All articles tagged with #champions league
Pep Guardiola urged UEFA to change Champions League knockout rules to avoid repeat matchups after Manchester City were drawn with Real Madrid again, their 13th meeting since 2020; he also noted Arsenal faces a tough path and stressed that no team has an easy route to lifting the trophy.
Opta’s 10,000-simulation model after the 2025-26 knockout draw lists Arsenal as the favorite to win the tournament (27.4% of simulations), with Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona among the other leading contenders; Real Madrid sit lower (2.8%), while longshots Galatasaray and Bodø/Glimt are at 0.2% and 0.4%. The last-16 line-up includes PSG vs Chelsea, Galatasaray vs Liverpool, Real Madrid vs City, Atalanta vs Bayern, Newcastle vs Barcelona, Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham, Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting CP, and Leverkusen vs Arsenal. City are the favorites to advance from the Real Madrid–City tie (64.3%), while the rest of the field chases the trophy in Budapest on 30 May.
The Champions League Round of 16 draw has been completed in a live blog format, finalizing the bracket and revealing matchups for top clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Tottenham, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea were drawn against holders PSG in the Champions League last-16, while Manchester City were paired with Real Madrid; Arsenal play Bayer Leverkusen, Newcastle United face Barcelona, Liverpool meet Galatasaray and Tottenham take on Atletico Madrid, with first legs on March 10-11 and second legs on March 17-18. The final is in Budapest on May 30, and the route to the final suggests Newcastle-Tottenham could meet Arsenal in the quarters and Chelsea-Liverpool in the other half.
Giorgio Chiellini spoke for Juventus after their Champions League exit to Galatasaray, praising the team's fight despite going down to 10 men when Lloyd Kelly received a red card via VAR. Juve forced extra time but ultimately conceded late goals and were eliminated; Chiellini called it a starting point to rediscover Juventus's spark and urged faith in the players and coach for the remaining fixtures.
Juventus rallied to win the second leg 3-2 after going down to 10 men, but a 5-2 first-leg deficit left them with a 7-5 aggregate loss and out of the Champions League; the night highlighted moments from players like McKennie, Locatelli, and Gatti, plenty of missed chances, and ongoing questions about Juventus’s depth and decision-making in Europe.
Vinícius Júnior's 80th-minute strike sealed Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Benfica at the Bernabéu, sending them 3-1 on aggregate to the Champions League last 16 despite away fans booing him after last week's racism controversy; Aurélien Tchouaméni had equalized after Rafa Silva's opener, and Madrid displayed anti-racism banners.
Real Madrid announced its starting XI for the Champions League Round of 32 return leg against Benfica, holding a 1-0 aggregate lead and needing only a draw to advance; the lineup includes Gonzalo García replacing Mbappé and Alexander-Arnold back in the XI, with Benfica's predicted lineup also listed. Kick-off is 21:00 CET at the Bernabéu, with broadcast options on Movistar Liga Campeones (Spain) and streaming via Paramount+, DAZN, and Amazon Prime Video (USA).
Norway’s Bodo/Glimt, a club from a town of just over 40,000 north of the Arctic Circle, stunned Inter Milan in the Champions League knockout stages, driven by high‑intensity football, a talent‑spotting “X factor” recruitment approach, and a unique mental‑coaching regimen that has powered their unlikely rise from qualifiers to the knockouts.
Manchester United's young signings Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens have sparked optimism for a Champions League return, with Lammens delivering crucial saves in a 10-game unbeaten run and the club shifting its European aim from the Europa League to the continent's top competition.
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings after Vinícius Jr. accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racist abuse during Real Madrid’s 1–0 Champions League playoff win; Prestianni reportedly told investigators he did not use the word 'mono' but a different anti-gay slur. Aurelien Tchouameni and Mbappé say they heard insults, while Real Madrid has submitted evidence. UEFA’s Article 14 covers insults against human dignity, with possible sanctions including suspensions.
Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior scored a brilliant winner in Lisbon, but missiles, allegations of racist abuse from Benfica fans, and a hostile atmosphere dominated the night, prompting post-match debate, Mourinho’s comments, Mbappé’s remarks, and UEFA to review the incident.
Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory at Benfica in the Champions League first leg, thanks to Vinícius Jr.’s decisive goal and a display built on defensive authority and midfield control. Courtois produced a world-class save, Rüdiger led the defense, and Camavinga and Tchouaméni helped control the middle, with Mbappé having chances but not finishing; Vinícius Jr. faced racist abuse from sections of the crowd yet showed immense resilience ahead of the return leg.
Vinicius Junior reported alleged racist abuse by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during Real Madrid's 1-0 win, triggering a 10-minute stoppage; Mourinho sparked backlash by suggesting Vinicius celebrated disrespectfully and questioning whether Benfica is racist, comments described as a ‘big mistake’ by Seedorf and condemned by Alexander-Arnold. The incident drew further condemnation from Mbappe and Henry, with calls for urgent UEFA action ahead of the second leg.
Real Madrid’s Champions League knockout tie at Benfica was paused for 10 minutes after Vinicius Junior alleged racist abuse; following a discussion with referee Francois Letexier and an interaction with Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, play resumed with Real Madrid leading 1-0. The match finished 1-0 after extended stoppage time (12 minutes), during which an object struck Vinicius. Vinicius posted a condemnation of racism on Instagram, while Pavlidis defended Prestianni and no further comments from him have been issued.