Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi remains stranded in Doha due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East severely disrupting international travel. With flights grounded and airspace restricted following recent strikes, the club chief faces a frantic race against time to attend PSG's crucial Champions League round-of-16 tie against Chelsea at the Parc des Princes.
A curiosity and an incredibly bitter evening at the same time: two remarkable things happened at crisis club Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the round of 16 at Atlético Madrid.
The three world champions Mats Hummels, Christoph Kramer and Benedikt Höwedes spoke highly of Manuel Neuer and also shared a curious anecdote about their former teammate.
Liverpool coach Arne Slot claimed that his team were in a much better place as they returned to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday - but the Reds looked to have made zero progress at all as they slumped to another 1-0 defeat at RAMS Park that this time puts them at real risk of elimination.
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino was serenaded by a plane full of Tottenham Hotspur fans while traveling to Madrid for the team's Champions League clash on Tuesday. Pochettino, who led Spurs to the 2019 Champions League final, found himself on the same flight as a large contingent of supporters heading to the Metropolitano Stadium to watch their side face Atletico Madrid.
Tottenham eased their way into the last-16 of Champions League competition, but find themselves locked in a Premier League relegation battle. That inconsistency has left many in north London puzzled, with ex-Spurs star Gus Poyet telling GOAL why he is not buying “rubbish” excuses for domestic struggles and sees a falling giant tumbling out of the fabled ‘Big Six’.
Alvaro Arbeloa has delivered an update on Kylian Mbappe's fitness ahead of the first leg of Real Madrid's Champions League round of 16 tie against Manchester City. The French forward has been struggling with a persistent knee injury, missing Los Blancos last three games across all competitions.
Arsenal have received a significant triple fitness boost ahead of their Champions League round-of-16 first-leg encounter against Bayer Leverkusen. Key defensive and attacking figures were spotted during the club's final training session before they departed for Germany. While Mikel Arteta still faces some notable absences, the return of this influential trio strengthens the Gunners' hand for a crucial European away leg.
Arsenal came out of the 2025 summer transfer window as one of its perceived winners. They didn't go toe-to-toe with reigning Premier League champions Liverpool in terms of bringing in star talent, but they stacked their squad full of enough quality so they wouldn't be hit as hard if they suffered another injury crisis this season. Their 2024-25 campaign was derailed in large part due to a drop in talent beyond their strongest XI.
Hansi Flick has hailed teenage defender Pau Cubarsi, claiming his development mirrors that of Lamine Yamal. The Barcelona boss believes the 19-year-old is ready for the highest level ahead of the club's crunch Champions League last-16 tie against Newcastle.
Pedro Porro has moved to clarify his relationship with Tottenham interim head coach Igor Tudor following a visible show of frustration during the club's recent defeat to Crystal Palace. The Spaniard’s outburst sparked rumours of dressing room unrest as Spurs prepare for a daunting Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid. However, Porro has now insisted that Tudor was not the target of his anger.
It's been a little over two years since Victor Osimhen revealed that he'd made up his mind on which club to join after Napoli. Just three days later, Partenopei president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed that the striker would "go to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain or some Premier League team". Osimhen instead ended up in Istanbul playing for Galatasaray, the biggest team in Turkey but not exactly the destination the Nigeria international had in mind when he announced his intention to leave Naples.
When Real Madrid were paired with Manchester City in the Champions League last-16, the groans could be heard all the way from Plaza Mayor to Piccadilly Gardens: 'Again?!' The complaints were entirely predictable and, at some level, understandable. By the end of the second leg next Tuesday, the two teams will have faced each other 11 times in the past five seasons, and on 17 occasions since 2012.
Mauricio Pochettino is set for a high-profile return to the scene of his greatest European heartbreak, as the 54-year-old USMNT head coach is expected to attend Tuesday night’s Champions League first-leg tie between Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur. The Argentine will be present at the Metropolitano as an official guest of the Spanish giants, marking a significant moment as he watches his former club in person for the first time since his departure from London.
Tottenham interim manager Igor Tudor has made a startling admission ahead of his side's Champions League last-16 encounter with Atletico Madrid, confessing that Premier League survival remains the club's ultimate goal. Despite the prestige of Europe’s elite competition, the London side finds themselves in a precarious position domestically, sitting just one point above the relegation zone with nine matches remaining.
Paris Saint-Germain are facing mounting pressure ahead of their Champions League clash against Chelsea. Following a shock 3-1 domestic defeat to Monaco, former France international Christophe Dugarry has fiercely criticised the reigning European champions. He claims the squad is completely unrecognisable, warning that the manager's highly optimistic approach is now failing.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has carefully navigated the fallout from Xavi Hernandez's controversial remarks. Speaking ahead of this week's Champions League clash, the German coach refused to be drawn into a public dispute, opting instead to protect the privacy of their conversations while maintaining his team's focus amid the mounting political tension surrounding the club.
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has urged his players to harness the power of the Rams Park crowd when they face Liverpool in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday. The Turkish side are looking to repeat their success from the league phase, where a 1-0 victory in Istanbul proved they can handle the Premier League giants on their own turf.
Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has confirmed the club is in no rush to extend Manuel Neuer’s contract. As the legendary 39-year-old goalkeeper approaches his 40th birthday, the hierarchy is waiting for him to evaluate his physical condition. With Jonas Urbig impressing in relief, the club remains calm about the future transition between the sticks.
Real Madrid's preparations for their crucial Champions League round of 16 clash against Manchester City have suffered another major setback. Young defender Alvaro Carreras has sustained a calf injury, joining key players like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo on the sidelines. Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa faces severe selection challenges ahead of the Bernabeu tie.
GOAL Exclusive: The American midfielder discusses adversity, gratitude, and why this year’s challenges have prepared him to fight for a World Cup spot.
Pep Guardiola can breathe a sigh of relief after Manchester City lynchpin Rodri avoided a playing suspension for his scathing assessment of match officials. The FA confirmed on Monday that an independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Rodri for the media comments he made following a controversial 2-2 draw with Tottenham on February 1. While the Ballon d'Or winner has been slapped with a heavy £80,000 fine, he remains available for selection as City continue their hunt for silverware.
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