Champions League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Robert Lewandowski is BETTER than Lionel Messi, claims Matthaus ahead of Barcelona vs Bayern Champions League clash

      by

      ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI is BETTER than Lionel Messi, according to Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus.
      The Polish striker, 31, has been in phenomenal touch of late – scoring twice in the Champions League last-16 second leg against Chelsea.

      5

      5

      Robert Lewandoski bagged a brace against Chelsea to continue his unbelievable formCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      5

      Lionel Messi could be facing his successor to the title of the world’s best player, according to Lothar Matthaus Credit: AP:Associated Press
      Lewandowski’s brace helped Bayern win 7-1 on aggregate and set up a quarter-final clash against Messi’s Barcelona.
      But Matthaus, who made over 400 appearances for Bayern, said the Catalan giants should not be feared.
      He told Bild: “Messi faces his successor as the best player in the world: Robert Lewandowski.
      “He is the best player, not just the best forward.

      “The Barca of today is no longer the same as before.
      “They have Messi, of course. A player like him is always capable of genius.
      “But he alone will not be enough against this Bayern. Barcelona does not scare me.”

      5

      Odds for the winner of the 2020 Ballon d’Or before it was axed
      Lewandowski’s ridiculously rich vein of form has seen him bag 53 goals in just 44 games in all competitions this season.

      He found the net 34 times in 31 Bundesliga appearances as the Bavarian club lifted their eighth league title in a row in June.
      But the former Borussia Dortmund forward has shown he can do it on the European stage too.
      Incredibly, Lewandowski now averages a goal EVERY 48 minutes in the Champions League this season.
      His red hot form saw him become a 3/1 favourite to claim the Ballon d’Or before the gong was axed after the coronavirus pandemic impacted the season.

      5

      It was the first time in 64 years the annual celebration of the world’s best player has been scrapped and will have been a bitter blow to Lewandowski who had a great shout at claiming glory.
      But if Bayern can go all the way in the Champions League, it should help soften the blow for their No9.
      Lewandowski is yet to win the competition having lost the 2013 final to Bayern when at Dortmund.

      Inside Robert Lewandowski’s £7m Warsaw apartment with private cinema and golf simulator More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      PSG announce positive coronavirus test at their training ground just 24 hours before Atalanta clash in Champions League

      by

      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN confirmed a positive coronavirus test at the club’s training ground – just 24 hours before their Champions League quarter-final.
      The French champions made the announcement of the anonymous player’s result on Tuesday afternoon.

      1

      Paris Saint-Germain, with the first team pictured in Lisbon ahead of the Champions League quarter-final, confirmed a positive coronavirus test back at the club’s training groundCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
      PSG tweeted: “Tests have revealed that a player at the Paris Saint-Germain training centre has tested positive for Covid-19.
      “In accordance with the health protocol in force, the player has been isolated from the rest of the group and other tests will be carried out soon.
      “In agreement with the Versailles club (N3), the friendly match which was to take place against the U19 team was therefore cancelled.”
      It is therefore understood the player is not part of the first team.

      Fortunately for Thomas Tuchel’s squad, they are already in Lisbon making their final preparations to take on Atalanta tonight.
      The team trained at the Estadio Da Luz yesterday and could have Kylian Mbappe available after an ankle injury.
      Midfielder Marco Verratti is expected to miss the game with a calf injury while Angel Di Maria is suspended.
      Due to coronavirus’ incubation period where carriers are asymptomatic, it could cause concern for the senior side – although they will be continually tested throughout the festival of football in the Portuguese capital.

      Atletico Madrid, who would face PSG if both teams will their quarters this week, were also rocked by a coronavirus outbreak this week.
      But for Diego Simeone’s side, the positive tests were within the first team as Angel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko caught the disease.
      Both players will therefore miss the LaLiga side’s clash against RB Leipzig on Thursday and have not travelled from Madrid.

      Tuchel gives interview in protective boot as PSG arrive in Portugal for Champions League More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Atalanta vs PSG FREE: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Champions League match

      by

      UNDERDOGS Atalanta have reached the Champions League quarter-finals despite losing their opening three matches.
      Next they take on Paris Saint-Germain in Portugal as the final eight of Europe’s elite competition gets underway in a reduced single-match format.

      2

      Atalanta lost their first three opening group games and still made it to the Champions League last eightCredit: Associated Press

      2

      PSG go into the match after winning the French league cup
      What time does Atalanta vs PSG kick off?
      Atalanta vs PSG kicks off at 8pm BST on Wednesday August 12.
      Estadio Da Luz plays host for the match as PSG and Atalanta travel to Portugal to play at a neutral venue.
      What TV channel is Atalanta vs PSG on and can I live stream it?
      The game will be airing on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate
      Coverage begins from 7pm BST
      How can I watch it for free?
      EE customers can get a FREE three-month BT Sport app trial by texting SPORT to 150.
      Customers can then cancel at any time.
      Team news
      Atalanta’s top scorer Josip Ilicic has returned to his native Slovenia to deal with a personal issue and will play no part of the Champions League campaign.
      PSG could have Kylian Mbappe fit and ready to play after he returned to light training and travelled with the squad to Portugal.
      Midfielder Marco Verratti is expected to be miss the game following a calf injury while Angel Di Maria is suspended.
      Edison Cavani left PSG in June due to the expiration of his contract and Laywin Kurzawa isn’t expected to be match fit.

      Latest odds
      Atalanta to win – 5/2
      Draw – 27/10
      PSG to be victorious – 19/20

      Zapata to have 3 or more shots and to score in the second half – 10/3

      *Odds from Ladbrokes correct at time of publication. More

    • 163 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      What happens if Wolves win Europa League? Will Chelsea lose Champions League spot?

      by

      THE Premier League may have finally ended, 352 days after it begun all the way back in August last year.
      But that doesn’t mean that the drama is quite over yet for the unforgettable 2019-20 season.

      2

      Wolves will be hoping to earn a European lifeline for next seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But if Wolves were to win the Europa League and clinch a spot in its more illustrious sister competition for next year – would that lead to fourth-placed Chelsea missing out as Spurs did in 2012?
      Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have all earned direct entry into next season’s Champions League.
      Leicester and FA Cup winners Arsenal will enter the Europa League at the group stage, while Spurs will have to win a qualifying round.
      This could all change, however.

      WOLVES REPRIEVE?
      Arsenal’s FA Cup win has bumped Wolves out of Europa League qualification for next season.
      But if Wolves were to win the Europa League, however, they would gain direct entry into the Champions League group stage… but NOT at the expense of Chelsea.

      2

      Rookie boss Mikel Arteta has taken Arsenal into Europe next seasonCredit: EPA

      Instead, England would have five teams competing in the Champions League – as they did in the 2017-18 season following Manchester United’s Europa League triumph. More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Linfield set for Champions League bye after KF Drita’s entire squad were placed in quarantine over coronavirus outbreak

      by

      NORTHERN Ireland champions Linfield are set to get a bye through to the next round of the Champions League – because their Kosovan opponents have a Covid-19 outbreak.
      Linfield were due to play KF Drita in a preliminary round tie on neutral territory in Uefa’s home town of Nyon, Switzerland.

      2

      Linfield look set to get a bye in the Champions League with their opponents hit by coronavirusCredit: Pacemaker Press
      But after a second Drita player tested positive – despite the whole squad having passed Covid-19 tests before flying to Switzerland, the Swiss health authorities ordered the entire travelling club staff into quarantine.
      With the winners of the tie due to play Polish champions Legia Warsaw in the first round next Tuesday, Uefa are expected to announce Linfield will go through by default.
      Meanwhile, Celtic’s next two games have been postponed after defender Boli Bolingoli travelled to coronavirus-hit Spain without the club’s knowledge.
      The Scottish Premiership games against St Mirren on Wednesday night and Saturday’s home game against Aberdeen will be delayed.

      Following Bolingoli’s Spain trip, Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that “we shouldn’t expect to see Celtic or Aberdeen play over the course of the coming week.”

      2

      Celtic’s next two games are postponed following a breach of rules by Boli BolingoliCredit: AP:Associated Press
      And a further statement from the government confirmed that their next two games will not take place on the scheduled dates.
      Sturgeon said at a press conference: “I don’t want the season to be in jeopardy.
      “I don’t want people who are not responsible for this to pay the price but we have to be very clear that this situation is not acceptable.

      “We’ll set out the conclusion of the talks later today but as a minimum, you should not expect to see Aberdeen or Celtic play over the course of the coming week.
      “By putting this is as clearly as I can in language that the football world will understand, consider today the yellow card.
      “The next time it will be the red card because you will leave us with absolutely no choice.”

      There have now been TWO breaches just weeks into the new season.
      Bolingoli’s actions come just a week after two Aberdeen stars tested positive for the virus.
      Six others were forced to quarantine for 14 days after visiting a pub after the Dons game against Rangers.

      Celtic and Aberdeen games should be CALLED OFF says Sturgeon as she issues ‘yellow card’ to clubs More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Coutinho could KO parent-club Barcelona for Bayern Munich in Champions League as Uefa WILL allow him to play

      by

      PHILIPPE COUTINHO could knock parent club Barcelona out the Champions League with Bayern Munich.
      The Brazilian playmaker has been on loan with the Bundesliga champions this season and Uefa rules do not allow clauses preventing loanees from playing against the team who owns them.

      1

      Philippe Coutinho could knock parent club Barcelona out the Champions League
      After both teams came through their last-16 ties at the weekend, Barca face Bayern in Lisbon on Friday night for a place in the semi-final.
      And after a disappointing campaign in Germany, the 28-year-old could still come back to bite the Catalan giants.
      Despite coming on as a second-half substitute during Bayern’s last-16 victory over Chelsea on Saturday, Coutinho is unlikely to start.

      He has made just 23 appearances in the Bundesliga this season and whatever happens on Friday, he will have to return to Barca in the summer.

      But the former Liverpool midfielder is not expected to hang around for long.
      Arsenal have been heavily linked with the Brazilian – with reports emerging at the weekend suggesting they have agreed personal terms on a season-long loan.
      He is also said to have visited Arsenal’s London Colney training ground.
      Coutinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian has strong links with the Gunners and has been heavily involved in bringing another of his client’s Willian to the Emirates.

      The ex-Chelsea winger is said to have agreed a £100k-a-week three-year deal.

      Coutinho was linked with Chelsea and is not wanted at Barca, who tried to offload him to Bayern on a permanent deal.
      However, the Bundesliga side were not willing to pay the transfer fee.
      The winners of Friday’s semi will face the victors of Manchester City vs Juventus.

      Watch as Lionel Messi tells Barcelona team-mates not to be ‘a**holes’ in X-rated half-time team-talk against Napoli More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Sergio Aguero has not travelled with Man City for Lyon clash and could miss ALL of Champions League campaign

      by

      SERGIO AGUERO fears he is losing his race to be fit for Manchester City’s tilt at the Champions League.
      Pep Guardiola’s squad jetted to Lisbon yesterday without their 254-goal record scorer, who remains in Barcelona.

      3

      Man City record-scorer Sergio Aguero faces Euro agony, having already been out for seven weeks following a knee opCredit: PA:Press Association

      3

      Bernardo Silva and his Man City team-mates are preparing to take on Juventus’ conquerors Lyon in the Champions League quarter-finalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      3

      John Stones and Co arrive in Lisbon, but the ex-England defender is battling to save his Man City careerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Aguero, 32, has not played for seven weeks after having knee surgery towards the end of June.
      The striker told friends his chances of featuring at the European mini-tournament in Portugal are ‘very small’.
      City face Lyon in a one-off quarter-final on  Saturday and Guardiola wants to give him every chance and he will be allowed into the club’s bio-secure ‘bubble’ in their Lisbon hotel later this week.

      What a 4 years it’s been, 2PL, 1FA, 3EFL, 2 Community Shields. I have loved every minute and I am looking forward to my future here.
      John Stones on Instagram

      Guardiola has told Aguero he would like him to be at the Jose Alvalade Stadium for their clash against Lyon.

      But Aguero has ruled himself out of playing in that game and with the final just eight days later — should City get there — even that looks to be a long shot.
      The Argentine striker hobbled out of City’s 5-0 win over Burnley back on June 22.
      He has been doing his rehab in Spain after the operation was carried out by Guardiola’s preferred surgeon, Dr Ramon Cugat.

      Etihad sources said there are no definitive plans yet for when Aguero will join them in Lisbon.

      Out-of-favour defender John Stones has said he aims to stay at City and fight for his future.
      The England man was expected to be shown the door with Nathan Ake arriving and another centre-back on Guardiola’s shopping list.
      But Eric Garcia’s refusal to sign a new deal has given Stones renewed hope that he could be given a reprieve.

      He marked his fourth anniversary as a City player at the weekend and  posted on Instagram: “Four years ago I signed for this amazing club!
      “What a 4 years it’s been, 2PL, 1FA, 3EFL, 2 Community Shields. I have loved every minute and I am looking forward to my future here.”
      Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea are among a host of clubs to be linked with 26-year-old Stones.

      Lionel Messi tells Sergio Aguero off live on Twitch as he tells Man City star to ‘stop messing around and go see physio’ More

    • 200 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Europa League away goal rules: Are away goals used and when is extra time and penalties?

      by

      THE Europa League knockout stages are in full flow as we discover the teams that will make it to the semi-finals
      But how do away goals work in the competition?

      1

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Man Utd take on Copenhagen in the quarter-final of the Europa League
      Do away goals count in extra time of Champions League and Europa League matches?
      AS ever, away goals count if the game finishes a draw on aggregate after 90 minutes.
      Uefa were considering changing the rule but for now it will remain the same.
      So extra time can only happen if the same reverse scoreline appears in both games and the two teams have the same amount of away goals.
      Here’s the Uefa guidelines on what happens next: “For matches played under the knockout system, if the two teams involved in a tie score the same number of goals over the two legs, the team which scores more away goals qualifies for the next stage.

      “If this procedure does not produce a result, i.e. if both teams score the same number of goals at home and away, two 15-minute periods of extra time are played at the end of the second leg.
      “If both teams score the same number of goals during extra time, away goals count double (i.e. the visiting team qualifies).
      “If no goals are scored during extra time, kicks from the penalty mark determine which team qualifies for the next stage.”
      So if we reach extra time and EITHER team scores within the added 30 minutes, there is NO chance of the game going to penalties.

      If the away team manages to score in extra time, away goals kick in and the home side must net twice to progress.
      However, this year away goals will only count up to the round of 16, as the quarter-finals to finals will be played over a single leg due to the coronavirus pandemic. More