will be played over just eight weeks rather than the usual 12.
      Two blocks of three consecutive midweek Euro matches will be the new normal, split only by the November international window in which most nations will play three games, in addition to domestic Premier League games each weekend.
      Klopp’s side crashed out in March after losing 3-2 at home to Atletico Madrid – a 4-2 defeat in all over the two ties.
      That came in a wobbly two-week run for Klopp’s champs, who went out of the FA Cup, lost their 44-game unbeaten run to Watford and gave up their European title.

      Jurgen Klopp calls out Man Utd icon Roy Keane live on Sky Sports over criticism of ‘sloppy’ Liverpool after Arsenal win More