Champions League

2022 - 4 - 4

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Image courtesy of "Scottish Daily Record"

Celtic and Rangers alerted to mammoth Champions League revamp ... (Scottish Daily Record)

Glasgow's big two are battling it out for an automatic Champions League spot next season and change could be afoot.

"That’s what I have suggested, to have an opening ceremony to the Champions League, to have one match on the opening night where the winners take on a big team — maybe it is not a good idea, but at least let’s challenge the status quo. 12 of Europe's biggest clubs signed up for the competition to rival the Champions League last season but a huge backlash led nine of those to step down within 48 hours. We are thinking about all kinds of things - new venues, new markets, new formats.” Al-Khelaifi, who also chairs the European Clubs Association, has been one of the main opponents of the criticised Super League project. "Take the Champions League - by far the best club competition, but how do we make each match an event? The newsletter will arrive every day at 12pm, giving you a round up of the best stories we've covered that in the last 24 hours. And it's good news for Scottish clubs as Rangers and Celtic battle it out for an automatic spot from next season.

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Image courtesy of "ESPN.co.uk"

Champions League final should be bigger than Super Bowl - Nasser ... (ESPN.co.uk)

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said the Champions League final should be a bigger event than the Super Bowl, and the league needs to evolve.

The time difference is a problem for the U. S. and Asia. So how can we work on this for international rights which have huge potential? "But of course, digital innovation is one of the things we are looking for. "The Super Bowl, and the U. S. generally, have this mindset, creativity and entertainment.

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Image courtesy of "Eurosport.co.uk"

Champions League quarter-finals: Atletico Madrid defender Jose ... (Eurosport.co.uk)

Atletico Madrid have confirmed that Jose Gimenez will miss the first leg of their crucial Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.

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Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

"Pressure is Nice" - Bernardo Silva Confident of Managing ... (Sports Illustrated)

Bernardo Silva says the Manchester City players are ready to embrace the pressure of embarking on another Champions League campaign as one of the tournament ...

"There is lots of pressure from the fans to continue to win. "There is lots of pressure on both sides but we are players used to this pressure and we will manage it really well." Atletico (Madrid) are a great side also, I'm sure they have that same thing.

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Image courtesy of "Manchester City FC"

City v Atletico Madrid: Head-to-head Champions League stats (Manchester City FC)

City lock horns with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the first leg of what in an eagerly awaited Champions League quarter-final tie.

City will kick-off on Tuesday night, boasting a 59.5% score in terms of our average possession so far this Champions League campaign. So far in our 2021/22 Champions League campaign, Guardiola’s side have accumulated a remarkable 90.9% figure from our first eight games, further illustrating our quality and consistency in terms of that facet of the game. But how do City and Atletico square up in terms of how each have fared in the Champions League so far this season? Long admired as one of the finest passing squads assembled in the European game, City have the edge in terms of this statistical square up. From our eight games to date in Europe so far this season, City have won five, drawn one and lost twice. Ahead of Tuesday’s clash, we have run the rule over City and Atletico’s head-to-head statistical records in the Champions League so far this term.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Mail"

Champions League: PSG chief Al-Khelaifi urges UEFA to introduce ... (Daily Mail)

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has called for the Champions League to introduce a Super Bowl-esque opening ceremony to ensure every match becomes 'an ...

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Pep Guardiola's Champions League record: Six times the Man City ... (iNews)

Guardiola gave a sarcastic response when asked about his tactical tinkering in Europe as he prepares to meet the wily Diego Simeone again but there is ...

vs Real Madrid in 2014 semi-final second leg – Trailing the tie 1-0, Guardiola opted for a 4-2-4 formation in the second leg at home, but Bayern lost 4-0. vs Atletico Madrid in 2016 semi-final first leg – When Bayern boss, Guardiola dropped Thomas Muller, who had been a regular and scored eight Champions League goals that term, for the 1-0 loss in Madrid. Atletico would then advance 2-2 on away goals. vs Lyon in 2020 quarter-final – Guardiola opted to match Lyon’s three-man central defence, but the change in formation led to a 3-1 defeat. It comes with the territory, for as a manager who rarely loses, there will always be greater scrutiny on those rare defeats, often on the grandest of stages. I overthink a lot, that's why I have very good results in the Champions League. The movements are different, the players are all different with different personalities. "In the Champions League I always I overthink,” he said.

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Image courtesy of "Sky Sports"

Champions League: Man City face Atletico Madrid, Chelsea take on ... (Sky Sports)

Villarreal also host Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals; Chelsea continue their Champions League title defence against Real Madrid; ...

"It is a team which has been playing four or five years together so I think they have the momentum and know each other very well. It's for the players, the difference will be there." "When you play for Benfica you know every game is important. It was very untypical and killed the game for us," Blues boss Thomas Tuchel said after the game. I'm not going to judge what they do, I'll analyse what to do to get a good result to go to Madrid next week. So now we are here, let's try to get the most [out] of it."

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Image courtesy of "Mirror.co.uk"

Pep Guardiola can't contain himself in response to "overthinking ... (Mirror.co.uk)

Manchester City take on Atletico Madrid at The Etihad on Tuesday night as Pep Guardiola looks to win the Champions League for the first time since lifting ...

“When the ball is in our half…I’m not going to name the quality of the players they have and how competitive they are. Every player has a mother and a father and every mother and father have different types of personalities and different types of players. So if the people can believe that I’m going to approach playing Atletico Madrid and Liverpool the same, I don’t think about that. “I overthink a lot…absolutely. That’s why I’ve had very good results in the Champions League. “In the Champions League, I always overthink. But in a spiky press conference, Guardiola promised to draw “inspiration” from above and come up with more “stupid tactics”.

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Image courtesy of "Manchester Evening News"

Bernardo Silva makes Champions League trophy promise to Man ... (Manchester Evening News)

Manchester City are looking to win their first Champions League title this season, and face Atletico Madrid in the quarter finals.

They are the champions of Spain and they also have to do well in the Champions League. There is lots of pressure on both sides but we are players used to this pressure and we will manage it really well." The only thing we can promise to our fans and the club is we're going to do our best and try as hard as we can to achieve that. We have our disappointments, we learn from that and this year I think the team is very well prepared to do well in this competition. The best we can do is try harder and harder and this year we're going to try very hard. "We know what the team needs when we concede or score, we know what to do in the good or bad moments. Erik ten HagManchester United dressing room split over possible Erik ten Hag appointmentErik ten Hag is the Man United hierarchy's favoured choice to become their next manager but some players have reservations. It is pressure that we want because we want to win those competitions. We know everything we have to do in every phase of the game. The pressure is always there and we know these fans always expect us to perform well in this competition and we're going to try our best to make our fans happy and proud of us. Over the years we weren't able to do it, it is the only one missing and we want to go for it again. We weren't able to do it in the past years. We really want to do it.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Pep Guardiola jokes about his 'stupid tactics' in Champions League (The Guardian)

Guardiola has been criticised for 'overthinking' in the past and, with Manchester City to host Atlético Madrid on Tuesday, he gave a wry response to his ...

He doesn’t want to take the risk in the build-up, but after they have quality and play really well in the final third. I never judge the opponent, what they do and try to do – they try to do it to win.” “It has not been very often because we do not play in the same country. “I’m not going to judge for one second what they do, just try and get a result on Tuesday then to go to Madrid [for the return leg].” “In the Champions League I always overthink,” the Catalan said. Tonight I will take inspiration and I’m going to do incredible tactics tomorrow – we play with 12 tomorrow.”

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

MATCHDAY: Benfica-Liverpool, City-Atléti in Champions League (USA TODAY)

Liverpool will continue its quest for a quadruple of major trophies when it visits Benfica, considered one of the easiest teams in the draw for the last eight.

Both have reached the final, with Atléti losing to Real Madrid in 2014 and ‘16 and City beaten by Chelsea last year. Jurgen Klopp will have a full squad available for the first time since he took charge of the team in 2015. Liverpool will continue its quest for a quadruple of major trophies when it visits Benfica, considered one of the easiest teams in the draw for the last eight.

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Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi Wants UEFA Champions League ... (Sports Illustrated)

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has called on UEFA to make the Champions League final more like the Super Bowl.

"I can't understand how the Super Bowl can feel bigger than the Champions League final. That's what I have suggested, to have an opening ceremony to the Champions League, to have one match on the opening night where the winners take on a big team. "The Super Bowl, and the US generally, have this mindset, creativity and entertainment.

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Image courtesy of "iNews"

Champions League football on TV this week: Schedule of live ... (iNews)

Manchester City and Liverpool will temporarily put the Premier League title race to one side, while Chelsea need to bounce back after a humbling defeat to ...

* Live stream: BT Sport app or via the BT Sport website * Live stream: BT Sport app and via the BT Sport website * Live stream: BT Sport app and via the BT Sport website

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Image courtesy of "UEFA.com"

Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah on 'unbelievable journey' from Sunday ... (UEFA.com)

"When I started playing football, I wanted to be a legend." Trevoh Chalobah talks ambition, overcoming self-doubt, battling 'Turbo' Timo Werner and more.

From representing a Sunday league team, to then one of the biggest clubs in the world, yeah, it's an unbelievable journey." Chalobah is determined to maintain the pace of his own career. From U16 onwards, that's when I started to step up." I'd start to cry in the back of the car, saying: 'I'm not good enough, this is too hard for me.'" I had the height, I had the strength. And then I started to believe in myself more.

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Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Report: Real Madrid 'Not Unhappy' With Chelsea Draw in ... (Sports Illustrated)

Real Madrid were 'not unhappy' after having drawn with Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, according to reports.

Both sides will be eager to stamp their mark on the game and get a foot into the semi-final of the tournament, where the competition will be fierce. The two sides faced off in the semi-final of the same competition last season and the Blues got the better of their Spanish opponents over the course of the two leg tie. Real Madrid were 'not unhappy' after having drawn with Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, according to reports.

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Image courtesy of "Manchester Evening News"

Atletico Madrid lose key man for Man City Champions League clash ... (Manchester Evening News)

Here are your Manchester City evening headlines for Monday, April 4. Atletico travel to Etihad without Gimenez. City have been handed a boost ahead of their ...

"In the Champions League I always overthink," he said. “We weren't able to do it in the past years. We really want to do it,” he said. “It's where the best clubs in Europe play. Get the latest City team news, transfer stories, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox - FREE Get the latest City team news, transfer stories, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox - FREE

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Champions League: Ranking the African stars still standing | Goal.com (Goal.com)

5. Geoffrey Kondogbia. Atletico Madrid certainly have their work cut out against Manchester City, but could Diego Simeone be the man who inflicts the latest UCL ...

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Champions League predictions, odds: Manchester City vs. Atletico ... (CBSSports.com)

The Reds face Benfica in their opener while City host Atletico Madrid. On Wednesday, it will be Chelsea hosting Real Madrid in a rematch of last season's ...

Man of the Match pick: Robert Lewandowski. His European record is just unbelievable. While it will be a tight affair, Benzema will pull Real Madrid across the line in victory. While I see Chelsea scoring in the match, he'll keep Real in a match that they likely shouldn't walk away with a victory from. Benzema also has a chance at the golden boot if Real Madrid are to advance in the competition sitting on eight goals in the competition. Most likely to score a goal: Karim Benzema. Although it's an away match, I find it hard to bet against Benzema performing on the big stage, especially after his hat trick with everything on the line against a star-studded PSG side. It's hard to look at this matchup and come away with the expectation that anyone will have a larger say in how things will go than Benzema. With eight goals already in Champions League play, Benzema has been instrumental in Real's performance. Heavy City possession leads to a ton of chances, but a lone goal is enough as they combat Atleti's pressure with crisp passing. If they can keep the ball on the ground and be smart in their distribution, they can limit the chances and get a key clean sheet. The Uruguayan is a tank at the back, but he will have to be super cautious when going up against a tricky and speedy Foden, knowing that one wrong challenge can dig a huge hole. Man of the Match pick: Thiago Alcantara has the technical ability to dominate and dictate this sort of contest and he will be one of the main dangers Benfica seek to neutralize. Given that the Egyptian is under a little scrutiny of late, this could be the sort of game where he makes the difference as a reminder of his quality. Adding to the stakes is the fact that Otamendi is a booking away from second-leg suspension so will be walking a tightrope from the off.

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Image courtesy of "NBC Chicago"

How to Watch Champions League Quarterfinals Weekend 1 (NBC Chicago)

Organized by the Union of European Football Associations, UCL is one of the most competitive and popular football club organizations. Originating in 1955 ...

Then six teams advance to the group stage and join 26 other teams qualified in advance. In 1992, the competition adopted its current name. The winner was crowned the European club champion.

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Image courtesy of "Manchester City FC"

Open Training: Sharpening up for Champions League showdown (Manchester City FC)

Manchester City are back in Champions League action when we play host to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday 5 April.

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Image courtesy of "Liverpool Echo"

Naby Keita eyeing Champions League redemption as Liverpool ... (Liverpool Echo)

That Klopp couldn't wait until the interval to hook Keita appeared to speak volumes. Indeed, the midfielder didn't play another minute that season, left to ...

I think I also have to work a lot on my level of aggression because here in England you need that as you have to win a lot of tackles. This doesn't come around every season and so right now, this season, we can't say it's going to be easy, but it's a work in progress and we're on the case." “But now as I start to grow in confidence a lot more, I will be the kind of player who helps his team a lot. The biggest thing here is we play as a team, as a collective unit. It hasn't always been easy in the past because when you are on the way back, you try to be a bit more careful at first. It's great to know when you're playing to not have the worry of getting injured.

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Image courtesy of "Front Office Sports"

PSG President: Champions League 'Should Be Bigger' Than Super ... (Front Office Sports)

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants to capitalie on commercial opportunities that the Champions League could bring.

Al-Khelaifi highlighted that the U. S. and Super Bowl have a mindset of “creativity and entertainment” when it comes to the event and suggested the Champions League do the same. The Super Bowl’s viewership has always been a mere fraction of global soccer events. He also pushed for the consideration of new venues, markets, and formats.

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Image courtesy of "Mirror.co.uk"

Jose Enrique takes savage dig at Man Utd over Champions League ... (Mirror.co.uk)

Manchester United are facing the prospect of no Champions League football next term but a revamped Champions League could see them benefit from new UEFA ...

Those triumphs could yet prove advantageous going forward as the current crop of players struggle on the pitch. They also made finals in 2009 and 2011 and were regulars in the knockout stages. They will need to put together an impressive winning run and hope their rivals falter if they are to be a Champions League side next term.

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Image courtesy of "What Hi-Fi?"

Benfica vs Liverpool live stream: how to watch the Champions ... (What Hi-Fi?)

Liverpool's quest for Champions League glory heads to Portugal on Tuesday night where Benfica await. Who will take the advantage in this quarter-final first ...

For the Champions League, you may wish to choose 'USA' for Paramount+. You can add BT Sport to your package for only £15 a month (plus a £20 joining fee). Even if you have subscribed to the relevant Benfica vs Liverpool live stream rights holders, you won't be able to access them when outside your own country. Fetch TV, Apple TV, Android TV, most smart TVs, Amazon Fire, and Chromecast also carry the app for smart TV viewing. To begin with, there's a Stan 30-day free trial. Simply use a VPN to access a live stream without being blocked. Those on Virgin Media will need the Virgin V6 box and a 4K TV to make sure they're getting the action at maximum resolution. All the information passing back and forth is entirely encrypted. Can the Reds bring their scintillating Premier League form with them to the Portuguese capital? Jurgen Klopp's relentless Liverpool will present by far their toughest challenge yet, but much-admired Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez could cause problems for them and will be looking to make an impression in the biggest game of his career so far. It's an 8pm GMT kick-off at the Estádio da Luz on Tuesday 5th April 2022. Who will take the advantage in this quarter-final first leg?

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Image courtesy of "Mirror.co.uk"

Liverpool have key Champions League advantage thanks to ... (Mirror.co.uk)

Liverpool travel to Benfica for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash on Tuesday, with Jurgen Klopp needing every advantage he can get ...

With Klopp himself admitting one slip-up could spell disaster for Liverpool's quadruple hopes, the presence of Diaz should be a key advantage. Diaz is part of a core of Portuguese experts at Anfield, something the Reds boss can use to full effect in the quarter-final match-up. The Reds travel to the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday night for the first leg of their last eight tie, with a quadruple of trophies still very much on the cards. That is how it should be. It is an interesting challenge. "He [Diaz] tried for 10 minutes, but we didn't understand a word!

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Image courtesy of "What Hi-Fi?"

Benfica vs Liverpool live stream: how to watch the Champions ... (What Hi-Fi?)

Liverpool's quest for Champions League glory heads to Portugal on Tuesday night where Benfica await. Who will take the advantage in this quarter-final first ...

For the Champions League, you may wish to choose 'USA' for Paramount+. You can add BT Sport to your package for only £15 a month (plus a £20 joining fee). Even if you have subscribed to the relevant Benfica vs Liverpool live stream rights holders, you won't be able to access them when outside your own country. Fetch TV, Apple TV, Android TV, most smart TVs, Amazon Fire, and Chromecast also carry the app for smart TV viewing. To begin with, there's a Stan 30-day free trial. Simply use a VPN to access a live stream without being blocked. Those on Virgin Media will need the Virgin V6 box and a 4K TV to make sure they're getting the action at maximum resolution. All the information passing back and forth is entirely encrypted. Can the Reds bring their scintillating Premier League form with them to the Portuguese capital? Jurgen Klopp's relentless Liverpool will present by far their toughest challenge yet, but much-admired Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez could cause problems for them and will be looking to make an impression in the biggest game of his career so far. It's an 8pm GMT kick-off at the Estádio da Luz on Tuesday 5th April 2022. Who will take the advantage in this quarter-final first leg?

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Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Liverpool's Squad For Champions League Tie Revealed With One ... (Sports Illustrated)

Liverpool's 24 man squad for tonight's Champions League clash with Benfica has been revealed, however, it has one key man missing.

The only loss of their campaign so far was at home to Inter Milan in the round of 16, where they still progressed following an impressive victory in the first leg. The absence of the keeper' from the photos suggests that Adrian will be on the bench tonight in case of injury to first-choice Allison Becker. The Irish international was on the bench for the weekend's 2-0 victory over Watford and took part in training.

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Liverpool follow in glorious Champions League footsteps to Benfica (The Independent)

On the two previous occasions Liverpool have met Benfica in the quarter-finals, in 1978 and 1984, they have gone on to lift European football's most ...

But they did not have the fluidity and pace of Klopp’s side. The lesson of history is that good things happen when Liverpool get past Benfica in the quarter-finals. Dalglish and Rush terrified defences, especially when they were in tandem, but the dropoff when one of them was missing was huge. A quadruple is unlikely given the extent of the task but definitely not out of the question. Benfica were excellent in the first half and the Kop held their breath on two occasions when the away team should have scored. This was the first time many of the English public had heard the name Sven-Goran Eriksson. It would not be the last. They had the ability. Mohamed Salah produces a similar fear factor and with the Liverpool manager able to shuffle Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino around the Egypt striker, the Stadium of Light might be a dark place for the home side’s defenders tonight. Fagan’s squad contained a number of legendary names but were in the midst of a transition period. Phil Thompson and Phil Neal were at the tail end of their brilliant careers. The balance of the midfield was rarely right. The Portuguese side had been a power in the 1960s, winning two European Cups and reaching three more finals.

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Image courtesy of "Liverpool Echo"

Pick your Liverpool team for Benfica quarter-final in Champions ... (Liverpool Echo)

The Reds have travelled to Lisbon for the first leg of the Champions League quarter finals against Benfica.

The Reds arrived in Lisbon on Monday night with the full squad available for today's game. Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me Liverpool face Benfica in the Champions League quarter finals after they saw off Inter Milan in their last-16 tie. Liverpool's English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold takes part in a training session at the Liverpool FC training ground in Liverpool, north west England, on April 4, 2022, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League quater final leg 1 football match against Benfica. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Follow the latest transfer news and more with our LFC newsletterSomething went wrong, please try again later.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Champions League: previews and predictions for the quarter-finals (The Guardian)

Team news and form guides for Benfica v Liverpool, City v Atlético, Villarreal v Bayern and Chelsea v Real Madrid.

They did the double over Villarreal when they last met in the Champions League a decade ago, and will be confident of repeating that feat over the next week. As for Bayern, they booked their place in the last eight by beating RB Salzburg 8-2 on aggregate, with seven of those goals coming in the second leg. They have only won one home game in the Champions League , when they beat Young Boys in the group stage, yet are in the last eight. They have now been beaten in three of their last five games in all competitions, dropping down to seventh in La Liga, but they did pull off an impressive 3-0 win at Juventus to book their spot in the quarter-finals. City eased into the quarter-finals with a 5-0 aggregate win over Sporting CP in the last 16. Benfica’s defeat over the weekend was away, but their home form has not been great either – they have only won three of their last seven matches at Estádio Da Luz. However, they have already upset the odds in the Champions League this season, reaching the quarter-finals by beating Ajax 3-2 on aggregate in the last 16.

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Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Liverpool Stars Must Be Careful Or Risk Missing Second Leg Of ... (Sports Illustrated)

The current rules on yellow cards mean that two Liverpool stars are just one yellow away from missing the second leg of the Reds Champions League tie with ...

Benfica have more to worry about than the Reds though, with SEVEN of their players at risk of missing the second leg. Both Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota risk missing the Anfield leg of the tie if they receive yellow cards in tonight's game. The current rules on yellow cards mean that two Liverpool stars are just one yellow away from missing the second leg of the Reds Champions League tie with Benfica.

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Image courtesy of "UEFA.com"

Robert Lewandowski on Bayern, Dortmund and his century of UEFA ... (UEFA.com)

"I always dreamed of playing and scoring in the Champions League; the first time I was on the pitch, my entire skin felt different." Bayern striker Robert ...

I wanted to go to Bayern because I wanted to compete at the highest level and win the biggest trophies. I wanted to show everyone that I was the right striker, the right person, at the right club. I experienced a lot there; I showed everyone the football player I wanted to be, and I wanted to show I could be better. One option was to take football less seriously and just leave it, and the other option was to continue doing it and believe that they had simply made a mistake. I remember very well when I was at home watching the Champions League in front of the TV. I always dreamed of playing in the Champions League and scoring in this competition. Everything I did was to achieve my dream and my goal of playing in the stadium when I grew up.

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Image courtesy of "Manchester Evening News"

Three Man City players one booking away from Champions League ... (Manchester Evening News)

Pep Guardiola has three players at risk of being suspended for the second leg against Atletico Madrid.

His other card came away to RB Leipzig - during the same game in which Walker was dismissed courtesy of a straight red. Joao Cancelo, Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus have each picked up two yellow cards in the marquee European competition this season. City will be without Ruben Dias (hamstring) and Cole Palmer (foot) due to injury, while Kyle Walker serves the final game of his three-match ban.

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Image courtesy of "UEFA.com"

Robert Lewandowski on Bayern, Dortmund and his century of UEFA Champions League appearances – interview (UEFA.com)

"I always dreamed of playing and scoring in the Champions League; the first time I was on the pitch, my entire skin felt different." Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski talks UEFA.com through his UEFA Champions League career.

I wanted to go to Bayern because I wanted to compete at the highest level and win the biggest trophies. I wanted to show everyone that I was the right striker, the right person, at the right club. I experienced a lot there; I showed everyone the football player I wanted to be, and I wanted to show I could be better. One option was to take football less seriously and just leave it, and the other option was to continue doing it and believe that they had simply made a mistake. I remember very well when I was at home watching the Champions League in front of the TV. I always dreamed of playing in the Champions League and scoring in this competition. Everything I did was to achieve my dream and my goal of playing in the stadium when I grew up.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Mail"

Ex-Liverpool star Jose Enrique mocks Manchester United over ... (Daily Mail)

A report claimed Europe's top football chiefs had backed proposals to include two teams in the Champions League from the 2024-25 campaign based on former ...

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Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Champions League Quarterfinal Power Rankings: Who Has the Best ... (Sports Illustrated)

The Champions League bracket from here on out is balanced and rich with intrigue, but which power is most likely to lift the trophy in Paris?

Benfica squeezed past Ajax in an entertaining round-of-16 matchup and survived a group with Bayern (despite being destroyed on two occasions by the German giants). And while it would have preferred Villarreal or maybe even Atlético, Benfica will have to face one of the most in-form teams in the world. Without that win over Manchester United, Villarreal would have never found itself in the Champions League this season, let alone in the quarterfinals after upsetting Juventus. Its trip to Turin last month was more than just an upset—it was a stunning show of force. The one thing Villarreal has going for it is a raucous home crowd from the get-go, and an early goal would go a long way on multiple fronts. And after leading Atlético to his second La Liga title, Simeone will surely go all in on taking down the giants of the European stage in search of the club’s first Champions League title. And in a tie that should be very close (and very entertaining), a lockdown defense is usually what provides the difference. After a nail-biting last-16 tie with Manchester United, Atlético must now head to the more formidable Manchester side in Guardiola’s City, where it definitely cannot look ahead to meeting Chelsea/Real in the semifinal and then potentially Liverpool or Bayern Munich. But is it out of the question? First up is its quarterfinal against a Real Madrid side that turned the tables on PSG in the final half-hour of the tie. Last season in the semifinal, Chelsea used the second leg at home to its advantage with a 2–0 (3–1 agg. Bayern is coming off consecutive four-goal performances in the Bundesliga and has its eyes set on a 10th straight league title, given its nine-point lead atop the table with eight games to go. The journey is difficult with Atlético potentially followed by a semifinal against Real Madrid or Chelsea. And if it gets past them, then Liverpool and Bayern could await in the final. It would be easy to get caught looking ahead to a potential showdown with Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool in the semifinals, but this Bayern team is too experienced and balanced, especially in his high-octane attack. Yet they could both be caught looking ahead at the other in a mouthwatering semifinal that is sure to entertain.

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Image courtesy of "The Analyst"

Overthink It: Predicting the Champions League Quarter-finals | The ... (The Analyst)

Atlético head to the blue side of Manchester having scored nine goals in eight Champions League matches, and given the un-Simeonean defensive record they've had ...

Ten of Unai Emery’s players have scored non-penalty goals in this season’s Champions League. That’s tied with Manchester City and Chelsea for the most in the competition. Chelsea don’t concede at home in the Champions League, Real Madrid hardly concede away in the Champions League. The rematch of last season’s semi-final might be the most likely 0-0 of the week. Klopp’s players are going to attack in Estádio da Luz, and they’re going to have plenty of the ball. Perhaps that’s what Benfica want: They’re one of two remaining teams to score two goals from fast breaks in the competition. To bring this back around to that 35.7 number at the top, Atléti’s sequences started an average of 34.9 metres from goal away to Liverpool, and their 0.25 xG was their lowest in eight UCL matches. Only 23% of their shots are coming from outside the box, which is the lowest of all 32 UCL teams: To put that in context, the best PPDA for the competition is Ajax’s 7.4 mark spanning eight matches. An even goal difference has gotten them here (nine goals scored and conceded), and an optimist may tell you all it really takes is an even goal difference to keep going at this stage of the competition. Atlético head to the blue side of Manchester having scored nine goals in eight Champions League matches, and given the un-Simeonean defensive record they’ve had in Spain this season, it’s remarkable that’s been enough for this Atlético side to remain in the competition. They were outmatched in the group stage at Anfield, a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in which Jürgen Klopp’s side had a 3.22-0.25 xG advantage. Those are your last eight in the 2021-22 Champions League. No Italian teams, just like the World Cup. Here are the predictions, rankings and a few deeper numbers to consider for the first legs of each tie. City average 5.17 passes per sequence, Atlético are at 2.85. That’s the longwinded way of saying this tie likely has the most contrast in styles among the quarter-finals:

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Premier League top four: Who has best run-in in race for Champions ... (The Independent)

Arsenal's aspirations of securing Champions League football for next season were dented by Monday evening's comprehensive 3-0 loss at Crystal Palace.

The lowest points tally to secure a top-four finish during the past seven seasons is 66 (2016 and 2020). Bruno Lage’s men would therefore probably require at least six wins from their remaining seven games – which include meetings with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City – to be in genuine contention. Uncertainty continues to cloud Old Trafford as United’s search for a permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rumbles on. Aside from Chelsea, West Ham are the only top-four hopefuls juggling interest elsewhere. Arsenal’s recent resurgence was emphatically ended at Selhurst Park. Mikel Arteta is operating with a slim squad and currently has limited options at full-back and up front. Remaining fixtures: Aston Villa (a, April 9); Brighton (h, April 16); Brentford (a, April 23); Leicester (h, April 30); Liverpool (a, May 7); Arsenal (h, May 12); Burnley (h, May 15); Norwich (a, May 22). A five-point buffer on fifth place, plus a game in hand on Tottenham, puts the Blues in a strong position to prevent a calamitous end to a turbulent campaign.

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Image courtesy of "UEFA.com"

UEFA Women's Champions League final Turin 2022: tickets for the ... (UEFA.com)

With fewer than 50 days to go until the decider at Juventus Stadium, don't miss your chance to get a ticket for the final on Saturday 21 May.

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Image courtesy of "Inside World Football"

Champions League needs to bring a bigger show, says Al-Khelaifi ... (Inside World Football)

April 5 – Paris Saint-Germain boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi has called on UEFA to jazz up the Champions League final to make it more like the Super Bowl.

“The Super Bowl, and the US generally, have this mindset, creativity and entertainment. Head of the European Club Association, Al-Khelaifi wants the Champions League to become more of a spectacle, including a glittering opening ceremony. April 5 – Paris Saint-Germain boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi has called on UEFA to jazz up the Champions League final to make it more like the Super Bowl.

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Image courtesy of "Scottish Daily Record"

Liverpool face extra Champions League threat as Premier League ... (Scottish Daily Record)

Liverpool play Benfica in the Champions League and their Premier League rivals Wolves have given the Portuguese side a helping hand - by giving them all ...

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Image courtesy of "Daily Mail"

Champions League: Real Madrid's players touch down in London ... (Daily Mail)

Real Madrid's players arrived dressed to impress on Tuesday afternoon as they touched down in London ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final ...

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Image courtesy of "Liverpool Echo"

Benfica could be without two key players for Liverpool match in ... (Liverpool Echo)

Jurgen Klopp has the fortune of a fully fit Liverpool squad currently at his disposal. The Reds are currently gearing up for their Champions League ...

Trent Alexander-Arnold has recently recovered from a hamstring injury, while Curtis Jones and Joel Matip picked up slight knocks in the win over the Hornets. However, Klopp confirmed that all four players are now fit and available and are in contention to feature against Benfica this evening. Benfica currently have two players in the treatment room who are not likely to play a part against Liverpool. They are experienced forward Rodrigo Pinho and centre-back Lucas Verissimo. Pinho suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury back in October, and is likely to still be out for the remainder of the season. The Reds are currently gearing up for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Benfica this evening.

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Benfica vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League latest score and goal ... (The Independent)

Follow all the action live from the quarter-final first leg in Lisbon.

Follow all the action live below: Liverpool will be strong favourites against Benfica, who are currently only third in the Primeira Liga. They did edge out Barcelona to reach the knockout stages, though, before defeating Ajax over two legs in the round of 16. Follow all the action as Benfica host Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

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