VfB Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeness has fiercely defended captain Deniz Undav following recent media criticism over his mixed form. Hoeness insisted Undav remains central to Stuttgart's Champions League return as they host Viking Stavanger.
Lithuanian manager Valdas Dambrauskas is preparing to walk out at Old Trafford as he leads Azerbaijani side Sabah into the Champions League. Hailing from a basketball-obsessed nation, Dambrauskas funded his early coaching career in England using prize money won on a television game show.
Norwegian side Viking FK are taking the Champions League by storm using an unusual managerial structure featuring two head coaches. Morten Jensen and Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim share equal power and responsibilities, proving that having two bosses can deliver elite European success.
At the end of October, the object of desire will lose again: the Ballon d'Or. As always, the biggest fuss is made about the best player of the season just gone.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has set his sights on winning the Champions League after outlining his long-term vision ahead of Tuesday's opener against Club Brugge. Despite a major summer squad transition and a slow domestic start, the Spanish tactician remains determined to compete for the biggest prize in world football at Villa Park.
Bayern Munich are again among the favourites for the title in the coming Champions League season. An artificial intelligence has now calculated how good their chances are.
Julian Alvarez has been included in Atletico Madrid's travelling squad to face Liverpool in their Champions League opener at Anfield on Wednesday. The Argentine forward recently returned to competitive action following intense transfer speculation over the summer, as Diego Simeone's side prepares for another demanding European test on Merseyside.
Levante captain Roger Brugue is confident that his team can halt Barcelona's perfect start to the Liga season this weekend. The forward stressed that the Granotas will approach Sunday's encounter without any inferiority complex, banking on their formidable home form to derail the high-flying league leaders at Ciutat de Valencia.
Lille head coach Davide Ancelotti has lavished praise on Real Betis counterpart Manuel Pellegrini ahead of their Champions League league phase opener on Tuesday. The Italian tactician highlighted the Chilean's exceptional longevity and achievements while insisting the La Liga outfit remain formidable opposition despite a 21-year absence from Europe.
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has urged his squad to stay grounded ahead of their Champions League opener against Villarreal at Signal Iduna Park. Despite the Spanish visitors enduring a winless domestic start and losing 4-0 in this exact fixture last term, Kovac insists the Yellow Submarine retain elite tactical and technical quality.
Middlesbrough have been left furious after a bizarre chemical mishap at Turf Moor caused their pristine white away kit to turn bright green. The Championship side are now considering an official complaint to the EFL and seeking compensation from Burnley after industrial cleaning products completely failed to remove the persistent pitch dye.
Rodri Hernandez did not hold back his assessment of Valencia’s dismal form during Barcelona’s comprehensive victory at Mestalla on Sunday. The Spanish midfielder was caught by television cameras delivering a scathing verdict on the opposition while resting on the bench following his substitution.
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