Champions League news

Jude Bellingham has issued a thoughtful response to Liverpool fans booing Trent Alexander-Arnold. The former Reds star was back at Anfield on Tuesday with Real Madrid in the Champions League and received a hostile reception from home supporters on Merseyside. The full-back's decision to leave his boyhood club this summer and head to the Santiago Bernabeu enraged many fans, who made their feelings known.

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso was not too critical of his team's display during the narrow defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday. Alonso says he set up his team to win the midfield battle against Arne Slot's men as he made tactical adjustments in the second half, but lamented their inability to create clear chances at Anfield.

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has praised Robert Lewandowski’s professionalism and influence amid reports the club are not planning to offer him a new contract. The German coach believes the veteran striker’s return is key for Barca to find their rhythm again. The Polish forward made his comeback in the 3-1 win over Elche this week, giving the team a boost amid a growing injury crisis.

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven has finally opened up on the moment he snubbed head coach Thomas Frank after the club's 1-0 loss to Chelsea last weekend. The Dutchman, who captained the side on the night, was part of a Spurs team that registered their lowest-ever expected goals tally in a Premier League match. Clearly frustrated, the defender blanked his manager and headed straight down the tunnel at full-time, to a chorus of boos in north London.

Former Real Madrid attacker and club legend Gareth Bale was "disappointed" by the displays of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior as Los Blancos fell to a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League. Bale claimed that he was frustrated because the Madrid forwards tried to "overcomplicate things" in a rather timid display at Anfield on Tuesday evening.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot seemed to aim a subtle dig at Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney on air during the post-match coverage of the Reds' win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. As part of Amazon Prime's post-match discussions, Slot was quizzed on Liverpool's recent struggles. The Dutchman gave a hilarious response and could not resist a sideways look at Rooney in the process.

Marseille’s Champions League hopes have been hit hard by injuries, and Roberto De Zerbi made no effort to hide his frustration ahead of Wednesday’s clash against Atalanta. The Italian manager admitted that his squad is stretched to its limits, with several key players sidelined and little time to recover between games.

Arsenal equalled a 105-year-old record after extending their remarkable defensive run with another shut-out win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Mikel Merino, who was covering for the injured Viktor Gyokeres upfront, added a brace to give Arsenal a comfortable 3-0 win in the Czech Republic.

Bayern Munich’s 2-1 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain was marred by controversy after Luis Diaz’s reckless tackle on Achraf Hakimi saw him sent off just before half-time. The Colombian forward, who had scored twice, now faces a suspension as Vincent Kompany and Joshua Kimmich expressed sympathy for the injured PSG full-back and reflected on the fiery encounter.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk hit back at criticism from Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney in the aftermath of the Reds' Champions League win over Real Madrid. Rooney had spoken publicly about the perceived poor body language of the Dutchman and Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, a statement that Van Dijk did not agree with. The two men then came face-to-face post-match at Anfield on Tuesday night, and exchanged some awkward words.

Joan Gaspart couldn't understand all of the fuss caused by Nico Williams' decision to turn down a move to Barcelona in favour of signing a lucrative new deal with Athletic Club. "The player has used us in a good way," the former Blaugrana president told EL 10 del Barca on August 3. "He's gotten a good contract, and I'm happy for him."

Thomas Frank has responded to Jamie Carragher's assessment of his Tottenham team, telling the ex-Liverpool defender that it's 'easier' to be a pundit and criticise managers for their shortcomings than to actually coach a team. Frank's Spurs lost 1-0 to Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, tallying a club-record low of 0.05 expected goals in the process. Supporters booed the Dane's team throughout the game and at full-time.

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele has picked up another injury and was forced off early in Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. The French winger, who was crowned the best male player in the world only weeks ago, lasted barely 25 minutes before limping off in visible distress, just moments after seeing what he thought was an equaliser ruled out by VAR.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven scored a truly astonishing goal during the team's Champions League win over Copenhagen on Tuesday night, immediately reminding fans of one that club legend Son Heung-min netted against Burnley six years ago. Son's effort went on to win the coveted FIFA Puskas Award, leading supporters to already wish the same fate for Van de Ven.

Achraf Hakimi had to be helped off the pitch and looked to be in tears after being on the receiving end of a reckless challenge by Luis Diaz during Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday. The winger saw red for his challenge, while Hakimi is now facing an anxious wait to determine the severity of the injury. It's a huge blow for PSG and Hakimi, particularly with the Africa Cup of Nations now only weeks away.

Ricardo Pepi made his mark off the bench once again, scoring a stoppage-time equalizer for PSV against Olympiacos on Tuesday to earn them a crucial Champions League point. The goal was Pepi's third in four games in all competitions, despite playing a grand total of 75 minutes across those matches. PSV now have five points through UCL four games.

Arsenal’s Max Dowman, at just 15 years and 308 days old, stepped onto the European stage in the 72nd minute against Slavia Prague, becoming the youngest player ever to appear in a Champions League match. The teenager shattered the record previously held by Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko, who was 16 years and 18 days when he made his debut in 2020.