The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Champions league

  • FULL LIST: Teams that qualified for Champions League quarter-finals

    FULL LIST: Teams that qualified for Champions League quarter-finals

    The UEFA Champions League quarter-final lineup is confirmed following the conclusion of the Round of 16 matches. 

    Here is a list of teams that advanced to quarter final:

    1. Arsenal (England)

    2. Aston Villa (England)

    3. Barcelona (Spain)

    4. Bayern Munich (Germany)

    5. Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

    6. Inter Milan (Italy)

    7. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) (France)

    Read Also: Arsenal step up chase for Osimhen

    8. Real Madrid (Spain)

    The quarter-final fixtures are scheduled as follows:

    First Leg:

    Tuesday, April 8:

    Arsenal vs. Real Madrid

    Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan

    Wednesday, April 9:

    Paris Saint-Germain vs. Aston Villa

    Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund

    Second Leg:

    Tuesday, April 15:

    Aston Villa vs. Paris Saint-Germain

    Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona

    Wednesday, April 16:

    Real Madrid vs. Arsenal

    Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich 

  • Champions League : Lewandowski leading Barca charge on Dortmund return

    Champions League : Lewandowski leading Barca charge on Dortmund return

    Robert Lewandowski’s revival has been a key to Barcelona’s strong start to life under Hansi Flick as the striker returns to Dortmund to face Borussia in the Champions League today..

    The 36-year-old Pole has netted 23 goals in 21 games across all competitions this season, taking Barcelona top of the Spanish league and up to third in the European standings.

    They lead last year’s Champions League finalists Dortmund, who like Barcelona have four victories from five games, on goal difference before their meeting in Germany.

    Lewandowski cut his teeth in top level European football with Dortmund between 2010 and 2014, driving them to the 2013 final, where they lost to rivals Bayern Munich at Wembley.

    A year later he joined Bayern and finally claimed the Champions League with them in 2020.

    Lewandowski arrived at Barcelona in 2022 and after a strong first campaign, his performance dipped last season.

    Flick’s arrival gave both the team and the veteran striker fresh impetus and until a recent wobble in form, both have thrived.

    Lewandowski reached a career century of Champions League goals in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Brest in November. He trails only all-time top goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo and former Barcelona great Lionel Messi.

    Read Also: NSC kicks as EFCC begins probe of NFF finances

    Lewandowski is top scorer both in Spain and in the Champions League, where he boasts seven goals from five matches, two more than any other player.

    Despite his lethal form in front of goal, Lewandowski’s presence in Barcelona’s side does have one drawback.

    In part given his age, the striker has not been able to maintain his team’s objective of pressing opponents as consistently as Flick would like.

    A drop in pressing intensity has recently exposed Barcelona’s high defensive line more than at the start of the season.

     “It’s clear that we made mistakes, but I insist, it’s not the fault of the back four, it starts up front,” said the coach after a shock 2-1 loss to minnows Las Palmas in La Liga at the start of December.

    Barcelona also recently threw away a two-goal lead at Celta Vigo, with Real Madrid gobbling up the distance between the sides at the top of the table that the Catalans had established.

    Barca’s recent issues will be thoroughly analysed by Dortmund ahead of the clash at the Westfalenstadion, with Flick also admitting his team have struggled on the road.

    Barcelona twice let a lead slip in a 2-2 draw at Real Betis on Saturday in which Lewandowski scored. They were overwhelmed at times by the hosts.

     “We have the quality to win every match but we also have to show that,” said Flick.

    ”(In) the away matches we have to be much stronger than we played here.”

    Given Flick’s drive to make Barcelona a more robust team, the questions is how long Lewandowski can continue to shine as the minutes rack up.

    The coach rested the striker for a recent 5-1 romp over Mallorca which suggested Barcelona might not be dependent on the forward in the same way they are on 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal.

    However, Flick has backed Lewandowski since arriving and even if the Pole’s work-rate has dipped, the coach believes.

     “Robert is an absolute professional player, working hard on his fitness, this body he has, it’s not this age,” said the coach earlier in the season.

    After some frustrating displays last season, Lewandowski has rolled back the years under Flick and Dortmund fans will fear the return of the devastating forward who wore their colours a decade ago.

  • Champions League: Alonso makes emotional Anfield return with Leverkusen

    Champions League: Alonso makes emotional Anfield return with Leverkusen

    Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield for the first time  today as his Bayer Leverkusen side take on Liverpool in the Champions League, the trophy he helped the Reds win in 2005.

    Alonso played 210 games for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009, with the highlight undoubtedly being the miracle comeback in the Reds’ Champions League final win over AC Milan in Istanbul.

    The Spaniard scored Liverpool’s third goal in seven minutes to bring them level to 3-3 before they went on to win on penalties.

    Alonso, 42, remains hugely popular with Liverpool fans and could have been in the home dugout had things gone differently.

    Last season, after Jurgen Klopp’s shock decision to leave the club, Liverpool fans – who had taken notice of Alonso’s incredible run at Leverkusen – were hoping he could be headed to Merseyside.

    Read Also: NFF President promises 2025 AFCON title, World Cup 26  ticket

    Alonso though knocked back the reported interest from Liverpool as well as from former sides Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to stay at Leverkusen, who he had on track for a first-ever German top-flight title.

    Alonso still speaks fondly of his time as a player on Merseyside and after Friday’s scoreless draw with Stuttgart, he said he was eagerly awaiting his return.

     “Champions League at Anfield? It doesn’t get much better than that,” he said. “This game means a lot to me. It will be a big game. To play in the Champions League, at Anfield, it’s difficult to experience anything better.

     “The atmosphere is great. Liverpool is one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. It’s a huge challenge but a beautiful challenge for us.”

    Any regret at missing out on Alonso is likely to have subsided among Liverpool fans, given their impressive start under Dutchman Arne Slot.

    With 13 wins and a draw from 15 matches – officially the best start of any new Reds manager – Slot has Liverpool sitting top of the Premier League table.

    In Europe, Liverpool are alongside Aston Villa as one of only two sides to have won three from three.

    In his first full season as a top-flight coach, Alonso took Leverkusen to an unbeaten league and cup double – the first in German football history – as well as a Europa League final.

    The loss in that final, a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in Dublin when Leverkusen ran out of steam, was their only defeat in 53 games last season.

    But Leverkusen have struggled to recreate last season’s heroics so far.

    In the Bundesliga, they have already dropped 11 points in nine games, having dropped just 12 in a 34-game season last year. Leverkusen’s woes have mainly come on the defensive end, having already conceded 15 goals compared to 24 last campaign.

    Things have been better in the Champions League, where Alonso’s side have won two, including a dominant victory over Milan, and drawn one of their three games.

    With Leverkusen having retained the vast majority of their squad, the issue seems to be not one of talent but of desire.

    Midfielder Granit Xhaka has frequently questioned his side’s application this season, with Leverkusen often suffering from lapses of concentration.

    With Liverpool now just days away, Leverkusen may have finally shaken off the hangover from last season.

    Despite dropping more points in Friday’s scoreless draw with Stuttgart, Leverkusen resembled last season’s all conquering side.

     “That was our best performance of the season,” Xhaka told DAZN.

    Alonso agreed, saying: “I’m very satisfied with the performance and the attitude from the lads – we were only missing the goals.

     “If we play like that against Liverpool, then we’ll have a better chance to win.”

  • Champions League: choose your favorites in the 2nd round top matches!

    Champions League: choose your favorites in the 2nd round top matches!

    Where can I bet for football? The reliable bookmaker 1xBet offers the best odds for the hottest matches! Place winning bets via the link, and don’t forget about responsible gaming!

    Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain, October 1

    These teams will play each other in the Champions League for the first time since 2016 when both struggles ended in draws – 1-1 in Paris and 2-2 in London. In the games against Girona (1-0) and Reims (1-1), PSG cast doubt on their ability to be effective in attack without Kylian Mbappe. Arsenal’s reliable defense can reduce Luis Enrique’s ideas to zero, who has again been accused of wanting to control the ball for the sake of a process that does not always bring results. However, the London fans will demand attacking football from Mikel Arteta in the home match even without injured Martin Ødegaard, which could create new opportunities for the opponent’s fast forwards.

    Odds: W1 – 1.864, Х – 4.035, W2 – 4.325

    Bayer v Milan, October 1

    After a poor start, Paulo Fonseca restored confidence with a win in the derby against Inter. Matteo Gabbia can be a key player in the defense, which collapsed before the eyes of the whole world in the Champions League first round against Liverpool (1-3). At the same time, Tammy Abraham and Alvaro Morata showed excellent interaction as a forward duo. Also, the match calendar can play on Milan’s side again. If Inter had a game against Manchester City before the derby, Bayer would have a super struggle with Bayern on the eve of the Champions League second round. The Bundesliga champion started by defeating Feyenoord (4-0), but the squad is not showing its best in defense and has conceded an average of more than 1 goal per game this season.

    Odds: W1 – 1.677, Х – 4.525, W2 – 5.04

    Aston Villa v Bayern, October 2

    These teams have played each other only once in European competitions. It was the 1982 European Cup final, which Aston Villa sensationally won 1-0! Experienced tactician Unai Emery can lead the Birmingham squad to a new victory, as 2 years ago, the Spanish specialist knocked out Bayern in the Champions League quarterfinals with Villarreal. Vincent Kompany has successfully started his career in Munich, but only now will the Belgian coach face his first serious tests against Bayer and Aston Villa. Winning these struggles will be much more complicated than mocking Dinamo Zagreb (9-2).

    Odds: W1 – 4.32, Х – 4.32, W2 – 1.81

    RB Leipzig v Juventus, October 2

    Thiago Motta has built a very reliable defense in Juventus, and RB Leipzig’s style may prove convenient for counterattacks by the team from Turin. The German Red Bulls have never beaten Italian squads on their home pitch in European competitions. They understand that it will be hard to win and rehabilitate for the defeat in the Champions League first round against Atletico (1-2). RB Leipzig’s attack has shone only occasionally this season, as they constantly have serious problems with opponents who defend with large forces.

    Odds: W1 – 2.244, Х – 3.705, W2 – 3.335

    Where can I bet for football? 1xBet offers the best odds for the Champions League 2nd-round top matches! We are sure that our announcement will help you correctly assess the teams’ chances, make a responsible prediction, and place winning bets!

  • Atalanta list Lookman for Champions League campaign

    Atalanta list Lookman for Champions League campaign

    Nigeria international striker Ademola Lookman has been included in Atalanta‘s Champions League squad list.

    The 26-year-old striker , who was Atalanta hero in last season’s  Europa League final where he cracked  a remarkable  hat-trick  against  Bayer Leverkusen,  was  subject  to a move away  to PSG during the summer transfer window  but the deal fell through.  

    As per Football Italia, Atalanta have dropped injured Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca and summer signing Ibrahim Sulemana from their Champions League squad list.

    Though the   Nerazzurri have not announced the team on their official website, Italian sources, including Sky Sport Italia, report that Scamacca and Sulemana won’t be among the eligible players for the league phase.

    Read Also: Super Eagles: Shortlisted  coaches  may lose out as NFF name new handler      

    Scamacca suffered a cruciate ligament injury during a pre-season friendly against Parma in August, and according to reports, if Atalanta progresses in the competition, he will be included in the squad for the knock-out phase.

    Giorgio Scalvini is part of the squad but has been included in List B. The Italian centre-back is also dealing with a knee injury but is expected to return between December and January.

    Atalanta begin their Champions League journey at home against Arsenal on September 19. The other opponents in the league phase are Shakhtar Donetsk, Celtic, Stuttgart, Young Boys, Real Madrid, Strum Graz and Barcelona.

  • New Champions League format explained

    New Champions League format explained

    For the 2024-25 season, the Champions League has introduced a major restructuring , replacing its traditional group stage with a new single league format featuring 36 teams. This marks the most significant change since the tournament’s rebranding from the European Cup in 1992. 

    Under the revamped system, each team will play eight matches—four at home and four away—against different opponents. The league phase will continue until the end of January, extending the competition’s duration.

    Read Also: Everything you need to know about the new Champions League format

    Previously, the Champions League was divided into eight groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout rounds. 

    The new format eliminates this structure, instead sending the top eight teams directly to the knockout stage. Teams finishing between 9th and 24th will compete in a two-legged play-off to earn a spot in the last 16. 

    Teams ranked 9th to 16th will host the second leg of their play-off while those in positions 17th to 24th will host the first leg.

    Teams finishing 25th to 36th will be eliminated from all European competitions with no opportunity to enter the Europa League. The knockout stage will return to the familiar format of two-legged ties in the round of 16, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final.

  • Everything you need to know about the new Champions League format

    Everything you need to know about the new Champions League format

    Football is always evolving and Europe’s most prestigious competition, the Champions League, is no different.

    From this season, a new format will be in play after Uefa approved the changes in May 2022.

    It is the first time since 1992 that Europe’s elite competition has seen such a revamp.

    Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said qualification will be “based on sporting merit”.

    What is the new Champions League format and how does it work?

    The Champions League group stage is currently set up with 32 teams in eight groups of four – with the top two sides from those groups qualifying for the last 16.

    However, this format will be replaced by one league table where 36 clubs will participate in the new league phase – giving four more sides the chance to compete.

    Clubs will no longer play three teams twice, but will take on eight different sides with four home games and four away games.

    To determine fixtures, the teams will be ranked in four seeding pots and each team will then be drawn to play two opponents from each of these pots.

    They will play one match against a team from each pot at home, and one away.

    The draw for this season’s group stage will take place on 29 August at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

    How will the knockout stages work?

    Teams who finish in the top eight will qualify automatically for the last 16, while those who place ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout play-off for the chance to join them.

    Whoever finishes 25th or lower will be eliminated and will not be entered into the Europa League.

    From the last 16 onwards, the Champions League will continue to follow its existing format with the final taking place at a neutral venue.

    How many more games will be played and when will they be played?

    The number of matches in the new format will increase from 125 to 189.

    Each team will play a minimum of eight – instead of six – and a maximum of 17.

    In standard weeks, Champions League matches will still be played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

    In the Champions League exclusive weeks – when no other European competitions are played – games will be played across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

    The league phase will now end at the end of January instead of during December.

    How many Premier League teams will be in Champions League?

    For Premier League clubs, the top four go into the Champions League with the fifth-placed team going into the Europa League.

    That means Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa will be in the elite club knockout competition in 2024-25.

    Fifth-placed Tottenham had to settle for the Europa League, along with FA Cup winners Manchester United. Chelsea will be in the Conference League.

    How do the coefficient places work?

    Germany and Italy are the nations to have secured a fifth automatic spot in this season’s tournament.

    The coefficient places, otherwise known as ‘European Performance Spots’, go to the associations who have the best collective performance by their clubs in the previous season.

    Italy will have five representatives in Europe’s premier competition after Atalanta won the Europa League.

    The winners of both tournaments qualify automatically for the following season’s Champions League.

    What are the rules on squads for Uefa competitions?

    After the summer transfer window closes, each club competing in any Uefa competition must submit two lists of players.

    On ‘List A’, clubs can submit a maximum of 25 players, with eight places reserved exclusively for “locally trained players”, also known as homegrown players.

    These eight must be made up of at least four “club-trained” players and a maximum of four “association-trained” players.

    According to Uefa regulations, players who meet the “club trained” criteria have to have been on the club’s books, irrespective of the player’s nationality and age, for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21.

    An “association-trained” player is someone that has played in the same country as the club they are currently at for three years, irrespective of the player’s nationality, between the ages of 15 to 21.

    On ‘List B’, a club can register an unlimited number of players for the 2024-25 season as long as they are born on or after 1 January 2003.

    Who has qualified for Champions League group stages?

    England: Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa

    Spain: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Girona, Atletico Madrid

    Italy: Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, Bologna

    Germany: Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund

    France: Paris St-Germain, Monaco, Brest

    Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord

    Portugal: Sporting Lisbon, Benfica

    Belgium: Club Bruges

    Scotland: Celtic

    Austria: Sturm Graz

    Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk

    The final seven slots will be determined via qualifying.

    How has the Champions League format changed over the years?

    Europe’s most notable football competition began during the 1955-56 season as only a six-team invitational tournament, initially known as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup.

    From 1967, the competition grew to 32 teams, was called the European Cup and featured four two-legged rounds prior to a single-match final – this model would last for more than 20 years.

    The Champions League as we know it began in 1992.

    A group stage was added with the last 16 entering a knockout phase.

    There was a brief spell with two group stages, but this was reverted back to the single group-stage format for the 2003-04 tournament.

    Are the Europa League and Europa Conference League going to change too?

    Yes. Both competitions will see similar changes to those of the Champions League.

    The Europa League will follow the same format as the Champions League from next season.

    Europe’s third-tier competition, the Europa Conference League, will be rebranded as the Uefa Conference League and teams will play six matches against six different opponents in the league phase.

    Both the Europa League and Conference League will also feature 36 teams.

    BBC

  • Budapest to host 2026 Champions League final

    Budapest to host 2026 Champions League final

    Budapest’s Puskas Arena will play host to the 2026 Champions League final, UEFA has confirmed.

    A decision on the 2027 final was postponed until September with Milan set to host as long as the San Siro is not undergoing redevelopment works at the time.

    It is the first time Hungary will host a final of Europe’s elite club competition.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Bandits kill over 40 persons, raze several homes in Plateau community

    However, the 67,000 capacity Puskas Arena was used for the 2023 Europa League final and matches at Euro 2020.

    The Europa League final will be held in Istanbul in 2026 and Frankfurt in 2027.

    Leipzig will host the UEFA Conference League showpiece in 2026 with Istanbul’s Besiktas Stadium hosting in 2027.

    The women’s 2026 Champions League final will take place in Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadion.

  • Budapest’s Puskas Arena to host 2026 Champions League final

    Budapest’s Puskas Arena to host 2026 Champions League final

    The Puskas Arena in Budapest, home to the Hungary national team, will host the 2026 Champions League final, European soccer governing body UEFA said on Wednesday after its executive committee met in Dublin.

    The decision on the venue for the 2027 final has been postponed until September, subject to the Italian football federation submitting information on refurbishment plans for the San Siro stadium in Milan, UEFA said in a statement.

    The 2026 Women’s Champions League final will be held at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadion, the committee decided.

    Read Also: EPL: Aston Villa win Champions League qualification for first time

    New bidding procedure will be opened to select the host of the 2027 Women’s Champions League final after Stuttgart’s bid was not considered due to Germany being awarded two other finals in 2026 and 2027, UEFA added.

    Germany’s Stadion Frankfurt will host the 2027 Europa League final while the Europa Conference League’s 2026 final will be held at Leipzig’s RB Arena, also in Germany.

    Istanbul’s Besiktas Park will host the 2026 Europa League and 2027 Europa Conference League finals.

    (Reuters/NAN)

  • Man City knocked out of Champions League by Real Madrid

    Man City knocked out of Champions League by Real Madrid

    The holders recovered from going behind to Rodrygo’s early strike to lay siege to Real’s goal, finally equalising 14 minutes from the end of normal time when Kevin de Bruyne pounced on Antonio Rudiger’s clearance.

    It was the least City deserved for their almost total domination but a lack of the finishing touch cost them as Real, despite being exhausted and mounting a desperate rearguard action, held out for spot-kicks.

    Read Also: UCL: Man City stake second treble dreams against Real

    City looked on course to meet Bayern Munich in the semi-final when Luka Modric missed Real’s first penalty but Bernardo Silva’s dreadful effort and another from substitute Mateo Kovacic were saved by keeper Andriy Lunin, leaving former Chelsea defender Rudiger to step up and clinch victory for the great Champions League specialists.

    It ended City’s bid for another Treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup – and they must now recover from this gruelling encounter to defend the latter in the semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.