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      Brighton fans stabbed, beaten and robbed by gang of 7 masked thugs ahead of Europa League clash with Roma

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      BRIGHTON and Hove Albion fans have been stabbed, beaten and robbed in Italy ahead of their Europa League last 16 clash with Roma.A 27-year-old and a 28-year-old, believed to be Brits, were assaulted by a masked gang of thugs and found by cops with stab wounds on their thighs.The shocking attack happened in RomeCredit: GettyRoberto De Zerbi is leading his Brighton team into their first ever knockout game in EuropeCredit: GettyBrighton training ahead of the match tonightCredit: RexPolice arrived outside a restaurant in Rome after hearing reports of fighting and found two men injured and bleeding on the street, Italian media reports.Cops were called to the Monti district after a waiter reported the chilling attack.The two fans had been beaten up in the street by “six of seven people wearing masks” just after midnight on Wednesday evening, a police spokesman said.The pair were also robbed of their bags which had their wallets and documents inside.read more in footballThe thugs sharply fled the scene before the cops could arrive. The two injured men were then taken to a local hospital.PC Darren Balkham, Sussex Police liaison officer for the club said on X: “We are aware of the incident reported in Italian media last night. “Have spoken to both Brighton fans who are ok.”Most read in FootballPolice are now investigating the case.A Brighton fan who saw the horrors unfold told The Argus: “We were just walking up the street having just left the pub, we weren’t chanting or anything.“All of a sudden these six people jumped us from behind. A couple of my mates ran away but I got jumped and beaten up.”They were kicking me everywhere, in the head and the ribs.“I’ve never had an experience like that. We go to every single game home and away and I’ve never experienced that, even in Marseille.“I’m a little shaken up and nervous but I’m still going to the game. We are staying at the hotel all day and then going straight back there after.”The game tonight marks Brighton’s first ever knock out match in Europe against a formidable opponent in Roma.Brighton managed to sell an impressive 3,500 tickets for the game tonight although the mammoth Stadio Olimpico will see them face up against 70,000 Roma fans.Among them are die hard football fans who make up the historic clubs ultras dubbed “the Fedayn” or the devotees.Italy as a whole has seen a number of issues with British football fans over the years.Brighton warned its supporters before travelling out to Rome to be wary of “street crime, including pick pocketing”.The British club also told fans: “Be vigilant, take precautions and take out valid travel insurance.”Avoid going around the city showing flags and colours of the club.”The club also faced fan issues when they travelled to Marseille for the away fixture in the group stage.Tensions flared following the Seagulls’ 2-2 draw with Marseille on Thursday night as supporters were shut in the stadium for hours after the European clash.Fans heading to the south of France had been warned they would be held up for at least 45 minutes for safety reasons.But furious football lovers complained they were kept back for at least two hours with no water offered.Supporters stuck in crowds claimed on social media some people fainted due to dehydration.Roberto De Zerbi’s men are coming into the match on the back of a turbulent few weeks. They haven’t won in the last three games and were played off the park by Fulham on Saturday in their final game before travelling out to Rome.Roma lost in the final of the Europa League last year on penalties under Jose Mourinho. After the match fuming Roma fans hounded British referee Anthony Taylor and his family at Budapest International Airport, forcing the police to rush them into a private room.READ MORE SUN STORIESThings almost took a horror turn when a chair narrowly avoided hitting him and his terrified family.The return fixture on the South Coast will take place on March 14, with Brighton looking to move on to the quarter finals.Roma fans are known for their fiery support of their players More

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      Jurgen Klopp without TEN Liverpool stars for Europa League tie… just days before table-topping Man City clash

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      JURGEN KLOPP has been left without TEN Liverpool stars ahead of crunch games against Sparta Prague and Manchester City.The Reds first take on Sparta in the first leg of tonight’s Europa League last-16 tie.Jurgen Klopp is without 10 Liverpool stars ahead of games against Sparta Prague and Man CityCredit: GettyTeen forward Jayden Danns has become the latest casualtyCredit: GettyAnd a potential season-defining title showdown then follows on Sunday against City, who are just a point behind Premier League leaders Liverpool in the table.However, Anfield boss Klopp is set to scramble for reinforcements from the academy after suffering yet another injury blow.Teen whizz Jayden Danns has become the latest casualty after suffering concussion in the dramatic win at Nottingham Forest.The forward, who also featured in the Carabao Cup win against Chelsea, has not been named in tonight’s squad to face Sparta.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd he joins no less than nine teammates in the medical room.Goalie Alisson Becker remains missing, as do defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip.The absences of Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch also means Liverpool are light in midfield.And up top, both Diogo Jota and Ben Doak are sidelined for the time being.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHowever, Mo Salah could be back in business for the Reds after missing their last four matches.Boss Klopp revealed: “Mo travelled, he is with us, he trained two days, so full of energy, we have to see.Jurgen Klopp compares Liverpool youngster Jayden Danns to darts sensation and Man Utd fan Luke LittlerMo Salah is back and could feature in the Europa LeagueCredit: PA“But it is so good he is back, that is really good for us and you can see in his face he is very happy.“A very unlucky situation with being that long out and in for a moment, if you want, at Brentford, played an incredible game there and was out again.“That’s how it is. We want to be careful, we have to be careful, but in the middle of a super-intense period of the season we needed everybody.“Now, let’s see how long we can use him. That’s how it is with him and with others as well.” More

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      Shocking moment Rangers and ITALIAN hooligans fight with weapons and throw chairs & metal barriers ahead of Benfica game

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      THIS is the shocking moment Rangers yobs battled with hooligans from Italian outfit Atalanta when they attacked them in a Lisbon hotel ahead of tonight’s clash with Benfica. A group of ultras from the Bergamo-based Serie A side were also in town to watch their team play out a 1-1 first leg draw against Sporting Lisbon. The Italian hooligans congregate outside the hotelRangers fans, including one man wearing a Gers strip, spill out of the hotel barThe groups exchange missiles, including tables and chairsAnd they clearly had plans on some organised violence as they swooped on a group of Gers fans who were in the Eden Aparthotel in the city. The Gers face Benfica at the Stadium of Light in a Europa League last 16 tie this evening.Video widely shared on various social media accounts this morning shows more than 100 ultras involved in the violence.It shows Italian hooligans – some of them wielding belts and other items as weapons – congregating in the doorway as missiles are fired back and forward between the two groups. The Rangers fans – with some supporters clad in strips – then break out of the hotel to chase their rivals up the square as sporadic running battles continue. Footage shows the yobs throwing a heavy chair back and forward at each other while others pick up huge metal barriers and lob them at their rival thugs.The Rangers fans then charge at the Italians who can be seen running away across the square and round a corner.Police sirens can be heard as the authorities attempted to get to grips with the shocking violence.Most read in Europa LeagueMeanwhile, Philippe Clement played down suggestions that Europe wasn’t important compared to the club’s quest to reclaim the Premiership title from Celtic. The Belgian, who is also dealing with a major injury crisis, told reporters: “There were some people on the board that told me before our European game (against Real Betis) that it was more important to win the League Cup.PDC darts referee jumps in with Rangers ultras during visit to Ibrox”I told them I never do work that way.”I want players who are hungry for every occasion and want to do it every game.”It doesn’t work that way. It’s not like a menu in a restaurant that you pick up.”It’s a busy schedule, yes that’s true, but I’ve been working hard with all the players and the staff to get everyone ready.”It’s about the players themselves too, to show that they’re ready for this kind of competition.Shocking clashes take place on the streetGers fans chase their rivals into the squareThe violence spills out into the squareFurther clashes ensue”I want players hungry to win every occasion, you don’t create a winning culture if you look to the next game. “We are going to go full for this game, then full again at the weekend. READ MORE SUN STORIES”We will go like this to the end of the season.”Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      Sparta Prague vs Liverpool: Get £40 in free bets and bonuses for the Europa League with Betfred

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      LIVERPOOL’S big fixtures continue to come thick and fast as they head to face Sparta Prague in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.New Betfred customers can claim a tremendous £40 in free bets and bonuses when they sign-up and stake a tenner on the game!Get £40 in free bets and bonuses with BetfredCredit: BETFREDSparta Prague vs Liverpool: Get £40 bonus HERE*How to claim..Betfred special

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      The Reds are short priced favourites to win this competition and can take a giant step towards the quarter finals with a positive result here.It’s just one defeat in 18 for Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League table toppers in all competitions.While Sparta top the Czech league after a goalless draw with closest challengers and bitter rivals Slavia at the weekend.It should prove a tough evening for Klopp’s side, regardless of the side put out but they just might have enough to bring a lead home.
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      Premier League’s Euro adventurers facing crunch week in fight to land England fifth spot in revamped Champions League

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      ENGLAND’S Euro adventurers can take a massive step towards securing the Prem a fifth Champions League spot for next season this week..Uefa’s competitions revamp will see the Champions League extended to 36 teams and a “Swiss model” league system from next season.Arsenal are amongst the six English clubs still in European competitionCredit: GettyLiverpool return to Europa League action against Sparta Prague on ThursdayCredit: ReutersTwo of the extra places go to the top two performing nations across the three Uefa competitions in the preceding campaign.England go into the completion of the last 16 stage of the Champions League – and the full equivalent in the Europa League and Conference League – in third position in the table, behind Italy and Germany.But unlike the first stage of post-Christmas knock-out action, when only Manchester City and Arsenal were involved, all six of the Prem’s remaining teams will play this month.And by the time the quarter-final survivors are known, it will be far clearer if England is on course for an extra place – or if the race for the top four will become even more vital.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCity will lead the English expedition when they complete their last 16 tie against Copenhagen, after the 3-1 win in the Danish capital, although Arsenal’s home leg against Porto is next week.But Liverpool, West Ham, Brighton and Aston Villa are all in action on Thursday, with the chance to propel England into the top two of the coefficient table.All wins are worth two points, with a draw earning one, plus bonus points for reaching specfic stages of the three competitions.A country’s total points haul is then divided by the number of teams which entered across the three events at the start of the season.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat is why, despite grossing the most total points so far – 111 – England’s current total, divided by eight, is 13.875pts, with Italy on top with 15.571 and Germany second on 14.5.City’s expected win over the Danish champions would add 0.375pts to the Englnd tally.Europa League draw revealed as Liverpool face Sparta Prague, Brighton get horror draw and West Ham face familiar foeMeanwhile, Bayern Munich and Leipzig must come back from first leg defeats by Lazio and Real Madrid respectively this week.Failure to do so would open the door for England – with all four teams playing away from home – to overtake the Germans and move into a great position on Thursday – especially given the respective draws.Liverpool, red hot favourites for the Europa League, face Czechs Sparta Prague but Brighton’s trip to Roma and West Ham’s third meeting of the season with Freiburg can directly impact the race of the extra slots.A win over two legs for Villa against Ajax would also bolster the Prem position.Serie A has three sides still in the Europa League, with Milan and Atalanta alongside Roma, and Fiorentina in the Conference League.Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen and Dortmund – whose Champions League second leg is next week – are the remaining Bundesliga clubs left.The other candidate who could get back into the mix is Spain, currently fifth on 13.187 but with Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Sociedad – who trail PSG 2-0 – also in the Champions League and Villarreal in the Europa League.A clean slate of English wins this week would net a total haul of 1.375 points, with a repeat and progression next week – Arsenal start 1-0 down against Porto –  adding a further 1.75pts including bonuses.Treble winners Manchester City lead Copenhagen following their first leg in DenmarkCredit: GettyExits for Leipzig, Bayern and Freiburg – West Ham won both group stage meetings – would leave German hopes of retaking the lead over England hugely damaged.And further down the coefficient table, Rangers will be urging Liverpool, Milan and Swiss side Servette to all oust their Czech opponents, espeically if they are ejected by Portuguese giants Benfica.READ MORE SUN STORIESScotland are currently 10th in the five-year country standings, holding onto the last automatic league stage spot for the 2025-26 version of the Champions League.But the Czechs are close behind and can overtake Scotland, meaning the SPL champions would have to go into the preliminary round knock-out stage in August 2025. More

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      ‘Super league by another name’ fume fans as Uefa confirm new Champions League format that is ‘ruining’ football

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      UEFA’S new Champions League format has been slammed by fans for “ruining” football.European football’s governing body have confirmed the new layout for the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.Fans have slammed Uefa’s new Champions League formatCredit: GettyThe changes are set to come into effect from the start of next season.Uefa’s Premier competition will be extended to 36 teams from 32 for the 2024-25 season.However, fans are unconvinced by the changes and have even compared the new format to the failed European Super League.One angry supporter wrote on X: “Super league by another name.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother added: “They’re ruining the beautiful game.”A third fan also commented: “So it’s the Super League in disguise.”Meanwhile, one more said: “Basically the Super League.”The new system will see 36 teams playing in the main part of all three competitions.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSInstead of eight groups of four clubs in the initial phase, there will be a new “league” format.Supercomputer reveals Arsenal’s chances of winning Champions League after toothless Porto loss without a shot on targetEach club will play eight matches in the opening phase – against seeded opposition, in a system designed to ensure that teams play opponents of similar difficulty.The format will be mirrored across all three competitions, except for six matches instead of eight in the Conference League.The top eight teams in the “final” table will automatically go through to the last 16, where they will be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.Despite there being just eight matches in the opening phase, European matches will be spread over 10 midweek slots.The Europa League and Conference League will each have a week when matches can be played across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as the standalone competition being played.Uefa’s new format is set to come into effect ahead of next season’s Champions LeagueCredit: APThe 2024/25 Champions League will also see the first implication of two additional qualifying spots.These are to be awarded to the nations that are top of the “country coefficient” chart each season.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat is a table based on the results of a nation’s teams in all three European competitions.The total points earned by every nation’s clubs – with bonus points for reaching certain stages plus match-related points – are divided by the number of sides in European competitions. More

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      European fixtures key to huge points for Dream Team managers across next two Gameweeks

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      ANY Dream Team manager worth their salt knows to squeeze the schedule for all it’s worth.The logic is simple and undeniable: more fixtures equals more point-scoring opportunities.
      This ploy isn’t totally fool-proof but it generally pays dividends over the course of a season.

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      Smart options for Gameweeks 26 and 27?Credit: Dream Team
      Looking at the next fortnight or so, it appears the upcoming European games hold the key to plentiful points.
      In Gameweek 26, five teams will fulfil two fixtures with Manchester City, Liverpool, West Ham, Brighton and Aston Villa all in continental action in midweek after a full round of Premier League games at the weekend.
      Pep Guardiola’s side host neighbours Manchester United on Sunday before welcoming FC Copenhagen to the Etihad on Wednesday night.
      Given Erling Haaland (£7.5m) plundered 40 points in Gameweek 25, the captaincy debate is likely to be a simple one for most gaffers.
      Elsewhere, Liverpool travel to Nottingham Forest and Sparta Prague in what has to be considered a favourable double header.
      Dream Team bosses eagerly await availability updates on Mohamed Salah (£6.7m) and Darwin Nunez (£4.5m).
      Most read in Football
      Salah will be a popular recruit if deemed availableCredit: Getty
      Brighton also have back-to-back away days in the form of Fulham in the league then Roma in the Europa League.
      Pascal Gross (£4.5m) is among Dream Team’s most in-form players at present having earned 49 points across his last five outings.
      West Ham are the third and final English team still active in the Europa League.
      The Hammers face Freiburg (again) after a trip to Everton at the weekend.
      Jarrod Bowen’s (£4.5m) hat-trick against Brentford on Monday suddenly looks very timely indeed.
      The England international provided healthy returns for much of last season thanks in no small part to his ultimately triumphant Europa Conference League commitments.
      This season it’s Aston Villa who are set to take part in the knockout stages of the continent’s tertiary competition.
      31 goal involvements and countingCredit: Getty
      Unai Emery’s side drew a big name in the round of 16 in the form of Ajax but it’s worth noting that the Dutch giants have been below par for much of 2023/24.
      Jordan Henderson and company are without a win in their last four league games and currently reside fifth in the Eredivisie table.
      Ollie Watkins (£4.5m), Douglas Luiz (£3.9m), John McGinn (£3.7m), Emi Martinez (£3.1m) and Leon Bailey (£3m) are therefore all tempting options.
      The former has scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in all competitions this season while the latter has quietly amassed 20 goal involvements.
      The Villains travel to Luton on Saturday for their Premier League match-up with the Hatters having just shipped six goals to City in the FA Cup.
      Back among the goalsCredit: Getty

      Looking forward to Gameweek 27, it’s Arsenal who will be in Champions League action in Man City’s place for their second leg against Porto.
      Whereas Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham and Aston Villa will all fulfil their respective second legs in consecutive Gameweeks.
      These four clubs are therefore the only teams with two fixtures each in Gameweeks 26 and 27.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      This clearly hasn’t escaped Dream Team bosses as the four most-popular recruits ahead of Saturday’s deadline are currently: Watkins, Bowen, Virgil van Dijk (£3.9m) and Douglas Luiz.
      Targeting the midweek European fixtures is likely to be a profitable strategy.

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      West Ham face same team for THREE matches running in bizarre quirk due to little-known rule in Europa League draw

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      WEST HAM fans might grow bored of their Europa League last 16 opponents pretty quickly.The Hammers will face off against German side Freiburg in the next round of the competition, with some fans fuming about the draw and even labelling it as “rigged”, in unfounded claims.
      West Ham will face Freiburg in the last 16 of the Europa LeagueCredit: Getty
      Although it won’t be an easy tie for the Hammers, it will certainly be a familiar one.
      West Ham faced Freiburg in the group stages, meaning they have come up against them twice already this season.
      And with their final group match having been against the Bundesliga outfit, David Moyes’ side will be playing Freiburg THREE times in a row with the last 16 tie being played over two legs.
      Usually teams can’t be drawn against a team from their own group in European competitions, but the Europa League’s format has changed to mean it can now happen.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Each team that tops their group automatically secures a spot in the last 16 while the second placed teams head into a play-off with the best ranked sides that drop down from the Champions League.
      The winner of the play-off books their spot in an open draw to face one of the Europa League group stage winners in the last 16 of the tournament.
      So although West Ham are playing Freiburg three times in a row in the tournament, it will not be the same for the Germans who had to beat French club Lens over two legs to secure their spot in the next round.
      West Ham and Feiburg aren’t the only two teams who will face off against a team they already played in the group stages either.
      Most read in Football
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      Sporting Lisbon and Atalanta were both in Group D together and will now go head to head again in the next round.
      While Bayer Leverkusen and Qarabag will also meet again after playing twice in Group H earlier in the season.

      West Ham may take confidence in facing Freiburg again after they got the better of them on both occasions in the group stage.
      Lucas Paqueta and Nayef Aguerd netted in a 2-1 victory at the Europa-Park Stadium when the teams met on matchday two.
      While Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez both scored in a comfortable 2-0 win at the London Stadium in December.
      The Hammers have already beaten Freiburg twice this seasonCredit: AP More