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Tag: Santiago Gimenez

  • Last minute scramble saves German giants; ‘horror show’ knocks out seven-time champs – CL Wrap

    Last minute scramble saves German giants; ‘horror show’ knocks out seven-time champs – CL Wrap

    Alphonso Davies scrambled the ball in with seconds left to give Bayern a 3-2 aggregate victory over Celtic and a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

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    Bayern started the playoff second leg leading 2-1 from the first game in Glasgow but the visitors cancelled out that lead after 63 minutes.

    Nicolas Kuhn, a former Bayern reserve team player, pounced on an error by Kim Min-jae to sweep the ball home.

    Bayern dominated and peppered the Celtic goal but could not beat Kasper Schmeichel, until, with regular time almost up, the goalie could only parry Leon Goretzka’s header to substitute Davies. The ball bounced in off the Canadian’s shin to give Bayern a 1-1 draw in the match.

    MUNICH, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 18: Alphonso Davies (C) celebrates with Josip Stanisic (L) and Leon Goretzka (R) of Munich his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Markus Gilliar – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    – Feyenoord advance as Hernandez lets down AC Milan –

    Feyenoord reached the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday after taking advantage of Theo Hernandez’s damaging sending off to draw 1-1 at AC Milan and go through 2-1 on aggregate.

    Julian Carranza thumped home the winning header in the 73rd minute at a frigid San Siro, sending around 5,000 away fans wild at the same ground where Feyenoord won the old European Cup in 1970.

    Argentine attacker Carranza, who told reporters he was too sick with fever to start the match, cancelled out Santiago Gimenez’s first-minute opener for the seven-time European champions Milan and sent the Dutch through to meet either Inter Milan or Arsenal in the next round.

    The only sour note for Feyenoord was right-back Givairo Read being sent off after the final whistle as tempers flared on the touchline between both sets of players.

    “The 25 minutes that I played, or 30, I was not feeling great and I think everyone could see it, because after every single sprint there was coughing,” said Carranza.

    “It’s the most important goal I’ve ever scored so I’m really happy for that.” Carranza struck for Feyenoord shortly after coming on as substitute as the away side pushed to reach the next round following Hernandez’s red card five minutes after half-time.

    Already on a booking for a needless foul on Anis Hadj-Moussa just before half-time, Hernandez was ruled by referee Szymon Marciniak to have dived in the penalty box when under pressure from Read.

    – Hernandez horror show –

    The France full-back, who went close to putting Milan ahead in the 23rd minute when he crashed a close-range effort off the post, was dismissed, leaving Milan on the back foot after having dominated up to that point.

    Hernandez’s sending off and Carranza’s tie-winning header ruined what looked to be Gimenez’s night when he nodded home the opener against his old team after just 36 seconds.

    Mexico forward Gimenez, who transferred to Milan from Feyenoord during the winter transfer window, pushed the ball home from practically on the line after Malick Thiaw did brilliantly to keep in Christian Pulisic’s cross.

    “Yes, today Theo was sent off but that could happen to anyone. That’s football,” said Gimenez to Sky.

    “We all have great respect for Theo and we ask that he is supported because he always gives everything for Milan and is one of the best full-backs in the world “Now we can’t look back, we have to look forward. We’re still in the (Italian) cup and have work to do in the league so all we can do is keep our heads down and work hard.”

    The 23-year-old Gimenez has already scored three times for Milan since signing from Feyenoord but his sixth goal in the Champions League this season was also his last.

    Milan coach Sergio Conceicao was quick to deflect blame away from Hernandez. “You can talk about whether Theo was touched or not but we need to be stronger emotionally and mentally,” said Conceicao.

    “This elimination is down to me, not Theo or anyone else. I’m the one who’s responsible. Theo has given a lot to Milan.” Milan are by no means assured of a spot in next year’s tournament as they sit seventh in Serie A, five points off the top four with a game in hand.

    And their season has been greatly compromised by the dismal way they lost the first leg in Rotterdam and Hernandez’s poor discipline which led to Tuesday’s painful elimination.

    – Benfica hold off Monaco –

    Benfica snatched a nailbiting 3-3 draw against Monaco on Tuesday to reach the Champions League last 16 with a 4-3 aggregate victory in the play-off round.

    Monaco twice led on the night and came close to forcing extra-time but Orkun Kokcu’s 84th minute equaliser helped Benfica scrape through in Lisbon, with Barcelona or Liverpool awaiting in the next round.

    Kerem Akturkoglu put the hosts ahead against the run of play, with Takumi Minamino levelling for Monaco after 32 minutes.

    Eliesse Ben Seghir fired the visitors ahead but Vangelis Pavlidis struck from the spot to keep the score tied on the night.

    French youngster George Ilenikhena netted in the 81st minute for Monaco but Kokcu prodded home to send Benfica through.

    “It was a tough night, we knew Monaco would put pressure on us from the start and we felt it, we didn’t play our best game,” Kokcu told SportTV.

    “Still, we’re happy to have progressed to the last 16, I’m happy to have contributed to the result.”

    Monaco hammered Nantes 7-1 on Saturday in the French top flight, sharpening their pencils ahead of their crucial exam at the Estadio da Luz.

    Both sides were without key players through injury and suspension, with Benfica missing Angel Di Maria among others, while Monaco started with just one recognised midfielder.

    Wingers Maghnes Akliouche and Ben Seghir played more centrally than usual and both shone in Lisbon, despite ending up on the losing side.

    Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin made a good save to deny Monaco’s Krepin Diatta early on, as the Ligue 1 side looked to get back on level terms in the tie and had the better of the first half.

    However it was the hosts who took the lead after superb work by Benfica striker Pavlidis.

    The Greek attacker, who netted a hat-trick against Barcelona in the group stage, turned provider on this occasion and, after darting into the area, crossed to the back post for Akturkoglu to turn home.

    Swiss international Breel Embolo almost levelled for Monaco but his header hit the post, although the visitors netted less than a minute later.

    Embolo did well to hold off veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, allowing former Liverpool attacker Minamino room for a shot and he drilled home at the near post.

    Monaco should have taken the lead just before half-time but Embolo fired a glorious chance high over the crossbar after the impressive Akliouche surged through the middle and teed him up.

    – ‘A lot of fight’ –

    The Moroccan winger produced a deadly accurate first-time finish inside the near post after Akliouche cut the ball back to him from the right.

    Bruno Lage’s side struggled to find a foothold in the match but Thilo Kehrer handed the hosts a lifeline when he went to clear the ball but arrived late and kicked Fredrik Aursnes in the box.

    Pavlidis, who netted the only goal of the first leg, powered home from the spot for his seventh of the tournament.

    Ilenikhena put Monaco back ahead on the night mere seconds after coming on from the bench, with Trubin unable to keep his low rifled effort out despite getting a hand to it.

    Adi Hutter’s side could not hold on for more than three minutes, with Alvaro Carreras firing in a dangerous cross which Benfica midfielder Kokcu flicked home.

    Benfica were awarded another penalty in stoppage time when Diatta seemed to bring down Samuel Dahl, but the referee changed his mind after a VAR review.

    “What made the difference today was 100 percent the team’s spirit, with a lot of fight,” said Dahl.

    “The game had its ups and downs, they attacked, we attacked… in the end, we scored three goals.

    “We also conceded three, but we advanced, which was the main objective.”

    – Club Brugge knock Atalanta out –

    Club Brugge of Belgium claimed a shock 3-1 win over Atalanta in Italy on Tuesday to win their Champions League play-off tie 5-2 on aggregate and progress to the last 16.

    Leading 2-1 from last week’s first leg, Club Brugge scored three times in the first half with Chemsdine Talbi netting twice and Ferran Jutgla once.

    Ademola Lookman pulled one back for Atalanta but the Belgians go through to play either Lille or Aston Villa next.

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  • Howler gifts underdog who sacked their manager 48 hours ago lead; clinical Kane – CL Wrap

    Howler gifts underdog who sacked their manager 48 hours ago lead; clinical Kane – CL Wrap

    A catastrophic mistake by AC Milan’s French goalkeeper Mike Maignan handed troubled Dutch side Feyenoord a precious 1-0 advantage after the first leg of the Champions League play-offs Wednesday.

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    The surprise win was a welcome tonic for Feyenoord, who came into the match in disarray after axing manager Brian Priske less than 48 hours before the game.

    In driving Rotterdam rain, the crowd had barely settled from the raucous pre-match singalong when the hosts took the lead thanks to Maignan’s inexplicable howler.

    With only three minutes on the clock, Feyenoord’s Brazilian winger Igor Paixao cut in from the left and fired a speculative shot along the sodden turf.

    The strike should never even have troubled the French international keeper but he somehow failed to collect it cleanly and it ricocheted off his body into the top corner.

    Buoyed by a feverish atmosphere inside De Kuip, the Dutch side had the better of the opening exchanges, winning most of the 50-50 balls and adapting well to the slow surface.

    Seven-time European champions AC Milan in contrast were sloppy and could not match the work rate of the home side.

    Paixao was causing chaos with scything runs down the left-wing and saw a curling shot glance off the bar just before the break, with Maignan well beaten.

    Defensively solid and Paixao in particular dangerous in attack, the unfancied hosts were good value for their 1-0 half-time lead, showing interim boss Pascal Bosschaart plenty of heart and commitment.

    The second half lacked clear-cut chances until the 71st minute when the outstanding Paixao dispossessed England’s Kyle Walker and nearly scored with a lob from the halfway line.

    Milan had one of their first meaningful shots on target when substitute Samuel Chukwueze tried his luck from distance but could only find Feyenoord keeper Timon Wellenreuther.

    The one goal proved enough on the night for Feyenoord to take the upper hand back to Milan, who will need to show far more penetration in the return leg at the San Siro on February 18.

    The match was a disappointing homecoming for AC Milan’s new striker Santiago Gimenez, who had only left De Kuip two weeks earlier after two and a half years and 65 goals in 105 appearances.

    The visitors lacked bite up front in general and Gimenez was largely anonymous until he was substituted on 82 minutes, receiving a warm ovation from the Feyenoord fans.

    Feyenoord will be hoping a win over AC Milan could herald the start of something special.

    In the only previous European meeting between the two, the Rotterdam club took out the Italian giants in their run to their only European Cup title, in 1969-1970.

    Awaiting the winner will be a clash with either Inter Milan or Arsenal.

    – Bayern sink Celtic to seize control of Champions League playoff –

    Bayern Munich took a major step towards the Champions League last 16 as Michael Olise’s thunderbolt and Harry Kane’s clinical finish secured a 2-1 win at Celtic in the playoff round first leg on Wednesday.

    Vincent Kompany’s side dominated the first half and a stunning strike from Olise gave them a deserved lead before Kane maintained his red-hot scoring streak after the interval.

    Daizen Maeda netted in the closing stages to give Scottish champions Celtic hope of a miraculous escape act in the second leg.

    The Japan forward was only playing after his two-game ban was unexpectedly reduced on appeal this week following his red card against Young Boys.

    But Bundesliga leaders Bayern will still be favourites to advance to the last 16 when Celtic visit Munich on February 18.

    Celtic finished just three points behind Bayern in the league phase, yet there is a huge gulf between the clubs’ European pedigree.

    Six-time European champions Bayern lead the Bundesliga by eight points, while Celtic are attempting to reach the last 16 for the first time since 2012-13.

    For the first 70 minutes that chasm in quality was clear to see before Bayern eased up in the closing stages, nearly allowing Celtic back into the tie as a result.

    Celtic’s first defeat in 33 home matches across all competitions was a welcome confidence boost for Bayern, who had shown a weakness on the road in league phase defeats at Barcelona, Aston Villa and Feyenoord.

    Celtic thought they had preyed on that weakness when former Bayern forward Nicolas Kuhn fired home from 20 yards inside the first minute, only for the goal to be disallowed for off-side against Adam Idah.

    Bayern could have been swept away by the tidal wave of noise cascading down from the Parkhead stands.

    But Kompany’s men are too experienced for that and they quickly seized control with a steady diet of possession.

    – Predatory Kane –

    Olise nearly put Bayern ahead with a powerful strike that forced Kasper Schmeichel to save at his near post.

    Schmeichel was forced into action again moments later as Kane’s curler was pushed away by the Dane.

    Bayern were camped on the edge of the Celtic area as they probed for an opener. Kane should have broken the deadlock when he nodded Olise’s corner into the side-netting from close-range.

    But the England captain’s blushes were spared by Olise on the stroke of half-time.

    Cutting inside Greg Taylor to reach Dayot Upamecano’s long pass, Olise unleashed a blistering drive that arrowed into the top corner from 15 yards.

    It was no more than Bayern deserved for their territorial dominance and the Germans struck again four minutes after the interval.

    Joshua Kimmich’s corner swung all the way to the far post without a Celtic clearance and the unmarked Kane guided a composed volley past Schmeichel from five yards.

    Kane’s typically predatory finish took his season tally to 29 goals in 29 games in all competitions.

    Upamecano’s challenge on Arne Engels prompted a long VAR check for a potential penalty, but Celtic’s appeal was correctly rejected.

    That was the signal for Celtic to mount a late bid to haul themselves back into the tie.

    Bayern had grown increasingly sloppy and Rodgers’ men earned their lifeline in the 79th minute when Maeda met Yang Hyun-Jun’s shot with a header from virtually on the line.

    Kompany’s men had to cling on for dear life in the final minutes, with Manuel Neuer producing a crucial save to deny Alistair Johnston.

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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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  • ‘Wrote my letter to Santa’: Ange’s make-or-break transfer window as big Spurs ‘risk’ backfires

    ‘Wrote my letter to Santa’: Ange’s make-or-break transfer window as big Spurs ‘risk’ backfires

    Ange Postecoglou has enjoyed a sensational first six months at Tottenham Hotspur, but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.

    Injuries and suspensions have had devastating impact on Spurs in recent weeks, seeing the Australian’s side slide from the top of the Premier League after a five-game winless streak.

    Spurs have since turned it around with back-to-back victories and are currently fifth, just one point off fourth spot. But to finish in the top four and secure Champions League qualification for next season, there’s no doubt that Ange Postecoglou will be desperately eyeing reinforcements in the January transfer window.

    “I wrote my letter to Santa. Like my kids, now I’ve just got to see whether I’ve been naughty or nice and see what I get mate,” Postecoglou joked before the weekend.

    A major transfer ‘risk’ taken at the start of the season has come back to bite Spurs, while a looming pair of major international tournaments will further weaken Postecoglou’s squad.

    And with other teams also looking to poach some Spurs players, it could prove a very busy January for the Australian.

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    After taking over at White Hart Lane in June, Postecoglou made nine signings in his first transfer window (though two of those were turning two loan deals permanent). That reshaping of the squad was funded in large part by the sale of superstar striker Harry Kane to German giants Bayern Munich.

    That included a new goalkeeper in Guglielmo Vicario, a proven playmaker in Leicester City’s James Maddison, and a host of young talents including midfielder Pape Matar Sarr (21), attacker Brennan Johnson (22), centre-back Micky van de Ven (22), and winger Manor Solomon (23).

    Besides 26-year-old pair Vicario and Maddison, all of Spurs’ signings were aged 23 or younger – part of a clear long-term strategy to sign promising talents (that often come at a more affordable price point).

    But while van de Ven slotted into the first-team immediately, the only other centre-back arrival was 18-year-old Ashley Phillips – viewed as one for the future, rather than being capable of taking on a regular starting role.

    Davinson Sanchez left Tottenham for Galatasaray after the English transfer window ended – a ‘risk’ that backfired on Spurs.Source: AFP

    And Spurs lost plenty of depth at the heart of defence. Clement Lenglet finished his loan deal and returned to Barcelona before being loaned to Aston Villa. Fringe player Joe Rodon, who had spent the last season on loan with French side Rennes, was sent out to Leeds United on another loan deal. Japhet Tanganga was loaned to FC Augsburg on deadline day (with a conditional purchase obligation next season) before Davinson Sanchez was allowed to leave to Turkish club Galatasaray after the English transfer window had closed.

    That meant that Spurs did not have the ability to sign a replacement for the 207-appearance veteran, who had played twice under Postecoglou early in the season before his late departure.

    Postecoglou had tried to sign another centre-back before the window closed. According to football.london, Perr Schuurs, Gleison Bremer and Tosin Adarabioyo were all centre-backs identified by Postecoglou – but a deal couldn’t be done.

    So while Postecoglou needed to trim the bloated Spurs squad he inherited, selling Sanchez was a risk.

    And when Spurs were cut down by a horrid smattering of injuries in the last couple of months, that risk backfired. Van de Ven was ruled out until January, Eric Dier and Ashley Phillips were also injured, and vice-captain Cristian Romero copped a three-game suspension.

    Spurs were so short of centre-backs that they have been routinely forced to name a backline with four fullbacks.

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    “When you think about it,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports this weekend, “we let Davinson Sanchez go after the window closed. We kind of knew we were taking a bit of a risk; we couldn’t get the extra centre-back that we were trying to get in, and for the early part of the year that was fine.

    “But once we lost Micky [van de Ven], and Eric Dier’s had some issues as well, we don’t have another centre-back.

    “Young Ash Phillips had just joined the club, so it’s fair to say that we can’t run the risk of that happening again, so that’s obviously a priority for us in January.

    “But again, we’ve got to get the right person. It’s not just about bringing another body in, it’s about getting the right one in and hopefully that’ll happen.”

    Van de Ven started the season in sensational fashion, making him an early contender for the league’s defensive signing of the season, before suffering an unfortunate hamstring injury. He is set to return in mid-January, but there’s no doubt that Spurs need more depth at the position.

    “Ultimately, we still need to sign another centre-back because at the moment we are a little bit on tenterhooks because if something happens again we are short and we are already short,” Postecoglou said in a recent press conference.

    As Postecoglou says, signing a centre-back is the ‘priority’ for Spurs this window.

    The club could even look to land two centre-halves if Eric Dier is sold. Dier is entering the final six months of his contract and reportedly plans to depart at the end of the season. But The Mirror claims Tottenham boss Daniel Levy intends to sell him in January rather than lose him on a free transfer in six months’ time.

    Micky van de Ven’s injury was a major blow to Spurs.Source: Getty Images

    Football Insider claims that Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly, Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba are on the Tottenham shortlist, after Spurs were linked to all three in the off-season transfer window.

    Tapsoba has recently signed a new long-term contract until June 2028 and would therefore be an expensive acquisition, but both Kelly and Adarabioyo are out of contract at the end of this season. That should make signing them easier, with those clubs likely open to selling rather than losing them for free at the end of the season.

    Liverpool and Newcastle are both in the race for Kelly (rated at around 25 million pounds), but Bournemouth have reportedly handed the 25-year-old a club-record contract offer in an attempt to convince him to stay.

    Spurs sent a scout to watch Benfica’s 3-1 Champions League win over RB Salzburg last week, reportedly to watch Brazilian centre-back Morato.

    The Sun claims Spurs scouts have watched the Benfica star four times in a month and will be Spurs’ top target, though the North London club will be unwilling to pay the 22-year-old’s release clause of £68m (A$127m).

    Galatasaray’s Victor Nelsson has also been linked to the club, as well as Genoa centre-back Ragu Dragsusin. Ben Godfrey of Everton is also reportedly on their shortlist.

    Sky Sports claims that Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo are also defensive targets for Spurs.

    All three are 23 or younger, meaning they fit into Spurs’ long-term squad-building approach.

    Postecoglou told Sky Sports his focus is on signing and hungry players: “Yeah, because that’s what we’re trying to build at the moment.

    “Even Vic [Guglielmo Vicario], he’s only 26 [which is young] for a goalkeeper, and the only one we’ve kind of signed who isn’t in that bracket but I still think he’s got the best in front of him is Madders [James Maddison], but all the rest are all young.

    “Guys like Pape Sarr, Destiny [Udogie], Pedro [Porro] and [Dejan] Kulusevski – who both [Porro and Kulusevski] became permanent – they’re all in their early 20s, so we’re in the first phase of building something.

    “I think when you’ve got young guys and you start building something and they grow together, I think it gives you more chance of having sustained success down the road.”

    Ange Postecoglou speaks to young midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, who has become a regular contributor for Spurs this season.Source: AFP

    THE KEY ISSUE THAT WILL FORCE SPURS TO ACT

    While a centre-back is a clear priority, Postecoglou is also facing a significant hurdle in January that will almost certainly push him into the market for other signings.

    The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and Asian Cup both take place in January – meaning three Spurs stars will be missing for lengthy periods. Midfielders Yves Bissouma (Mali) and Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) will be at AFCON which starts January 13, while captain Son Heung-Min (South Korea) will be in Qatar for the Asia Cup from January 12. Both tournaments last just under a month and players will likely depart a few days before the tournaments begin. If those three teams make a deep run in their respective competitions, Spurs could be significantly weakened. Senegal, as the reigning champions, are expected to again contend for the title.

    Postecoglou said recently: “All of those three players will be a big loss to us but that’s kind of been the story of our season – we’ve had to cope without significant players so far and as I said that’s kind of what we’ve been dealt and we have to deal with it as we have.”

    Bissouma on the weekend received his second red card of the season and will serve a four-game ban, which means he likely won’t be available to play until after AFCON and could miss up to ten fixtures!

    Yves Bissouma was shown his second red card of the season. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)Source: AFP

    The absences of Bissouma and Sarr mean that Postecoglou could look to bolster his midfield stocks. Spurs came close to signing Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher in the off-season, and The Daily Mail reports that the Blues are now willing to sell the England international.

    Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino appeared to hint that the club wouldn’t sell Gallagher, saying on the weekend: “At the moment, Conor should be an important player who is still with us so that is the feeling now between the club and the player.”

    But Chelsea need to balance their books after a year of big spending, while Pochettino is desperate to clear funds to sign a striker.

    Spurs star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has also been linked with an exit – Manchester United and Atletico Madrid were interested in the off-season – and the Telegraph claims that Manchester City’s virtually-in-exile star Kalvin Phillips will be on Spurs’ radar if Hojbjerg does depart. Meanwhile, reports out of Turkey in October said that Postecoglou personally recommended the signing of Fenerbahce defensive midfielder Ismail Yuksek.

    A little further forward in the midfield, James Maddison’s injury has revived the Tottenham career of Giovani Lo Celso in recent weeks, with his creativity and playmaking filling a crucial gap in Postecoglou’s team. But Spurs will have to fend off offers for the technically-gifted Argentine, with recent reports that Barcelona are interested in bringing him to the Camp Nou.

    But Spurs could look to Barcelona’s biggest rival for reinforcements. El Nacional in Spain claimed that Spurs are interested in signing Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid, with the former Arsenal loanee having tumbled down the pecking order and hardly being spotted in the team this season.

    Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be sold.Source: Getty Images

    Son’s absence could be the most damaging of the lot, given the South Korean is very much a talisman in the Tottenham attacking line. Spurs’ forward stocks have been savaged by injuries this campaign. According to multiple reports, Spurs are still looking for another number nine to replace Harry Kane, while a winger has also been touted.

    Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano added weight to claims that Feyenoord’s 22-year-old Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez is Spurs’ number one target up front.

    Romano told The Debrief: “For January a really interesting proposal is needed. I think it could be around €45m guaranteed package to Feyenoord, I’m not sure it will be easy at the moment.

    “He is for sure a player monitored by Tottenham because they are following the Dutch League with big interest after they wanted Arne Slot last summer.

    “The relationship with Tottenham and Feyenoord after what happened with Arne Slot last summer has some problems, some small issues, nothing big and serious, but that is also a point to consider.”

    Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have also been linked to the player, but TodoFichajes reports that Spurs are in advanced negotiations for his signature.

    Postecoglou with Son.Source: AFP

    And Sky Sports also claims that Juventus’s Samuel Iling-Junior is Tottenham’s primary target when it comes to a winger.

    It could be a busy transfer window for Spurs – but it is always a tricky one, too, with clubs unwilling to lose important players midway through the season.

    Postecoglou said it is a ‘challenge’, but he is hoping to bring players through the door as quickly as possible.

    He said: “Obviously with where we’re at injury-wise, the players we’re going to miss, we’ve got some significant games in January and signing somebody late in January could mean they haven’t been able to make an impact in those other games.

    “We’re pushing hard but you need all parties to agree to that … It is a challenge, I get that, but everyone at the club is working hard to get the best outcomes for us and we’ll see how it goes.”

    Given Spurs still have eight players injured plus another two suspended, and with AFCON and the Asian Cup on the horizon, the transfer window can’t come soon enough.

    The real question will be just how much Spurs’ thrifty hierarchy backs the Australian manager. After missing out on some key targets in the last transfer window, the Tottenham bigwigs have the chance to make amends – and it could make or break their top-four hopes in the second half of the season.

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