Champions League Archives - Page 2 of 4

Club Brugge vs Arsenal – Match Preview

Arsenal travel to Belgium to face Club Brugge in the Champions League. Ivan Leko’s side go into this clash off the back of a 3-2 defeat in the league against St.Truiden. That result means that Club Brugge now sit in 3rd place , behind St.Truiden on 33 points and behind the league leaders Union St.Gilloise, who sit on 37 points. Arsenal also goes into this encounter off the back of a narrow defeat, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa courtesy of a stoppage time winner from Buendia. Arsenal remains top of the Premier League despite defeat; however, the gap has now shrunk significantly. Manchester City now sit 2 points behind the Gunners and Aston Villa are now only 3 points behind. Club Brugge were defeated in their last Champions League encounter, losing 3-0 to Portuguese outfit Sporting CP. The Belgian outfit have played 5 matches so far in the Champions League, winning 1, drawing 1 and losing 3, with their 1 win coming against Monaco in a 4-1 win. Arsenal have enjoyed the perfect start to their Champions League campaign. Mikel Arteta’s side have won all 5 of their Champions League fixtures, including a 3-1 win against Bayern Munich. Furthermore, the North London outfit have scored 14 goals and only let in 1, which is the best defensive record in the competition thus far. Following defeat in their previous league encounter, Club Brugge announced the sacking of Nicky Hayen. Nicky won 52 of his 88 matches across all competitions, drawing 16 and losing 20. His successor, Leko, has experience managing Club Brugge. The Croatian managed the Belgian side from June 2017 until June 2019, in that spell he won the Belgian League and the Belgian Super Cup. Arsenal have confirmed that Max Dowman has been removed from the Champions League squad through injury. Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus replaces him. In continuation, Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba were not spotted in today’s training session. However, youngsters Josh Nichols, Louie Copley, Marcell Washington and Marli Salmon were all involved.

December 10, 2025

UEFA Champions League Review: Matchday Five

It was a week to remember in the Champions League for Chelsea and Arsenal, but not so for the rest of the English representatives with all four falling to defeats. Chelsea rocked Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, cruising to a 3-0 lead on Wednesday night. Jules Kounde’s own goal and a Ronald Araujo red card in the first half provided the Blues with all the impetus to take the game to the Spanish giants. Goals from 18 year-old Estevao and forward Liam Delap put the Catalans to the sword and made it 4 consecutive European matches in a row without a defeat for the World Champions. Also on Wednesday, Manchester City and Newcastle United lost out. Pep Guardiola made a brash decision to play a second-string side at home to Bayer Leverkusen, a decision he would be made to regret thanks to goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick either side of half time. Newcastle took the lead in Marseille thanks to a goal from potential Scotland international Harvey Barnes, but two goals inside the first five minutes of the second half from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave the Ligue 1 side all three points. In the early kick-offs, Ajax continued their pointless start as Benfica beat them 2-0 with Samuel Dahl and Leandro Barreiro getting on the scoresheet and Union SG, who Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom also invests in, ran out 1-0 winners away to the cauldron of Galatasaray. Canadian Promise David netted the only goal 57 minutes in. Kjetil Knutsen’s Bodo/Glimt ran Juventus close in the Arctic Circle, eventually falling to a 3-2 defeat when Jonathan David’s injury time winner secured victory amid unconfirmed reports of the Norwegian manager being ruled out of the Celtic running. Rasmus Hojlund missed a penalty in Napoli’s hosting of Qarabag after scoring one in Denmark’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland, but Hampden hero Scott McTominay replicated his overhead kick with a less-spectacular acrobatic effort to give the Napoleons the lead. He also got the last touch before an own goal for the second in a 2-0 victory. Borussia Dortmund defeated Villareal 4-0 at Signal Iduna Park and Slavia Prague and Athletic Bilbao played out a 0-0 stalemate in Czechia to round off Tuesday’s fixtures. Liverpool were in the back pages for all the wrong reasons after losing 4-1 at Anfield to Eredevisie outfit PSV Eindhoven. Dominik Szoboslai cancelled out Ivan Perisic’s early opener just 15 minutes in, but second half goals from Guus Til and a double from Couhaib Driouech completed the rout as pressure grows on Arne Slot. It is the ninth defeat in 12 games for the Premier League champions. Arsenal boosted their credentials as a European powerhouse after they beat Bayern Munich 3-1 at the Emirates. Jurrien Timber gave the Gunners the lead before 17 year-old Lennart Karl levelled things before half time. Two second half goals eight minutes apart from Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli created a historic night for Arsenal as they lead both the Premier League and Champions League table. The same success could not be managed by the other side of North London, despite their best efforts. Spurs took the lead twice away to PSG with goals from Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani but both were responded to by former Wolves loanee Vitinha. Fabian Ruiz and Willian Pacho gave the competition holders breathing room before Kolo Muani haunted his former employers again. Vitinha would reaffirm PSG’s two goal lead with a penalty in the 76th minute to complete his hat-trick, however. In the early Wednesday kick-offs, Celtic’s old foes Kairat Almaty conceded to a goal from Hoops legend Henrik Larsson’s son, Jordan, scoring in a 3-2 home win that saw Almaty score twice late on. Cypriot side Pafos, who used to be managed by Dundee gaffer Steven Pressley, drew 2-2 at home to Monaco in a game which seen David Luiz become the second oldest scorer in the competition’s history. Olympiacos took the lead against Real Madrid but four goals from Kylian Mbappe got Los Blancos over the line in a 4-3 epic, whilst city rivals Atletico scored a last minute winner courtesy of Jose Gimenez to dispatch last season’s runner-ups Inter Milan 2-1. Sporting Lisbon beat Club Brugge 3-0 in the Portuguese capital and Atalanta won by the scoreline away to Eintracht Frankfurt to bring this week’s Champions League action to a close. The Champions League is back Tuesday 9th December for the last time this calendar year, and the editor’s choice of clashes to look out for are Inter vs Liverpool on Tuesday, and Real Madrid vs Manchester City on Wednesday.

November 27, 2025

PSG 5-3 Tottenham: Incredible Game Ends in a Win for Champions League Holders

An eight goal thriller in Paris saw PSG beat Tottenham 5-3 in an instant classic Champions League game tonight. The Champions League holders come into this game in 7th place in the League Phase with three wins and one loss after their last European game, losing 2-1 against Bayern Munich. Spurs are 12th in the League Phase with eight points with two wins and two draws after their last Champions League outing, a convincing 4-0 victory against Copenhagen. PSG made six changes to the team that won 4-0 against La Havre in Ligue 1. Marquinhos, William Pancho, Fabian Ruiz, Bradley Barcola, Quentin Ndjantou and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all replace Illia Zabarnyi, Lucas Beraldo, Senny Mayulu, Lee Kang-In, Gonçalo Ramos and Ibrahim Mbaye. Tottenham made five changes to the North London Derby loss against Arsenal. Archie Gray, Pedro Porro, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr and Randal Kolo Muani all come in for Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Palhinha, Mohammed Kudas and Wilson Odobert. As the referee blew the whistle in the French capital it was the hosts who started the strongest as Joao Neves cut inside and Fabian Ruiz hit a powerful shot that went just wide. A few minutes later Spurs managed to break up the pitch with Bergvall but he didn’t connect with his cross properly and the ball went into the arms of PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. PSG had the upper hand in the early stages and came close again when Ndjantou played a quick 1-2 pass with Kvaratskhelia whose curling shot bounced just on the wrong side of the post. Another chance for the Parisian’s as Vitinha plays a dinked pass to Warren Zaire-Emery whose control lets him down allowing for Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario to punch the ball away. Spurs have a few minutes of pressure themselves winning a corner but it’s punched away by Chevalier and the chance is gone. Tottenham open the scoring against the run of play in the 35th minute a good run by Gray down the left, he received the ball from Djed Spence and he played a dinked cross to the back post that’s headed back across goal by Muani for Richarlison who tapped the ball in with his head. PSG got the equaliser right on the 45th minute, a short corner was played to Ndjantou who passed the ball square across the area to Vitinha who rifled the ball into the Spurs net. Tottenham took the lead again in the 50th minute a corner was sent to the back post headed back across by Richarlison, hit on the turn by Gray but his shot hit the bar and bounced back to Muani who hit the volley hard into the net. PSG tried to draw level again as Zaire-Emery’s cross was headed just over by Barcola. Just three minutes after Spurs went in front they were pegged back again Kvaratskhelia finds a bit of space on the edge of the box and finds Vitinha who curls in his second of the game. The Parisians got in front for the first time just before the hour mark as high pressure from sub Lucas Hernandez won the ball back and a flick from Neves played through Ruiz to slot home to make it 3-2. PSG got their 2 goal cushion a little over five minutes later from a corner whipped in by sub Kang-In and bobbles around the front post area as it falls to Pancho who side foots it in for 4-2. Spurs weren’t finished yet as they pulled one back when Vitinha lost the control of the ball to Rodrigo Bentancur who played in Muani for his second and Tottenham’s third. PSG were then awarded a penalty for handball as Vitinha had a shot blocked by the raised hand of the sliding Cristian Romero and the penalty was expertly converted by Vitinha for his first senior hat-trick. Just as the game was coming to an end it was finished with a sending off for PSG as Hernandez was given a straight red for a blatant elbow to the face of Spurs substitute Xavi Simons. This crazy game finally comes to an end with the score PSG 5-3 Tottenham, definitively one of the most entertaining Champions League games of all time. PSG Chervalier, Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pancho, Mendes (Hernandez 46’ sent off 90+3’), Neves, Vitinha (Zabarnyi 90’), Ruiz, Barcola (Kang-In 56’), Kvaratskhelia (Dembele 79’), Ndjantou (Ramos 79’) Vitinha (45’, 53’, 76’ pen) Ruiz (59’) Pancho (65’) Tottenham Vicario, Porro, Gray (Palhinha 76’), van de Ven, Romero, Spence (Udogie 84’), Sarr (Odobert 84’), Bergvall (Kudas 76’), Bentancur, Muani (Simon’s 84’), Richarlison Richarlison (35’) Muani (50’, 73’)

November 27, 2025

Arsenal vs Bayern Munich Preview

Arsenal return to Champions League action as they welcome German giants Bayern Munich to Emirates Stadium in what promises to be a blockbuster clash between two of the best sides on the planet. Arsenal come into this fixture off the back of a comprehensive 4-1 home win over their North London rivals Tottenham. Trossard netted and Eberechi Eze scored a hat-trick, the first one between the two sides since 1978, in a comfortable evening at Emirates Stadium. That’s now 15 games in a row without defeat in all competitions for Mikel Arteta’s side, who now sit 6 points ahead of 2nd place Chelsea and 7 points ahead of Manchester City in 3rd, who were defeated 2-1 at St James’ Park. Bayern Munich come into this fixture off the back of an impressive 6-2 victory against Freiburg. The Bundesliga outfit did find themselves 2-0 down after 17 minutes, but after 17-year-old Lennart Karl found the net just after 20 minutes, they didn’t look back. Michael Olise scored a brace, and also provided 3 assists, Dayot Upamecano netted, and so did Harry Kane and Nicolas Jackson. Vincent Kompany’s side remain comfortably on top of the Bundesliga table on 31 points, ahead of RB Leipzig by 6 points after 11 matches. In that run, Bayern have scored an outstanding 41 goals and only conceded 8. The last time these two sides met came in the Champions League quarter-final second leg in 2023/24, when Joshua Kimmich scored the only goal in a 1-0 win after the sides drew 2-2 in London in the first leg. Arsenal couldn’t really have asked for a better start to their Champions League campaign. The Gunners have played 4, won 4, scored 11 and haven’t conceded a single goal, the only side in the competition who are yet to concede in this year’s Champions League. Last time out in the UCL the North London outfit faced Slavia Prague away from home, winning 3-0. Bukayo Saka scored from the penalty spot and Mikel Merino netted a brace. The Bavarians have also enjoyed an impressive start to their Champions League campaign. The Munich outfit have played 4, won 4, scored 14 and conceded 3. Last time out in the UCL Bayern defeated European Champions PSG away from home. Luiz Diaz scored a first-half brace and also got himself sent off, and as a result will not feature against Arsenal. Joao Neves scored for the hosts with just over a quarter of an hour to play, but it wasn’t enough as they were defeated 2-1. Mikel Arteta on Eze’s stellar display against Spurs: “He could have scored four or five. He’s a big player who can create magic moments which unbalance a team. I’m so happy for him, because since the day he came he brought something else to the team. It’s a joy, it’s an aura that this team needed and hopefully it will give him a lot of confidence that at any moment he can win us a game.” “When he picked up the phone, I remember last summer, he said he wanted to play for us and wanted to be part of this team. You can really sense that.” Vincent Kompany on Arsenal: They’re the best team in Europe at set pieces. I think it’s a good challenge. I don’t know if there are many better teams than Arsenal in Europe at the moment. We’re looking forward to the game. Arsenal have plenty of players that can hurt Bayern, one of those being Eberechi Eze. The English attacking midfielder will be full of confidence following his derby day hat-trick. Another player that could potentially hurt Bayern is Leandro Trossard. The Belgian has had a very bright start to his 2025/26 campaign, scoring 5 and providing 5 assists in 15 matches, including a goal and 2 assists in 3 Champions League outings. Bayern Munich have numerous players that Arsenal should look out for, including one familiar face in Harry Kane, who loved to score in a North London Derby. The 32-year-old has enjoyed an incredible start to the 2025/26 season, scoring 27 goals, 5 of those coming in 4 Champions League games, and providing 4 assists in 23 matches. Another player Arsenal need to nullify is Michael Olise. The Frenchman has 12 goals and has provided 10 assists in 23 matches. The 23-year-old will go up against former teammate Eberechi Eze, who he enjoyed a brilliant partnership with at Crystal Palace.

November 26, 2025

Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: Slot’s men record huge Champions League Victory

An Alexis Mac Allister header gives Liverpool all three points and a famous victory at Anfield. Real Madrid travel to England to face Premier League holders, Liverpool in an eye catching tie as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold returning to face his boyhood side. The opening start was fairly even with both sides enduring time on the ball, but failing to give either keepers any issue. Excellent pressing by Wirtz gave the hosts a big chance, Alexis Mac Allister but the midfielder was leaning back as the shot was taken on which ended going wide. It was a very passive start by the La Liga outfit but Mbappe had a star chance but just like Mac Allister, the striker was leaning back as he skied his opportunity to keep the tie on level terms. Liverpool came very close after 27 mins, a run on the right by Wirtz following a mistake by the visitors, Wirtz with a ball into Szoboszlai but Courtois making himself big to stop the Premier League side gaining a vital lead. After 30 mins, there was a penalty check for possible handball by Vinicius Junior which was originally given as a free-kick. After a lengthy check, the decision was overturned giving the Madrid side the benefit of the doubt. Szobolzlai had a chance a few minutes on but a simple stop for the Real Madrid number one. Late action in the first half as Bellingham works his way into the box, unleashing a strike which was well stopped by the feet of Mamardashvili keeping the game goalless. As both sides went into the break, Liverpool were quite clearly on top but unable to break the deadlock as both sides go in hunting for a second half goal. An early corner for the hosts, Van Dijk was up high and strong but a massive stop by Courtois to tip it over and onto the following corner, Ekitike with a strong header but yet again, Courtois to safety tipping it over the bar. Szobolzlai came close again, a powerful free-kick well punched out by Belgium international, Courtois. Alexis Mac Allister fired the Kop ahead after the hour mark, a free kick in from Szobolszlai as the Argentina international heads home from close range as Courtois is eventually beaten and the hosts get the crucial lead but VAR was ready to spoil the celebrations but after a check, the goal stood. Mbappe almost levelled the game up after 75 as a clipped shot from distance spun wide and kept Real Madrid chasing for an equaliser. Boos rang around Anfield as former red, Trent Alexander-Arnold came on for the final 10 minutes receiving a bad reception on his return but this time in Real Madrid colours as Boos rang around every time the full-back got on the ball. Real Madrid continued to try and find a goal back but failing to find any way to goal but Liverpool were still the mood for more but looked to heading towards a tight victory in Merseyside. Liverpool claimed the major win as they defeat European giants at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League. Player ratings Liverpool: Mamardasvili (8), Konate (7), Robertson (7), Van Dijk (9), Bradley (9), Szoboszlai (10), Gravenberch (8), Mac Allister (10), Wirtz (9), Ekitike (8). Subs: Gakpo (6), Jones (6), Kerkez (6), Chiesa (7). Real Madrid: Courtois (9), Valverde (7), Militao (7), Huijsen (6), Carreras (6), Tchouameni (7), Camavinga (7), Guler (7), Bellingham (8), Vinicius Junior (6), Mbappe (7). Subs: Rodrygo (6), Alexander-Arnold (6), Diaz (6).

November 5, 2025

UEFA Champions League Review: Matchday Three

All six English representatives in this year’s Champions League picked up points on the third week of European football’s grandest competition. Tuesday’s match card seen a total of 45 goals scored across the nine matches on display. Barcelona defeated 10 men Olympiacos 6-1 in Catalonia whilst Kairat Almaty picked up their first points of the campaign, with a home 0-0 draw with Steven Pressley’s former side Pafos. Arsenal and Newcastle had North London and the North East rocking respectively. Four second half goals from Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli, and a double from marquee signing Viktor Gyokeres allowed the Gunners to steamroll over a traditionally resolute Atletico Madrid. Arsenal sit fourth, with maximum points from their first three matches. Newcastle also picked up three points this week as they defeated Jose Mourinho’s Benfica 3-0. Goals from Anthony Gordon and then a second half double from Harvey Barnes, who is eligible for Scotland, gave the Magpies their second European victory in a row. Elsewhere for English sides, Manchester City put in a workmanlike performance away to the yellow submarine of Villarreal. Goals from Erling Harland and Bernardo Silva in the opening half was all that was needed for City to continue their unbeaten start to this year’s league phase. USG of Belgium, who share an investor with Hearts in Tony Bloom, fell to a 4-0 home defeat to Inter Milan. Scott McTominay scored twice for Napoli away to PSV, but the Scudetto winners were embarrassed by the Eredevisie holders, losing 6-2. Former Rangers loanee Fabio Silva scored Borussia Dortmund’s final goal in what was a comfortable 4-2 victory away to FC København. PSG and Bayer Leverkusen both had a man sent off in the first half as last year’s treble winners PSG sauntered to a remarkable 7-2 win away from home against a Leverkusen side that has been dismantled since their heroic invincible Bundesliga campaign just two seasons ago. Not as many goals on Wednesday’s card but that was not for a lack of trying. Both early kick offs ended 3-1 to the home sides, as Athletic Bilbao ended Qarabag of Azerbaijan’s 100% record in San Mames, and Galatasary defeated Bodo/Glimt in Istanbul. Chelsea and Liverpool both steered to 5-1 victories, with Chelsea playing at home to Ajax and making most of their extra man advantage after Kenneth Taylor was sent off at 0-0 15 minutes in for the Dutch giants. Liverpool travelled to Eintracht Frankfurt having lost their last four matches prior. Reds fans would have been fearing the worst when the hosts took the lead 26 minutes in, but five unanswered goals from the English title holders, including one from former Celtic man Virgil Van Dijk, brought the five time European Cup winners winning feel back. Spurs were the only English club not to win this week, with Thomas Frank’s side being held to a bore 0-0 away to Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. Atalanta also drew 0-0 this week to Czechia side Slavia Prague. Elsewhere, Real Madrid defeated Juventus 1-0 at the Bernabeu thanks to a second half Jude Bellingham strike. Bayern Munchen made football look easy with a 4-0 disposal of Club Brugge who knocked Rangers out to qualify for this competition. Sporting Lisbon came from behind to defeat Marseille in the Portuguese capital. Matchday four of the Champions League is on the first week of November, with matches scheduled for the 4th and 5th. Arsenal take on Slavia Prague in Czechia, with North London rivals Tottenham hosting FC Kobenhavn. The biggest game on the Tuesday, however, is Liverpool and Real Madrid at Anfield, or PSG taking on Bayern Munchen at the Parc de Princes. On the Wednesday, Chelsea get their miles in travelling to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag, whilst their compatriots Man City and Newcastle host Borussia Dortmund and Athletic Bilbao respectively.

October 24, 2025

Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid: Clinical Second Half Spell Seals Win for Gunners

Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid Magalhães (57′) Martinelli (64′) Gyokeres (67′ , 70′) Arsenal bulldozed their way past Atletico Madrid to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League after a dominant second-half performance. In a goalless first half, David Raya almost gifted the visitors the lead in the 24th minute. After tussling with Giuliano Simeone at the corner flag, the resultant Julian Alvarez strike narrowly missed as the goalkeeper scampered back to his goal. Arsenal thought they had opened the scoring in the 35th minute, after Gabriel Martinelli bundled home Bukayo Saka’s sliding cross. Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s side, the Brazilian attacker was positioned offside in the build-up. The home side pulled away to a routine victory in the second half, after scoring four goals in 13 minutes to seal the win. Gabriel Magalhães powered home Declan Rice’s inswinging free kick in the 57th minute to open the scoring. Martinelli then made up for his offside goal in the 64th minute. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s clever pass allowed the Brazilian to advance into the box unmarked. He curled a delicate right-footed shot past the outstretched Jan Oblak for a superb second goal. Summer acquisition Viktor Gyokeres added two goals in three minutes to finish off the rout. He bundled home from inside the six-yard box after Eberechi Eze’s initial strike in the 67th minute. The Swede added the fourth shortly, prodding home another Rice set piece to the delight of the home faithful. The emphatic victory moves the Gunners into 3rd place in the Champions League table; they are yet to concede a goal in the competition, and look the real deal. They return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace. Arsenal: Raya, Timber (White 83′) Magalhães (Mosquera 72′) Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi (Nørgaard 83′) Rice, Saka, Eze (Nwaneri 73′) Martinelli, Gyokeres (Merino 83′) Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Hancko, Gimenez (Baena 63′) Le Normand, Llorente, Gonzalez (Ruggeri 63′) Kokę (Gallagher 63′) Barrios, Simeone (Griezmann 72′) Sorloth (Almada 72′) Alvarez

October 21, 2025

Arteta Praises “Outstanding” Simeone as Champions League Meeting Looms

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in the Champions League this week, and the Gunners boss believes his opposite number’s “character and willingness would take him anywhere” as he approaches 14 years in charge of the Spanish giants. Speaking on Monday before the European tie, Arteta said he “looks up” to Simeone, “I think what he has done since he got to Atletico has been outstanding, not only what he has achieved but the way he has done it, I think the identity that he has created to the club, to the team, the spirit, I think they are very simple and clear to identify, and that is because the manager is very much them.” Arsenal sit at the summit of the Premier League; their one-nil victory over Fulham on Saturday pushed them three points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City. Arteta was pleased with the “initiative” of defender William Saliba, after a photo spread on social media showing the Arsenal defender studying Atletico on the team coach: “Very pleased because I didn’t encourage it, so it came from them, and that’s the most powerful thing, that a game finishes, the job is done, but what is the next challenge?” “We know that it is going to be a really tough, so the earlier we start to think about it and prepare the better, so I love that initiative from the players, and it tells you how much they want it and how focused they are on what is next.” Simeone is approaching 14 years as Atletico’s head coach, thrashing Frankfurt 5-1 in their last Champions League outing. Arteta was full of praise for the manager’s longevity. “What is for me outstanding is his passion, I think for how long he has been in the game in the same club with the same players” “It is a very tough environment that we live in, and to keep convincing players, you have to be extraordinary well, I don’t know him personally but everything I’ve heard about him is that he is so good at doing that,” “What makes Simeone teams so difficult to play against -” the willingness to win, you can sense that in every single goal in every single yard they play,” “they have had quite a lot of talent throughout the years, that are very specific for their needs and where they want to play, and they are very good at exploiting those opportunities.” Arsenal host Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night at 8pm, seeking their third straight win in the Champions League.

October 20, 2025

UEFA Champions League Review: Matchday Two

The UEFA Champions League returned to our screens this week after an absence the week prior. Six Premier League clubs were in action, with some faring a lot better than others. Kairat Almaty, who dumped Celtic out in the qualifiers, hosted European giants Real Madrid in one of the early kick-offs on Tuesday. It would be two defeats from two for the Kazakhstan side, falling to a 5-0 defeat as Kylian Mbappe netted a hat-trick. Atalanta and Club Brugge played out the other early kick off, with the Series A side leaving it late to complete a 2-1 turnaround victory. Three of the English sides competed on Tuesday night. Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in his new role as Benfica manager. His side lost 1-0 to the Blues on the night, but the ‘Special One’ received a hero’s welcome. Less can be said about the reception Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez received from his former fans housed in the away corner. Tottenham Hotspur travelled to the Arctic Circle to take on Bodo/Glimt, who they knocked out of last season’s Europa League semi-final. A Jens Hauge double spooked a rocked Spurs side, but goals from skipper Micky Van De Ven and an own goal enforced by Richarlison meant that the North Londoners were able to escape with a point. Liverpool were the third English club in action, faced with the task of overcoming the cauldron which is RAMS Park, home of Galatasaray. The atmosphere ultimately proved too much for the Premier League champions, with an early Victor Osimhen penalty being the difference between the sides. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1. Inter Milan defeated Czech side Slavia Prague 3-0 in the same week demolition plans of Inter and AC’s shared stadium San Siro were confirmed. Marseille romped to a 4-0 home win over Ajax, and Bayern Munich defeated a Pafos side featuring David Luiz 5-1 in Cyprus. Three more English clubs took part in the nine Wednesday fixtures. Newcastle United occupied one of the early kick off slots, with a convincing 4-0 away win over USG of Belgium, another side with investment from Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom. Nick Woltemade scored his third since arriving in the summer, before two Anthony Gordon penalties and a Harvey Barnes effort completed the rout. Qarabag beat FC København 2-0 to maintain their 100% record in the other early kick off. Arsenal were the only other English side to play at home this week, as Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners the lead before Bukayo Saka clinched a 2-0 win at the death at home to Olympiacos. Manchester City travelled to the Principality of Monaco to take on the Ligue 1 side of the same name, drawing 2-2 after an injury time Eric Dier penalty split the points. Erling Haaland scored two first half goals either side of a Jordan Teze thunderbolt, before Monaco won a penalty late on for a high boot offence. International football returns next week in the form of World Cup qualifiers, so the UEFA Champions League does not come back until October 21st.

October 2, 2025

UEFA Champions League Review: Matchday One

The UEFA Champions League returned this week, with this season being the second instalment of the still new ‘league phase’ format, replacing the group stages last campaign. No Scottish clubs are in action this year, unfortunately, but there was still plenty of British clubs in action across all three nights of football. Arsenal were the first British club to play in the UEFA’s premier competition this season, travelling to San Mames to take on Athletic Club Bilbao, who knocked Rangers out of the Europa League last season at the quarter final stage before faltering in the semis to eventual runners up Manchester United. Arsenal grabbed a 2-0 victory on the road, with substitute Gabriel Martinelli scoring after just being on the park one minute with just less than 20 minutes to go. Fellow sub Leandro Trossard made sure the points went back to North London, scoring his side’s second with three minutes to go. Hearts’ shareholder Tony Bloom’s other pet project Union Saint-Gilloise stormed to an impressive 3-1 win away to Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. The Belgian side dominated proceeding in their first ever match in the Champions League proper, and Hearts fans will be dreaming that Tony Blooms algorithm can be replicated for the Gorgie side to enjoy some European success of their own. USG host Newcastle United next. Elsewhere on Tuesday, Azerbaijani side Qarabag pulled of a heroic comeback away to Benfica to win 3-2 after being 2-0 down. Manager Bruno Lage was sacked following this, and was replaced by returning icon Jose Mourinho, who had loosely been linked with the Rangers post as pressure continues to mount on Russell Martin. Juventus and Borussia Dortmund played out a potential match of the tournament already, as the giants drew 4-4, with all eight goals coming in the second half, and two from Juventus deep into injury time to steal a point. Former Celtic loanee Timothy Weah gave Marseille the lead at the Bernabeu, but this was cancelled out by two Kylian Mbappe penalties. Former Celtic player Matt O’Riley also starred for the French outfit. And Tottenham Hotspur got off to a winning start against Villarreal, after a gift of an own goal 4 minutes in from goalkeeper Luis Junior. Onto Wednesday’s action now, which seen Chelsea travel to Bayern Munchen and Liverpool host Atletico Madrid. The former slumped to a 3-1 defeat in Bavaria, with former Tottenham striker Harry Kane coming back to haunt Chelsea with a deadly double, after Trevor Chalobah’s own goal gave the German hosts the lead. Cole Palmer brought a goal back for Chelsea after Kane doubled their lead with a penalty, but the English forward killed any hopes of a comeback on the 63rd minute after he capitalised on a Malo Gusto mistake. Liverpool left it late to secure all three points at Anfield in their opening bout with Atletico Madrid. The Reds took an early two goal lead, with Scotland captain Andy Robertson scoring from a deflection to net his second career Champions League goal, before Egyptian winger Mo Salah put Liverpool two goals to the good just six minutes in. Goals from Marcos Llorente in first half injury time and in the 81st minute brought the scoring level, before an added time header from former Celtic centre back Virgil Van Dijk made it a memorable European night at Anfield for the Premier League holders. Pafos drew 0-0 away to Olympiacos on their Champions league debut in a Greek vs Cypriot battle, whilst Bodo Glimt who infamously knocked Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic out of the Conference League in 2022 came from two behind away to Slavia Prague to rescue a 2-2 draw. Last season’s runners up Inter Milan won 2-0 away to Ajax with goals two minutes either side of halftime by Marcus Thuram, and holders PSG kicked off their defence of their crown with a defiant 4-0 home win over Atalanta of the Serie A. Two more English sides competed on Thursday night also. Manchester City took on Napoli and Kevin De Bruyne’s return to the Etihad Stadium after leaving for Italy this summer ended abruptly after he was sacrificed following an early red card to defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the 21st minute. Scotland’s Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay featured, but it was the light blues of Manchester who prevailed, thanks to second half goals from Erling Harland and Jeremy Doku. Newcastle United hosted Barcelona in their second Champions League campaign in three seasons, but fell to a 2-1 defeat, thanks to two goals from familiar face Marcus Rashford, who signed for the Spanish giants on loan this summer from Manchester United, including a screamer to make it 2-0, before Anthony Gordon netted a 90th minute consolation goal. Club Brugge won the Phillipe Clement derby, defeating another one of the former Rangers gaffer’s former clubs in Monaco 4-1. Henrik Larsson’s son Jordan scored the opener for FC København in a 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in a match which also seen former Celtic and Rangers loanees Mohamed Elyounoussi and Malik Tillman appear. Sporting Lisbon dispatched of Kairat Almaty, who defeated Celtic in the playoff qualifier to make the league phase, by 4 goals to 1. And 2022 Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt cruised to a 5-1 victory at home over Turkish Superlig opposition Galatasaray. The Champions League returns on the 30th September, with next week being reserved for the Europa League, where we will see Celtic travel to Crvena Zvezda on Wednesday, and Rangers play Belgian club Genk at Ibrox on Thursday.

September 19, 2025

Champions League