Champions League news

ITV confirmed earlier this month that it is in preliminary discussions to sell its broadcasting business to Sky for £1.6 billion. The talks come as the television industry faces fierce competition from the rise of streaming services such as Disney+, Prime Video and Netflix. The former platforms already own rights to show one Champions League and one La Liga match per gameweek.

A renovated Santiago Bernabeu has played host to the first-ever NFL match played at the stadium, helping to elevate its status to a multi-purpose stadium and, Impressed with the revamped stadium, UEFA are reportedly planning to host a Champions League final at the Bernabeu in the near future.

Barcelona have finally received the kind of news they have been waiting months for. Pedri’s accelerated recovery puts him on course to face Chelsea in a crucial Champions League clash, Joan Garcia is set to return after the break, Raphinha has also entered the final phase of his rehabilitation, with their injury returns coming at an ideal time for manager Hansi Flick.

Kylian Mbappe has broken his silence on Real Madrid’s recent slump, admitting the team “played very badly” in the defeats to Atletico Madrid and Liverpool. His comments arrive at a sensitive moment for Xabi Alonso, whose strict methods have unsettled parts of the dressing room and exposed a tactical transition that is proving far more turbulent than expected.

Morten Hjulmand’s stock continues to rise after a standout Champions League display against Juventus, but Sporting CP have warned that even an €80 million bid won’t be enough to buy him in January. With his release clause currently deactivated, clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus will have to wait until summer to make a move for the Danish midfielder.

Dayot Upamecano has addressed ongoing uncertainty over his Bayern Munich future as several European giants circle ahead of a possible free transfer in the summer. The French defender has yet to agree a new deal with Bayern and insists his focus remains on performance, even as Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League clubs prepare their approach. Upamecano has promised to make the “right decision” when the time comes.

Former Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has heaped praise on Bayern Munich, heralding the Bavarian giants' first-half performance in their 2-1 away win over PSG as "some of the best football" he has seen in years. Vincent Kompany's side are in imperious form to start the season, winning a record-breaking 16 straight games to open the 2025/26 season.

Niko Kovac held up Manchester City star Phil Foden's 'smooth control and finish' as an example for Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi after yet another disappointing performance on the pitch. Foden starred with a brace, while Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki also found the back of the net as City thrashed the Bundesliga side 4-1 in a Champions League clash on Wednesday at Etihad Stadium.

Barcelona director Deco has labelled discussion of coach Hansi Flick's style "irrelevant" after a chaotic 3-3 Champions League draw with Club Brugge. Despite defensive frailties, Deco insists the club "know perfectly well" where to improve and will rely on nothing other than hard work, drawing parallels to overcoming difficulties last season.

Micky van de Van scored a stunning solo goal for Tottenham in their Champions League clash with FC Copenhagen, but a couple of his club colleagues have snubbed the Dutchman when naming the best strike that they have ever seen. Another effort recorded in European competition, by Portuguese GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo, gets the nod from a few of those in north London.

Marseille’s Champions League campaign has unravelled under Roberto De Zerbi, with just one win in four games and mounting criticism over his tactics and squad choices. After a frustrating 1-0 home loss to Atalanta, former France international Jerome Rothen blasted the Italian coach’s approach, saying he “can’t find the ingredients” to make Marseille click - while labelling everyone but Mason Greenwood and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli “useless.”

Wayne Rooney has sought to bring an end to his supposed feud with Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk. The Manchester United legend has found himself caught up in a war of words with the Netherlands international, with the pair coming face-to-face during an awkward television exchange after Van Dijk helped Liverpool to a Champions League win over Real Madrid.

Jamie Carragher has accused a Daily Mail journalist of having "sympathy about 115 charges" at Manchester City after seeing his attempts to sit in the away end at the Etihad Stadium reported on. The legendary former Liverpool defender has mingled with Borussia Dortmund fans in the past and had hoped to join them again for a Champions League fixture on English soil.

Marseille fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Atalanta in their Champions League clash on Wednesday, a match overshadowed by controversial refereeing decisions late on. Several Marseille players, along with head coach Roberto De Zerbi, were left furious after the referee declined to award a potential penalty just moments before Atalanta netted the decisive goal in the dying minutes.

Roy Keane has slammed Liverpool supporters for booing Trent Alexander-Arnold on his first return to Anfield since joining Real Madrid, accusing them of lacking 'class' after jeering a player who gave 'his everything' to the club. The Manchester United legend was left 'shocked' by the treatment of the local hero, who was booed throughout his late cameo in Los Blancos' Champions League defeat.

Lamine Yamal is ignoring his latest comparisons to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, with the teenage wonderkid pointing out that the Argentine GOAT has “scored 1000s of goals” that are similar to the strike he recorded against Club Brugge. Yamal delivered another moment of magic in that Champions League contest, but is reluctant to liken himself to an all-time great.

Romeo Lavia’s luckless spell at Chelsea took another cruel twist as the midfielder limped off just eight minutes into their 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag. Manager Enzo Maresca admitted he and the club “feel very ashamed” over the Belgian’s relentless injury troubles, which have restricted him to only 30 appearances since his £58 million move from Southampton in 2023.