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Tag: elite club competition

  • ‘Ever seen anything like it?’: Real’s bitter shootout controversy as PL sides progress — CL Wrap

    ‘Ever seen anything like it?’: Real’s bitter shootout controversy as PL sides progress — CL Wrap

    Real Madrid survived a controversial penalty shootout against bitter rivals Atletico Madrid, while Premier League outfits Arsenal and Aston Villa comfortably progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals.

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    – SHOOTOUT CONTROVERSY –

    Real Madrid produced a gritty display to reach the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-2 win on penalties against rivals Atletico Madrid, following a 1-0 defeat after extra time on Wednesday.

    Diego Simeone’s side outplayed the record 15-time champions at the Metropolitano stadium for much of the game, but Madrid have never been eliminated by Atletico in the competition and they battled hard after Conor Gallagher’s first-minute opener to secure a 2-2 aggregate draw.

    Thibaut Courtois made several saves to thwart Julian Alvarez and Vinicius Junior blazed a penalty high and wide for Madrid.

    Atletico seemed likely to end a history of being dominated by Madrid in Europe but Los Blancos have the knack of survival down to a fine art and took the game to penalties.

    In the shoot-out Julian Alvarez scored for Atletico but his effort was ruled out as he touched the ball twice because of a slip as he shot.

    Marcos Llorente also missed for Atletico and Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger struck the winner for the reigning champions.

    Atletico played with caution in the first leg despite trailing, willing to take a single goal deficit back to the fiery Metropolitano stadium, where they believed they could really turn the heat up on their arch-rivals.

    Real Madrid knocked Atletico out in the 2017 semi-finals in the final European game at the Vicente Calderon, with this the first time the derby has been played at Atletico’s new home in the Champions League.

    After defeats by Madrid in the 2014 and 2016 finals, the latter on penalties, and elimination on every other occasion the teams have met in the competition, Atletico were desperate to change the narrative.

    MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 12: Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid scores the team’s second penalty in the penalty shoot out, which is later ruled out following a VAR Review due to an improper kick, during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 second leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid C.F. at Estadio Metropolitano on March 12, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    They came flying out of the blocks and took the lead after just 27 seconds through Gallagher, levelling the tie on aggregate.

    Rodrigo De Paul’s low ball in from the right was not cut out by Raul Asencio and former Chelsea midfielder Gallagher lunged in to beat Courtois from close range.

    Atletico were content to sit deep and soak up pressure as Real Madrid pushed the ball around in their territory but were also ready to spring forward on the counter.

    With a strong hand Courtois batted away a powerful Alvarez effort as Atletico sought a second, then denied the Argentine again at his near post before half-time.

    The Belgian goalkeeper made another save to deny Alvarez soon after the break too, as Atletico continued to threaten and Jan Oblak was still untested.

    – High tension –

    With Atletico controlling the game, Ancelotti brought on Eduardo Camavinga and Lucas Vazquez in search of fresh energy.

    Madrid soon produced their best attack of the game, with superstar trio Vinicius, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe combining on a rapid counter.

    Mbappe skipped away from Jose Gimenez and then was dragged down by the desperate Clement Lenglet for a penalty before he could shoot.

    After the French forward missed spot-kicks against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao earlier in the season, Ancelotti said Vinicius was his team’s primary taker.

    So it was the Brazilian forward who stepped up, facing down a red wall of whistling Atletico fans behind the goal, and buckled under the pressure, firing high and wide of the target.

    Correa almost snatched Atletico victory in the last minute but hammered a vicious half-volley over the crossbar, and the match went to extra time.

    Madrid shaded the additional period as both teams looked tired but pushed themselves to their limits with the match on a knife-edge.

    Mbappe stepped up first from the spot and sent Oblak the wrong way, with Bellingham following suit after Alexander Sorloth netted for Atletico.

    Alvarez slipped as he smashed home the hosts’ second penalty and after a VAR review it was ruled out as he had touched the ball twice as he struck it.

    Oblak saved from Vazquez’s weak penalty to put Atletico back on track but it was short-lived as Llorente crashed his penalty off the bar.

    Oblak dived the right way for Rudiger’s decisive penalty but could not keep it out as Madrid marched into the last eight, where they will take on Arsenal.

    – GUNNERS PILE ON NINE –

    Arsenal drew 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday to complete an emphatic 9-3 aggregate win and set up a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.

    The Gunners demolished the Dutch champions 7-1 in the Netherlands last week, making the second leg at the Emirates a formality.

    Arsenal, with seven changes from Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United, were quickly out of the blocks, scoring in the sixth minute through Oleksandr Zinchenko.

    Croatian veteran Ivan Perisic pulled PSV level on the night with a thunderous finish past the sprawling David Raya but midfielder Declan Rice headed Arsenal back in front.

    PSV, seeking to salvage pride after last week’s humiliation, equalised with 20 minutes to go with a fine goal from Couhaib Driouech.

    Arsenal were waiting to find out their opponents after the final whistle because Real Madrid and Atletico were locked at 2-2 on aggregate at the end of normal time.

    The Gunners have never won the Champions League and have not won a European trophy since the now-defunct 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup.

    Mike Arteta’s men, whose Premier League challenge has fizzled out in recent weeks, were quickly in the driving seat in the second leg against PSV.

    Raheem Sterling received the ball on the right of the Arsenal attack and found his former Manchester City teammate Zinchenko, who glided along the 18-yard box before unleashing a superb left-footed shot past Walter Benitez.

    Former Tottenham player Perisic levelled in the 18th minute and Raya had to be alert to produce a fingertip save from the lively Driouech moments later.

    But the home side were back in front in the 37th minute Sterling, who has been out of favour under Arteta despite his lack of forward options, charged down the right and produced a teasing cross that Rice headed home.

    Raya produced another fine save 10 minutes into the second half, diving full length to his left to keep out an effort from Isaac Babadi.

    But PSV were level with 20 minutes to go after Moroccan youth international Driouech, making his first Champions League start, dinked the ball over the onrushing Arsenal goalkeeper.

    The Dutch champions were now on top but neither side could find a winner.

    Barcelona storm into Champions League QF | 00:38

    – VILLA BOOK PSG SHOWDOWN –

    Marco Asensio starred as Aston Villa beat 10-man Club Brugge 3-0 on Wednesday to book a Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

    Asensio came off the bench to strike twice in the second half of the last-16 second leg at Villa Park.

    The in-form Spanish forward has netted seven times since joining on loan from PSG in the January transfer window and is set for a reunion with his parent club in the last eight.

    Brugge had Kyriani Sabbe sent off for a professional foul on Marcus Rashford early in the first half and Asensio ensured Villa eventually took advantage.

    Ian Maatsen scored in between Asensio’s brace as Unai Emery’s side romped to a 6-1 aggregate victory.

    With Prince William, a noted Villa fan, celebrating in the stands, the Premier League outfit are through to the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in 42 years.

    Their exit against Juventus at that stage in 1982-83 was Villa’s last appearance in the European Cup — the forerunner to the Champions League — until this season.

    Emery’s men are the first team to reach the Champions League quarter-finals in their debut season in the competition since Atalanta in 2019-20.

    Wins against Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Celtic are among the Champions League highlights for Emery’s men this term.

    PSG are next in their sights after the Ligue 1 leaders’ penalty shootout win at Liverpool on Tuesday.

    Facing PSG in April will have extra meaning for Emery, who spent two turbulent seasons in charge at PSG, winning the French title in 2018 but struggling in the Champions League.

    It is only the second time Emery has made it past the Champions League last 16 after he took Villarreal to the semi-finals in 2022.

    A repeat of their famous European Cup-winning campaign in 1982 might prove beyond Villa, but they have created memories of lifetime in their fairytale run this season.

    – Songs of praise –

    As fireworks crackled over Villa Park before kick-off, fans in the Holte End unfurled a huge flag emblazoned with the motto “Prepared”.

    It was a message their team initially seemed to ignore.

    Brugge captain Hans Vanaken glanced a header just wide of the far post in a confident start from the visitors.

    Raphael Onyedika’s goal-bound was blocked by Villa defender Ezri Konsa, a chance that provoked anxious groans from fretting fans.

    Villa lost 1-0 at Brugge in the league phase and needed two goals in the final eight minutes to take control in the last-16 first leg.

    But Brugge had never won in England in 14 trips and those nervous Villa supporters need not have worried as the tension was lifted in an instant by Rashford’s blistering pace.

    Accelerating onto Emiliano Martinez’s long punt in the 17th minute, Rashford was hauled down by Sabbe on the edge of the area, with the Brugge defender dismissed for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

    From the free-kick, Youri Tielemans’ drive forced Simon Mignolet to make a sprawling save low to his right.

    Emery made an inspired double substitution at the interval, sending on Asensio and Leon Bailey in a move that paid immediate dividends.

    The pair combined to break the deadlock in the 50th minute as Bailey’s pass reached Asensio inside the Brugge area and he swivelled to finish with aplomb.

    Asensio should have scored again moments later, but the 29-year-old’s shot cannoned back off the post.

    With Villa fans singing songs of praise to Emery, Maatsen doubled the lead in the 57th minute.

    Morgan Rogers’ nimble footwork worked space for a cross to Maatsen, whose close-range effort deflected past Mignolet.

    Asensio wrapped up another memorable European night for Villa four minutes later, meeting Rashford’s low cross with a clinical finish from six yards.

    Utd eyes historic move from Old Trafford | 01:24

    – DORTMUND FIGHT BACK –

    Borussia Dortmund recovered from losing an early goal to fight back and beat Lille 2-1 in France in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory and a place in the quarter-finals.

    Jonathan David gave Lille an early lead on the night, putting the French club ahead in the tie after last week’s 1-1 first-leg draw.

    However, Emre Can squared things by converting a penalty for Dortmund on 54 minutes, and Maximilian Beier then fired in a fine winner for last season’s runners-up.

    Dortmund will now face Barcelona in the quarter-finals next month, having already lost 3-2 at home to the Catalans during the league phase in December.

    The result is a huge boost for Dortmund and their recently-appointed coach Niko Kovac, coming as the club languishes in 10th place in the Bundesliga.

    “For the whole 90 minutes we controlled the game. It was a fantastic performance,” Kovac told UEFA.com.

    He will now come up against a Barcelona side coached by Hansi Flick, his former assistant at Bayern Munich.

    The result is a massive disappointment for Lille, who were hoping to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history after an outstanding performance during the league phase.

    They finished seventh out of 36 teams, beating both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid on the way, while also holding Juventus and putting six past Feyenoord.

    – ‘Frustration’ for Lille –

    Their coach Bruno Genesio insisted it had been a “satisfying” campaign despite the exit, but club president Olivier Letang was unhappy about the decision to award the penalty from which Dortmund equalised.

    “I want to emphasise how good a run we had, even if we are frustrated,” before questioning the decision to appoint as referee Sandro Schaerer, a German-speaking Swiss.

    “I don’t think it was a penalty and it changed the game,” he said. “When I saw who was appointed referee, and that he was a German-speaking Swiss, I thought it was a bit strange. And at half-time he was speaking to the Dortmund players exclusively in German.” Lille appeared to be in a strong position after coming from behind to draw in Dortmund last week, and they went in front in the tie when Canada forward David scored in the fifth minute.

    Ismaily’s low ball in from the left was swept towards goal by David, somehow going in through the legs of Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

    It was David’s seventh goal in this season’s Champions League, but it seemed to galvanise the visitors.

    They were denied an equaliser by a remarkable double save from Lille ‘keeper Lucas Chevalier in the midst of a goalmouth scramble on 20 minutes.

    Dortmund applied pressure and were rewarded when they won the penalty shortly after half-time as Serhou Guirassy went down under contact from Thomas Meunier.

    It appeared a soft decision, but Can fired in the spot-kick, and Karim Adeyemi then hit the bar for Dortmund before they found what proved to be the winner on 65 minutes.

    Guirassy, who has 10 goals in the Champions League this season, was the provider but Beier still had work to do as he controlled the ball in the box before firing a lethal shot high into the net.

    Lille could not recover from that blow as they went out in the last 16, just like in their two previous appearances at this stage of the competition, in 2007 and 2022.

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  • ‘It doesn’t come from the sky’: Pep blasts City stars as CL place balances on a knife’s edge

    ‘It doesn’t come from the sky’: Pep blasts City stars as CL place balances on a knife’s edge

    Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City flops that Champions League qualification will not “fall from the sky” after a painful 1-0 defeat at top four rivals Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

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    Guardiola’s side were humbled yet again in their wretched campaign when Callum Hudson-Odoi beat City keeper Ederson at the near post in the 83rd minute.

    City’s ninth league defeat of the season — their most since 2019-20 — leaves them anxiously looking over their shoulder in the top-four race.

    To get back in Europe’s elite club competition next season, Guardiola knows City must find a way to shake off the lethargy that has gripped them throughout their astonishing decline.

    “We have to win games. We don’t win enough games in a row to be secure. We have 10 games left, we have to win a lot of games to qualify. This is how it is,” he said.

    “To find a way we have to play better. We have to do something, it doesn’t come from the sky. Of course the situation is what it is.

    “Ten games left, starting against Brighton next Saturday, international break afterwards and we’ll see what happens.” In keeping with City’s error-strewn season, Ederson made a hash of Hudson-Odoi’s winner, allowing the former Chelsea forward to squeeze in his shot at the near post.

    Fourth-placed City are four points behind third-placed Forest and only one ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, who host lowly Leicester on Sunday.

    Despite their predicament, Guardiola refused to blame Ederson for their latest loss.

    “It is what it is, we can’t blame a player, I prefer to praise than blame,” he said. “I didn’t see the action. It happens in football, nothing to say.”

    – ‘Gives you confidence’ –

    City’s first league defeat to Forest since 1997 was the latest highlight in a memorable campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

    But Nuno remains grounded and insists the victory does not guarantee they will qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1980-81.

    “We are very happy. We did a very good game against a tough team,” he said. “We are talking about the best teams around. It always gives you the confidence that you can compete well against such good players.

    “It allows us to grow as a team, but it doesn’t change the opponent ahead of you because the Premier League is very tough. Every good performance we have and every good result we have is always what we look for.

    “It doesn’t change anything. It’s about the focus and the approach of the games. Let’s enjoy the journey together. The players are doing amazing, the fans are giving us help, so let’s keep on enjoying.” Forest legend Stuart Pearce is currently recovering in hospital in Canada after falling ill on a flight home from Las Vegas.

    And Nuno sent his best wishes to Pearce on a day when Forest’s performance encapsulated the passion and pride that were the former England defender’s calling cards.

    “Stuart is not just a legend of our club, he is part of our family,” Nuno said. “We all send him our very best wishes and hope he has a full and fast recovery.”

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  • ‘Feels like a derby’: Football heavyweights to meet AGAIN as huge Champions League knockout draw revealed

    ‘Feels like a derby’: Football heavyweights to meet AGAIN as huge Champions League knockout draw revealed

    Reigning champions Real Madrid will face 2023 winners Manchester City in the plum tie of the playoff round of this season’s Champions League.

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    It is the fourth year running in which the sides have been drawn against each other in a knockout tie, with Real emerging victorious in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals last season.

    City, who scraped through after finishing 22nd in the league phase in this first season of the new format for Europe’s elite club competition, knew they faced a tough draw with Bayern Munich their other possible opponents.

    Pep Guardiola’s team will be at home in the first leg on February 11 before going to Spain for the return on February 19.

    “It feels like a derby already,” Guardiola said at a press conference on Friday.

    Real Madrid CF and Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal on April 9, 2024. Picture: Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFPSource: AFP

    “Four years in a row facing Real Madrid. But Bayern or Madrid — both was really tough. Hopefully we can arrive in the first leg here, and then at Madrid, as best as possible.” Real won a dramatic semi-final tie on the way to lifting the trophy in 2022, but City gained revenge at the same stage in 2023 as they went on to become champions.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s side then came out on top last season, while Real won a semi-final tie between the sides in 2016 and City won in the last 16 in 2020.

    “We know each other very well,” said Emilio Butragueno, Real’s director of institutional relations, to Spanish media.

    “They are a really great team who have the experience and are used to these types of games, so they will be very difficult opponents.

    “But this competition is very special for us and we will play the second leg at home, at the Bernabeu.”

    Elsewhere, Celtic will face six-time European champions Bayern, after the Scottish champions reached the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years — Celtic will be at home in the first leg on February 12 and go to Germany six days later.

    Paris Saint-Germain will play surprise package Brest in an all-French tie, while Juventus play PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord take on AC Milan in two ties between former winners of the competition.

    Tension eases as Spurs advance in Europa | 01:57

    Last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta, who finished one place outside the top eight which offered a direct path to the last 16, will face Club Brugge of Belgium.

    Sporting of Portugal were drawn against last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund, while Monaco will take on Benfica having lost at home to the Portuguese club in the league phase.

    The playoff ties will take place next month, with the eight winners going through to the last 16 along with the eight highest-placed sides from the league phase.

    Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille and Aston Villa are the sides already through to the last 16.

    Those teams finished in the top eight in the standings in the 36-team league phase — the first season of the new format for the competition saw all competing clubs placed together in one giant pool, each playing eight games against eight different opponents.

    The draw for the remainder of the competition is partly pre-determined, meaning that whoever emerges triumphant in the tie between City and Real knows they will play either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.

    Jovial Ange jokes before crucial goal | 00:57

    The draw for the last 16 onwards will take place on February 21, and it remains to be seen if Liverpool derive any advantage from having come first in the league phase.

    Arne Slot’s team will play either PSG or Brest, or Monaco or Benfica, in the last 16 in March.

    This season’s Champions League final will be played at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday, May 31.

    DRAW FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KNOCKOUT PHASE PLAY-OFFS

    Tuesday February 11 (GMT)

    Brest (FRA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)

    Juventus (ITA) v PSV Eindhoven (NED)

    Manchester City (ENG) v Real Madrid (ESP)

    Sporting (POR) v Borussia Dortmund (GER)

    * Return legs February 19

    Wednesday February 12 (GMT)

    Club Brugge (BEL) v Atalanta (ITA)

    Monaco (FRA) v Benfica (POR)

    Celtic (SCO) v Bayern Munich (GER)

    Feyenoord (NED) v AC Milan (ITA

    * Return legs February 18

    — AFP

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  • Massive heat on misfiring Liverpool star; spicy twist to Manchester derby — EPL pressers

    Massive heat on misfiring Liverpool star; spicy twist to Manchester derby — EPL pressers

    Arne Slot insisted Darwin Nunez is still an important part of Liverpool’s plans despite the struggling striker falling below the “standard” in the Champions League win against Girona.

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    Mired in a lengthy slump, Nunez has scored only one goal in his last 10 appearances and three in total all season.

    In Liverpool’s victory in Girona on Tuesday, the Uruguay international cut an increasingly frustrated figure after missing several chances.

    Slot admitted he kept Nunez on for an extended period, before eventually replacing him in the 71st minute, in the hope he would score a confidence-boosting goal.

    After receiving criticism in midweek, Nunez posted on Instagram: “They are not all, they are some. Thank you Reds for your support, we are all still together.”

    Slot believes the 25-year-old needs the support of fans and his team-mates to help him rediscover the form that made him such a sensation at Benfica prior to his move to Anfield in 2022.

    “All our players feel the support of our fans but he is definitely one of them. Mo (Salah) is scoring so many goals he likes the support of the fans but doesn’t really need it at the moment,” Slot told reporters on Friday.

    “We all saw they did something with him when he missed a few chances on Tuesday and everyone needs an arm around you, either from a team-mate, the fans or your manager.

    “But I also made it clear to him that he is not only judged on the goals he scores, he is also judged on the team performance and he adds something to the team performance as well with his work-rate and how much he does winning the ball back high up the pitch.”

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    Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez shoots during the UEFA Champions League match against Girona.Source: Getty Images

    Slot’s only issue with Nunez was a dip in his work-rate against Girona that drew a rebuke from the Reds boss.

    “Ideally he would have scored a few goals more. But what should always be there is work-rate and I think that is what he has, apart from two games,” Slot said.

    “I said that to him yesterday and the last half-hour against Girona wasn’t of the standard he should have.

    “That had a lot to do with him being disappointed at missing a few chances.”

    Nunez’s position will come under increasing pressure with Diogo Jota and long-term absentee Federico Chiesa set to return to the squad for the visit of Fulham on Saturday.

    Chiesa has played for just 18 minutes in the Premier League since joining Liverpool from Juventus in the close-season.

    The Italy forward has only three appearances in all competitions for the Reds, who sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League as they chase a first title since 2020.

    “Federico missed quite a lot for a long time, was ill last week, so we have to wait and see how he is exactly doing,” Slot said.

    “But maybe Diogo is in the squad and maybe Federico as well, but that depends a bit on the numbers we have and also how he recovered from his illness.”

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot.Source: AFP

    MANCHESTER UNITED

    Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim insists he did not speak to Manchester City about replacing Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium before making his move to Old Trafford.

    As Amorim prepares for his first Manchester derby on Sunday, the 39-year-old’s link to City prior to his arrival at United has become a hot topic.

    United hired the highly-regarded Amorim from Sporting Lisbon in November after sacking Erik ten Hag.

    Amorim had been mentioned as a contender to take over from Guardiola after City announced Sporting’s director of football Hugo Viana would replace Txiki Begiristain at the end of this season.

    Guardiola eventually ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract shortly after Amorim’s arrival in Manchester.

    Asked if he ever had a conversation about the prospect of joining City, Amorim told reporters: “Never. Never had and this was my only option.

    “When Manchester United talked to me, I had no doubts because I had already something in my mind that it could be a possibility.

    “With Manchester City or Hugo Viana? Nothing about that.”

    Amorim’s side ended a run of two successive defeats with a 2-1 victory at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday.

    But United have won just three of Amorim’s six games in charge and are languishing in 13th place after recent losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest underlined the extent of the rebuilding job he faces.

    Yet, for the first time in years, City go into the derby mired in more turmoil than United after a dismal run of one win in 10 games in all competitions.

    Rival EPL boss defends “under-fire” Ange | 02:30

    Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at Juventus was City’s seventh loss in their last 10 matches, an astonishing decline for a club that has won the last four Premier League titles.

    One of those losses was masterminded by Amorim, whose Sporting side enjoyed a 4-1 Champions League triumph over City.

    “I never think about these things,” Amorim said of City’s woes. “We will face a great opponent and I’m more focused on our problems, so we have a lot of issues here.

    “I’m more focused on what we should do on Sunday to win the game, so I’m really focused on my team.”

    Asked if United are facing a different, weaker City, he said: “No, no, no, no. “The great teams can respond in any moment, and I think they are in a better place than us in the type of understanding the game, the way they play, the confidence they have. Even in these kind of moments.”

    City may be struggling but they still enter the weekend fourth in the Premier League, eight points better off than their neighbours.

    “I just want to improve the team, so I cannot live it like a normal derby like it should be, like two great teams fighting for the title. It is not that in this moment,” Amorim said.

    “Both teams are struggling in the moment, so I hope in future I can feel that real feeling of a derby, but I know it’s really important for our fans.

    “But my goal now is to improve the team, win games and I will try to win this game.”

    Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.Source: Getty Images

    MANCHESTER CITY

    Pep Guardiola admits troubled Manchester City will not recapture their peak form until his injury-plagued side are finally whole again.

    Guardiola’s fourth-placed side head into Sunday’s derby against Manchester United reeling after a dismal run of one win in 10 games in all competitions.

    A 2-0 defeat at Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday left City in danger of failing to make the last 16, while they are languishing eight points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

    After winning an unprecedented four successive Premier League titles and six in the last seven seasons, City have looked more vulnerable than ever before in the Guardiola era.

    The City boss attributes their stunning decline on injuries to key players, mostly notably Spain midfielder Rodri, who won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award earlier this year.

    Rodri, who helped Spain win Euro 2024, is not expected back from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee for several months, although he has hinted he could feature at some point this season.

    “What I want is my players back. The complete squad we had at the beginning of the season. My regret is that we don’t have these and not needing new ones,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.

    “We have known it from the beginning but Rodri is a Ballon d’Or player. We are playing without the best player in England last season. That is the problem.

    “Not one other team plays with a central midfielder who has a Ballon d’Or. It is difficult. The moment he comes back, we will be strong again. We will be a good team.

    “Of course, we still have to try and play the same way and to win. Sooner or later we are going to be back.”

    With City mired in such a woeful period, the champions have been linked with new signings in the January transfer window.

    On the day City announced record Premier League revenues of £715 million. Guardiola didn’t rule out the possibility when it was put to him that reinforcements were needed to save their season.

    “If we need players then we go to the transfer market but I don’t know who is around,” he said.

    “Massive congratulations on the accounts because the club must be sustainable. That doesn’t mean we have big resources to buy whatever we want, especially with how expensive the transfer market is.”

    Beating United at the Etihad Stadium this weekend would be a significant boost to Guardiola’s hopes of ending City’s spiral.

    The Spaniard, who recently signed a new two-year contract, vowed to solve City’s crisis eventually and claimed he was not feeling under pressure.

    “In our jobs we will always do our best and when the best doesn’t happen you are more uncomfortable than when the situation is going well. As a manager you are in scrutiny for every step of the team,” he said.

    “But I am fine. I have more thoughts at this moment but what I feel right now is the same as what I’ve said for the last few weeks or month.

    “We have to shoot more and cut out the mistakes. But we have been in the games.

    “We have not been consistent for the 90 minutes but I know the reason why. We just have to keep working and moving forward.”

    Adding to Guardiola’s mounting problems, Swiss defender Manuel Akanji has been ruled out of the Manchester derby with a pelvic injury.

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.Source: Getty Images

    ARSENAL

    Mikel Arteta is adamant Arsenal’s search for a new sporting director to replace Edu will not affect their ability to sign players in the January transfer window.

    Edu’s sudden resignation last month has left Arteta without one of his trusted inner circle at a key point in the season.

    The Gunners are third in the Premier League and sit six points behind leaders Liverpool after an inconsistent first half of the campaign.

    Arteta could look to the transfer market to bolster his squad in the new year, but Edu’s exit has raised questions about Arsenal’s ability to land the Spaniard’s top targets.

    Jason Ayto, who has been at Arsenal for a decade as a scout and then Edu’s assistant, has assumed the post on an interim basis.

    But Dan Ashworth’s shock exit from Manchester United has seen him linked with a move to north London ahead of the transfer window opening on January 1.

    Ahead of Saturday’s home game with Everton, Arteta was asked if not having a permanent sporting director in place could pose an issue.

    “We have one. Jason Ayto is our interim sporting director. He has got the full capacity and support of the football club right now,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.

    “He is doing really well with his team. The process is open, as you know. And the club, with the support of all of us, will decide who is the best person to move us forward.

    “I never expect January to be super busy, but we have to wait and see where we are. There might be some opportunities, too.

    “Hopefully the availability of the squad will be better in a few weeks. We have to wait and see.”

    While Arteta is calm about the situation, he would like it to be resolved before the end of the season.

    “Yes, but when we are convinced that we have the right person who can work the right team who are doing a great job at the moment,” he said.

    “Someone who is going to take us to the next level. We might have him internally. Timing wise it’s hard to understand. I’m not running the process so it’s more for the club to respond.”

    Arteta could be forced into the transfer market, with defenders Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu all sidelined by injuries.

    Jurrien Timber was only fit enough for the bench in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Monaco in the Champions League in midweek.

    Gabriel Magalhaes has also been absent for the past three matches, but he has returned to training and is expected to be available against Everton.

    Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, was handed a full Champions League debut against Monaco and is in line to secure his first Premier League start this weekend.

    “He certainly deserves to be in contention to be selected because he performed and competed really well,” Arteta said.

    “At his age to show that maturity and personality is strange.”

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.Source: Getty Images

    CHELSEA

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said Friday he felt privileged to work with Cole Palmer after labelling him as “different” to the Premier League’s other star forwards.

    Palmer has been Chelsea’s outstanding player in their unexpected rise to second place in the Premier League.

    With 11 goals in 15 games, the England international is Chelsea’s top scorer and has also provided six assists.

    Palmer’s confidence and quality were on display once again with the cheeky chipped penalty in last weekend’s win at Tottenham.

    It was the kind of eye-catching moment that Maresca claimed as evidence that the 22-year-old is a truly unique talent.

    “I feel very proud and privileged to work with Cole. Cole is a different one to the rest,” the Italian said.

    Chelsea host west London neighbours Brentford on Sunday looking to keep up the pressure on Liverpool in the title race.

    The Blues are four points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and are also looking to qualify for the Champions League.

    Palmer will be key to Chelsea’s hopes of keeping pace with Liverpool and returning to Europe’s elite club competition.

    Maresca, who worked with Palmer during his time in charge of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad, praised his forward’s ability to handle the pressure and expectations of being Chelsea’s main man, “Many top players have that way,” he said. “They look like they almost don’t care but it’s just their way and being in that way gives them more freedom.

    “They can relax and you can see Cole is the same way. Cole was this way five years ago and he’s still the same.”

    Asked whether he believed Palmer is the best player currently playing in England, Maresca said: “At this moment, he could be, but England are lucky because there are so many good players and Cole is one of them. There are so many good players in the Premier League.

    “Absolutely he can be world class but as you said, he is only 22 and there are many things he can improve, including that at the moment, everyone is marking him man-to-man, but there are many things he can still improve.”

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.Source: Getty Images

    NEWCASTLE

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admits he is battling to lift the mood at his struggling club as they come to terms with reduced expectations.

    The Magpies are languishing in 12th place in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s clash with Leicester.

    That is a far cry from the top four place they had targeted after competing in the Champions League last season.

    When the Saudi takeover at St James’ Park was completed to much fanfare in 2021, Newcastle had hoped to establish themselves as one of the world’s top clubs.

    But Premier League profit and sustainability rules have hampered the Saudis’ efforts to build on the fourth-place finish Newcastle achieved two season ago.

    And with little sign of significant spending on new signings in January, Howe knows it could be harder to keep his players happy and attract fresh talent.

    “Players are very astute human beings. I always say players feel everything at a football club,” he told reporters on Friday.

    “They are the most perceptive people because they are on the front line. They are the ones delivering for us, so whatever is going on at a football match, they’re the ones absorbing it.

    “Naturally, PSR has had an effect on the club and we haven’t been able to strive and reach as quickly as we wanted to initially. That has been halted somewhat in various ways.

    “Of course they have felt that and been aware of that. The challenge for me is for that not to affect performances and mood and belonging to the club.”

    Newcastle spent £400 million on new signings during the first four transfer windows under their new owners but have not made a major signing since.

    Howe, who replaced Steve Bruce at Newcastle in 2021, finds himself under pressure after last weekend’s 4-2 defeat at Brentford, with his side having won just two of their last 11 league games.

    “The best players we have, they’re like gold dust, and I’ve said that many times. They’re difficult to find, you’re not going to pick them up off the street,” Howe said.

    “When you have them, you’ve got to cherish them and really care for them, and try to make the environment as strong as you can so they want to stay as part of that.”

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.Source: Getty Images

    WEST HAM

    West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui and his players will visit Michail Antonio in hospital as the Jamaica forward recovers after his “miracle” escape from a car crash.

    West Ham star Antonio was rushed to hospital after being cut out of his Ferrari following the accident in Epping last weekend.

    The 34-year-old needed surgery on a lower limb fracture and is reported to be facing weeks in hospital recovering from multiple injuries.

    Antonio was able to speak to his team-mates via a video call from his hospital bed before they beat relegation rivals Wolves 2-1 on Monday.

    West Ham players wore ‘Antonio 9’ shirts while warming up at the London Stadium, with Jarrod Bowen holding up his team-mate’s shirt after scoring the crucial winner.

    “We are going to visit him today or tomorrow,” Lopetegui told reporters on Friday ahead of Monday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth.

    “But the main thing is we are very happy because he is recovering very well. We are very close to him and his family and we wish him the best for the next days.

    “The best news about Michail Antonio was that he was able to talk with us before the Wolves match, because looking at the car crash, it was one miracle he was ok, so we are happy for him.

    “Now for sure he is strong, he is recovering himself in the next months to be a man first and then a player.”

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  • City slump hits new low with ‘unbelievable’, unprecedented meltdown — Champions League wrap

    City slump hits new low with ‘unbelievable’, unprecedented meltdown — Champions League wrap

    Manchester City blew a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord in a Champions League thriller on Tuesday and extend their winless run to six games.

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    The English champions did snap a five-game losing streak but did little to boost confidence ahead of Sunday’s trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool by conceding three times in the final 15 minutes.

    Pep Guardiola admitted his star-studded squad were “fragile” and lacking in confidence after the worst run of his managerial career, while a shock stat was exposed.

    We lost a lot of games lately, we are fragile and of course, we need a victory,” he said to Prime Video.

    “The game was good for the confidence, we were playing at a good level and then for the first time something happened, we have problems.”

    Manchester City became the first team in the history of the Champions League to be leading by three goals as late as the 75th minute, before failing to win.

    Two goals from Erling Haaland, either side of Ilkay Gundogan’s deflected effort, looked set to restore some order for City.

    But the defensive frailties that have been the root cause for a staggering collapse in recent weeks was exposed in the closing stages.

    Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko hit back to salvage a vital point for the Dutch giants.

    A draw leaves City with plenty of work to do to reach the knockout stages with trips to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain to come in their next two Champions League games.

    Only the top eight progress directly to the last 16 with a place in the top 24 of the 36-team table enough to reach the playoff round.

    City drop to 15th on eight points from five matches, just one point ahead of Feyenoord in 20th.

    Guardiola reacted to a first home defeat for two years in a 4-0 humbling by Tottenham on Saturday by making three changes.

    Jack Grealish, Matheus Nunes and Nathan Ake came into the starting line-up but it still took City time to find their rhythm.

    Nerves around a far from full Etihad Stadium were frayed when Igor Paixao wasted a big chance to give the Dutch giants the lead.

    Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester City and Feyenoord at City of Manchester Stadium on November 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Instead, City got the break they needed when Haaland was fouled inside the box from a corner.

    The Norwegian missed from the penalty spot in City’s 4-1 thrashing by Sporting Lisbon last time out in the Champions League.

    This time Haaland was clinical and smashed the ball into the net in relieving his frustrations of recent weeks.

    Gundogan’s volley from the edge of the box that deflected in off Hancko gave City breathing space early in the second half.

    Haaland then slid in to meet Nunes’ cross for his 46th Champions League goal in 44 appearances in the competition to seemingly put City on easy street.

    But there was a sting in the tail for the home side after Josko Gvardiol’s slack backpass allowed Moussa in to round Ederson and fire in from a narrow angle.

    Guardiola held his head in his hands in response and worse was to come when Ederson failed to deal with Jordan Lotomba’s near-post effort and the ball fell kindly for Gimenez to make it 3-2.

    More kamikaze defending gifted Feyenoord an equaliser as Rico Lewis played Paixao onside. He eased around the onrushing Ederson and crossed for Hancko to head into an unguarded net.

    City have now conceded two or more goals in six consecutive games for the first time since 1963.

    There was still time for more drama as Grealish’s shot came back off the crossbar in City’s search for a late winner.

    Instead they had to settle for a point that will feel just as damaging as the previous five defeats for a side so used to winning.

    ARSENAL’S RUTHLESS ROUT

    Arsenal extended their revival with a ruthless 5-1 rout of Sporting Lisbon to bolster their bid to reach the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.

    Mikel Arteta’s side ended a three-match winless run in all competitions by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League last weekend.

    And the Gunners built on that success with an even more dynamic display at the Jose Alvalade stadium.

    Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal an early lead and Kai Havertz increased their advantage before Gabriel Magalhaes struck just before halftime.

    Goncalo Inacio got one back for Sporting, but Bukayo Saka’s penalty underlined the gulf in class between the teams.

    Leandro Trossard netted late on to give Arsenal five away goals in a Champions League game for the first time since 2008.

    Arsenal’s third win in five Champions League matches this season lifted them into seventh place, with the top eight teams in the revamped tournament earning automatic qualification for the last 16.

    Sporting’s first defeat in Europe’s elite club competition this season leaves them below Arsenal on goal difference.

    Arsenal are nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after their dip, but this swaggering effort suggested they are finally back in the groove.

    Arteta had challenged Arsenal to make a statement against Sporting and they responded in emphatic fashion.

    The north Londoners’ first away win in the Champions League in six attempts was a welcome tonic after a 1-0 loss at Inter Milan in their last European fixture.

    Arsenal’s impressive performance was all the more notable as Sporting had crushed Manchester City 4-1 in their final Champions League game under Ruben Amorim, who has since taken charge of Manchester United.

    Joao Pereira has replaced Amorim as Sporting boss but he was unable to maintain their unbeaten start to the season as the Portuguese champions were defeated for the first time in 19 games in all competitions.

    Thomas Partey of Arsenal celebrates victory with teammate Bukayo Saka after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 26, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    It took just seven minutes for Martinelli to put Arsenal ahead. Jurrien Timber’s low cross was perfectly weighted and the Brazilian slid in to apply the finish inside the six-yard box.

    In stark contrast to City’s capitulation at Sporting earlier in November, Arteta’s men were in complete command.

    They picked the Sporting defence apart again in the 22nd minute as Thomas Partey’s incisive pass picked out Saka’s run beyond the hosts’ creaky off-side trap.

    Saka guided a pinpoint pass into the Sporting area and Havertz timed his run immaculately to slot home from close range.

    Sporting finally forced a save from David Raya when 17-year-old Geovany Quenda unleashed a fierce strike that the Arsenal keeper tipped over.

    But Gabriel bagged his first Champions League goal on the stroke of halftime. Arsenal’s set-piece prowess was on show as the Brazilian defender rose highest to power his header past Franco Israel from Declan Rice’s inswinging corner.

    Gabriel marked the goal with a cheeky celebration as he mimicked the eye-covering gesture used by Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres when he scores.

    That inflammatory gesture briefly woke Sporting from their slumber and Inacio reduced the deficit two minutes after halftime.

    Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori went to sleep at a corner and Inacio took advantage to volley past Raya from close range.

    Sporting needed another goal quickly to put Arsenal under genuine pressure, but instead it was the visitors who struck again in the 65th minute.

    Ousmane Diomande’s lunge tripped Martin Odegaard in the area and Saka drilled his penalty into the corner of the net.

    Trossard put the seal on Arsenal’s demolition job in the 82nd minute, nodding home after Israel spilt Mikel Merino’s shot.

    BAYERN BEST 10-MAN PSG

    A first-half header from Kim Min-jae guided Bayern Munich to a 1-0 home win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, damaging the French side’s hopes of progressing in the Champions League.

    The centre-back scored after an error from PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov, starting ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who spilt the ball into Kim’s path.

    The South Korean’s effort was enough to decide the rematch of the 2020 Champions League final — won by Bayern by the same scoreline — and all but extinguishes PSG’s hopes of a top-eight finish and avoiding the playoff round.

    Ousmane Dembele picked up a second yellow for an unnecessary challenge with half an hour remaining, with Bayern successfully shutting up shop as a result.

    “It was an extremely intense game,” Leon Goretzka said to Amazon Prime. “You could see in the starting XI they were going to try and hold onto the ball and to test us with their pressing — and we pushed to the end and it’s nice we could be rewarded.” With just three games remaining, even making the knockouts is not a given for the French champions, who are in 26th spot — two outside the playoff placings.

    PSG host Manchester City in January along with facing tricky away trips to Red Bull Salzburg and Stuttgart.

    Bayern’s top-eight hopes look rosier after the win, which extended their run of clean sheets to seven straight games in all competitions.

    Bayern now sit 11th and take on relative European minnows Shakhtar Donetsk, Feyenoord and Slovan Bratislava in their remaining games.

    Both sides came into the game unbeaten and six points clear in their domestic leagues but in dire need of points in Europe.

    Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender #05 Marquinhos (L) and Paris Saint-Germain’s Portuguese midfielder #87 Joao Neves react after losing the UEFA Champions League, League phase – Matchday 5, football match between FC Bayern Munich Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Munich, southern Germany, on November 26, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Source: AFP

    Bayern coach Vincent Kompany opted for the speed of Leroy Sane over the creativity of France winger Michael Olise up front.

    PSG boss Luis Enrique made five changes to his side but most notable was his decision to stick with goalkeeper Safonov, rather than Donnarumma, who had played all but one Champions League game this season.

    Luis Enrique defended his call before the game, telling reporters: “I make my choices based on what I see on the pitch and what’s best for the team.” The decision appeared to pay off early, with Safonov responsible for good saves from Jamal Musiala and Sane inside the opening 12 minutes.

    Kingsley Coman, the PSG academy product who scored the only goal in the 2020 final, almost broke the deadlock shortly afterwards, dribbling through five defenders and blasting just wide.

    After PSG had a few opportunities of their own, including Joao Neves’ long-range effort whistling past the goalpost on 33 minutes, the Russian goalkeeper made a mistake which led directly to the opener.

    Joshua Kimmich swung in a corner on the 38-minute mark which Safonov spilt. And Kim took advantage to power a header into the net for the first Champions League goal of his career.

    Bayern were happy to let the game come to them in the second half but Dembele’s second yellow — his first had come for dissent — took the steam out of PSG’s hopes of a comeback.

    Tillies already eyeing Asian Cup | 00:54

    BARCELONA HIT BREST FOR THREE

    Robert Lewandowski scored his 100th Champions League goal as Barcelona beat Brest 3-0 to climb provisionally second in the Champions League group standings on Tuesday.

    The veteran striker slotted home from the spot in the 10th minute to fire the Catalans ahead and reach his milestone, adding a second late on after Dani Olmo’s goal to inflict the French side’s first defeat.

    After dropping points in their last two outings in La Liga, coach Hansi Flick had urged his players to “eliminate” mistakes in their game and Barca produced a solid display.

    They got off the mark quickly when Brest goalkeeper Marco Bizot clumsily clattered into the back of Lewandowski after the forward controlled Pedri’s cross on his chest.

    The striker dusted himself down and dispatched the penalty clinically to open the scoring after 10 minutes and bring up his century.

    It made Lewandowski only the third player to reach that milestone in the competition, behind former Barcelona great Lionel Messi, on 129, and former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, with 140.

    Under Flick, the forward’s form has improved significantly this season, reaching 22 goals in 19 appearances between La Liga and the Champions League.

    The 36-year-old has made 125 Champions League appearances with Barcelona and before that German sides Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

    “I am very happy, many years ago I did not think I could score more than 100 goals in the Champions League,” Lewandowski told Movistar.

    “For me the most important thing is that we try to win every game, if I can score, then that’s the perfect solution.

    “I don’t know how many games we have left before the end of the year but we have to win them all and rest over Christmas.” Barcelona were still without teenage star Lamine Yamal, recovering from an ankle problem, but Raphinha was busy on the right and the Catalans dominated proceedings.

    They did not create many clear chances though until Fermin Lopez forced a fine save from Bizot with a diving header.

    The Dutch goalkeeper made amends for his earlier mistake by denying the Spaniard with his leg.

    Pedri and Gavi of FC Barcelona smile following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between FC Barcelona and Stade Brestois 29 at Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys on November 26, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Lopez again came close early in the second half when Lewandowski put him in with a neat flick but Bizot was alert to save his low effort.

    Playmaker Olmo had an effort scrambled off the line by Brendan Chardonnet as Barcelona sought to put the game to bed.

    The former RB Leipzig midfielder eventually grabbed the second in the 66th minute when he received Gerard Martin’s pass in the box, showing some nifty footwork to dodge Chardonnet and beat Bizot at the near post.

    Brest thumped RB Salzburg 4-0 and had dropped just two points from their first four matches despite sitting in mid-table in Ligue 1, but were brought down to earth at the Olympic Stadium.

    Mathias Pereira Lage drilled home to momentarily delight nearly 3,000 travelling supporters but their joy was curtailed when the linesman raised his flag for off-side.

    Barca substitute Pablo Torre should have netted Barcelona’s third when he intercepted a pass with just the goalkeeper to beat, but fired wide.

    Instead the job fell to Lewandowski and he rolled home his 101st Champions League goal with aplomb, beyond Bizot’s outstretched arm.

    Brest fall a few places down the table but their strong start to the campaign means they are well placed to secure at least a playoff spot, while Barcelona are aiming to reach the last 16 directly.

    Flick’s side travel to last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund next, before visiting Benfica and hosting Atalanta.

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  • ‘Suicidal’ tactics to undeniable $157m truth: Ange’s wild first year — and why best is yet to come

    ‘Suicidal’ tactics to undeniable $157m truth: Ange’s wild first year — and why best is yet to come

    When Ange Postecoglou sat down for his first press conference as Tottenham manager last July, he revealed his vision for his new team.

    Aside from being “successful”, Postecoglou wanted Tottenham “to be an aggressive team, a dominant team, a team who takes the game to every opposition home and away”.

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    With Postecoglou’s debut season as a Premier League manager in the rear-view mirror, it’s hard to argue the Australian hasn’t delivered on his plan, especially the desire to show no fear against Spurs’ opponents.

    However, the same pundits who lauded Postecoglou’s bravery and ingenuity for the style of play at the start seemed to turn on him just as quickly once results began to slide.

    It was a predictable discourse and one Postecoglou has faced at almost every stop in his managerial career.

    However, one game – and one specific moment – proved that no matter what the pundits said, the Australian would not waver from his beliefs.

    This is how Postecoglou silenced the doubters, at least for now, and guided Tottenham back to the bright lights of European football, all without the club’s record goal scorer.

    Postecoglou laid out his ambitions for Tottenham in his first press conference. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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    ANGE REVEALS GREAT SPURS ‘HOPE AND DESIRE’ AMID GLARING $157M HOLE

    Along with an outline of what he wanted from Tottenham during games, Postecoglou made it abundantly clear it would be no overnight transformation.

    But, at the very least, he wanted fans to see the foundations for what was to come.

    “We had a massive rebuild at Celtic but at the beginning, even though the results weren’t there, the supporters could see what we were trying to do and get behind us,” Postecoglou said.

    “I don’t know whether it’s going to be a rocky start or a good start for us but my hope and desire and what I’m going to try to do is give supporters hope that we’re going to embark on something special.”

    What made Postecoglou’s rebuild all the more difficult was the drawn-out transfer saga surrounding superstar striker Harry Kane.

    In the 2022-23 campaign, Kane accounted for 43 per cent of Tottenham’s 70 league goals but he was so much more than just a goalscorer. Kane was Tottenham.

    Kane left Tottenham to go to Bayern Munich. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Kane was sold to Bayern Munich for $157 million on the eve of Tottenham’s Premier League opener against Brentford, although Postecoglou insisted he planned for the superstar’s exit.

    It’s impossible to replace Kane directly, so Postecoglou opted to upgrade several positions across the squad prior to Kane’s departure.

    Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro’s temporary deals became permanent while Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Mickey van de Ven and Brennan Johnson all arrived in the summer, with Johnson joining on deadline day.

    With the loss of Kane coupled with the squad needing to adapt to Postecoglou’s methods, the Australian was reluctant to set any expectations for the season ahead, at least externally.

    “Again, from the outset what’s important is that we try and establish some key principles of who we want to be first of all,” Postecoglou said.

    Well, if Postecoglou didn’t want to vocalise any concrete goals, the stunning unbeaten run to start the season gave fans plenty of reason to dream.

    Maddison was one of Postecoglou’s first signings. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    POP ICON GETS BEHIND ANGE AS SPURS DARE TO DREAM

    In Postecoglou’s first season at Celtic, a draw and three losses in the first seven league games — including a defeat to bitter rivals Rangers — had some sections of the fanbase already doubting his credentials.

    It was the complete opposite at Tottenham.

    Postecoglou oversaw a pulsating 2-2 draw against Brentford to start and the results that followed led to a tidal wave of positivity and optimism from Spurs supporters.

    Tottenham went on a staggering 10-game unbeaten run featuring victories over Manchester United and Liverpool, albeit the latter result was dripping in controversy as the Reds were wrongly denied a goal.

    Not even bitter rivals Arsenal could stop Tottenham as the first north London derby of the season ended 2-2.

    Yet the one game in this dizzying run that truly united the fan base was a 2-1 victory over lowly Sheffield United.

    Tottenham celebrate after scoring a late, late winner to beat Sheffield United. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    The Blades looked set to escape north London with a highly valuable victory and were ahead as late as the 97th minute.

    Just 180 seconds later, Kulusevski scored what proved to be the game winner as the stadium erupted in a chorus of joy.

    As The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke wrote, “it felt as if a club that had been so fractured only a few months before had been united overnight” by Postecoglou.

    Tottenham sat in first with 26 points from a possible 30, Postecoglou was constantly serenaded to the tune of Robbie Williams’ Angels — with the pop icon even signing the amended version himself — and fans dared to dream of what could be.

    But Tottenham supporters were quickly brought crashing back to earth in the club’s 11th game of the season as a reporter’s prediction about how Postecoglou’s first season would unfold came true.

    Postecoglou laps up the support from the adoring Tottenham fans. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    HOW EERIE PREDICTION CAME TRUE AS LOSS SPARKS GREAT DEBATE

    In early November, Tottenham welcomed a Chelsea team stuck in mid-table having won just three of their opening 10 games.

    Postecoglou’s side began brightly as Kulusevski scored in the sixth minute and looked a threat every time they went forward against Chelsea’s fragile backline.

    But the contest flipped on its head in the 33rd minute when Tottenham defender Cristian Romero got sent off and Cole Palmer buried the resulting penalty to equalise.

    It went from bad to worse for Tottenham when star duo Van de Ven and Maddison were forced off with significant injuries just before half time.

    If that wasn’t grim enough, Destiny Udogie’s second yellow in the 55th minute reduced the hosts to just nine men.

    Much to the surprise of the wider football community — except those who have followed Postecoglou’s career closely — Tottenham refused to park their nine men behind the ball and continued to pour numbers forward in attack.

    Yes, it meant Chelsea’s speedy wingers got behind Tottenham’s defensive line with ease, but it is not the Postecoglou way to simply roll over and accept defeat.

    An iconic image emphasised how wedded Postecoglou is to his philosophy and also proved The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare correct in his pre-season prediction.

    “I think there will be quite a tedious debate,” Eccleshare told The View From The Lane podcast in August.

    “The way this will pan out is that Postecoglou will get a lot of plaudits early on because he plays attacking football.

    “But there will come a point at which they lose badly to a team they’re expected to beat because they play in this certain way.

    “There will be a lot of pundits saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m all for good football but there comes a time you’ve got to shut up shop. I don’t care who you are, you’ve got to show more respect to the opposition.’”

    Despite going down to nine men, Postecoglou still used a high defensive line against Chelsea. Picture: SuppliedSource: Supplied

    Those critical pundits came out swinging after the Chelsea defeat.

    “I have to say, there was a bit of an arrogance about not changing it,” former Chelsea defender and talkSPORT pundit Jason Cundy said, adding Postecoglou’s stubbornness was “naive”.

    Ex-Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson was equally critical.

    “I’d never seen anything like it,” Merson told Sky Sports.

    “But Ange Postecoglou should have changed tactics. It was very easy. If that was Man City playing Tottenham, it would have been 10-1 at least.”

    Even Tottenham legend and former England manager Glenn Hoddle was stunned at Postecoglou’s refusal to adapt.

    “If Tottenham keeps playing that high, near the halfway line, then I think it’s footballing suicide with 10 men,” Hoddle told Premier League Productions during the halftime break.

    “They had defenders in there that they’ve had it work, but it seems to me they haven’t changed their tactics. They’ve got to change.”

    Unsurprisingly, Postecoglou was peppered with questions as to why he did not change his approach with nine men on the park.

    “It is just who we are mate,” Postecoglou said in his post-match press conference.

    “It is who we are and who we will be for as long as I am here. If we go down to five men, we will have a go.”

    Only Postecoglou could have the ability to make Tottenham fans view a 4-1 defeat to a rival team through an optimistic lens.

    However, the debate slowly turned against him as results became harder to come by in the second half of the season.

    Postecoglou’s approach against Chelsea had pundits questioning his bold tactics. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    ANGE’S BRUTAL VERDICT AS ‘WORST EXPERIENCE’ LEAVES AUSSIE SEETHING

    After the Chelsea defeat, Tottenham failed to win any of their next four games as Postecoglou grappled with a mounting injury list that exposed a worrying lack of depth, especially in defence.

    Tottenham ultimately kept just one clean sheet from the Chelsea clash on November 6 through to the 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa on March 10.

    Conceding goals off of set pieces also proved to be problematic, with Tottenham shipping the fifth-most (16) throughout the season.

    There were calls from the external world for Postecoglou to appoint a specialist set piece coach to combat the issue but the Aussie refused, insisting his assistant coaches Ryan Mason and Mile Jedinak were well-equipped at the role.

    “There are far more important things that we need to concentrate on at the moment in terms of the team we’re building,” Postecoglou said.

    Although Tottenham’s form in the second half of the season was patchy, the 4-0 victory over Villa had many believing a top four finish was achievable.

    But Postecoglou’s side won just four out of their final 11 games as the Champions League dream slipped further and further away.

    Granted, Tottenham had to face Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in their final seven games.

    Tottenham’s form dropped off a cliff at the end of the season. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    The defeat to City proved to be especially bruising — and eye-opening — for the Aussie boss.

    Tottenham had to win if they were to remain in the mix for the Champions League, but victory would have also put Arsenal in the box seat to win the Premier League title.

    Lose or draw that match and they could kiss the Champions League goodbye for another season.

    Sections of the Tottenham fan base made it clear they weren’t terribly fussed about losing to City, especially if it robbed their bitter rivals of a first league title in 10 years.

    When asked before the game about the supporters being okay with defeat, Postecoglou bristled and responded: “I understand rivalry, but I have never, and will never, understand if someone wants their own team to lose.”

    Tottenham would lose 2-0 to City amid a subdued atmosphere within the stadium as Postecoglou delivered an explosive post-match press conference where he criticised the club’s “fragile foundations”.

    The defeat to Manchester City left Postecoglou with a bitter taste in his mouth. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    It left The Telegraph’s Matt Law believing either Postecoglou or Tottenham had to fully adapt to the other and could not maintain their stubbornness.

    “In many respects Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur are a match made in heaven,” Law wrote.

    “But if the marriage is not to ultimately end in another messy divorce, then something will have to give.

    “Put simply, either Tottenham have to change or Postecoglou does because the last three months have demonstrated that stubbornness from both sides will grow into something much more damaging.”

    A few days after the game, the Aussie boss conceded it was “probably the worst experience” he’s had as a manager during a match and “got it wrong” in terms of what he expected the atmosphere and the fans’ sentiments to be.

    Postecoglou and Tottenham managed to end the season on a high as a comfortable 3-0 win over Sheffield United ensured a spot in the Europa League for next season.

    Tottenham qualified for the Europa League. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    HOW PL VACUUM COULD GIVE SPURS BIG BOOST AS HISTORY ON ANGE’S SIDE

    Although some may look back on Tottenham’s season wondering what could have been, Postecoglou’s debut Premier League campaign should fill supporters with optimism.

    Objectively it was a better season than the 22/23 one: under Postecoglou, Tottenham finished with more points, won more games, scored more and conceded less.

    Let’s not forget Postecoglou did all of this without Kane’s goals.

    Another cause for a positive outlook is how Postecoglou traditionally fares in his second season at a club.

    During his stints with the Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos and Celtic, the 58-year-old averaged more points per game in his second season.

    The summer window will give Postecoglou another chance to shape the squad further into his mould and ship out those who he does not believe can play his high-octane brand of football.

    There could also be a serious vacuum at the top of the ladder which opens the door wide open for Postecoglou and Tottenham to return to the top four.

    With Jurgen Klopp no longer at the helm for Liverpool, new boss Arne Slot will hope to avoid the slump attached to those replacing long-term managers.

    There’s plenty to look forward to in Postecoglou’s second season at Tottenham. (Photo by Barrington Coombs/PA Images via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    David Moyes couldn’t do it at Manchester United after he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson and Unai Emery struggled at Arsenal as Arsene Wenger’s successor, so there’s every chance Slot and Liverpool slide down the ladder.

    Chelsea will also have a new manager in Enzo Maresca as the Blues parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino despite the latter leading the club to a sixth-place finish.

    There’s also a chance Aston Villa take a slight tumble as they contend with the club’s first Champions League campaign in 41 years.

    A return to Europe’s elite club competition next season would represent yet another improvement for Postecoglou.

    So too would winning a trophy, something Tottenham have not done since 2008.

    No matter what, Postecoglou will do it his way.

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  • Football’s worst-kept secret confirmed as Mbappe announces PSG exit in emotional video

    Football’s worst-kept secret confirmed as Mbappe announces PSG exit in emotional video

    Kylian Mbappe confirmed on Friday that he will leave French champions Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, with Real Madrid widely expected to be his next destination.

    The announcement brings an end to a prolific association with his hometown team, which began when he signed from Monaco in 2017 in a deal worth 180 million euros.

    “I wanted to announce to you all that it’s my last year at Paris Saint-Germain. I will not extend and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks,” Mbappe, 25, said in a video posted on social media.

    “I will play my last game at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.”

    PSG have already secured the Ligue 1 title, their 10th in the last 12 seasons, and the Qatar-owned club will pick up the trophy after Sunday’s game against Toulouse, which will be their last of the campaign on home turf.

    Luis Enrique’s side were eliminated from the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals on Tuesday when a 1-0 loss in the second leg at home sealed a surprise 2-0 aggregate defeat.

    It means Mbappe will be denied the send-off he had hoped for in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1 and will end his seven-year spell at PSG without ever having won Europe’s elite club competition.

    Mbappe informed PSG privately in February of his intention to depart when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

    The 2018 World Cup winner had never confirmed publicly he was leaving, though, far less said where he will be going next, but it appears certain that he is bound for Real Madrid.

    Hummels the hero as Dortmund do PSG | 01:07

    “It’s a lot of emotions, many years where I had the chance and the great honour to be a member of the biggest French club, one of the best in the world,” said Mbappe.

    “It allowed me to arrive here, to have my first experience in a club with a lot of pressure, to grow as a player of course, by being alongside some of the best in history, some of the greatest champions,” he added.

    “It’s hard and I never thought it would be this difficult to announce that … but I think I needed this, a new challenge, after seven years.”

    Real Madrid through to 18th C.L. Final! | 01:48

    Mbappe’s arrival in the capital as a teenager in 2017 came after he had helped Monaco win the league title.

    After initially joining PSG on loan, his transfer fee became — and still is — the second largest in football history.

    It came just weeks after PSG paid a world-record 222 million euros to sign Neymar from Barcelona.

    PSG have dominated French football since their 2011 Qatari takeover, but despite also adding Lionel Messi to their line-up for two seasons, European success has remained tantalisingly out of reach for a club that has spent billions on some of the world’s best players.

    The closest they came was the 2020 Champions League final defeat by Bayern Munich, when PSG academy graduate Kingsley Coman scored the winning goal against his former club.

    The defeat to Dortmund this week ruled out the prospect of Mbappe facing his likely future employers, 14-time European champions Real Madrid, in this year’s final.

    Mbappe did not find the net in that tie but has scored 43 goals in all competitions this season, with 26 of those coming in Ligue 1.

    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) fans burn flares as they gather outside Parc des Princes, home to PSG, after Mbappe’s announcement.Source: AFP

    He will still hope to add to his club-record tally of 255 goals for PSG and win another medal in the French Cup final on May 25 — Mbappe has so far won six Ligue 1 titles, three French Cups and the now defunct League Cup twice in his seven years at his hometown team.

    After Sunday’s game, PSG will complete their league campaign with away matches at Nice and at relegation-threatened Metz, before Mbappe wraps up his career with the club in that Cup final in Lille.

    Mbappe was frozen out at the start of the campaign with the club putting pressure on him to sign a new deal or agree to be sold rather than simply run down the last year of his contract.

    His relationship with PSG boss Luis Enrique has also come under the spotlight since he told the Qatar-owned club of his plans to leave earlier this year.

    Now the worst-kept secret is out and Mbappe’s departure follows that of Messi and Neymar at the end of last season, which left PSG in a period of transition, but the loss of the France captain is an even greater blow.

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  • Ange‘s Spurs take crucial step towards CL return after thrashing top four rivals in ‘do-or-die’ clash

    Ange‘s Spurs take crucial step towards CL return after thrashing top four rivals in ‘do-or-die’ clash

    Tottenham landed a crucial blow in the fight to finish in the Premier League’s top four with a 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa on Monday (AEDT).

    Ange Postecoglou’s side arrived at Villa Park knowing defeat to their fourth placed rivals would have been potentially fatal to their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

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    But the north Londoners rose to the challenge with a second half goal spree in the rain-soaked west midlands.

    James Maddison put Tottenham ahead and Brennan Johnson doubled their lead before Villa captain John McGinn was sent off for chopping down Destiny Udogie.

    Son Heung-min and Timo Werner struck in stoppage-time to leave fifth placed Tottenham just two points behind Villa with a game in hand.

    “We made it tough for Villa. They worked hard just to contain us. We got our rewards in the second half,” Postecoglou said.

    “Everyone was billing this as a do-or-die for us. I assume we’re not dead yet. It means we’re one game closer, just 11 games to go.” Restoring Tottenham to Europe’s elite club competition in his first season in charge would be a significant achievement for Postecoglou and the target is now firmly in his control.

    The Australian this week said reaching the Champions League would not be “a Willy Wonka golden ticket” for his club.

    But the defeat left Villa feeling as sick as Augustus Gloop, the gluttonous boy who gets in trouble while visiting Wonka’s chocolate factory in Roald Dahl’s book.

    Postecoglou applauds the travelling Spurs fans after a massive win over Aston Villa. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    MORE COVERAGE

    ‘100 per cent a foul’: Klopp, PL great stunned over shock VAR call as thrilling title race tightens

    PL Wrap: Gunners go top despite keeper’s horror howler; Utd keep top four dream alive

    Villa are hoping to reach the Champions League for the first time since 1983, but this was a major setback to their unexpected bid for a top four finish.

    “We weren’t clinical because they were defending very well and we didn’t control the game,” Villa boss Unai Emery said.

    “We have to control our emotions. The first two goals were crazy. We have to move on.” Emery’s team claimed an early penalty when Ollie Watkins was sent flying by Micky van de Ven’s crunching challenge, but VAR rejected their appeals.

    In a game played at a frantic pace, Villa were left frustrated when Matty Cash poked into the side-netting from Leon Bailey’s cross.

    Lucas Digne nearly broke the deadlock just before half-time with a glancing header that looped wide from McGinn’s cross.

    Tottenham lost Van de Ven to an injury immediately after the interval, but the visitors were unfazed as they snatched the lead in the 50th minute.

    Pape Sarr beat the Villa offside trap and whipped in a teasing cross that Maddison adroitly volleyed past Martinez from five yards before celebrating with his dart-throwing routine in front of the Tottenham fans.

    Villa were shell-shocked and there was worse to come for Emery’s men three minutes later.

    Ezri Konsa took too long on the ball before playing a weak pass that was intercepted by Kulusevski.

    Son pounced on the loose ball, drove towards the Villa area and slipped his pass to Johnson, who fired high into the net before emulating Maddison’s darts tribute.

    Johnson’s goal meant Tottenham had equalled their club record streak of scoring in 27 successive league games since the start of a season.

    Heung Min Son was on the scoresheet for Spurs. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    As a gloomy silence settled over Villa Park, McGinn’s frustration reached boiling point in the 65th minute.

    Lunging into a reckless tackle on Udogie, the Villa captain was immediately shown a red card that he could have no complaints about.

    With Villa in tatters, Son finished off Kulusevski’s cross with a first-time strike in stoppage-time.

    Werner’s composed finish from Son’s pass in the final moments underscored Tottenham’s superiority.

    At the London Stadium, Burnley blew a two-goal lead as Danny Ings’ last-gasp equaliser rescued a 2-2 draw for West Ham.

    Vincent Kompany’s side climbed above Sheffield United to 19th place, but it was small consolation for squandering three points in their desperate fight for survival.

    David Datro Fofana’s long-range strike and an own goal by Konstantinos Mavropanos put Burnley in control by half-time.

    But Lucas Paqueta reduced the deficit immediately after the interval and former Burnley striker Ings levelled in the closing minutes.

    Burnley are 10 points from safety with 10 games left.

    Fourth bottom Nottingham Forest failed to pull away from relegation danger as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Brighton.

    Andrew Omobamidele’s first-half own goal ended Brighton’s three-match winless league run to lift them to eighth place.

    FULL PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS

    Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham

    Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City

    West Ham United 2-2 Burnley

    Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

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  • ‘Taking the p***’: Euro giant rocked by Newcastle in ‘astonishing’ CL boilover

    ‘Taking the p***’: Euro giant rocked by Newcastle in ‘astonishing’ CL boilover

    Newcastle enjoyed a dream return to the Champions League at St James’ Park as Paris Saint-Germain were humbled in a 4-1 victory for the Magpies on Wednesday.

    Miguel Almiron, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and Fabian Schar scored the goals as Newcastle made their first home game in Europe’s elite competition for 20 years a night to remember.

    Eddie Howe’s men move to the top of what is considered the toughest Champions League group in this season’s draw.

    Newcastle have four points from their opening two games, one more than PSG, while Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan picked up their first point in a 0-0 draw in Germany.

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    The first ever clash between the clubs pitted the sporting interests of Saudi Arabia and Qatar head-to-head.

    A Saudi takeover two years ago has transformed Newcastle’s fortunes in similar fashion to how the influx of cash from the Middle East has made PSG the dominant force of French football over the past decade.

    PSG boss Luis Enrique warned before the game that Newcastle were the side no one wanted from the fourth pot of seeds and the Premier League side showed why.

    Despite being acutely aware of Newcastle’s threat, Luis Enrique boldly stuck with a star-studded front four featuring Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani.

    It could have been very different for the French champions had Dembele’s sweetly-struck volley form Mbappe’s cross found the net rather than flying inches wide early on.

    But once the home side, roared on by a raucous 52,000 fans, got their claws into the visitors, they did not let go.

    PSG were though architects of their own downfall with the opening goal on 17 minutes.

    A slack pass by Marquinhos was intercepted by Bruno Guimaraes to give Alexander Isak a clear sight of goal.

    Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a fine save to deny the Swede, but Almiron was on hand to curl into the far corner.

    – Burn has moment to savour –

    For all the hundreds of millions splashed on big names from around the globe from both sides, there was a fairytale surrounding the source of the second goal.

    Burn grew up watching Newcastle from the St James’ stands and has worked himself up from starting his career in the sixth tier of English football with Blyth Spartans to the highest level of European football.

    Donnarumma could not prevent the giant defender’s header from close range crossing the line six minutes before half-time.

    But PSG were unhappy that a lengthy VAR review to check the goal did not rule it out for a handball by Jamaal Lascelles in the build-up.

    Any hope of a PSG fightback after the break was snuffed out within five minutes of the restart thanks to another of Newcastle’s local lads.

    Newcastle enjoyed a dream return to the Champions League at St James’ Park.Source: Getty Images

    Longstaff raced onto Kieran Trippier’s pass and drilled a low shot under Donnarumma, who should have done much better.

    However, the French champions did at least show some spirit to limit the damage. Teenage midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery impressed in a daunting environment and his dink over the Newcastle defence was perfectly judged for Lucas Hernandez to head into the far corner.

    But Newcastle sealed a famous win in style in what they will believe is just the start of a journey towards Champions League glory one day.

    Schar strode forward from central defence before unleashing a blistering strike into the top corner from outside the box.

    By contrast, PSG are still waiting to conquer Europe and this was another stark reminder of how far off they are from the favourites for the competition.

    Off to their worst Ligue 1 start of the Qatari era, PSG have now won just four of Luis Enrique’s first nine games in charge.

    ALVAREZ AND DOKU STRIKE LATE TO PUSH CITY PAST LEIPZIG

    Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku came off the bench to grab late goals and push Manchester City to a 3-1 victory at RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

    Facing Leipzig in the Champions League for the third straight year, City dominated from the start, Phil Foden slamming in the opener after some impressive lead-up play from teenage wing-back Rico Lewis.

    Clearly outclassed in the first half, Leipzig struck back immediately after half-time, Lois Openda scoring after a sweeping counter attack to equalise.

    But with Leipzig focused on talisman Erling Haaland, who scored five in 60 minutes the last time these sides met, it was the Norwegian’s understudy who scored the crucial goal, curling in City’s second just five minutes after being introduced.

    Doku sealed the win with a goal in injury time.

    Manchester City claimed a 3-1 victory at RB Leipzig.Source: AFP

    MILAN PLAY OUT SECOND STRAIGHT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE STALEMATE IN DORTMUND

    AC Milan were held to a second successive goalless draw in the Champions League at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday to slip to third in Group F.

    Stefano Pioli’s Italian side, semi-finalists last season, created the better chances but failed to convert them, just as in their opening 0-0 draw with Newcastle at the San Siro.

    Dortmund drop to the bottom of the early standings, one point behind Milan and three adrift of early leaders Newcastle after their 4-1 victory over second-placed Paris Saint-Germain.

    The Germans are also yet to score in the competition this term after losing 2-0 to PSG at the Parc des Princes.

    Donyell Malen shot wide twice early on while Julian Brandt hooked an overhead effort over the cross bar as Dortmund started strongly.

    But the best chance of the first half fell to the visitors in the 37th minute, as a stretching Olivier Giroud pounced on a loose ball but could only steer his close-range shot over the bar.

    Milan pushed for a winner in the second half, with Theo Hernandez heading an excellent opportunity wide eight minutes from time.

    Away midfielder Tijjani Reijnders came even closer in the 87th minute, curling narrowly off target as the visitors were forced to settle for a point.

    TORRES SCRAPES BARCA IMPORTANT WIN AT PORTO

    Ferran Torres’s strike earned Barcelona a tense 1-0 win at Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday in coach Xavi Hernandez’s 100th game in charge.

    Barcelona have been eliminated in the opening stage in the past two editions but this hard-fought triumph on the road puts them in a strong position as Group H leaders to avoid a third consecutive strike-out.

    Ferran Torres’s strike earned Barcelona a tense 1-0 win at Porto in the Champions League.Source: AFP

    Xavi said the trip to the north of Portugal would be the hardest group game and his team had to dig deep, surviving a penalty which was cancelled after a VAR review and an offside goal in the gripping final stages.

    Barca midfielder Gavi was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card as the Catalans clung on desperately to secure victory.

    Xavi selected youngster Lamine Yamal on the right wing, making him the youngest starter in Champions League history at 16 years and 83 days.

    The teenager showed some bright sparks in the first half but largely Porto were on top, cutting through a Barcelona midfield shorn of the injured Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.

    Barcelona holding midfielder Oriol Romeu endured a tough night, with Porto harrying him at every possible moment, roared on by a packed Dragao stadium.

    Brought in from Girona to replace Sergio Busquets, the job is proving a big one for the former Southampton and Chelsea man to handle.

    He was fortunate to avoid a yellow card in the first half but his team-mates Joao Cancelo, Ronald Araujo and Gavi went into the book — along with coach Xavi.

    Mehdi Taremi appealed for a penalty early on after Jules Kounde took a handful of his shirt in the area but it would have been soft.

    At the other end Joao Felix was involved in Barcelona’s best attacking moments, to a cacophony of whistles from Porto fans who had not forgotten his Benfica past.

    Man United sink lower with loss in UCL | 00:36

    The Eagles beat Porto in the Portuguese Clasico last week, which Felix said would only motivate his old rivals even further.

    However Porto midfielder Romario Baro lost concentration just before half-time and it proved costly for his side, who had more than held their own.

    Romario’s under-hit pass was easily stolen by Ilkay Gundogan, who threaded through Torres.

    The Spanish forward, who replaced injured hitman Robert Lewandowski earlier in the first half, rolled home a low strike under Diogo Costa.

    – Backs to the wall –

    Jules Kounde and Joao Felix were booked early in the second half as Barcelona did everything they could to keep Porto at bay.

    French centre-back Kounde made a sublime challenge to knock the ball away from Pepe from behind as he was poised to shoot, after running through on Barcelona’s goal.

    Taremi headed narrowly off target from Romario’s cross after Torres gave the ball away in midfield and Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved from Galeno at with his feet at the near post.

    The German stopper made an even better save from Galeno with 20 minutes remaining, flinging himself full length to his left to tip the Brazilian’s effort to safety.

    Referee Anthony Taylor awarded Porto a penalty with 10 minutes to go after Cancelo handled in the box, but after a VAR review, cancelled the decision for an earlier handball by Stephen Eustaquio.

    Taremi then scored a brilliant overhead kick as Porto turned the screw but he was offside as he met winger Pepe’s cheeky scooped pass, with Barcelona holding on for the three points, despite Gavi’s late dismissal.

    PEDRO STRIKES LATE TO LIFT LAZIO AS CELTIC CRASH

    Lazio kick-started their Champions League campaign with a last-gasp 2-1 win against Celtic as Pedro netted in the final seconds of Wednesday’s clash in Glasgow.

    Maurizio Sarri’s side arrived at Parkhead under a cloud after a wretched run in Serie A.

    But Lazio banished the gloom in the most dramatic fashion when Pedro headed home with just moments left to stun raucous Parkhead into silence.

    Celtic took the lead through Japan striker Kyogo Furuhashi’s first Champions League goal.

    However, the Scottish champions’ hopes of winning on home soil in the Champions League group stage for the first time in 10 years were dashed.

    Matias Vecino headed Lazio’s equaliser before the interval and former Chelsea winger Pedro produced the late plot twist.

    Sarri’s men are languishing in 16th place in Serie A and looked vulnerable for long periods in the east end of Glasgow.

    But once again they bagged a priceless late goal in Europe’s elite club competition after goalkeeper Ivan Provedel’s stoppage-time equaliser in their opening group game against Atletico Madrid.

    Following a defeat against AC Milan at the weekend, Sarri had criticised the state of his squad in the wake of what he deemed a poor transfer window.

    This gritty display was hugely encouraging against that troubled backdrop, leaving Lazio second in Group E on the same points as leaders Atletico.

    Celtic have not claimed three points from a Champions League home game since a 2-1 win over Ajax in 2013.

    Lens hand Gunners their first loss | 00:40

    The Hoops have gone three more group campaigns without a win in front of their own supporters since then and the wait will go on at least until they host Atletico on October 25.

    Beaten at Feyenoord in their opening group game this season, Celtic have won just one of their last 23 Champions League group games and face an uphill task to qualify for the last 16.

    – Sting in the tale –

    Revved up by the vociferous support of the sell-out crowd, it took just 12 minutes for Celtic to make the breakthrough with a flowing move.

    Daizen Maeda stroked his pass to Matt O’Riley, who cushioned a first-time ball towards Kyogo.

    Timing his run perfectly, Kyogo clipped a cool finish under Provedel from 10 yards to spark wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands.

    With Lazio unable to establish any momentum, Sarri cut a frustrated figure, waving his arms in anger as pass after pass went astray.

    But Sarri’s men snatched an equaliser against the run of play to ease their coach’s angst in the 29th minute.

    It was a sloppy goal for Celtic to concede as they failed to clear a corner and Alessio Romagnoli headed down for Vecino to nod home from close range despite Joe Hart’s attempt to claw the ball off the line.

    Celtic were back on the offensive when O’Riley arrived unmarked in the area to test Provedel with a low effort from Kyogo’s pass.

    Reo Hatate nearly restored Celtic’s lead on the hour with a driven free-kick that Provedel parried away.

    Luis Palma thought he had won it in the 81st minute when he drilled home from Maeda’s flick, but a VAR check ruled the Celtic substitute was offside.

    There was a painful sting in the tale for Celtic as Lazio stole the points in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

    Cameron Carter-Vickers lost possession and Matteo Guendouzi’s perfectly weighted cross picked out Pedro, who rose highest to loop his header into the far corner from six yards.

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  • ‘Insanely bad’: Utd struggles hit new low with home defeat, Arsenal stunned — CL Wrap

    ‘Insanely bad’: Utd struggles hit new low with home defeat, Arsenal stunned — CL Wrap

    Manchester United are in danger of making an early exit from the Champions League after crashing to a 3-2 home defeat to Galatasaray with Arsenal also suffered a shock loss on Wednesday morning.

    Rasmus Hojlund twice put United in front, but they slipped to a sixth defeat in nine games as Wilfried Zaha, Kerem Akturkoglu and Mauro Icardi struck for the Turkish giants.

    It continues a worrying run of form under Erik ten Hag for United, who are bottom of the group and 10th in the Premier League having lost six of their past 10 games.

    United have lost their opening two games of a Champions League group for the first time.

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    New goalkeeper Andre Onana had another night to forget in Europe. Rasmus Hojlund twice gave United the lead, but Galatasaray fought back to win away from home in the Champions League for the first time in 10 years thanks to goals from Wilfried Zaha, Kerem Akturkoglu and Mauro Icardi.

    Onana accepted responsibility after his error allowed Bayern Munich to open the scoring in United’s 4-3 defeat in Germany to start Group A.

    The Cameroonian was at fault once more for the move that saw Casemiro sent-off for conceding a penalty on 77 minutes.

    Icardi missed the spot-kick, but quickly made amends to score the winner against 10 men.

    United’s 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday meant Erik ten Hag’s men are also off to their worst ever start to a Premier League season with four defeats from seven games.

    Progress to the last 16 of the Champions League now looks an uphill task. Bayern beat FC Copenhagen 2-1 away to move onto six points with Galatasaray four clear of United with four games to play.

    Hojlund provided the one note of positivity on an otherwise costly night for United.

    The young Danish striker’s start to life at Old Trafford was hampered by a back injury, but he is quickly showing why United splashed out £64 million for a 20-year-old.

    Meanwhile Arsenal slumped to a first defeat of the season as Lens came from behind to win a pulsating Champions League clash 2-1 in France thanks to a fine second-half strike by Elye Wahi.

    Gabriel Jesus gave the Premier League side an ideal start when he opened the scoring in the 14th minute to silence a raucous Stade Bollaert.

    But Adrien Thomasson soon brought last season’s Ligue 1 runners-up back on level terms and the visitors saw Bukayo Saka limp off before half-time.

    Wahi, the 20-year-old striker who became Lens’ club-record signing when he joined at the start of the campaign, then fired home in the 69th minute and his side held on for a famous victory.

    The result lifts them above Arsenal to the top of Champions League Group B on four points, one above Mikel Arteta’s side.

    The other game in the group on Tuesday saw PSV Eindhoven and Sevilla draw 2-2 in the Netherlands.

    While Arsenal are back in the Champions League after six seasons away, Lens are appearing in Europe’s elite club competition again for the first time in over 20 years.

    That made their first European home game of the campaign all the more special, especially as it came against a team Lens famously beat in the Champions League back in 1998.

    Arsene Wenger’s Gunners had been the clear favourites against Lens quarter of a century ago and Arteta’s team were here, as they arrived in northern France still unbeaten this season.

    They underlined their status as the leading contenders in the group with a 4-0 demolition of PSV in their opening game, while Lens had taken heart from their performance in coming back to draw 1-1 away to Sevilla.

    LENS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 03: Neiss Nelson of Arsenal clashes with Salis Abdul Samed of Lens during the UEFA Champions League match between RC Lens and Arsenal FC at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on October 03, 2023 in Lens, France. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
    Lens’ players react after winning the UEFA Champions League Group B first leg football match between RC Lens and Arsenal FC at the Bollaert Stadium in Lens, northern France, on October 3, 2023. (Photo by Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP)Source: AFP

    REAL MADRID 3 NAPOLI 2

    Alex Meret’s unfortunate own goal handed Real Madrid a 3-2 win at Napoli on Wednesday which moved the Spanish giants top in Champions League Group C.

    Italian international goalkeeper Meret could do nothing to stop Federico Valverde’s powerful, deflected shot crashing out off the bar and back into the goal off his outstretched arm 12 minutes from the end of an entertaining clash in Naples.

    That unlucky rebound maintained Madrid’s perfect start to the group stage and moved them three points clear of both the Italian champions and Braga, 3-2 winners over bottom side Union Berlin earlier on Tuesday.

    Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham scored the away side’s other goals on former Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti’s return to southern Italy, giving Madrid a half-time lead after Leo Ostigard headed the hosts into a 19th-minute lead.

    Piotr Zielinski had given Napoli hope that they could build on a recent burst of good form when he smashed in a 54th-minute penalty harshly given for a Nacho handball while challenging Victor Osimhen.

    Nigeria forward Osimhen was playing for Napoli after backing supporters following a row with the club over an insulting video on social media, telling his countrymen that they were not racist.

    UEFA Champions League results on Wednesday (AEST):

    Group A

    In Manchester, England Manchester United (ENG) 2 (Hojlund 17, 67) Galatasaray (TUR) 3 (Zaha 23, Akturkoglu 71, Icardi 81)

    In Copenhagen FC Copenhagen (DEN) 1 (Lerager 56) Bayern Munich (GER) 2 (Musiala 67, Tel 83)

    Group B

    In Lens, France Lens (FRA) 2 (Thomasson 25, Wahi 69) Arsenal (ENG) 1 (Jesus 14)

    In Eindhoven, Netherlands PSV Eindhoven (NED) 2 (De Jong 86-pen, Teze 90+5) Sevilla (ESP) 2 (Gudelj 68, En-Nesyri 87)

    Group C

    In Naples, Italy Napoli (ITA) 2 (Ostigard 19, Zielinski 54-pen) Real Madrid (ESP) 3 (Vinicius 27, Bellingham 34, Meret 78-og)

    In Berlin Union Berlin (GER) 2 (Becker 30, 37) Braga (POR) 3 (Niakate 41, Bruma 51, Castro 90+4)

    Group D

    In Milan, Italy Inter Milan (ITA) (Thuram 62) 1 Benfica (POR) 0

    In Salzburg, Austria Salzburg (AUT) 0 Real Sociedad (ESP) 2 (Oyarzabal 7, Mendez 27)

    Playing Wednesday (kick-offs 1900 GMT unless stated)

    Group E

    In Madrid (1645 GMT) Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Feyenoord (NED)

    In Glasgow, Scotland Celtic (SCO) v Lazio (ITA)

    Group F

    In Dortmund, Germany Borussia Dortmund (GER) v AC Milan (ITA)

    In Newcastle, England Newcastle United (ENG) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)

    Group G

    In Leipzig, Germany RB Leipzig (ITA) v Manchester City (ENG)

    In Belgrade Red Star Belgrade (SRB) v Young Boys (SUI)

    Group H

    In Antwerp, Belgium (1645 GMT) Antwerp (BEL) v Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

    In Porto, Portugal Porto (POR) v Barcelona (ESP)

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