Despite giving it their all at Stamford Bridge, the Blues were defeated by Rodrygo’s second-half double as Real Madrid advanced to the semifinals with a 4-0 overall victory.
Gallagher thinks the Blues showed enough in the second leg to suggest they can end their Premier League campaign with a flourish under Frank Lamaprd, even though it is difficult to accept twice losing 2-0 to the European champions.
He said: “I feel like we played well, we had a lot of chances.
“I think we definitely had more and better chances than they did but football is all about taking your chances and we didn’t do that, which was disappointing.
“Of course, we’re going to be gutted but we played some good stuff.
“The cutting edge in front of goal is basically what wins you games and we haven’t got that at the minute.
“It’s definitely a big improvement over our recent performances but you need to score goals to win games. They did that and we didn’t.
“We pushed players forward and they were able to catch us on the counter a couple of times, which was the risk.
“Everybody will be very disappointed but I think there was a lot of improvement in our football over recent performances. I hope the fans can take that away.”
With Chelsea languishing 11th in the league, Lampard will attempt to lift his troops before they return to action against Brentford next Wednesday.
England international Gallagher, 23, added: “There’s always things to chase. We take one game at a time and we just want to improve as a whole team and win as many games as we can for the rest of the season.
“We’ll take it game by game and hopefully we can build on this performance because I feel like it was positive in a way.”
As the Champions League enters its latter stages, the race to be crowned top scorer is also hotting up with the world’s most lethal forwards competing for supremacy.
We run through the favourites to see who is in the mix.
Erling Haaland (11 goals, one assist)
Erling Haaland continued his miraculous scoring feats when netting five goals against RB Leipzig in Manchester City’s 7-0 last-16 second-leg victory.
Records continue to tumble for the Norwegian sensation who became the quickest and youngest player to notch 30 times in the competition, taking only 25 games at the age of 22 years and 236 days.
His effort against Bayern Munich in the last eight was his 11th goal in the Champions League this season, his best return in a single campaign and the outright second most for a player for a Premier League side after Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002-03 (12).
Mohamed Salah (eight goals, two assists)
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was on fire in Europe this season and scored his eighth goal in just seven matches to hand his side a 2-0 lead over Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 showdown.
Unfortunately for the Egyptian, the Reds went on to lose 5-2 at Anfield and were knocked out after a 1-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Kylian Mbappe (seven goals, three assists)
Kylian Mbappe could not inspire a Paris Saint-Germain comeback in Munich
World Cup Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe has enjoyed a prolific campaign but will not land the coveted crown.
The Frenchman failed to inspire his side past Bayern in the last 16 and finishes on a respectable seven goals from eight outings.
Vinicius Junior (six goals, five assists)
Vinicius Junior played a pivotal role as Los Blancos knocked out Chelsea at the quarter-final stage.
With 10 goals and 11 assists, including setting up Rodrygo’s opener at Stamford Bridge, Vinicius has been involved in 21 goals in his last 21 Champions League appearances for Real.
Joao Mario (six goals, two assists)
Joao Mario scored in both legs as Benfica breezed past Club Brugge in the last 16 — equalling the great Eusebio’s club record of scoring in five consecutive European games.
But he was an anonymous presence in the 2-0 home defeat to Inter Milan in the Eagles’ quarter-final first leg, leaving a huge mountain to climb at the San Siro.
The former Blues custodian played admirably in Tuesday’s second leg, which Madrid won 2-0 and 4-0 overall thanks to two goals from Rodrygo in the second half.
Prior to the Brazilian scoring, Courtois was crucial in keeping Chelsea from having a chance to get back into the game with an outstanding save on Marc Cucurella.
Speaking afterwards, Ancelotti lauded his goalkeeper’s contribution while paying tribute to his side for how they soaked up the pressure at Stamford Bridge.
“They were ahead on the scoreboard [mentally],” he told Movistar. “The save was very important. In the second half, we managed better, we had more space.
“We knew that we had to suffer in this type of game. [Chelsea] tried everything, they created problems for us. It has been a complete game, and a deserving tie.”
16 – @realmadriden will play the #UCL semi-finals for the 16th season, at least four more than any other team in the competition's history (Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona, 12 each). Usual. pic.twitter.com/3Ta0pC1AfW
Rodrygo echoed his coach’s comments, lauding Courtois while touching on the pressures of ensuring Madrid live up to expectations with a semi-final appearance.
“We suffered today at the beginning, but there [Courtois] was again to save us,” he added. “We have the obligation to reach the semi-finals every year.
Madrid will face either Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the last four, with the Premier League side favourites to join them after a hefty 3-0 first-leg win.
After ending Chelsea’s chances of winning the Champions League, Real Madrid goal hero Rodrygo celebrated like Cristiano Ronaldo.
He subsequently admitted that he did so more for self-preservation than for inspiration.
The Brazilian forward scored twice as Real Madrid defeated Chelsea 2-0 on Tuesday to go to the semifinals under Carlo Ancelotti.
The 22-year-old Santos-born superstar increased his total to 15 goals in 37 games played in the tournament, only 19 of which were starts.
It was after his first goal that Rodrygo performed the signature Ronaldo ‘siu’ celebration, with a jump and twist followed by a pose reminiscent of Madrid’s all-time record scorer.
However, the youngster admitted he did it to spare a problematic knee any further aggravation — as well as in tribute to the Champions League’s 140-goal leading marksman.
Rodrygo told Movistar: “First I thought about sliding on my knee, but I have inflammation.
“Then my idol, Cristiano, came to my mind and I did it.
“I hope to continue like this, scoring more goals and giving assists and winning the Champions League more times.”
Madrid await the winner of the tie between Manchester City and Bayern Munich, with the reigning English champions 3-0 ahead in that tie ahead of Wednesday’s second leg in Germany.
It could therefore be a repeat of last season’s semi-final, when Madrid came back from a 5-3 deficit in the dying stages of the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu to win in extra time.
On that occasion, Rodrygo’s late double — scoring in the 90th minute and then in stoppage time — sensationally kept the LaLiga giants in the tie before Karim Benzema’s penalty left City crestfallen.
A rematch would be an occasion to cherish, but Rodrygo said: “We don’t know if it’s against City yet.
“The Champions League is very difficult. We can no longer choose opponents and they are all difficult.”
As his Inter team gets ready to try to clinch a spot in theChampions League semifinals, under pressure head coach Simone Inzaghi claims criticism would help him develop.
With only one point earned in their previous five Serie A games, the Nerazzurri have increased pressure on Inzaghi and dropped to fifth position.
Monza defeated Inter 1-0 at home on Saturday, and they have been sobbing ahead of the second game against Benfica at San Siro on Wednesday, which they will begin with a 2-0 lead.
Inzaghi says he will not be affected by flak that comes his way as that is nothing new to him.
He told reporters on Tuesday: “I don’t think it’s strange [for questions to be asked over his future].
“Here at Inter, if you read before the Barcelona or Porto matches it was the same thing.
“It’s something I’m used to, as long as they criticise me [and not the players] it’s not a problem: as far as me and my staff, the criticisms help us to improve more and more.
“We know we have not had the path that Inter should have in the league, like many other teams we’ve had problems, but there are still eight games to go and we still have a margin.
“We have to be good at isolating ourselves and try to provide an important evening for our fans.”
Inter may have a very different squad next season,with Milan Skriniar on his way to Paris Saint-Germain, Romelu Lukaku’s loan deal coming to an end and also Stefan de Vrij among a group of players who are nearing the end of their contracts.
Inzaghi will not use that as an excuse.
He added: “We have to be good at isolating ourselves, as far as players are concerned, we have several who have contracts that are about to expire, but I see them working well every day.
“It’s part of today’s football to always be criticised or in the balance. We have to be good and strong, with a cool head and always think about the next match which at the moment is Benfica.”
Leroy Sane and Sadio Mane apparently engaged in an altercation in which the former Liverpool player punched his Bayern Munich teammate, and Thomas Tuchel was eager to put an end to it.
The two were seen bickering on the field during Bayern’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday.
There were rumours that they had become physical after the game.
Bayern announced on Thursday that Mane had been fined and suspended from Saturday’s Bundesliga game at home to Hoffenheim.
“Yes just the one match, and the fine. These are the consequences of his behaviour,” Bayern head coach Tuchel confirmed at a press conference on Friday.
He added: “I didn’t see it myself because I was in the coaching room. Of course, I immediately spoke to everyone involved, the players and the staff.
“It was important that we clarified the matter before we started the next training session. We did that yesterday.
We have cleared up everything so that we can train positively with each other again.
“The way both players involved dealt with it, and the way the other players dealt with it, it had a cleansing effect. We had a positive atmosphere yesterday and today.”
Tuchel insisted the matter is now closed, and supported Mane, expressing his belief that it was out of character for someone he considers an “absolute professional.”
“I’m the first one to defend him. I’ve known him for a very long time and only know him as an absolute professional… He has never been guilty of anything [like this before].
“It was against the club’s code of conduct, and he recognised it and apologised.”
Mane has struggled on the pitch as well as off it since his move from Liverpool last year, with many calling into question whether he can reproduce the form he showed in his time at Anfield.
“Maybe he needs not to think too much,” Tuchel suggested. “He hesitates and takes long to react. That’s why it seems he can be half a step too late. We want to get him to where he was [at Liverpool] through trust and appreciation. He was an absolute top striker in the best league in the world.”
Bayern have been linked with a big-money move for a striker at the end of the season, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen chief among the names being touted.
Tuchel was asked about the Nigerian, but kept his cards close to his chest, replying: “I have an opinion on that, but I know how things work.
Wesley Fofana won’t concede that Chelsea’s hopes of winning theChampions League are all but lost.
Last night, Real Madrid took a strong lead in their Champions League quarterfinal thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and substitute Marco Asensio, handing Frank Lampard’s Blues a 2-0 loss.
Fofana and his teammates won’t give up, even if Ben Chilwell will miss Tuesday’s second game after receiving a red card at the Bernabeu.
The defender, 22, said: “It is difficult to take because we lost a player and conceded one goal in each half.
“Of course, it is always disappointing to concede two goals.
“The current situation is difficult for everybody but next week we’re playing the second leg at home, which is good.
Frank Lampard must lift his troops for the challenges ahead
Fofana played in a central defensive trio alongside the returning Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly as Lampard switched from a flat back four for the second match of his spell as caretaker boss.
And the Frenchman revealed the club legend sent his team out with a very clear message before the game.
He added: “He said play for the club, the badge and for Chelsea.
“We will prepare for the next game. We lost but when you see the game it is OK as 2-0 isn’t the worst. There are positives to take.
“It is hard for everybody as one coach comes in, he leaves and then another coach arrives.
“It is important to try our best for everyone to win more games. It is complicated, of course. The Champions League is the biggest competition and we will still try to win it.”
Before Chelsea welcome Real to the Bridge, Lampard must lift his side for Saturday’s Premier League showdown with Brighton.
The 11th-placed Blues are seven points behind Roberto De Zerbi’s men and have played two more games.
Kylian Mbappe said he still wants to win the Champions League with his home city club, ruling out the possibility of an early release from his Paris Saint-Germain deal.
The recently appointed France captain extended his PSG contract in May of last year, potentially keeping him with the Ligue 1 champions through the 2024–25 campaign.
This deterred Real Madrid from showing significant interest in the player who went on to score the most goals in the Qatar World Cup, scoring three goals against Argentina in the championship match.
For Mbappe, triumphing in the Champions League with the French capital giants would be the crowning glory of his career.
PSG went close in 2020, losing out 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the final, but they have been bundled out at the last-16 stage in the last two seasons, with Real Madrid taking their scalp last year and Bayern Munich their conquerors this time around.
“The next level? To win the Champions League, I think,” Mbappe told France 3 show Tout Le Sport.
“I’ve already made a final, semi-final, quarter-final, round of 16… I have done everything except winning.
“That’s all I need. I hope it will be as soon as possible.
“Where? At Paris Saint-Germain. I’m Parisian and under contract. So it’s Paris Saint-Germain.”
Mbappe also dreams of winning an Olympic gold medal with France, so it is possible the 24-year-old could double up next year and compete at Paris 2024 after representing Les Bleus at the European Championship.
“I don’t know if I’ll be there,” Mbappe said. “But, in any case, I hope to be there.
Fans were awed by Norwegianattacker Erling Haaland’s unusual hairstyle during training. Prior to the big game, Haaland was spotted sporting a new braided look. With his two goals against Southampton over the weekend, Haaland has now scored 30 Premier League goals.
Although it’s unclear if he’ll wear the same braids for the Champions League quarterfinal match, it was undoubtedly a departure from his typical hairdo.
On Saturday against Southampton, fans were adamant the Norwegian should sign with a shampoo company after he let down his locks to unveil a majestic look as he made his way down the tunnel.
Erling Haaland's new hair style today in Man City training ahead Bayern Munich Champions League Quarter-Final pic.twitter.com/3PG1sRQDzW
Prior to a vital stretch of matches in theBundesliga and Champions League, Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel has urged his players to maintain a positive outlook.
After suffering a shocking 2-1 loss to Freiburg at home in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday, Bayern will travel to play them in the league on Saturday before taking on Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on the following Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Tuchel repeatedly mentioned a need to be “positive” despite the cup setback.
“We need to continue with a positive approach, we can be angry but still be positive,” he said, later adding: “We need a reaction, but we would have needed one even if we won.
“People don’t want to hear it but there were positive things in [the Freiburg] game… Things can happen where the result is probably not right after a game like this but we have to accept it.
“We are lacking a bit of precision in the last pass, a bit of trust, cohesion, creativity. We need form and that will only come back if we remain positive, even though we were unhappy with the result.”
On the reaction of his players following the loss to a 95th-minute Lucas Holer penalty at the Allianz Arena, Tuchel added: “They are very critical of themselves.
I was telling them the same thing I have told you, that we just have to accept it, that the coach is talking about positive things about the game even though no-one wants to talk about it.
“We can have a bad mood for a couple of days but that doesn’t help anyone, you need a positive mindset to move forward.”
24 – With their 2-1 in the cup quarterfinal, SC Freiburg has won for the first time an away game at Bayern München in the 24th attempt in all comps. In 23 Bundesliga games in Munich Freiburg could manage only three draws and lost 20 games. History. #FCBSCFpic.twitter.com/4OFgs0h9SE
Tuchel confirmed the Freiburg game will come too early for injured pair Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Mathys Tel, while Dayot Upamecano misses out through suspension.
When asked who can play as the striker in Choupo-Moting’s absence, he said: “Mathys Tel can play as a nine, that was his answer when I asked him his position, but he is injured.
“Sadio Mane and Serge Gnabry can play there as well, they will be my players of choice.”
The former Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea boss was not keen to look beyond Saturday to Tuesday’s trip to Manchester, but he acknowledged he cannot use Freiburg as preparation given the difference in approach.
“I don’t believe that we can practice the things we need against Man City, Freiburg play a completely different way,” he said.
Despite saying that Tottenham is “a bit of a mess,” Harry Redknapp is adamant that his old team can still qualify for the Champions League.
Spurs tumbled out of the top four in the Premier League on Wednesday after victories by Newcastle and Manchester United put them three points behind the leaders with one game still to play.
The dismissal of Antonio Conte and the leave of absence taken by managing director of football Fabio Paratici due to FIFA extending his suspension in Italy globally have caused a tumultuous period for the club.
Conte’s former assistant Cristian Stellini is in charge for the rest of the season and Redknapp, 76, said: “They are in a bit of a mess.
“It was always going to be difficult keeping Conte after his outburst [post-match at Southampton] and it’s a strange situation at the club now.
“But they could still finish fourth in the league. I thought Liverpool were nailed on for the top four after they beat United 7-0 but their form has dipped.
Cristian Stellini is in charge at Tottenham until the end of the season
“I’m not sure what happens at Tottenham in the summer. It looked as if Julian Nagelsmann might go to Tottenham but now Chelsea are in for him after changing their manager.
“Mauricio Pochettino would be a popular choice but he could do Chelsea or Tottenham.
“Whoever comes in has got to bring in quality players in the summer. It doesn’t matter how clever you are, you’ve got to have good players.”
Redknapp twice led Tottenham to top-four Premier League finishes between 2008 and 2012 when Croatia star Luka Modric was a mainstay in midfield.
Modric’s Real Madrid contract expires at the end of the season and Redknapp would love to see the 37-year-old playmaker back in North London.
He added: “Tottenham need better recruitment, especially someone who can put their foot on the ball in midfield.
“I’d be looking at Modric if he leaves Real. I’d take him for two years.”
Friday’s all-Italian Champions League quarterfinal betweenNapoli and Lecce is approaching, and Napoli will be looking to quickly recover from their shattering home loss to AC Milan.
After a Good Friday vacation to the Adriatic coast, coach Luciano Spalletti claimed he would know whether his team’s four-goal thrashing on Sunday was “a crack or a crater.”
Spalletti and a strangely divided fan base will want to rapidly plug the hole Milan punched through because Napoli will be flying up to the San Siro on Wednesday for the opening leg of an exciting European match.
A 16-point advantage over second-placed Lazio with 10 games to go, means Napoli are still all-but guaranteed their first Scudetto since 1990 but a strong display is needed after Milan made them look ordinary in the first of a trio of clashes.
Star striker Victor Osimhen will again be out of action with a thigh injury after also missing the Milan defeat, but the Nigerian and Napoli are both cautiously optimistic he could return midweek.
He will also have a new face mask to wear on the pitch after losing the now iconic headgear while on international duty with his country, with whom he picked up his knock.
In his place will be eitherGiovanni Simeone or Giacomo Raspadori, the former more likely to start by virtue of his performance when Osimhen was last injured in the autumn.
For Milan, who take to the field at the San Siro in the third game on Friday, mid-table Empoli are the perfect opposition to test whether last weekend was a freak result or a blazing return to the form which won them the league last season.
Stefano Pioli has finally returned to a back four, the formation which served him so well in his team’s thrilling run to the title.
Brahim Diaz, who starred in Naples alongside side two-goal Rafale Leao, is set to be rested ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash.
In Serie A, Milan are trying to cut a four-point gap between them and second-placed Lazio.
Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio host Juventus on Sunday night with both teams involved in racism controversies, the capital club for anti-Semitic chanting during last month’s Rome derby and Juve for monkey chants aimed at Romelu Lukaku on Tuesday night.
Juve are only six points off the Champions League places despite being deducted 15 points for transfer offences similar to the ones for which Lazio and their local rivals Roma are being investigated by criminal prosecutors.
Juve have won seven of their last eight and are closing in on a top-four battle which looked impossible when they were sanctioned by the Italian Football Federation in January.
The Argentine has performed admirably as a deputy to Osimhen on the rare occasionsthat Serie A’s top scorer has been out injured this season, but was practically invisible last weekend.
Restricted to just four starts in all competitions this season but the scorer of some important goals he will be key to Napoli trying to bounce back from that heavy defeat ahead of the Champions League double header.
This summer’s bidding war forNapoli defender Minjae Kim will include Manchester United, Tottenham, and Liverpool.
The 26-year-old international from South Korea, Kim, has been a revelation for Luciano Spalletti’s dominant Serie A team this season, appearing in 36 of their 37 games in all competitions.
Kim’s current contract apparently features a £39 million release clause, despite only being signed from Turkish team Fenerbahce last summer.
According to The Mail, that has caught the interest of United, Spurs and the Reds, as well as German giants Bayern Munich and French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Napoli intend to offer their No3 fresh terms in the coming weeks to try and avoid losing him for a relatively modest fee.
Those efforts may prove in vain however, with the report suggesting Kim is keen to test himself in the Premier League.
Spurs will hope they hold an edge over their rivals due to the presence of Kim’s international captain Heung-Min Son in their ranks.
But Napoli, who have a commanding 16-point lead in the league and are among the favourites for Champions League glory, will not give up their star defender without a fight.
Describing Kim earlier this season, Spalletti said: “For me, he truly is the best centre-back in the world.
“When he starts the run with the ball at his feet, he can get it into the opposition penalty area in five seconds flat.”
After being forced to leave Barcelona in 2021 due to a financial crisis, Messi signed a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain and is now nearing the end of it.
This season, the World Cup winner has tallied 18 goals and added 17 assists, but with PSG losing in the Champions League, questions have been raised about his future in the French capital.
While David Beckham-owned Inter Miami are keen to take Messi to MLS, Barcelona have often been linked with a move for their all-time leading goalscorer, and Yuste refused to rule out a reunion on Friday.
“Of course we are in contact with Messi,” Yuste said on Friday. “Leo and his family know the affection I have for him, that we have them.
“I participated in the negotiations that did not come to fruition two years ago. I have that thorn stuck in me, and if we talk about La Masia, we talk about Leo.
“I would love for him to come back and I think the fans would too, because beautiful stories in life have to have a happy ending.
“We are in love with Messi and I think Messi is in love with Barca and the city of Barcelona.”
Any potential return for Messi may be dependent on Barca’s ability to cut their wage bill, with LaLiga president Javier Tebas claiming they must save €200million to meet the competition’s regulations for next season.
If the required savings can be made, Yuste believes a move for Messi is possible, adding: “Mateu [Alemany] and Jordi [Cruyff] have to present the viability and income plan to Tebas in two months.
“If all the conditions are given, we would explore that possibility. The president [Joan Laporta] was with Leo’s father recently and there is a good relationship.
“Of course, there is no attack plan because I do not want PSG to take it as that. If this happens, it will happen because destiny makes you go back to where you have to go back.
More information about what transpired is spreading after Bayern Munich fired Julian Nagelsmann. Unexpectedly, the German manager was fired by the team, and Thomas Tuchel, a former Chelsea manager, took his place.
What happened between the two?
The supposed ‘bust-up’ is said to have occurred after the second-leg Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
The publication reported that the former Liverpool forward was unhappy that Nagelsmann only brought him on late in the game against the French side.
Mane was brought on in the 82nd minute of the game, which Bayern won 2-0. He even scored a late goal but it was chalked off because he was deemed offside.
The article further stated that Nagelsmann seemed intimidated as the attacker confronted him in the dressing room over his lack of game time.
Mane has only recently returned from an injury which kept him out of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Liverpool fans remain doubtful
With the news currently making headlines, it is the Liverpool fans who remain the most skeptical about the reports, Liverpool Echo reported.
Many were surprised by the news, calling it quite uncharacteristic of the Senegalese star.
With Mane developing a reputation for being one of the nicest guys at Liverpool, fans of the Anfield club couldn’t believe he would now be involved in altercations with a manager.
Mane wants to prove himself
Sports Brief also reported that Mane wants to prove himself to the newly appointed Bayern Munich boss, Tuchel.
The Senegalese star has battled for form and consistency since his move from Liverpool at the end of last season.
With a new manager now in charge, Mane wants to prove to the club they didn’t make a mistake in signing him on.
Since Jurgen Klopp took over the club’s management in 2015, Liverpool has advanced to three UEFA Champions League finals, lost two, and won the 2019 edition. Real Madrid, the 14-time champion, has been Klopp’s worst nightmare in this competition, having twice denied the German in the final in 2018 and 2022.
Liverpool has also been eliminated from this year’s competition by Los Blancos.
Last season, the club was managed by a former Borussia Dortmund manager, who guided them to the final of every competition they took part in, winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup while losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
However, days before the night in Paris, Klopp was caught up in a bar mood with former Reds captain Steven Gerrard who was still Aston Villa manager at that time, as reported by Sun UK.
Klopp met Gerrard at bar
Gerrard and Klopp met at a bar in Merseyside while the manager was walking his dog and decided to stay and spend some time with the former Rangers boss. “He was walking the dog, I was sitting outside with one of my friends having a couple of pints.
I shouted over to wish him good luck, because he had a Champions League final days later. I thought he’d be in the zone,” he told The Anfield Wrap. “He said to me: ‘No, no, no. Go to the bar and get me a pint.’ So we got him a pint.
He ended up having two or three, he had a couple of smokes, his dog waited patiently, and we had a good craic for probably over an hour about football, about life in Liverpool, his plans for the future.”
Klopp could be friendly and could also get angry.He blasted a pitch invader who nearly injured left- back Andy Robertson during Liverpool’s 7-0 rout of Manchester United, as reported earlier.
The fan evaded security and collided with the Scottish defender, who sat down a few seconds with what looked like he had been injured but could carry on.
Stefano Pioli insisted “nobody is perfect or unbeatable” as AC Milan prepare to overthrow Napoli in the all-Italian Champions League quarter-final clash.
Milan and Napoli will meet for the first time in European competition on April 12 in the first leg at San Siro, with Luciano Spalletti’s side flying high in Serie A and UEFA’s top club competition.
The Partenopei are 19 points clear at the Italian top-flight summit and suggested by many as a potential challenger for the European crown.
But Milan have only lost one of their nine all-Italian showdowns in Europe (W4 D4) and Pioli sees no reason why the Rossoneri cannot dream of progressing past Spalletti’s in-form side.
The Milan coach said: “Honestly, I’d rather not meet an Italian side. In the Champions League it’s better to face a foreign club. Napoli are very strong but we want to play for it.
“They have shown great consistency, strength and quality, they have all the characteristics of a great team, but nobody is perfect or unbeatable.”
Pioli’s side have not reached the last eight in the Champions League since the 2011-12 term when they were eliminated by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
Milan last went beyond that stage in the 2006-07 season en route to lifting the trophy but overcoming Napoli will prove an incredibly difficult challenge.
Napoli have won each of their past three away matches against the Rossoneri, their best such run against them, although they have not triumphed in any of their past five trips to Milan in cup competitions.
🇪🇸 Real Madrid vs Chelsea 🏴 🇵🇹 Benfica vs Inter 🇮🇹 🏴 Man City vs Bayern 🇩🇪 🇮🇹 Milan vs Napoli 🇮🇹
*FC Internazionale Milano's match has been reversed in accordance with the principles set by the Club Competitions Committee. #UCLdrawpic.twitter.com/m1gMqFs1fV
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 17, 2023
Pioli wants to build on Milan’s Champions League history but says the Rossoneri cannot take their eyes off the Serie A top-four battle, leading fifth-placed Roma by just a point.
“It’s part of the history of this club and the path it has always followed,” he added. “We are beginning to write our history, that of Milan in the Champions League is a different path from ours.
“When you go to San Siro to play the Champions League it is something exciting and spectacular that involves everyone.
“We are very busy but we are also focusing on the league. To make this season a positive one, we have to play in the Champions League next year. We have to be careful.”
Before the mouthwatering European meeting, Milan visit Napoli in Serie A on Sunday with the Rossoneri’s Scudetto soon seemingly heading for Naples.
Pioli’s side have been unable to replicate their exploits from last season’s title-winning campaign, though the Italian suggested Milan’s young side would always struggle to defend their title.
“I don’t think there are many teams in Europe that immediately win the second league,” he continued. “We won with a very young team, thanks to a project and a club path we are proud of.
“We are one of the few clubs with a sustainable project; only a few teams manage to win and be competitive in Europe.
“That is a leap that we have not yet been able to make but this year too gives us the opportunity to understand great things, to improve and be the strongest club.”
Andre Onana claims Inter Milan deserve more respect in the Champions League after progressing from a group containing Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Simone Inzaghi’s side finished second in Group C in UEFA’s top club competition, with a home win and an away draw against Xavi’s Blaugrana proving crucial to their group-stage progression.
Inter then negotiated a tough last-16 task against Porto, winning 1-0 on aggregate in the two-legged affair, and face Benfica in the quarter-final.
The Nerazzurri could face either runaway Serie A leaders Napoli or AC Milan in the last four as Italian clubs dominate in Europe and Onana believes his side should get more credit.
The keeper told Mediaset: “We deserve more respect in Europe, given that we sent Barcelona to the Europa League and faced a complicated group.
“We have shown that we are a strong team. It doesn’t matter what will happen in the next round, we will face Benfica to win. I want to win everything.”
All-conquering Lyon have been crowned queens of Europe on a record eight occasions, including in six of the last seven seasons.
And while Wales skipper Ingle, 31, is relishing the opportunity to stun the holders, the deep-lying midfielder knows how tough it will be at the Groupama Stadium.
Speaking exclusively to LiveScore, she said: “It’s another massive game. We all know how good Lyon are but we’re excited for it.
“You always want to play in these big games and big moments. I’ve heard they’ve got a good crowd coming, which should make the atmosphere even better.
“It’s going to be a very tough match. I think it’ll come down to if we get our defensive shape right and make it hard for them when they have the ball because they’re very good in possession.
“Especially when they counter-attack, if we’re sloppy in possession they’ll potentially hurt us, so we have to get that right.”
Back to the Bridge
Sophie Ingle starred in Chelsea’s impressive 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in December
Blues boss Emma Hayes will be keen to take a positive result into the return tie at Stamford Bridge on March 30.
Given her side usually play their home matches at the Kingsmeadow, which has a capacity of 4,850, it is certain to be a special occasion.
A crowd of more than 10,000 roared the Blues to a 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Bridge in December, which saw them seal top spot in Group A.
Ingle, who played a key role in Chelsea’s run to the Champions League final in 2020-21, hopes a similar experience lies in store next week.
She added: “It’s going to be amazing. It was a great atmosphere with a big crowd against PSG.
“Getting to experience Stamford Bridge is great for our fans and for some it’s quite a lot closer to where they live, so it makes it a bit easier on the night.
“It’s a huge stadium and hopefully we can pack it out as much as possible.”
Fine margins
Sophie Ingle believes Chelsea are not far away from winning the Champions League
Arsenal’s 2007 triumph remains the sole occasion an English club has won the Women’s Champions League.
Yet with many of the game’s top talent now plying their trade in the WSL, it should only be a matter of time before more teams follow suit.
For Ingle, who has won more than 100 caps for her country, showing more adaptability against Europe’s best is the key.
She said: “I honestly think it’s just fine margins at this level. European football is the next step up from league football.
“It’s a different way of playing. The referees are different. There are different types of opponents we don’t play week in, week out.
Antonio Conte was admonished by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to “elaborate” on the extraordinary outburst that put him in danger of losing his job as Tottenham manager.
The fiery Italian boss said he saw “selfish players” who “do not want to play under pressure” after his side were pegged back in a 3-3 Premier League draw by Southampton on Saturday.
Conte also sounded like he was taking aim at the club’s leadership when he said: “20 years there is the owner and they never won something. Why?”
Spurs are now anticipated to make their move during the break in international play. Hojbjerg said he can understand Conte’s annoyance over Sheffield United and Milan’s disappointing exits from the FA Cup and Champions League, respectively, but believes there should be a clearer message to help the team get to where they want to be.
“We’ve all seen it,” Hojbjerg told reporters while on Denmark duty.
“[It was a] very honest and very open press conference he gave. It is because he is not satisfied. You don’t do that if you’ve reached the quarter-final of theChampions League and if you’re in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
“It comes from the fact that, unfortunately, we did not get the results we as a team and club wanted. We are still where we want and need to be in the Premier League. But yes, it’s hard, I should say.
“I understand that if you want to be successful as a team, you need 11 men who are committed to a project and a culture. But I think he has to elaborate on how he feels before you as a player can start measuring and weighing.
“The coach has not been satisfied, and that is what I will take with me. You do what you can to please him. What I do know about myself is that I am an honest player. I am a player who always gives 100 per cent of myself for the team.”
“We shouldn't be in that situation. It's completely our fault”
When asked if hefelt Conte was right to take the course of action he did, Hojbjerg replied: “Fortunately, I am not the one to judge it.
“If that’s how he sees it, then you have to be a little more precise in order for you as a player to take it to heart.”
He did confirm, though, that Conte did not give his players prior warning of the tirade that was to come.
“He didn’t tell us what he wanted to say at the press conference,” he said.
“But it is clear that you work with each other every day, you want the best for each other and you want to be successful together. And sometimes the waves go high in football.”
Spurs are fourth in the table but each of Newcastle United, Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion own games in hand in a congested fight for Champions League football.
They return to action at home to Everton on April 3.
The Gunners take on Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday and the Blues play Lyon at Groupama Stadium 24 hours later.
Elsewhere, Roma meet Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain tackle Wolfsburg in the quest to be crowned queens of Europe.
We take a look at some of the talking points ahead of the action.
Gunners aim to do without crocked stars
Arsenal — the only English club to have won the competition — are looking to reach the semis for the first time in 10 years.
WATCH: Lens breeze past Angers in Champions League charge
They face German opposition at this stage again after being eliminated in the 2021-22 quarter-finals by Wolfsburg.
Jonas Eidevall’s side made an eye-catching start to their continental campaign, winning 5-1 at defending champions Lyon en route to topping their group.
But losing forwards Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema to ACL injuries is a massive blow.
The club re-signed veteran striker Jodie Taylor last week, though she is not part of their Champions League squad.
Currently fourth in the Women’s Super League, they have won each of their last three games — including beating Chelsea 3-1 in the Continental Cup final.
Stan in the way
Georgia Stanway will be a familiar face to the Arsenal players
The Gunners will face England midfielder Georgia Stanway, who scored three times in the group stage after joining Bayern Munich from Manchester City last summer.
Bayern, who finished second behind Barcelona in Group D on goal difference, have twice before reached the Champions League semi-finals.
Last season they bowed out in the quarters with defeat over two legs to PSG.
They are second in the German top flight — two points behind Wolfsburg — and on a 12-match winning streak in all competitions.
Kerr on song for Blues
Chelsea’s Conti Cup final defeat was only their second loss of 2022-23 and first since September.
Otherwise, it has been pretty ruthless form from Emma Hayes’ side, who look well-placed to secure a fourth successive WSL title.
Australia forward Sam Kerr has again been at the forefront, scoring 22 goals for the Blues including 12 since the turn of the year. Five of those came in the group stage.
Hayes’ side topped their pool a year on from failing to make it to the last eight.
Lyon on the prowl
Ada Hegerberg’s return will be a huge boost to Lyon
After being thrashed by Arsenal, Lyon’s recovery included beating the Gunners 1-0 at the Emirates.
Meanwhile, their defence of the French league title currently sees them a point clear of PSG at the top.
They have had a number of big names back in action in recent months after injuries and Norway star Ada Hegerberg, who scored one goal and set up another in the 3-1 win over Barcelona in last season’s final, is nearing a return of her own.
The road to Eindhoven
The second legs of these ties take place at the Emirates Stadium and Stamford Bridge next Wednesday and Thursday respectively.
If the English sides progress, Arsenal will then face either PSG or Wolfsburg in the semis in late April, while for Chelsea it will be Barca or Roma.
The final is scheduled for June 3 at PSV Eindhoven’s Philips Stadion.
Goalkeeper Thibault Courtois of Real Madrid claims he wants to avoid playing any of the remaining English teams in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
On Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the Belgian keeper was in net as Los Blancos defeated Liverpool 1-0.
In their quest to retain their European championship, Carlo Ancelotti’s team easily advanced to the round of eight after defeating the Reds 6-2 overall.
After crushing RB Leipzig 7-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, Manchester City advanced to the next round. Chelsea also advanced after defeating Dortmund 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last week.
Napoli, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Benfica, and Bayern Munich are among the other teams that are still in the running.
Real Madrid could therefore be paired together with any of the teams in the quarter-finals but their safest pair of hands, Courtois is hoping his side will avoid Chelsea and Manchester City. “I would like to change a bit,” he said, via Daily Mail. “Last year we already faced City and Chelsea, let’s see if we play other teams this year.”
He added: “Last year we made it clear what character we have in the team, with comebacks, we earn respect, we show that Real Madrid is always there.” Real Madrid eliminated both Chelsea and Manchester City from the Champions League last term, before beating Liverpool 1-0 in the final to win their 14th European title.
Ancelotti doesn’t want AC Milan
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is seeking to win back-to-back Champions League titles with Real Madrid, but the veteran manager is afraid of meeting one team in the quarter-finals.
The 63-year-old manager guided the Spanish giants into the last eight with ease after Los Blancos swept aside Liverpool 6-2 on aggregate, as they push to defend their European title. According to Sempremilan, Ancelotti revealed he would prefer to avoid playing his former club, AC Milan when the draws for the UCL quarter-finals are conducted on March 17.
Real Madrid respect Liverpool
A familiar tune rang out at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Liverpool on Wednesday night, Sports Brief previously reported.
Every year, records are broken in the Champions League, which has hosted some of the world’s best teams and players since 1992.
Dominating on Europe’s biggest stage is a sure-fire way to go down in history as the pinnacle of club football.
This article examines the competition’s all-time goal scorers to determine which star has shone the brightest.
5. Raul (71 goals)
Real Madrid and Spain legend Raul sat comfortably at the top of the scorers’ table with 71 goals when he retired.
But in recent years the Spaniard has been knocked down to fifth on the list, most recently by Frenchman and fellow Los Blancos star Karim Benzema.
Raul had a highly-decorated career, winning the Champions League three times with his hometown club and being named the illustrious competition’s top scorer twice.
4. Karim Benzema (89 goals)
Karim Benzema’s goalscoring form shows no signs of stopping
Benzema is the fourth-highest scorer in Europe’s top club football competition and another strike in the second-leg victory over Liverpool has him edging closer to the top three.
Now 35, the Frenchman scored for Lyon on his tournament debut when he was just 17 years old.
His goals have helped Real be crowned European champions five times during his time at the Bernabeu but, with three prolific marksmen ahead of him, Benzema may not retire on the podium in this contest.
3. Robert Lewandowski (91 goals)
Robert Lewandowski added five goals to his Champions League tally this season
Bayern Munich great Robert Lewandowski reached the 80-goal mark in record time after taking just 100 games — two fewer than the next man on this list.
The Pole’s 15 goals in the 2019-2020 edition saw him take the Golden Boot and lead his side to the title.
But he will not have a chance to close in on his century with Barcelona failing to reach the knockout stage this season.
2. Lionel Messi (129 goals)
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has continued to dazzle at Paris Saint-Germain
Argentine maestro Lionel Messi has graced the Champions League plenty of times since 2005 and is third in the all-time appearances list.
Spending the majority of his career playing for his childhood team Barca, he has racked up a century of goals and lifted the famous trophy four times.
And he has kept up his exploits at Paris Saint-Germain but has not yet been able to end the French outfit’s wait for continental success.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (140 goals)
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored numerous important Champions League goals
The Portuguese international has netted 140 times for three clubs, with the majority coming during his time at Real.
Ronaldo has appeared in 183 games in the competition since debuting for Manchester United in 2003.
With four Champions League titles under his belt from his time at Madrid and another from the Red Devils, the striker is one of the most decorated players ever.
Ex-Juventus star Ronaldo, 38, also became the first-ever player to score in two finals for two different winning teams — bagging the opener for United in 2008 and a 120th-minute penalty for Real in 2014.
Prior to the second leg of the last-16, video on social media showed long lines of spectators waiting to enter Estadio do Dragao.
Porto had earlier in the day stated that Inter fans with tickets for the home end, even if they were obtained through the club, would be turned away.
However, Inter asserts that a deal was reached for their supporters to attend the game as long as they wore neutral tones.
The investigation into the situation was confirmed on Wednesday by the governing body of European football, UEFA.
“UEFA had been made aware that a large contingent of visiting supporters had procured tickets in home sectors of the stadium,” a spokesperson said.
“The UEFA regulations stipulate that five per cent of the stadium capacity must be provided to the visiting team in a segregated area for their supporters.
“The responsibility for the safe and secure management of spectators and the associated ticketing policy are determined by the match organiser and the relevant authorities.
“Mitigation measures were discussed between both clubs. UEFA is currently looking into the matter.”
Inter claimed a goalless draw to advance through to theChampions League quarter-finals as 1-0 aggregate winners.
The Italian club’s chief executive Beppe Marotta dedicated the result to those who were unable to get into the ground.
“We celebrate this passage that Inter had not achieved for 12 years, we give the credit to our coach, our players and the fans who were present,” he told Sky Italia.
“I also want to spare a thought for circa a thousand fans who were left outside the stadium even after regularly purchasing a ticket.
“I saw footage of families who were locked outside, children crying who had flown here from Italy.
“Football must represent unity and joy, so this is a bitter page in what was otherwise a wonderful evening.
“We had met with the local authorities this morning and they assured us the fans would be allowed in even beyond those limits of the away section. Instead, this did not happen.
“These were for the most part families with children, who certainly weren’t here to perpetrate acts of violence, but to support their team.
“I don’t believe the situation was so serious as to ban their entry.
“We realise UEFA are not to blame, but we feel that with a formal complaint we can prevent this sort of thing ever happening again.”
Victor Osimhen of Nigeria and his teammates have been cautioned byNapoli coach Luciano Spalletti ahead of their Champions League matchup against Eintracht Frankfurt.
After defeating Germany 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal match, Napoli will play for pride in front of their home crowd.
Osimhen scored a goal for Napoli in the first match, and on March 15 at 8 p.m. local time, the Nigerian is expected to shine once more in Naples.
Spalletti reportedly said that his team should wait to celebrate until the second match, per the Complete Sports report.
Statement made by Spalletti “Seeing as it is practically a final, I want to see the attitude of a team that is starved and wants a result. I’ve seen them in training all term and they never let their heads drop. “Now the test is to forget what has happened in the past and focus on getting the job done now.
Don’t forget Eintracht got through a group that had Tottenham, Marseille and Sporting.
”Last year they won away to a Barcelona side that eliminated us, so we have total respect for the work Oliver Glasner is doing, we know it will be tough.”
Napoli's Victor Osimhen is recognized for being the best foreign athlete in Italy in 2022 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/dseJi67jZx
Osimhen flaunts diamond necklace Earlier, had reported how Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen flaunted a multimillion Naira diamond necklace as he stepped out in style amid links with Premier League clubs this summer.
The Super Eagles star is currently the man of the moment in the Italian Serie A, where he is leading the scoring chart with 19 goals.
Osimhen has won the hearts of many Napoli fans through his performances and they are hoping the Nigerian will remain in Naples after the current season ends.
The Nigerian was seen in joyous mood while showing off his expensive piece of jewellery.
Although Pep Guardiola feels he will always be a “failure” in the Champions League, his biggest regret is related to Julia Roberts, a famous Hollywood actress.
After defeating RB Leipzig 8-1 on the road, including five goals from Erling Haaland in the 7-0 second-leg victory, Guardiola’s Manchester City advanced to the quarterfinals of Europe’s premier club competition for the sixth consecutive year.
Despite not having won the Champions League yet (losing in the final in 2021), Tuesday’s performance reaffirmed City as a contender.
Guardiola explained how missing out on a visit from Pretty Woman star Julia Roberts puts this disappointment in perspective, despite failing to win the European Cup with either Bayern Munich or City. Guardiola’s last European championship came as the coach of Barcelona.
“I’m a failure in the Champions League, I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m going to explain a secret. Whatever happens this year in the Champions League, even if we win this Champions League or win three in a row, I will be a failure.
“I have three idols in my life: Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Julia Roberts. These are my three idols. For obvious reasons, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods deserve it, and Julia Roberts as well.
“Julia Roberts, years ago, came to Manchester. Not in the 1990s, when Alex Ferguson win titles, titles, titles and titles. She came in the period when we were better than United, these four or five years.
“And she went to visit Man United. She didn’t come to see us. So, even if I win the Champions League, it cannot compare to the fact Julia Roberts came to Manchester and did not come to see us. My idol.
“That’s why no matter what happens, even if I win theChampions League, it will not make up for the disappointment I had.”
Erling Haaland,a forward for Manchester City, has now scored more goals than any other player in a single season.
The Norwegian forward led his team (City) to an 8-1 aggregate victory over RB Leipzig on Tuesday by playing admirably and scoring five breathtaking goals, including a hat-trick in the first half. As a result, City advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League (UCL).
The 22-year-old is now the player with the fastest and youngest 30 goal streak in 25 UCL games.
30 goals in 25 Champions League total games in his career 👽🔵🏆 #MCFC
He is also the youngest player to score five times in a single Champions League match, joining Argentina star Lionel Messi and Brazil forward Luiz Adriano as the only players to do so.
After the game, the City footballing icon admitted to being worn out after every celebration but was realistic about goal scoring which inspires him to play impressively.
“My super strength is scoring goals,” Haaland told BT Sport.
“A lot of it is being quick in the mind and trying to put it where the goalkeeper is not. I was so tired after my celebrations.”
The Norwegian forward said he could have scored more goals, however, he missed a lot of chances.
“I could have scored more goals, I missed a lot of chances but the most important thing is to come to chances because when you come to chances, that’s what you want as a striker”, he told CBS Sports.
On Twitter, football fans across the globe have commended the 22-year-old old for his stunning performance and record.
Most comments say that the Club’s manager [Pep Guardiola] denied Haaland of becoming the first player to secure the most goals in a single match of the UCL competition.
Pep Guardiola subbing Erling Haaland off to preserve Messi’s historical record in the UCL of 5 goals in a single game 🫡
This man here blocked Erling Haaland chance of becoming the player with most UCL goals in a single match because of Messi. Pep Guardiola will never win the UCL again!!! 💔💔🥺 pic.twitter.com/L0TSvc8IPQ
Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola engaged in a sombre “argument” following his removal from the lineup during their decisive victory over RB Leipzig on March 14.
Haaland scored five of the seven goals Manchester City scored against their German opponents to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals.
After an hour had passed, Haaland was taken off the field to a standing ovation from the fans at Etihad Stadium and his manager, who congratulated him. He joined Lionel Messi and Luiz Adriano as the only players in Champions League history to score five goals in a single match.
But as the Norwegian later revealed, he questioned Guardiola as to why he had denied him the opportunity to complete a double hat-trick. Haaland was of the idea that had he been accorded a few
However, Guardiola downplayed the incident, revealing his satisfaction with his striker who has now broken the record for most goals for Man City in a single season. “If he achieved this milestone at 22, 23 years old, it will be boring, his life. Now he has a target.
That’s why I make the substitution,” Guardiola said as quoted by the Independent. The Spanish manager also admitted he had no idea about Messi’s record when he took the Norwegian off.
Sports Brief also reported on football fans on social media being unable to understand Guardiola’s decision to sub Haaland in Man City’s 7-0 thrashing of Leipzig on Tuesday.
The Norwegian scored five goals with only 30 touches with his hat-trick being completed before half-time, but the 22-year-old was keen on more goals when he was hooked off.
Haaland missed out on the chance to achieve another special milestone after his manager,Guardiola substituted him in the 64th minute in an act of mercy towards the Germans.
In his first season with the team, Haaland has been in sensational form, scoring 34 goals in all of his appearances across all competitions.
The international player from Norway has only scored three goals in his last nine games, raising concerns about a decline in performance.
However, De Bruyne disagrees, saying that teams are better equipped to deal with him now than they were at the start of the season.
“I think it’s a bit of everything but I don’t feel like it’s different than in the beginning,” he told a press conference ahead of the Champions League clash against RB Leipzig.
“People are maybe more anticipating to his runs, there’s always the first part of the season and then the second part. In the second part, I feel teams are a lot more organised, they play for more from both sides of the table, so people are more prepared in every sense of the way.
“Maybe he was a little bit more prolific [before] when he got the chances but I don’t think we need to complain about Erling’s output. I think he’s fine.
“If we see the Crystal Palace game, he could have scored two, I don’t think there’s any issue but obviously people are always anticipating for him to score two or three goals but his average is a goal a game. It seems fine for me.
“It’s good to have different options. In the past few years, people would maybe say there wasn’t enough presence in the box and there wasn’t enough deep runs, now people are saying the opposite.
“It works in different ways. In the beginning of the season when everything was going in, we were winning a lot of games and nothing was going wrong, but then obviously when you lose a few points it’s different.
“I don’t think there’s an issue with anything going out from the team or with Erling. I know people will judge on how we play and maybe we sometimes play a better brand of football in different games or in other years but that happens.
“Crystal Palace at home for instance,he won us the game. I think the team is really happy with him, he’s really happy playing with us, so I think we’re fine.”
As the second legs of theChampions League last 16 continue on Tuesday, there will be two closely contested matches.
Romelu Lukaku’s late goal gave Inter a slim 1-0 lead over Porto at San Siro going into the rematch in Portugal.
The Serie A giants, however, did not exactly practise well, falling to Estoril Praia 3-2 on the same day that Sergio Conceicao’s team defeated lowly Spezia 3-2 in a hard-fought victory.
Erling Haaland’s penalty helped Manchester City defeat Crystal Palace 1-0, and RB Leipzig, a Bundesliga team, moved up to third in the standings after defeating Borussia Monchengladbach 3-0.
After their 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany, Pep Guardiola will be hoping that home advantage can keep the club’s dream alive of a first Champions League title.
We have picked out the standout Opta data to preview Tuesday’s games.
Having said that, Porto have lost four of their last six home matches in the knockout stages of the Champions League, conceding 13 goals across those four defeats.
They have, though, won each of their last four home matches in Europe against Italian clubs, beating Roma, Juventus, Milan and Lazio in succession. The last Italian side to defeat them away from home was Juventus in February 2017.
Inter have progressed from four of their five two-legged Champions League knockout ties when winning the first leg, only being eliminated from such a position in 2005-06 by Villarreal.
Porto have been eliminated from six of their seven two-legged Champions League knockout ties when losing the first leg, only progressing in 2018-19 against Roma.
Lukaku’s winning goal in the first leg meant he has scored eight goals in 12 appearances for Inter in the Champions League. His record of 111 minutes per goal is the best of any player to have scored five or more goals for the club in the European Cup/Champions League.
Manchester City v RB Leipzig
City are unbeaten across their last 23 home matches in the Champions League, winning 21. If they avoid defeat in this match, they will equal Arsenal’s record for the longest home unbeaten run by an English club in the competition (24 games between September 2004 and April 2009).
Leipzig are unbeaten in five matches in the Champions League (W4 D1), their longest unbeaten run in the competition since a seven-game stretch in 2019-20 when they reached the semi-final.
The last team to defeat City at the Etihad Stadium in a Champions League knockout stage match was Liverpool in the 2017-18 quarter-final second leg – visiting sides have avoided defeat just once in eight matches since.
Marco Rose has taken charge of three matches in the Champions League knockout stages, with all three coming against City, after his Monchengladbach side were eliminated by the club in the last 16 in 2020-21. The only previous instance of a head coach facing the same opponent in his first four Champions League knockout stage matches is Frank Rijkaard against Chelsea between 2004-05 and 2005-06.
Haaland has scored 17 goals in 11 home matches in the Champions League for Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and City, scoring at least two goals in seven of those games. The Norwegian has scored a goal every 49 minutes on average in these matches.
Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku has scored 10 goals across his last 12 starts in the Champions League, including a hat-trick against City at the Etihad Stadium in September 2021. Nkunku is one of two players to score a hat-trick against City in the competition, the other being Lionel Messi in October 2016.
The 2023 award is in danger of being rocked by allegations of favouritism and daylight robbery because previous events like 2013 and 2010 are still being questioned.
Lionel Messi remains the front-runner to win a record eighth title when the ceremony goes down sometime in October this year. His World Cup heroics with Argentina have given him a perfect head start.
Second on the list is Kylian Mbappe, who nearly led France to a lone World Cup victory.
All of this occurred prior to Bayern Munich’s merciless elimination of Paris Saint-Germain from the Champions League.
The World Cup dilemma
Even though the Ballon d’Or award is frequently decided by individual merit, the Champions League typically has a significant impact on the outcome.
In the case of a World Cup year, the once-in-four-years competition takes precedence over any other trophy – Luka Modric is a witness.
Questions have already started streaming in on how this year’s award will be determined by a ‘seven-game tournament.’
Jamie Carragher thinks Mauricio Pochettino would be wrong to return to Tottenham because doing so would be like Kevin Keegan going back to Newcastle United.
Tottenham’s coach Antonio Conte is under increasing pressure following a desperate run that dashed their chances of taking home a trophy this year.
Spurs entered the top four in the Premier League after back-to-back wins, but after losing at Wolves in the league, the FA Cup at Sheffield United, and a miserable goalless draw at Milan, they were eliminated from the Champions League.
Conte’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign, so it seems likely that the former manager of Juventus, Chelsea, and Inter will soon leave Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pochettino, who spent five years at the club, would be a popular appointment for many fans, and he remains out of work after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
But Liverpool legend Carragher sees concerning parallels with Keegan’s 2008 homecoming at Newcastle, where he soon left following a dispute with owner Mike Ashley.
“Never go back. That is what they say in football,” Carragher wrote in The Telegraph.
“Mauricio Pochettino would be wise to remember that if he is tempted to return to Tottenham Hotspur.
“Don’t do it, Poch. All parties need to move on. Comebacks are usually more romantic than logical.
4 – Tottenham Hotspur finished in the top four in four of their five previous completed seasons under Mauricio Pochettino, this after having finished in the top four in just two of their 22 Premier League campaigns before his arrival. Improved. pic.twitter.com/Ie8mo6MhNO
“Pochettino may see Spurs as the best chance to return to the Premier League. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy could curry favour with the supporters by re-appointing a popular ex-manager.
“They must know how rarely old magic is recreated in football.”
While noting Carlo Ancelotti has enjoyed a successful second spell at Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho won the title after rejoining Chelsea, Carragher added: “Pochettino returning to Spurs would be like Kevin Keegan going back to Newcastle United.
“Like Keegan’s Newcastle in the mid-90s, Pochettino’s Tottenham charmed neutrals without winning trophies.
“Keegan’s re-appointment in 2008 was greeted like the second coming, but he walked into different conditions and was gone eight months later.”
Tottenham finished second under Pochettino in 2016-17, their best performance since the 1960s, and also came third twice.
He was unable to end their wait for silverware, however, losing in the Champions League final in 2019 and EFL Cup final in 2015.
If Paris Saint-Germain truly has any aspirations of one day winning the UEFA Champions League, they should hire either Jose Mourinho or Diego Simeone.
Bayern Munich eliminated PSG in the round of 16 of Europe’s most prestigious club competition, causing them to experience heartbreak once more.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Mills told Talk Sport that the Parisians could only become European champions with a managerial change that included the appointment of Mourinho or Simeone.
“If PSG want to win the Champions League, there are two managers out there that they have to go for. One is Diego Simeone, because I think if you give him the tools for the job defensively, they’ll be so good.”
PSG appointed Christophe Galtier as manager this season, but the Frenchman looks destined to be on his way out after another disappointing Champions League campaign.
Galtier addresses his PSG future
Meanwhile, Galtier has admitted his future may be out of his hands following PSG’s early elimination from the UCL by Bayern Munich, PM News reports.
He blamed defensive errors for the Parisians’ loss to the Bavarians, after a 2-0 loss to the Bundesliga titans at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
The loss ensured back-to-back last-16 eliminations for PSG, who have played 137 Champions League games without lifting the trophy.
Galtier laments Champions League exit
Sports Brief also reported on PSG coach, Galtier admitting their only option was to accept their latest early Champions League exit and move on.
The Frenchman insisted the outcome of the last-16 tie against Bayern would have been different had the visitors scored first in the second leg.
Football fans have made fun of Lionel Messi, the star player forParis Saint-Germain, on social media, particularly Twitter, for going eight years without taking home a UEFA Champions League trophy.
Many people thought the legendary football player would be inspired to end his lengthy quest for a fifth UCL championship after helping Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
But on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich defeated PSG 2-0 (3-0 overall) to eliminate the French team, ending his quest to end the curse.
Choupo-Mouting and Serge Gnabry’s goals in the second half guaranteed Bayern’s qualification.
The exit means that the seven-timeBallon d’Or winner has now gone almost a decade without winning the competition. His last triumph came in 2015 when he inspired Barcelona to a 3-1 win against Juventus and his last goal in the final dates back to 2009.
This is also the second time the Argentine has suffered a round of 16 exit in his second season at PSG.
Following yet another disappointing night for Lionel Messi, some rival fans have branded his move to PSG as a bad investment by the club.
A section accused him of not turning up for his team in UCL when it matters most.
Others also argued that Messi’s biggest rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the competition five times(won his last in 2018), would have done better and that the defeat typifies the difference between the two.
After Liverpool’s dominating 7-0 victory overManchester United, Jordan Henderson has cautioned his teammates not to overestimate their abilities.
In Sunday’s lopsided match at Anfield, the Reds handed their fierce rivals a record Premier League defeat and their joint-heaviest loss ever.
While Liverpool took particular pleasure in humiliating United, the outcome also brought them closer to fourth-place Tottenham with a game remaining by three points.
Newcastle, meanwhile, has two games remaining to catch Spurs and is four points outside of the Champions League spots.
Although Liverpool has now taken 13 of the last 15 available points, Henderson does not want his teammates to get too confident.
“Hopefully we can use it in the right way but you can’t get too confident or overconfident, for sure,” he told Liverpool’s official website.
“There are different tests along the way from now until the end of the season that will come and you need to stay positive, stay ready and stay hungry like we were [on Sunday].
“That will give us a good chance to finish the season well.”
Henderson made his 400th start for Liverpool in all competitions in their memorable victory over United, 20 of those coming in the 2022-23 campaign.
It has been a disappointing season for the Reds on the whole, but captain Henderson is pleased to have seen the Liverpool of old against United.
“The performance for the whole game was really good. Intensity and energy levels were high, and something that we have been missing for a while this season,” he said.
“I thought we performed to the levels we are capable of and when you do that you get your rewards with the goals.”
Liverpool scored from seven of their eight shots on target in a ruthless display, scoring as many goals as they managed in their previous eight league games combined.
“Everything seemed to go in,” Henderson added. “There was some great finishing, some great runs, movement and the delivery was good, so everything seemed to work.
“Hopefully this gives everyone the confidence to keep building, keep working and keep going right until the end of the season and see where we can get to.”
Liverpool return to action on Saturday with a trip to bottom side Bournemouth, before facing Real Madrid in the second leg of a Champions League last-16 tie they trail 5-2.
In the event that Antonio Conte’s team is eliminated from the Champions League, Manchester United reportedly believes they can lure Harry Kane away from Tottenham.
The prolific England captain, 30, is highly desired by the Red Devils, who are in the market for a star No9.
While United reportedly expects Spurs to lower their £100 million asking price if they do not place in the top four, The Sun reports that the North Londoners are frantically trying not to sell.
Tottenham would run the risk of losing their talisman for nothing if they allowed Kane to complete the remaining 12 months of his contract because his contract expires at the end of the upcoming season.
Conte’s side currently sit in the final Champions League spot but are coming under pressure from Liverpool, who hammered United 7-0 to continue their recent revival on Sunday.
That Anfield humiliation has highlighted the need for improvement at Old Trafford and spending is expected — especially if the Glazer family decide to sell the club.
Saliba has answered all Arsenal’s doubts – Arteta
Kane has 18 league goals this season — the ninth campaign in a row he has hit double figures in the top flight — and would offer a superstar option alongside Marcus Rashford, who is in the form of his life.
He was strongly tipped to move to Manchester City last summer and may see this as his final chance to make a career-defining move as he looks to break his trophy duck.
Napoli sensationVictor Osimhen is another United target but there will be aqueue of clubs fighting for the 24-year-old’s signature.
The Arsenal supporters are in a festive mood as they applaudThomas Partey for the impact he had during his 45 minutes of play in Arsenal’s 4-0 victory over Everton.
The manager of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, substituted Partey for the Italian midfielder Jorginho in the second half.
Before he entered the game, Arsenal had a 2-0 advantage and appeared to be in complete control. The addition of the Ghanaian, however, enhanced the performance.
Partey takes charge and performs his duties with skill and steel as the Gunners stroll to a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings.
Thomas Partey contributed the assists for both of Arsenal’s goals in the second half.
He could have bagged two assists had Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli connected to ridiculous dinked passes.
Partey’s return to the side is good news for Mikel Arteta as the midfielder missed three of Arsenal’s last four matches.
Black Stars coach Chris Hughton will also be happy with his return as he is now in the frame for selection for Ghana’s doubleheader against Angola later this month.
Saka and Martinelli got the first-half goals for Arsenal on Wednesday night before Ordegaard and Martinelli again capped off a splendid night for Arsenal with a goal each in the second half.
Arsenal now have sixty points, five points above second-placed Manchester City, and look set to qualify for the Champions League.
The right foundation is being laid by Erik ten Hag to get Manchester United back in contention for the top prizes, but according to him, it is still too early to declare the Red Devils’ return.
In the EFL Cup final on Sunday at Wembley, United defeated Newcastle United 2-0 to win their first significant trophy in six years. Goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford in the first half were enough to secure the victory.
It is Ten Hag’s most recent victory. Despite being eight points behind league-leading Arsenal, Ten Hag’s team still has FA Cup and Europa League aspirations, and a title challenge is not out of the question.
While acknowledging the upward trajectory Ten Hag has the club on, Red Devils legend Cole, a member of the illustrious 1999 treble-winning United team, cautioned there is still a long way to go to catch up to rivals Manchester City, who have won the title in four of the past five seasons and are only two points behind the Gunners this time around.
“We need to remember a lot of teams [used to] disregard the League Cup, now the League Cup has become a big competition,” Cole told Stats Perform.
“I’m very, very happy obviously we won the League Cup and with Ten Hag, but let’s put things into perspective here, it’s his first season. We’ve got to be very honest, we know there’s a big gap between ourselves and Manchester City.
“We can talk about at the present moment there’s only five points difference but if we look at the whole of the last few seasons we’ve not been close.
“So, I’m not going to look at this year and say, ‘we’re back’. It’s fantastic that we’ve had the opportunity to win the cup, but I think we’re still a little bit away. If we keep improving like we are at the moment, it won’t be too much longer.”
Cole, who scored 121 goals in 275 appearances for United, believes the EFL Cup triumph is only part of the process of getting the club challenging regularly for league titles once again.
“I was sitting here watching the game and hoping that this is the start of something new,” he added.
“To win the league you’ve got to be the best team for 38 games. So that’s the process; that takes time; that’s not going to take you one or two years, it’s going to take a little bit longer.
“If you look at for instance, Manchester City, they’ve won the League Cup numerous times, then they’ve gone on to win the league numerous times.”
“I think he’s [Ten Hag] building blocks. If you look at his building blocks, obviouslyManchester United are in a position where they’ve won the League Cup. But let’s build on that. Get from now until the end of the season, finish in the Champions League spot. And then you go to the next season.
“I’m not going to sit here and say Manchester United are going to win the league next season. I know how difficult that’s going to be. Just because we won the League Cup this season, I don’t believe we’re going to win the Premier League next season by 15 points. No, it doesn’t quite happen like that; everything is a process.”
United have had plenty of false dawns since legendary manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, with the likes of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all ultimately falling short in their attempts to restore past glories – even though the two former coaches did win trophies.
Cole believes Ten Hag can lean on Ferguson for advice but ultimately step out of his shadow.
“I think with Ten Hag we all know he’s got a pinch on the game and how he wants to run the football club, he’s very good with discipline,” he said.
“From the outside looking in, I could say possibly that’s what Ten Hag is doing at Manchester United – leaning on Sir Alex Ferguson for his knowledge.
“But at some stage you’re going to look at things and address things in a totally different way. So, I think to take it on board that Sir Alex Ferguson is there and he’s going to be there period.
“There’s no point to try to fight against him because I think when people try and fight against it then it seems to cause more problems than anything else, it seems like they’ve got a very good relationship which is only a positive thing.”
Pep Guardiola hits back at speculation thatManchester City would easily defeat RB Leipzig following a discouraging 1-1 draw in their Champions League last-16 match.
Wednesday at the Red Bull Arena, Riyad Mahrez gave City a 27th-minute lead after City had completely dominated the first half of the first leg in Germany.
Guardiola’s visitors had the upper hand, but Leipzig rallied after the break, and Josko Gvardiol secured a point for Leipzig ahead of the rematch on March 14 at Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola refuted Marco Rose’s claim that a convincing victory at Leipzig was always likely despite the fact that his team is currently fifth in the Bundesliga and had failed to score in three previous Champions League quarterfinal matches.
The City manager told BT Sport: “People expect we are going to win 5-0, that’s not a reality. It is past the group stage in a very competitive competition and many important teams around.
“It is difficult, we knew this, our fourth game in 10 days, the away games, the travels and the people expect [wins]…
“I know we are a good team, and we continue to do good things. But people expect we come here and win 4 or 5-0, we are not able to do this.”
The opening 45 minutes were in stark contrast for what was to follow, with City boasting 74 per cent possession and only conceding one shot on target in the first half – a timid Timo Werner effort at Ederson.
Guardiola’s side managed just a 49.2 percent share of the ball in the second half, facing six shots, as substitute Benjamin Henrichs spurned a pair of glorious opportunities.
RB Leipzig 1-1 Man City: Man City looked comfortable at half-time, but a poor second half means that this #UCL tie is level heading into the second leg at the Etihad Stadium next month. pic.twitter.com/QyINoab9tr
Former Bayern Munich and Barcelona boss Guardiola insisted he was “happy” with the entire performance, however.
“They make a step forward, they pressed everyone high up, more problems in the build-up,” he said when asked about the second half.
“After the goal we conceded, we came back – we made a good last 15, 20 minutes. We had good chances, both sides in both halves, and now we go back to Manchester to decide it.”
Pressed on the drop in performance levels, a somewhat irked Guardiola added: “I’m happy for the whole game, not just the first half. What do you expect? We play a friendly game here?”
Despite Leipzig growing in confidence as the final whistle drew closer, Guardiola opted to make no substitutions throughout.
Gvardiol, a rumoured Chelsea target, helped Leipzig hold Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in their Champions League round of 16 match on Wednesday at Red Bull Arena.
After performing admirably at the World Cup alongside former Red Dejan Lovren, the Croatian defender also previously mentioned Liverpool as his “dream” destination.
But Rose insisted the 21-year-old will remain with Leipzig, despite a credible performance in a potential Premier League audition against Pep Guardiola’s side.
“Josko Gvardiol will be an RB Leipzig player next season as well,” he told TV 2 Sport after Leipzig’s first-leg clash with City.
“I am the coach, and I am asking for that. He is happy here. He said he wants to play in the Premier League, but he didn’t say when.
RB Leipzig 1-1 Man City: Man City looked comfortable at half-time, but a poor second half means that this #UCL tie is level heading into the second leg at the Etihad Stadium next month. pic.twitter.com/QyINoab9tr
Rose joked Gvardiol “should play basketball” after his towering headed equaliser in the 70th minute, though he was left unimpressed with Leipzig’s first-half showing.
Chelsea fans saying I’m the problem are wrong – Potter
“We should start to play and fight. It was a really difficult first half, 26 per cent possession isn’t enough,” Rose told BT Sport.
“We were too passive in every situation. They moved the ball and they moved us. We had no power.”
However, another impressive outing forGvardiol against one of Europe’s elite secured a share of the spoils and left it all to play for in the March 14 return leg at Etihad Stadium.
“The second half was totally different. Better late than never.”
Romelu Lukaku, who came on as a substitute and scored the game’s winning goal late, helped Inter escape Porto with a 1-0 victory at San Siro in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 matchup.
The team of Simone Inzaghi appeared to be destined for a disappointing goalless draw, which might have given Porto the upper hand going into the return match, but Lukaku saved Inter.
The Nerazzurri had been wasteful during a tense first half, with Lautaro Martinez spurning a great opportunity and Alessandro Bastoni forcing Diogo Costa into a brilliant save.
They then struggled to make the most of their dominance in the second half but shortly after Porto midfielder Otavio was sent off, Lukaku turned home to score for the second time in less than a week.
Martinez would have been frustrated to miss the target with an unchallenged header from Federico Dimarco’s 13th-minute cross.
That chance punctuated the largely dull early exchanges but the contest showed signs of life in the final eight minutes of the half.
Marko Grujic’s fierce strike hit Andre Onana’s knee and Galeno nodded the follow-up wide, before a remarkable reflex save from Costa kept Bastoni’s header out.
Inter then owed a debt of gratitude to Onana just before the hour. He made a fine save to deny Zaidu Sanusi and then somehow kept Mehdi Taremi’s rebound out on the line with the Iranian seemingly destined to score.
Otavio’s dismissal for a lunge on Hakan Calhanoglu 12 minutes from time gave Inter a numerical advantage, and they duly made the most of it.
Substitute Lukaku headed Nicolo Barella’s cross against the post but was on hand to slam the rebound beyond Costa.
What does it mean? Inter go to Portugal with something to protect
This certainly was not a classic and Inter were underwhelming for much of the game. There would have been few arguments about a draw being a fair result.
But Inter finished the match really well and deserve praise for getting the win over the line when they had previously looked unconvincing.
There was a flashpoint in the first half when Onana and Edin Dzeko appeared to be engaged in a heated argument. While it was unclear what that was about, there was little about the goalkeeper’s performance that could be criticised.
He made four saves in total, but among them were the fine block from Grujic’s piledriver and the double stop to deny Sanusi and Taremi in the second half, the latter essentially denying Porto a certain goal.
Otavio’s petulance proves costly
There was no doubt about the booking for his second yellow as Otavio caught Calhanoglu with a nasty challenge.
However, that would not have led to a red had he not made the bizarre decision to rile Inter in the first half. The hosts had put the ball out of play to allow a player to get medical treatment — when Porto restarted with a throw-in, Otavio started darting towards the Inter goal when he knew the protocol was to give possession back.
A melee ensued and he was booked — he must feel a little silly now.
Key Opta Facts
Inter have won consecutive games in the knockout stages of the Champions League without conceding a goal (1-0 v Liverpool in March 2022 and 1-0 v Porto) – only under Jose Mourinho in 2009-10 had they previously won consecutive knockout stage matches without conceding (a run of three).
Porto have failed to progress from six of their previous seven knockout ties in the Champions League when losing the first leg, with their only progression coming against Roma in the round of 16 in 2018-19.
Inter have won three consecutive home games in the Champions League for the first time since November 2010 in a run of seven, during which time they lifted the trophy in the 2009-10 campaign.
Lukaku’s strike was the first winning goal scored by a substitute for Inter in a Champions League game since Giampaolo Pazzini in March 2012 (v Marseille, also in the round of 16).
Otavio’s dismissal was the 22nd red card Porto have been shown in the Champions League, with only Juventus (27) having been handed more. Otavio was the first Portuguese player to be sent off for Porto in the Champions League since Secretario in March 2002 (v Panathinaikos).
The knockout round of the 2022–23 Champions League tournament has begun, and the top teams in Europe are competing for a place in the quarterfinals.
Real Madrid advanced significantly to the round of eight with a 5-2 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, while Napoli, the undisputed Serie A champion, now leads by a score of 2-0 after defeating Eintracht Frankfurt.
To defeat Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea must overturn a 1-0 deficit, and Tottenham must do the same after losing to AC Milan.
In other matches, Bayern Munich will try to hold onto its 1-0 lead against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg, and Benfica should eliminate Club Brugge with a two-goal cushion.
We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 final as the teams strive to get one step closer to the prestigious continental trophy.
When is the 2023 Champions League final?
The 2023 Champions League final will take place on Saturday, June 10.
This date is later than last season’s showpiece, held on May 28, due to the change in the domestic football calendar thanks to the World Cup held last November and December in Qatar.
For supporters at the stadium, the game will kick off at 10 p.m. local time. For fans watching in the UK, the match will start at 8 p.m.
Where is the 2023 Champions League final?
Turkey will host the 2023 Champions League final, with the game held at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.
The venue was opened in 2002, initially built for the country’s attempt to host the 2008 Olympics, which was ultimately awarded to Beijing, China.
Home to the Turkish national team, it will be the second time the ground has held the Champions League final, having been the location for the epic 2005 encounter between AC Milan and Liverpool.
Istanbul had been scheduled to host the 2020 showpiece, before the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the match being played at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal.
Then in 2021, the marquee fixture was once again moved to Portugal, this time to the Estadio do Dragao in Porto.
According to UEFA, the stadium has a capacity of over 75,000 people and is named after Turkey’s first president, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Romelu Lukaku’s goal on Saturday helped Inter Milan defeat Udinese at the San Siro for the first time in 635 days.
The Belgian forward hasn’t been at his best since joining the Nerazzurri on loan from Chelsea in the summer of last year, but he’s been much sharper lately.
Although he scored from the penalty spot in the 3-1 victory, it may have given the powerhouse the confidence boost it needs to get back on track as Inter looks to close the gap on unstoppable leaders Napoli.
We highlight West London’s misunderstood man ahead of tonight’s Champions League matchup with Porto.
Comeback trail
Lukaku has dealt with a number of issues since his arrival back in Milan, but injuries have been his biggest hindrance in 2022-23.
In the current campaign, the 29-year-old has missed 92 days and 18 matches in all competitions thanks to a combination of hamstring, arm and knee issues.
And although he has struggled with niggles in the past, the 104-cap international has not been absent for as long as this before in his career — and it has had a profound impact on his form.
Saturday was only his second Serie A goal of the season, with his first coming on the opening weekend back in August.
Inter boss Simone Inzaghi said a few weeks ago that he is expecting a fully fit Lukaku back for their Champions League tie with Porto and it looks as though he may get his wish.
The ex-Premier League star has featured in seven of Inter’s last eight league matches and is starting to show signs of a return to his best.
Fighting for his place
Inter’s squad is full to the brim of incredible talent and Lukaku’s return does not guarantee him a spot in the starting XI.
Inzaghi has preferred to set up in a 3-5-2 for most of the season and, although the seasoned finisher is a big miss when unavailable, there were options waiting in the wings to replace him.
Both Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez have done a stellar job in Lukaku’s absence, netting 20 times between them in Serie A, while the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Hakan Calhanoglu have also been popping up with goals.
During his best season, Chelsea’s £97million man grabbed 24 goals and 10 assists in the Italian first division, yet scored only eight times in the Premier League during the 2021-22 campaign.
He would do well to displace either Dzeko or Martinez permanently in the coming weeks, though his best form would give him a fighting chance.
Lukaku’s ability to score in a variety of ways gives him the edge over his 36-year-old team-mate Dzeko, who is giving Olivier Giroud a run for his money as the best Serie A player over 35 this year.
Desperate to stay
Lukaku left Stamford Bridge with a sour taste in his mouth, publicly stating his desire to return to Supercoppa Italiana winners Inter last summer.
The San Siro is where he has enjoyed the best spell of his career and despite being a valued member of the Premier League 100 club, his style of play is more suited to Italian football.
However, his situation remains one of the most complicated in Europe’s top five leagues.
As Chelsea paid such a handsome fee to bring Lukaku back to his former club only 18 months ago, they will unquestionably want to recoup some of that fortune — especially after their own excessive spending in January.
With a contract at Stamford Bridge that runs until 2026, Lukaku needs to resolve his future quickly ahead to avoid a potential recall.
Prior to their Europa League trip to Manchester United, Barcelona doesn’t need any extra motivation, according to Xavi, who thinks the chance to win atOld Trafford suffices.
After a thrilling 2-2 draw at Camp Nou last week, the two will face off in their knockout round play-off matchup’s second leg.
Xavi, who played for Barcelona and helped them defeat United in the Champions League final in both the 20
After a thrilling 2-2 draw at Camp Nou last week, the two will face off in the second leg of their knockout round play-off match.
The Barcelona team defeated United in the Champions League final in both the 20 and 21
In making the trip to England and Old Trafford specifically, Xavi believes it will be more than enough to inspire his players, regardless of the first-leg result.
“I have very good memories of the games I played in England, simply because it is so special to play there,” he told the Times. “It is the cradle of football.”
“The stadiums, the fans who do not stop cheering, everything has a very special flavour that is not seen anywhere else in the world.”
“So imagine, it is such a pleasure for me to go back to Old Trafford, one of the best stadiums and [one of the] biggest teams in the world.
“We are a brave team that likes to attack and always win. [This game] will not be an exception. It’s like a big Champions League game.
“For the fans, it’s a massively interesting match. For the players, [it is] one of those matches that everyone wants to play at least once in their life.”
Records are being broken every year thanks to the Champions League, which has hosted some of the biggest clubs and names in football since 1992.
Being dominant on Europe’s greatest stage at the peak of club football is a surefire way to go down in football history.
We take a look at the competition’s all-time leading goalscorers to see which star has shone the brightest.
5. Raul (71 goals)
Raul won the Champions League three times with his hometown club
Real Madrid and Spain legend Raul sat comfortably at the top of the scorers’ table with 71 goals when he retired.
But in recent years the Spaniard has been knocked down to fifth on the list, most recently by Frenchman and fellow Los Blancos star Karim Benzema.
Raul had a highly-decorated career, winning the Champions League three times with his hometown club and being named the illustrious competition’s top scorer twice.
4. Karim Benzema (88 goals)
Karim Benzema’s progress has been hampered by injury this season
Benzema is the fourth-highest scorer in Europe’s top club football competition and a superb double against Liverpool has him closing in on the top three.
Now 35, the Frenchman scored for Lyon on his tournament debut when he was just 17 years old.
His goals have helped Real be crowned European champions five times but, with three prolific marksmen ahead of him, Benzema may not retire in the top three.
3. Robert Lewandowski (91 goals)
Robert Lewandowski could note fire Barcelona into the knockout stage
Bayern Munich great Robert Lewandowski reached the 80-goal mark in record time after taking just 100 games — two fewer than the next man on this list.
The Pole’s 15 goals in the 2019-2020 edition saw him take the Golden Boot and lead his side to the title.
But he will not have a chance to close in on his century with Barcelona failing to reach the knockout stage this season.
2. Lionel Messi (129 goals)
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has continued his goalscoring exploits at Paris Saint-Germain
Argentine maestro Lionel Messi has graced the Champions League plenty of times since 2005 and is third in the all-time appearances list.
Spending the majority of his career playing for his childhood team Barcelona, he has racked up a century of goals and lifted the famous trophy four times.
And he has kept up his exploits at Paris Saint-Germain where he is looking to break the French outfit’s duck.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (141 goals)
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored numerous important Champions League goals
Cristiano Ronaldo is an undisputed goalscoring machine.
The Portuguese international has netted 141 times for three clubs, with the majority coming during his time at Real.
Ronaldo has appeared in 187 games in the competition since debuting for Manchester United in 2003.
With four Champions League titles under his belt from his time Madrid and another from the Red Devils, the striker is one of the most decorated players ever.
Ex-Juventus star Ronaldo, 38, also became the first-ever player to score in two finals for two different winning teams — bagging the opener for United in 2008 and a 120th-minute penalty for Real in 2014.
Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah gave the Reds an electrifying start to the last-16 match with two quickfire goals, giving Los Blancos a lot of trouble early on.
But a brilliant performance from Vinicius Junior launched a powerful Real Madrid comeback.
All the records Real Madrid broke during Tuesday’s eventual 5-2 victory are examined at GOAL.
First visiting European team to score five at Anfield
Actually, Real Madrid became the first visiting club to put four goals past Liverpool at Anfield when Karim Benzema’s shot was deflected in off Joe Gomez, and then they added another for good measure with Benzema rounding Alisson and shooting into an open net.
It was also the second time this campaign that the Reds conceded at least four times in the Champions League after doing so against Napoli on September 7.
Benzema first to score six in European career vs Reds
With his brace at Anfield on Tuesday night, Benzema has now scored more goals against Liverpool in European Cup and Champions League history than any other player (6). He entered play level with Didier Drogba for the record.
Meanwhile, with his pair of strikes earlier in the game, team-mate Vinicius Junior is now in second place in that category (5).
Vinicius Junior youngest since Cruyff to score twice as Anfield visitor in Europe
Vinicius Junior broke Liverpool hearts last year with his winner in the Champions League final, and he hurt the Reds again in the first leg on Tuesday.
At 22 years old, he became the youngest player since Johan Cruyff to score at least twice as a visitor in a European match at Anfield.
Benzema equals Messi for consecutive UCLs scored in
The French forward was injured for much of the group stage, but after breaking through with his first goals of the European season, he has now netted in 18 consecutive Champions League campaigns.
That’s level with Lionel Messi for the all-time record.
Real Madrid first to turn two-goal deficit into three-goal UCL win
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, revered for their ability to stage dramatic comebacks, became the first team to win a Champions League match by three goals after trailing by at least two. The record applies to both home and away fixtures.
Their five goals came between the 21st and 67th minutes – a remarkable average of a goal every nine minutes.
Vinicius Junior second-youngest Madrid player to score in three straight UCL games
He added two goals on Tuesday after also scoring against Celtic and RB Leipzig, with his streak of three Champions League games in a row the best in Real Madrid history after Raul.
Only 14 minutes into Tuesday’s thrilling first leg of the round of 16 match, Darwin Nunez’s exquisite flick and Mohamed Salah’s goal after a mistake by Thibaut Courtois gave the Reds a two-goal lead.
That turned out to be a false dawn as the champions came roaring back in a repeat of last year’s final. Vinicius pulled one back with a beautiful finish before Alisson made a costly error that allowed him to score twice in an exciting first half.
Eder Militao headed Madrid in front early in the second half before Benzema’s double gave Carlo Ancelotti’s ruthless side a commanding advantage to take back to the Spanish capital for the second leg on March 15.
Nunez produced a moment of magic in the fourth minute to put the hosts in front, meeting Salah’s whipped ball with an audacious right-foot flick that flashed past Courtois.
Chelsea fans saying I’m the problem are wrong. – Potter
Courtois endured a nightmare 10 minutes later, controlling a back pass onto his chest before the ball bounced off his knee to present Salah with a simple chance to double Liverpool’s lead.
Madrid looked like they did not know what had hit them, but Vinicius halved the deficit in the 21st minute by showing excellent close control in the box before bending a sumptuous right-foot finish into the bottom corner.
The winger was celebrating in front of The Kop again nine minutes before the break after Alisson’s terrible attempted pass struck his Brazil team-mate and looped into the net.
Madrid lost David Alaba to injury during a pulsating first half which they would have ended with a lead had Andy Robertson not shown great awareness to deny Rodrygo a tap-in.
Los Blancos were in front two minutes into the second half, though, when an unmarked Militao capitalised on terrible defending to head in the influential Luka Modric’s free-kick.
An evening that had started well then took another turn for the worse for Liverpool, with Benzema’s shot striking Joe Gomez and giving a wrong-footed Alisson no chance.
Liverpool were opened up again after 67 minutes, Modric and Vinicius combining before Benzema sat Alisson down and demonstrated great composure to finish with his left foot.
What does it mean? Masterful Madrid stun fragile Reds
Liverpool could hardly have had a better start, but they were taught at harsh lesson by the newly crowned Club World Cup winners and paid the price for being so vulnerable at the back.
Los Blancos beat Jurgen Klopp’s side 1-0 in the 2022 Champions League final at Parc des Princes and blew them away as Liverpool became the first team in the history of the competition to lose by a three-goal margin after being 2-0 up.
Liverpool had never conceded four goals at home in Europe, let alone five, and are in great danger of missing out on Champions League football next season given they are eighth in the Premier League.
He and Benzema both took their goal tallies for the season to 18 and must be rubbing their hands together at the prospect of facing the Reds again after tearing them apart on Merseyside with Modric pulling the strings behind them.
Salah’s record strike in vain
Salah became Liverpool’s record goalscorer in Europe with 42 when he was on target early on.
He will be in no mood to celebrate breaking Steven Gerrard’s record after 14-time European champions Madrid rocked the Reds in devastating fashion.
Key Opta Facts
– Liverpool conceded five goals in a European game at Anfield for the first time, while it was just third time this century they shipped five or more goals in a home game in all competitions, also doing so in January 2007 (6-3 defeat to Arsenal) and October 2019 (5-5 draw with Arsenal).
– Real Madrid are the first team in Champions League history to come from two goals down and win by a three-goal margin.
– This was only the fourth time a Jurgen Klopp side conceded five or goals in a home game in all competitions, after Mainz in 2006 (6-1 v Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga), Borussia Dortmund in 2009 (5-1 v Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga) and Liverpool in 2019 (5-5 v Arsenal).
– Darwin Nunez’s opener (three minutes 10 seconds) was Liverpool’s earliest ever Champions League goal at Anfield.
What’s next?
Klopp’s side travel to Crystal Palace for aPremier League encounter on Saturday, when Los Blancos face Atletico Madrid at home in a LaLiga derby.
The Georgian star cost around £9 million to join the Serie A frontrunners last summer, but he has been a revelation, dismantling defences both domestically and internationally.
Kvaratskhelia claims he loves living in Naples, but with teams like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, and Manchester City all rumoured to be interested, a summer transfer is very likely.
We examine “Kvaradona” as Napoli gets ready to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 matchup this evening.
Humble beginnings
Kvaratskhelia’s native Georgia does not exactly have a rich football history.
Manchester City fans of a bygone era will fondly remember Georgi Kinkladze, while the nation’s all-time top scorer Shota Arveladze was a regular at Rangers and recently had an ill-fated spell in charge of Championship side Hull.
At an elite level, defender Kakha Kaladze won Champions League titles with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007 — yet there is good reason to think Kvaratskhelia will surpass even his achievements in due course.
Wind the clock back 12 months from now and even the most committed football purist could be forgiven for not having the Rubin Kazan starlet on their radar.
He netted only twice in 19 Russian Premier League matches in 2021-22, before Russia’s conflict with Ukraine led to his contract being suspended.
He headed home to Dinamo Batumi, where eight goals in 11 games prompted Napoli to cough up a modest sum to bring him to Italy.
Securing that agreement ahead of the likes of Juventus and Roma has proved to be a masterstroke.
Few could have anticipated how quickly Napoli’s No77 would make his mark on top-level football, with his unpredictable and direct playing style proving a nightmare for opposition defences to contain.
Already, he has racked up 12 goals and 12 assists across 24 Serie A and Champions League matches this term, meaning the 19-cap international is operating at an average of one direct goal involvement per game.
That puts him in elite company indeed.
His club team-mate Victor Osimhen, Manchester City sensation Erling Haaland, Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and the Paris Saint-Germain trio of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar are the only others to do so in 2022-23 from Europe’s top leagues.
It is little wonder there is so much speculation around a possible transfer.
Attracting interest
Kvaratskhelia’s agent went public last week regarding speculation over his client’s future — though he stopped short of saying a move was on the cards.
Mamuka Jugeli told press in Italy: “There is a lot of interest from other clubs. Kvara, however, is only thinking about winning the Scudetto and Napoli’s matches in the Champions League.
“He told me that in terms of football in Italy, he sees himself only in Naples. He will never play for any other Italian club, apart from Napoli. He feels at home in Naples.”
That statement should at least reassure Partenopei supporters that their talisman will not be jumping ship to Juve, just as former star Gonzalo Higuain did back in 2016.
Whether or not that rules out a transfer to one of Europe’s other giants, however, remains to be seen.
Finding a fit
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is prone to shooting on sight for Napoli
Kvaratskhelia’s style certainly appears suited to some sides better than others.
While no club would turn their nose up at his league-leading assists tally or penchant for a jaw-dropping strike, the 22-year-old does not always make the correct decision.
Frequent moments of magic are also accompanied by errors. For example, to reach his impressive tally of 47 completed take-ons in Serie A this term, he has had to fail on 81 occasions.
His passing accuracy currently sits under 80%, while only 29 of his 75 shots this season have hit the target.
Teams such as Manchester City and Bayern Munich, who prefer to carefully craft their attacks through high possession and patient build-up, would potentially find the Georgian’s unpredictability problematic.
Made for Madrid
Perhaps somewhere like Real Madrid, where the game’s biggest mavericks have been given a platform to strut their stuff for many decades, could be ideal for Kvaratskhelia.
What is more, the man himself declared his love for Los Blancos in an interview during his time with Rubin Kazan that only surfaced recently.
“With my brothers, we were always watching their games and cheering them on.”
While Premier League giants will be hoping the youngster has had a change of heart, those comments suggest the LaLiga giants will be in pole position when a bidding war commences.
Right now, the dynamic attacker is trying to achieve his Champions League dream in Naples — and he may just do exactly that.
Karius will make his Newcastle debut against Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday thanks to an unlikely chain of events.
Nick Pope, the team’s starting keeper, was dismissed against Liverpool last weekend, and Martin Dubravka, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Man United, is currently cup-tied. He won’t receive a medal unless his teammates from Newcastle do.
The fourth- and fifth-choice goalies, Karius and Mark Gillespie, will be in the spotlight because Karl Darlow, who began Newcastle’s cup campaign in goal, was also permitted to go on loan.
It is Newcastle’s first major cup final since the 1999 FA Cup final, a loss to Man United, but Karius has rather more recent and similarly painful memories of such an occasion.
He was at fault for two goals as Liverpool lost the 2018 Champions League final to Real Madrid, despite having suffered a concussion. He never played for Liverpool again.
But Newcastle head coach Howe said of that match: “I’ve never really discussed that at any length with him [Karius].
“We’ve all got stuff that’s happened in our careers and our histories that you learn from, and I think he’s no different in that respect.”
Eddie Howe on having a positive mindset:
"I believe we can win any game against any team, home or away, if we're absolutely at our best and I think we've proved that this season. We believe the power is in our hands and it's up to us to perform at our best levels." pic.twitter.com/wzIM9Vmptk
“Since day one since he’s come here – he started where he hadn’t had a lot of work before joining us – he’s trained with our goalkeeper coaches in a really, really good way.
“His general performances in training have improved as he’s spent more time with us, and I think he’s in a good place and he’s ready to play.”
Asked how talks had gone with Karius since his sudden promotion, Howe added: “Those conversations are the type of conversations I have with him on a regular basis.
“How is he? How does he feel his training’s going? Are we giving him everything he needs to be the best that he can be?
“He’s a very likeable, laidback character. I’ve got no doubts on his confidence levels. He seems very relaxed and excited – as Mark is – about what lies ahead.”
“I think we have to be very positive about our situation, about the game,” he said. “Yes, it’s a blow to lose Nick, but we still believe in the team and the group that we have.”
Jurgen Klopp’s team is currently sitting in eighth place in the Premier League and has been eliminated from both domestic cups.
With Real Madrid, whom they haven’t defeated in their last six European meetings, including two agonising final losses in 2018 and 2022, they now face a daunting two-legged Champions League knockout match.
Although returning defender Virgil van Dijk suggested the Reds had turned a corner after Saturday’s impressive 2-0 win at Newcastle, expectations are appropriately muted ahead of tonight’s match at Anfield.
We put the influential Dutchman under the microscope ahead of his latest battle with Los Blancos.
Liverpool legend
Alongside the attacking brilliance of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk has been one of the leading figures of the Klopp era.
Almost immediately after arriving from Southampton for £75million in 2018, his domineering presence in the Reds’ backline transformed an already exciting side into a well-oiled machine.
With his crisp passing range, immense composure, and natural leadership, Van Dijk was the final piece of the jigsaw that helped Liverpool enjoy their most trophy-laden period for many decades.
He has won it all on Merseyside. Premier League, Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup medals are all in his trophy cabinet, while he has also lifted both domestic cups.
If he was to leave this summer, the Netherlands international would already be assured iconic status at Liverpool — though the 31-year-old appears to have no intention of exiting Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk tasted Champions League glory with Liverpool in 2019
Injury woes
However, injuries have undoubtedly hampered Van Dijk’s influence in recent years.
Having started 94 straight Premier League games for the Reds in a stunning run between February 2018 and October 2020, the Dutch colossus sustained a catastrophic knee injury against Merseyside rivals Everton.
Challenging for a ball with England stopper Jordan Pickford, the resulting ACL rupture would sideline Van Dijk for the remainder of 2020-21.
He impressively returned to play 51 times in all competitions last term as the Reds agonisingly missed out on the Premier League title by a point, while also losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
Having missed seven games across all competitions, Van Dijk made a timely return to action on Saturday as the Reds overcame high-flying Newcastle at St James’ Park.
The 2-0 success keeps Liverpool within reach of a top-four spot and the influential defender was quick to point out how crucial the victory could be in kick-starting a frustrating campaign.
Van Dijk said: “We’ve had results in the season where we have felt like this is the time to kick on. But this feels a little bit different.
“Coming away from the big win against Everton, it was important to keep going and find a way to win. There is a reason why we are the only team to win here.
“It feels very good [to be back from injury]. Being healthy is the most important thing in the world.
“It was a tough six weeks but I’m back, hopefully I will do everything in my power to recover and be ready for the Champions League game, it is massive for us.”
Waning influence
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has been one of several pundits to suggest Van Dijk has been a different player since his ACL injury.
Murphy, 45, told talkSPORT earlier this season: “He’s not up to his level. Before his injury, he was arguably looking like one of the best centre-halves we’ve ever seen.
“The injury, which is a huge one and he’s come back from, although he’s not had problems in missing games, I think psychologically he’s not in the same place.”
While there may be some credence to Murphy’s observation, the Reds undoubtedly remain a stronger team for their No4’s presence on the field.
As well as his defensive nous, Van Dijk still ranks inside the Premier League’s top 10 centre-backs this term for touches, completed passes and aerial duels per 90 minutes.
He is crucial to the Reds’ build-up play — while 18 shots and two goals show him to be a serious attacking threat in his own right.
Virgil van Dijk offers far more to Liverpool than an average centre-half
Silencing critics
Liverpool’s issues have been widespread this season but with Van Dijk back in the heart of their defence, business could be about to pick up.
Of the 24 games he has completed 90 minutes in this season in all competitions, the Meresysiders have won on 15 occasions, drawing four and losing five times.
Conversely, the 10 games he has not featured or completed have resulted in only two wins, three draws and five defeats.
Regardless of whether his very best days are behind him or not, Van Dijk is key to revivinga wretched Reds campaign.
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