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Tag: UCL

  • UEFA considers stripping Russia of 2022 Champions League final hosting right

    UEFA considers stripping Russia of 2022 Champions League final hosting right

    UEFA is under pressure to move the Champions League football final from St Petersburg after Russia’s recognition of two breakaway Ukrainian regions.

    Officials at European football’s governing body have been holding discussions on the effect of Russia’s deepening intervention in Ukraine on whether the Champions League final can still be staged in St Petersburg.

    The showpiece game in European football is due to be played in the Russian city on May 28, the biggest sporting event in the country since the 2018 World Cup.

    UEFA said over the weekend that it was “constantly and closely monitoring the situation” and had no plans to change the final venue.

    But a person with knowledge of the situation said the Ukraine crisis was discussed by top-level officials at UEFA on Tuesday, including its president, Aleksander Ceferin.

    The European football governing body has not issued a fresh statement since fears were raised of a fuller Russian invasion of Ukraine after Moscow announced on Monday the recognition of independence for separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

    The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss talks assessing the geopolitical situation.

    Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it would be “inconceivable” that major international football tournaments could take place in Russia after its recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

    Johnson made the comments in the House of Commons on Tuesday when Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey encouraged the prime minister to “push for this year’s Champions League final to be moved from St Petersburg”.

    “It is absolutely vital in this critical moment that President [Vladimir] Putin understands that what he is doing is going to be a disaster for Russia,” he said.

    “It is clear from the response of the world to what he has done already in Donbas that he is going to end up with a Russia that is poorer … a Russia that is more isolated.”

  • Mbappe scores late to give PSG win against Real Madrid

    Mbappe scores late to give PSG win against Real Madrid

    Kylian Mbappe scored a brilliant goal in stoppage time as Paris St-Germain beat 13-time Champions League winners Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

    The France striker, linked with a move to Real in the summer, received the ball on the left from a clever backheel by Neymar, and got between two defenders inside the box before slotting through Thibaut Courtois’ legs to send the Parc des Princes wild.

    It was a dramatic finish to a game that had looked set to end in frustration for PSG, especially after Lionel Messi saw his penalty saved just after the hour mark.

    The hosts had dominated possession but struggled to break down a well-organised Real defence that had limited PSG to one shot on target in the first half, when Mbappe saw a shot denied by Courtois’ legs.

    But the introduction of Neymar, making his first appearance since November after recovering from injury, proved decisive. He caused Real a number of problems with his dangerous crosses and clever runs before providing the crucial pass for Mbappe to work his magic with seconds remaining.

    The win will give PSG hope that they can head to Madrid on Wednesday, 9 March and get the result they need to keep alive their hopes of winning a first Champions League title.

    BBC

  • UCL: I’m going to die for PSG against Madrid – Ramos

    UCL: I’m going to die for PSG against Madrid – Ramos

    Paris Saint-Germain center-back Sergio Ramos has said he’s “going to die” for his club when they face Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16.

    The Spanish centre-back was asked about his emotions upon drawing his former club in Europe, and he left no doubts about his allegiance.

    Ramos has only managed to play in one match this year for PSG amid prolonged muscular injuries, but he will hope to be available in the spring for the momentous two-legged clash.

    Ramos almost played Manchester United instead of Real Madrid, but PSG were re-drawn against the Spanish side in an emotional turn of events for him.

    “You know the affection and love I have for Real Madrid,” Ramos said. “Now it’s my turn to defend PSG and I’ll do everything possible to do it. It’s the team that bet on me. I’m going to die for PSG.”

    “I would have liked not to have that confrontation [with Real Madrid], but returning to the Santiago Bernabeu is cause for joy [because] I could not have a real farewell because of Covid restrictions.”

  • UCL round of 16 redraw: PSG to face Real Madrid, Man Utd get Atletico

    UCL round of 16 redraw: PSG to face Real Madrid, Man Utd get Atletico

    Paris Saint-Germain will face Real Madrid in the 2021-22 Champions League round of 16 after the ties had to be redrawn on a chaotic and embarrassing afternoon for UEFA.

    The two European heavyweights will clash next year in the pick of the ties, with reigning champions Chelsea facing Lille – who they also were paired with in the original draw.

    Manchester United – who were originally against PSG – will face Atletico Madrid, Man City are against Sporting CP and Liverpool will take on Inter.

    Official last-16 draw

    RB Salzburg vs Bayern Munich

    Sporting vs Manchester City

    Benfica vs Ajax

    Chelsea vs Lille

    Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

    Villarreal vs Juventus

    Inter vs Liverpool

    PSG vs Real Madrid

  • Champions League round of 16 draw to be re-done

    Champions League round of 16 draw to be re-done

    The UEFA Champions League round of 16 draws will be re-done after a “technical problem” caused an error in the initial one.

    It will now take place at 2pm, after the Europa Conference League draw.

    That means the previous draw is null and void – and we may now, unfortunately, be denied a Messi – Ronaldo reunion.

    Uefa’s statement: “Following a technical problem with the software of an external service provider that instructs the officials as to which teams are eligible to play each other, a material error occurred in the draw for the Uefa Champions League Round of 16.

    “As a result of this, the draw has been declared void and will be entirely redone at 1500 CET (14:00 GMT).”

  • UCL: Barca team capable of winning at Bayern – Xavi

    UCL: Barca team capable of winning at Bayern – Xavi

    Barcelona coach Xavi recognises it’s all or nothing on Wednesday night against Champions League opponents Bayern Munich.

    Barca need to defeat unbeaten Bayern Munich in their own backyard, but Xavi doesn’t believe they’ll need a miracle to do so.

    The Blaugrana’s task is certainly a big one as the German champions have looked unstoppable in Europe this season, but the Catalan coach believes his team can beat anyone.

    “It’s in our own hands and we’ll give it everything we’ve got. After the game, we’ll see,” said Xavi in his pre-match press conference.

    “I don’t see it as a miracle.

    “It’s one game and we can beat any opponent.”

    Of course, Xavi is aware that Bayern aren’t just any opponent and Barcelona will have to be at their best to get anything in the Allianz Arena.

    “We have to be patient,” said Xavi.

    “This [process] isn’t overnight.

    “[On Wednesday] we have a test against an opponent who have been better than us in our last meetings.”

    The other game in the Group E, where Benfica host Dynamo Kiev, could also have a big say in Barcelona’s post-Christmas European destiny. If Benfica fail to win, it doesn’t matter what happens in Munich, but Xavi prefers not to think about that.

    “If we don’t win, we’re depending on that game,” said Xavi.

    “I want to think that it’s more important to rely on ourselves than on others.”

  • UCL: Sancho strikes as managerless Man Utd reach last 16

    UCL: Sancho strikes as managerless Man Utd reach last 16

    Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick dedicated victory over Villarreal to former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as United booked their place in the Champions League last 16.

    Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho gave Carrick a win in his first game in temporary charge two days after Solskjaer was sacked.

    “It’s not been an easy couple of days for anyone at the club and that result almost feels like it’s for Ole,” said Carrick, a Champions League winner with United as a player in 2008.

    “We had a job to do and things needed to be taken care of. I was happy to do it and thankfully it all went to plan.

    “When you’ve suffered results-wise and aren’t in good form, individually and as a team, it’s not easy to come out and let everything click – we had to show some character and fight.”

    Ronaldo maintained his record of scoring in every game in this season’s competition when he lifted the ball over goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli in the 78th minute, after Fred had dispossessed Etienne Capoue.

    Sancho then sealed the victory in injury time, blasting a shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar.

    However, United were indebted to goalkeeper David de Gea as he produced two superb one-handed saves, one in each half, to keep out well-struck efforts from Manu Trigueros when it was goalless.

    United will progress as group winners with a game to spare after Atalanta could only draw 3-3 with Young Boys in the later game on Tuesday.

  • UCL: Chelsea thrash Juventus to reach last 16

    UCL: Chelsea thrash Juventus to reach last 16

    Reigning champions Chelsea progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League with an impressive win against Juventus at Stamford Bridge.

    Trevor Chalobah, who was making his first European start for the Blues, scored the opener when he slammed home a loose ball following a corner after 25 minutes.

    Chelsea were dominant throughout and got the second goal their performance deserved when Reece James controlled a clearance and volleyed across Wojciech Szczesny into the far corner eight minutes into the second half.

    A third soon followed with Juventus looking shell-shocked and all at sea defensively as a short, sharp interchange of passes gave Callum Hudson-Odoi the chance to slot home at the back post.

    The scoring was completed when Hakim Ziyech capitalised on a mistake from Juve midfielder Weston McKennie to cross for Timo Werner to tap home in added time.

    It is the Italian club’s heaviest defeat in the Champions League and demonstrated Chelsea’s status as a serious contender to retain the trophy they won against Premier League rivals Manchester City in May.

    The three points send Chelsea to the top of Group H but they must match Juventus’ result in the final matchday on 8 December – when they travel to Zenit St Petersburg and the Turin club host Malmo – in order to stay there.

    The only concern for Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea were the withdrawals of N’Golo Kante in the first half and Ben Chilwell in the second period through injury, with the Blues set to face Manchester United on Sunday.

     

    BBC

  • UCL: Juve midfielder reveals squad talks before Zenith win

    UCL: Juve midfielder reveals squad talks before Zenith win

    Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli was delighted with victory over Zenit.

    The win sees Juve qualify from their Champions League group.

    “We told each other that we must be strong players before that strong men,” Locatelli told Sky Italia.

    “We played really well and we must continue, following what coach Allegri says. We must give everything as we did tonight.

    “We are the first ones to be aware when we don’t play well. We want to give everything for the fans now.”

  • Ronaldo late volley rescues point for Man Utd against Atalanta

    Ronaldo late volley rescues point for Man Utd against Atalanta

    Cristiano Ronaldo was once again Manchester United’s saviour as the Portuguese superstar scored two equalisers in a 2-2 draw with Atalanta on Tuesday.

    The 36-year-old fired in a superb volley in stoppage time after equalising for United on the stroke of half-time.

    The result came just a fortnight after United fought back from 2-0 to beat Atalanta 3-2 at Old Trafford.

    And the Italians once again took up early supremacy against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, going ahead after 12 minutes through Josip Iličić.

    Duvan Zapata found the Slovenia international unmarked at the back post to break the deadlock.

    Ronaldo got United back in it after a sumptuous team move, which saw Fernandes backheel to his compatriot before he fired past Juan Musso.

    However, United failed to learn their lesson in the second half as they went behind again when Zapata scored after 56 minutes.

    Atalanta thought they had won it until Ronaldo fired in a world-class volley into the bottom corner from outside the box to clinch a point for the visitors.

    The Red Devils remain top of Group F on equal points with Villarreal.