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Champions League news

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Pep to City flops: Stay home if you don't believe in Madrid comeback

Pep Guardiola has issued an ultimatum to his Manchester City squad, telling any players who doubt their ability to stage a historic Champions League comeback to "stay at home". Facing a daunting three-goal deficit against Real Madrid, the Catalan manager is demanding total belief from his side. City must overcome both their recent poor form and a dismal historical record in first-leg recovery missions to keep their European dreams alive.

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'He faces 200 million defenders!' - Pep defends Haaland

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered a staunch defence of Erling Haaland, claiming the striker occupies "the most difficult position on the planet" after another scoreless outing against West Ham. The Norway international has seen his usually prolific output stall in 2026, a stark contrast to his blistering start to the campaign.

Vicario Szoboszlai

'Absolutely shocking' - Carragher blasts Vicario for Szoboszlai goal

Tottenham’s goalkeeping issues were in the spotlight again on Sunday as Guglielmo Vicario found himself in the crosshairs of Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher. The drama unfolded in the 18th minute when Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to take a free-kick, curling a right-footed effort past Vicario for the opening goal of the game, drawing huge criticism from Carragher.

Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid handed Mbappe boost ahead of Man City clash

Kylian Mbappe has handed Real Madrid a fitness boost after completing a normal training session with the rest of the first-team squad on Sunday. The forward has been working through a fitness programme to overcome a persistent knee problem that kept him out of recent domestic action, but his presence in Valdebebas suggests he is closing in on a return to first-team action.

Newcastle United FC v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg

Newcastle share fitness update on Tonali ahead of Barca clash

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has provided an update on Sandro Tonali’s fitness ahead of a huge game in the Champions League against Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou. The former AC Milan man fell victim to a bug that has been spreading through the first-team squad over the last few weeks, leaving the coaching staff sweating on his fitness ahead of the second leg against Hansi Flick's side.

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Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid Super Cup 2026

Mbappe caught up in club-versus-country row

Real Madrid face a dilemma over Kylian Mbappe's fitness ahead of their Champions League clash with Manchester City clash as France and Nike demand his presence for international friendlies. The World Cup winner may be called upon by his country despite sitting out matches at club level.

Kylian Mbappe Erling Haaland Real Madrid Manchester City 2025-26 Champions League

Revealed: The role Mbappe will play for Real against Man City

Kylian Mbappe will reportedly board the plane with the Real Madrid squad this Monday as they travel to England. Desperate to avoid just watching from the sidelines, the forward is pushing to be available for Alvaro Arbeloa in this decisive Champions League last-16 second leg against Manchester City. After missing recent action, the Frenchman is eager to help his side navigate the Etihad cauldron and secure a spot in the quarter-finals.

Kinsky - Vicario - Tudor

Tudor explains why he ignored tearful Kinsky after shock subbing

Tottenham Hotspur interim boss Igor Tudor has stood by his brutal 17th-minute substitution of Antonin Kinsky during a chaotic defeat to Atletico Madrid. Despite facing intense scrutiny for ignoring the tearful goalkeeper as he left the pitch, Tudor remains adamant that his touchline reaction was a deliberate strategy to prevent a bad situation from spiraling out of control.

Anthony Gordon Alan Shearer Wayne Rooney

Gordon hits back at Rooney and Shearer's 'complete nonsense'

The drama began when Anthony Gordon was omitted from Newcastle’s starting line-up for their massive Champions League last-16 first leg against Barcelona last Tuesday. Despite the magnitude of the occasion, the winger was only fit enough for a place on the bench, sparking a wave of criticism from high-profile pundits who questioned his commitment and professional conduct on the night, claims to which the Magpies' man has now emphatically responded.

Real Madrid CF v Manchester City FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg

Shearer slams Guardiola & says City 'got what they deserved'

Alan Shearer has sharply criticised Pep Guardiola after Manchester City suffered a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid. Shearer expressed his surprise at the line-up, which indicated Guardiola's preference for an attacking style of play when facing a team of Real Madrid's stature away from home. The Newcastle United legend says City "got what they deserved" in the end, given their tactics and approach to the game.

Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal - Premier League

'I fully trust & love him' - Arteta defends Saka form

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has jumped to the defence of Bukayo Saka following a string of underwhelming performances from the England international. The academy graduate was substituted after a disappointing hour-long cameo against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday night, sparking concerns about his current physical and mental state.

Real Madrid CF v Manchester City FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg

📽️ | 'Massacred!' - Pep mimics bullets firing as he defends tactics

Pep Guardiola has sensationally claimed he has been "massacred" for his tactical decisions following Manchester City’s humbling 3-0 Champions League defeat at the hands of Real Madrid. The Catalan coach, evidently feeling the heat after the first-leg collapse at the Bernabeu, delivered a marathon four-minute response to questions about his team selection, even going as far as to mimic gunshots with his fingers to describe the wave of online criticism he has faced.

Wrexham v Chelsea - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round

Rosenior praises Neto in wake of clash with ball boy

Liam Rosenior was "impressed" by Pedro Neto’s decision to issue a heartfelt apology after pushing a ball boy during the Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. While UEFA has opened an investigation for "unsporting behaviour", Rosenior praised the winger's accountability, noting that his desire to apologise showed a genuine commitment to learn from the mistake.

Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League

Neto hit with fresh PL ban as UEFA ball boy shove probe looms

Chelsea’s Pedro Neto has been hit with a one-game ban and a £70,000 fine following his red card against Arsenal. The FA confirmed the extra penalty after the winger "acted in an improper manner by failing to leave the pitch promptly and/or using abusive words towards the match official/s". He will now miss Saturday’s crucial clash against Newcastle.

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Bayern given positive update on Davies injury

Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies is set for a shorter spell on the sidelines than first feared following his injury against Atalanta. Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has provided a positive update on the defender's recovery timeline after reaching out to his star player.

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Bayern transfer chief's future still in doubt despite treble chase

Bayern Munich are flying high on the pitch under Vincent Kompany, but internal politics are threatening to overshadow their success. Sporting director Max Eberl finds himself in a precarious position as board members question his long-term suitability. Despite a contract running until 2027, the hierarchy is reportedly split on whether he is the right man to lead the club’s sporting vision.

Borussia Dortmund v FC Bayern München - Bundesliga

'Best in Europe' - Legend backs Bayern and Kane for UCL glory

Bayern Munich legend Oliver Kahn has delivered a glowing assessment of the club's current trajectory under Vincent Kompany, branding them the premier force in European football. Following a ruthless Champions League performance against Atalanta, the former goalkeeper and CEO noted that the squad's immense depth is a historical omen for major silverware. However, the 2001 European champion also voiced a unique concern regarding the team's lack of recent struggles.

TOPSHOT-FBL-EUR-C1-NEWCASTLE-BARCELONA

Concern for Barca as Yamal misses training after Newcastle draw

Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal missed training on Thursday, sparking concerns ahead of Sunday’s La Liga clash with Sevilla. The 18-year-old, who rescued a 1-1 draw for Barca against Newcastle in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday night, is said to be struggling with illness.

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Klinsmann responds to Tottenham job links

Tottenham legend Jurgen Klinsmann has refused to rule out returning to the club as manager, with current interim boss Igor Tudor facing immense pressure. The German icon expressed his enduring affection for the club in a new interview after seeing them fall to a dismal 5-2 loss against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Tudor - Neville

Neville calls Tudor's Tottenham tenure a 'car crash'

Former Manchester United and England full-back Gary Neville has slammed Igor Tudor’s "car crash" four-week tenure as Tottenham's interim manager and condemned his "brutal" treatment of young keeper Antonin Kinsky following the team's shocking Champions League round of 16 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Frequently asked questions

Since the Conference League's inception in 2021, three teams have lifted the trophy: Roma, West Ham United, and the current champions, Olympiacos.

The newest format, introduced ahead of the 2024-25 season, features 36 teams, four more than in the previous format.

Mainz 05 midfielder Hong Hyun-seok and Gent captain Sven Kums have made 39 appearances each in the Conference League, making them the players with the most appearances in the competition.

As for top goalscorers, Arthur Cabral leads the list with 21 goals to his name, including those scored in the qualifying phase. However, without taking into account goals scored in the qualifying phase, three players have scored the joint-most goals in Conference League with 12 each to their names: Arthur Cabral, Eran Zahavi, and Vangelis Pavlidis.

Darian Males, Gavriel Kanichowsky, and Cristiano Biraghi have the most assists in Conference League history, registering eight assists each.

Veteran Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, while playing for Villarreal in 2023, became the oldest player to feature in the Conference League at 40 years and 175 days.

Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi holds the record as the Conference League's youngest-ever player at the tender age of 16 years and 3 days.

Stars such as Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Tammy Abraham, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins,Co Mario Gotze, Kasper Schmeichel, Cody Gakpo, Stephan El Shaarawy, James Maddison, Jonathan David, and Edin Dzeko have played in the Conference League.

Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho, Unai Emery, David Moyes, and Ange Postecoglou are among the most famous managers to have managed in the Conference League.