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Champions League

Champions League news

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Schlotterbeck and Kovac fume at red card in Atalanta loss

Borussia Dortmund's crushing 4-1 Champions League exit at the hands of Atalanta in Bergamo culminated in a bizarre and inexplicable touchline incident that left the German camp outraged. In the 97th minute of the bruising defeat, referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez inexplicably showed a straight red card to Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who was watching from the substitutes' bench.

N. SchlotterbeckBorussia Dortmund
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Osimhen explains refusal to celebrate against Juve

The sight of Victor Osimhen finding the back of the net at the Allianz Stadium is a familiar one for Italian football fans, but his latest strike in the Champions League carried a completely different weight. While his goal for Galatasaray added another chapter to his prolific European campaign - despite a 3-2 defeat on the night that nevertheless secured a 7-5 aggregate victory and a place in the round of 16 - it was his stoic reaction, or lack thereof, that truly caught the eye. Despite the high stakes of the continental clash, the Nigerian superstar opted for silence over celebration, later revealing that his history with the man in the opposing dugout, Luciano Spalletti, dictated his conduct on the night.

V. OsimhenGalatasaray
Manchester City FC v Real Madrid: Semi-Final Second Leg - UEFA Champions League

Henry hails Fabregas' Como as 'the best' and blasts Inter boss Chivu

While Inter remain the dominant force in the Serie A standings, Thierry Henry believes the squad has completely lost its soul following their humiliating Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt at San Siro this week. The legendary pundit argues that the most attractive football in Italy is no longer found in Milan, but is instead being showcased by Cesc Fabregas’ flourishing Como side.

InterT. Henry
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PSG 'ready' for Chelsea & Barca, warns Luis Enrique

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has sent a clear message to rivals across Europe, including potential knockout stage opponents Chelsea and Barcelona, following his side's progression to the Champions League round of 16. Despite a stuttering 2-2 draw against Monaco at the Parc des Princes, which secured a 5-4 aggregate victory and passage via the play-off round, the Spanish tactician remains convinced that the reigning European champions are still the team that no one wants to face in the business end of the competition.

Paris Saint-GermainParis Saint-Germain vs Monaco
Real Madrid C.F. v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg

Real Madrid ban fan for Nazi salute

Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday night with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Benfica, progressing 3-1 on aggregate. However, the celebrations at the Santiago Bernabeu have been heavily dampened by a disgraceful incident involving a supporter that was broadcast to millions watching around the world. The club moved swiftly to address the situation, confirming that a fan was identified and removed from the premises after being caught on television cameras performing a Nazi salute.

Real MadridReal Madrid vs Benfica
Italy UCL flops GFX

Calcio in crisis? Italy's UCL flops can't be let off the hook

As Alessandro Costacurta effectively admitted at the end of a dramatic final night of the Champions League play-offs, he and his fellow pundits in the Sky Sports studio had come to bury Serie A's representatives in Europe - not to praise them. And yet they were left with no option to do so after two remarkable revivals proved that Italian football isn't dead yet.

OpinionInter
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Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid 2025-26

Real Madrid deliver worrying update on injured Mbappe

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has delivered a worrying fitness update on Blancos superstar Kylian Mbappe. The World Cup-winning Frenchman was forced to sit out the second leg of a Champions League knockout phase play-off clash with Benfica. Arbeloa is unsure when his leading goalscorer will be ready for a return to action, with a knee complaint holding him back.

K. MbappeReal Madrid
Juventus v Galatasaray A.S. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg

Osimhen wary of Liverpool 'revenge' in UCL draw

Victor Osimhen has admitted that a potential Champions League round-of-16 showdown with Liverpool would feel "like revenge" for the Premier League giants. The Nigerian superstar was the hero once again for Galatasaray on Wednesday as the Turkish champions navigated a rollercoaster play-off tie against Juventus to secure their place in Friday’s highly anticipated knockout stage draw.

V. OsimhenGalatasaray
Real Madrid C.F. v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg

Real Madrid win dedicated to 'everyone who stands against racism'

Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a spirited 2-1 comeback victory over Benfica on Wednesday, but the post-match talk was dominated by a powerful message of defiance. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni insisted that the 3-1 aggregate win represented "a victory for everyone who stands against racism" following the ugly incidents that marred the first leg of the tie. The build-up to the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu was overshadowed by allegations that star forward Vinícius Jr had been racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during the first encounter, an act that led to a one-match ban for the Argentine youngster.

A. TchouameniReal Madrid
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Arbeloa reacts to Man City possibility after Real Madrid see off Benfica

Alvaro Arbeloa was in a reflective mood at the Santiago Bernabéu after guiding Real Madrid into the Champions League round of 16 following a hard-fought victory over Benfica. The former Madrid defender, now leading the Spanish giants from the dugout, oversaw a mature performance as his side secured a 2-1 win on the night, progressing with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline. Despite the celebrations in the capital, the focus quickly shifted to the potential heavyweights awaiting them in the next phase, with a familiar English opponent looming large in the mind of the Madrid head coach.

Real MadridReal Madrid vs Benfica
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WATCH: McKennie scores to complete Juve's UCL comeback

Weston McKennie was at the center of Juventus' three-goal comeback on Wednesday, scoring the third goal of that comeback against Galatasaray. McKennie's late finish leveled the aggregate scoreline of Wednesday's second leg of the Champions League's play-off round, but it wasn't enough as Galatasaray wrestled control back in extra time.

USAW. McKennie

Apuestas destacadas

Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest Pronóstico y Apuestas Premier League | 04/03/26
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Electric Vini has the final word as Madrid progress

Vinicius Jr danced and Real Madrid overcame an early deficit to see off Benfica in the Champions League playoff round, 2-1. Los Blancos fell behind early, before goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius gave them a comfortable lead, and sealed a 3-1 aggregate win. There were some uncertain moments, but Madrid were otherwise good value for the result.

Player ratingsReal Madrid
Juventus v Galatasaray A.S. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg

Kelly given 'criminal' red card in Juventus' UCL clash

Fans were shocked as Juventus centre-back Lloyd Kelly was sent off during his side's clash with Galatasaray on Wednesday night. The Italian giants needed to overturn a 5-2 deficit from the first leg but their task was made incredibly difficult when the former Bournemouth and Newcastle United defender was dismissed in contentious circumstances. Juventus eventually exited the competition after a 7-5 aggregate defeat.

L. KellyJuventus
SL Benfica v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg

Benfica lose appeal against Prestianni ban for Real second leg

Benfica's appeal against the provisional suspension handed to Gianluca Prestianni has been rejected, meaning the Argentine will miss the second leg of the Champions League knockout round play-off against Real Madrid on Wednesday night. The 20-year-old has been accused of racially abusing Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior during the first game last week.

Vinicius JuniorReal Madrid
US Sassuolo Calcio v FC Internazionale - Serie A

Chivu admits Bodo/Glimt had more energy than Inter

Inter head coach Cristian Chivu has admitted his side were simply outworked and "not competitive" enough as the Nerazzurri suffered a humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Bodo/Glimt. The Italian giants failed to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit, falling to a 5-2 aggregate defeat after losing 2-1 on a night of high tension at San Siro. Despite enjoying long periods of possession, the hosts lacked the cutting edge and physical intensity to break down the resilient Norwegian visitors

InterBodoe/Glimt
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Barella blames Liverpool penalty for Inter exit

Inter’s European journey came to a shuddering and unexpected halt at San Siro on Tuesday night as Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt pulled off a historic upset. Despite entering the second leg as heavy favourites, the Nerazzurri failed to overturn a first-leg deficit, eventually falling to a 5-2 aggregate defeat. While the shock result sent shockwaves through the football world, midfield talisman Nicolo Barella was quick to point the finger at a controversial officiating decision from months prior as the true catalyst for their downfall.

InterBodoe/Glimt
GFX Vinicius Jr Lucas Paqueta

Paqueta urges Vini Jr to join Flamengo amid racism row

The bond between former teammates Lucas Paqueta and Vinicius Junior remains unbreakable, and the current Flamengo midfielder has made no secret of his desire to see the Real Madrid superstar back at the Maracana. Following the latest instance of alleged racial abuse directed at Vinicius during last week's Champions League clash against Benfica, Paqueta has publicly offered his "total support" to his close friend. While the winger continues to battle prejudice in Europe, his former partner in crime believes the time is approaching for them to fulfil a long-standing pact to dominate South American football together once again.

Vinicius JuniorReal Madrid
Prestianni Vinicius Junior Benfica Real Madrid

'I can't accept it' - Prestianni warned by Benfica teammate over racism row

The controversy surrounding Benfica starlet Gianluca Prestianni continues to cast a dark shadow over the Portuguese giants following last week's heated Champions League encounter with Real Madrid. While the football world has been incensed by the alleged incident, the suspect’s teammates at the Estadio da Luz have remained largely tight-lipped while the legal process unfolds. However, that silence has finally been broken by Belgian international Dodi Lukebakio, who has provided a candid and stern assessment of the situation currently engulfing the Argentine youngster.

Real MadridBenfica
Vinicius back to best GFX

Keep dancing, Vini! Madrid star back to his best in 2026

After all that followed it, it may have been forgotten just how good Vinicius Jr's goal to beat Benfica was last week. The Brazil winger has a fine catalogue for Real Madrid, but this was surely among the best. Vinicius cut inside before using the outline of a defender to shape his shot into the top corner. It was a truly wonderful moment of individual expression - one that absolutely should be celebrated.

AnalysisReal Madrid
Manuel Akanji

WATCH: Akanji makes huge error as Bodo knock out Inter

Bodo/Glimt are into the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in their history after causing another European upset, eliminating last season's finalists Inter at the knockout round play-off stage 5-2 on aggregate. The Norwegian side led 3-1 from the first leg last week but still had to plenty of work to do at San Siro. However, a gift from Inter defender Manuel Akanji, on loan from Manchester City, helped Bodo into the next phase of the competition with a 2-1 win in Italy.

M. AkanjiInter
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WATCH: USMNT's Cardoso scores Champions League stunner

U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Johnny Cardoso made sure his first Atletico Madrid goal was an important one as he helped lead his side to a Champions League win on Tuesday. Cardoso's go-ahead goal gave his side the lead, helping them to a win in the second leg of Atleti's clash with Club Brugge.

USAJ. Cardoso
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Why Mbappe is OUT of Real Madrid's match with Benfica

Kylian Mbappe is expected to miss the second leg of Real Madrid's Champions League play-off with Benfica after succumbing to a knee injury in training. Los Blancos host the Portuguese giants at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, with Alvaro Arbeloa's men leading 1-0 from the first leg in Lisbon.

K. MbappeReal Madrid

Frequently asked questions

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have won the Ligue 1 title 12 times, more than any other club. Their first win was in 1986, and they claimed their record-breaking 12th title in 2023, surpassing AS Saint-Etienne.

The Ligue 1 consists of 18 teams since the 2023-24 season, prior to which 20 teams took part in the league. The inaugural season of the French first division in 1932-33 also consisted of 20 teams, divided in two groups of 10 teams each.

Mickael Landreau holds the record for the most Ligue 1 appearances, with 618 matches as a goalkeeper. His career spanned nearly two decades, playing for clubs like Nantes, Paris Saint-Germain, Lille, and Bastia.

Delio Onnis holds the record as the all-time top scorer in Ligue 1 with 299 goals. Playing as a centre-forward, his remarkable goal-scoring feats spanned the 1970s and 1980s, where he starred for clubs like AS Monaco and Reims, making him a legend in French football.

As of 2024, Dimitri Payet holds the record for the most assists in Ligue 1 history, with a total of 130 assists. The attacking midfielder achieved this milestone during his successful stints with several clubs, including Marseille and Lille.

Pierre Braine holds the record of being the oldest player in Ligue 1 history, aged almost 45 years in a Ligue 1 game in 1945.

At 15 years and 225 days, Kalman Gerencseri is the youngest player in Ligue 1 history. The Frenchman played for Lens against Monaco in a Ligue 1 game in 1960.

Notable players who have graced Ligue 1 include legends like Zinedine Zidane, George Weah, Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe.

Prominent managers in Ligue 1 include Arsene Wenger, Laurent Blanc, Carlo Ancelotti, Adi Hutter, Luis Enrique, etc.

The Orange Velodrome in Marseille is the largest stadium in Ligue 1, with a capacity of 67,394 spectators. Home to Marseille since 1937, it is renowned for its electric atmosphere and hosting significant football events in France.

Neymar is indeed the most expensive player in Ligue 1 history. His transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 was valued at a record €222 million, which remains the highest transfer fee ever paid for a player.

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