A few months ago, Monaco was performing well in the French league and impressing in the Champions League.
Now things are going wrong for coach Adi Hütter’s team.
In late October, Monaco’s 5-1 win over Red Star Belgrade extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games, including a significant win against Barcelona. This led to high praise for Hütter and his team’s bold playing style.
Things have changed a lot since then.
Monaco is now far behind in the Ligue 1 title race and is trailing Benfica in their Champions League playoff, with the second leg coming up next week.
Monaco is also out of the French Cup, making it unlikely they will win any trophies this season. The pressure is growing as they prepare for their home match against Nantes on Saturday.
Paris Saint-Germain, who are leading the league without a loss, are now 16 points ahead of Monaco, who are in fourth place. Monaco is also watching out for Lille, who are two points behind in fifth, and Lyon, who are four points behind in sixth.
After a strong start to the season, with a defense that allowed only four goals in the first eight games, Monaco is now struggling with defense, letting in goals far too easily.
Hütter’s team has lost six of their last ten games, including a defeat to the bottom team Montpellier. Monaco has kept only one clean sheet in their last 12 games and conceded 23 goals during that time, including 12 in their last five matches. Neither goalkeeper has been convincing, with Radoslaw Majecki making errors after taking over from Philipp Köhn.
Monaco no longer looks like the strong title contender it seemed to be earlier in the season.
Lyon is still aiming for a European spot next season and will start Sunday’s matches at Montpellier.
Adi Hütter reacts in the game
After taking charge, Fonseca promised to play a more attacking style, and Lyon has scored six goals in his two games so far, including a 4-0 win over Reims last weekend with four different players scoring.
Former France midfielder Corentin Tolisso, who won the World Cup in 2018, has regained his form and scored in both of Lyon’s games. Attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki played a role in all four goals against Reims.
“When you have Cherki at this level, it’s difficult for us to lose,” said Tolisso.
However, Cherki has been inconsistent in the past, and maintaining this form will be crucial for Lyon’s hopes of qualifying for Europe.
Fonseca’s other challenge is to help captain Alexandre Lacazette return to his goal-scoring form. After two strong seasons where he scored 46 goals in 64 matches, the former Arsenal forward has only scored six league goals this season.
But he should have chances to score against Montpellier, whose defense has allowed a league-worst 48 goals.
Ousmane Dembélé is in the best form of his career and will aim to score in his 11th straight game when his team travels to Toulouse on Saturday.
The France forward is the top scorer in Ligue 1 with 16 goals, three more than Marseille’s Mason Greenwood.
Marseille will host Saint-Etienne on Sunday with no visiting fans allowed due to the risk of clashes between rival supporters.
Europa League and Champions League Recap: Amorim's First Win, Hummels' Heroics, and Key Results from Matchday 5
In Thursday’s Europa League matches, there were notable results, with some managers and players making significant contributions to their teams’ successes. Ruben Amorim celebrated his first win as Manchester United manager in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford. Despite an early lead by Alejandro Garnacho and a two-goal first-half comeback by Bodo/Glimt, Rasmus Højlund scored a brace to seal the win for Manchester United. Amorim’s first victory came after a disappointing debut draw against Ipswich Town, marking a positive turn for the club under his leadership.
Meanwhile, Mats Hummels emerged as a hero for AS Roma in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham. Although he conceded a penalty early in the match, Hummels equalized for Roma in the dying moments of the game, scoring in stoppage time to salvage a point for the Italian side. The match had seen Son Heung-min’s early penalty for Tottenham and Brennan Johnson’s later goal to put Spurs in the lead. Hummels’ performance, including his vital goal, might prove to be a turning point for him and AS Roma after a difficult start to the season.
Europa League and Champions League Recap: Amorim’s First Win, Hummels’ Heroics, and Key Results from Matchday 5
Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce also celebrated a significant win in the Europa League, coming back from a 1-0 deficit to secure a 2-1 victory against Slavia Prague. The team trailed due to goals by Edin Dzeko and Youssef En Nesyri in the first half but rallied in the second half to claim the win. This result was Fenerbahce’s second consecutive win in the group stage after their opening win against RSG, strengthening Mourinho’s squad’s position in the competition.
In the other matches, several teams faced mixed fortunes. AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray played out a 1-1 draw, while Anderlecht and Porto also ended in a 2-2 draw. Athletic Club triumphed 3-0 against Elfsborg, and Besiktas suffered a 3-1 defeat to Maccabi. Other results included victories for teams like Lyon, Braga, and Real Sociedad, while Midtjylland and Lazio had disappointing losses at home. The group stage continues to produce exciting and unpredictable results, keeping fans and teams on edge as they vie for spots in the knockout stages.
The Europa League group stage also saw a number of teams scoring big wins, with Nice going down 1-0 to Rangers and Ferencvaros dominating Malmo with a 4-1 scoreline. In a more dramatic encounter, Tottenham and AS Roma’s 2-2 draw highlighted the tension of high-stakes games, while Fenerbahce’s comeback against Slavia Prague demonstrated the resilience that Mourinho’s team possesses. As the competition progresses, these results will have a significant impact on the teams’ hopes of advancing.
Manchester City are the Champions League holders (Credits: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
If you are following the premier league fixture for this season, it will be hard not to hear the reference word ‘top four.’
In the past seasons, only the top four finishing clubs were guaranteed a place in the Champions League and in the UEFA’s blue riband European competition. But this has been changed now.
How many teams will be playing in next season’s Champions League?
There will be an increase of four teams, which brings to a total of 36 teams in the Champions League from 2024-2025.
From the next season, there won’t be a structure of eight groups of four teams. Instead, there will be a 36-team “Swiss model” in which every team will be playing a total of ten games- five at home, five away.
The fixtures will be based on seedings, and the ranking of teams will be from 1 to 36. The top 8 teams will advance to a 16-team knockout round, which leads into a play-off round to decide the final eight.
Manchester City is the UEFA Champions League holder (Credits: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Will England earn a fifth Champions League place?
The chances of England earning an additional Champions place are high. England has been top-ranking in UEFA for four consecutive seasons, and they have a high domestic strength compared to their European rivals.
There are eight Premier League in Europe this season. They are Champions League winners- Manchester City joined at the top table by Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United.
The eighth English team to qualify for Europe was West Ham United, who earned access to the Europa League by winning the Europa Conference League.
Other leagues with the most qualifying places
England, Spain, Italy, and Germany get four automatic Champions League group spots as they are the four best-performing countries, according to UEFA.
France and Portugal get two spots, and the Champions of Netherlands, Austria, Serbia, and Scotland make it to the group stage.
Newcastle’s group stage appearance in the last Champions League two decades ago (Credits: Nicolas Tucat/AFP)
How many Premier League teams can qualify for the Champions?
The new ‘top five’ is ignored, focusing on the ‘super seven.’ That will be the total number of Premier League teams reaching the Champions League next season. But keep in mind that it is very unlikely to happen.
Assuming the English teams perform well in Europe, then five Premier League teams will qualify for the Champions League based on their rankings.
Two more English teams will be joining if they win the Champions League and Europa League, respectively, while finishing with a lower than fifth in the Premier League.
How many English teams could play in Europe next season?
Theoretically, there could be 11 English teams in European competition next season, which is more than half the number of teams in the table.
Seven from the Champions League, Three from the Europa League, and the winners from the Carabao Cup qualify for the play-off round of the Europa Conference League, which brings us to a total of 11 teams for Europe next season.
There is also a wild fantasy for 10 Premier Leagues and a side from the top flight of winners from the FA Cup or Carabao Cup. But the chances of that happening are extremely low.
This is just a theory and will be confusing if seen on a table layout.
Bukayo Saka, an Arsenal player who also represents England, offers high respect for Declan Rice, a teammate.
Rice has improved since transferring to Arsenal from West Ham United during the summer transfer window, according to Saka during an interview on Football Focus on BBC One.
Bukayo Saka Applauds Arsenal and England Companion Declan Rice
Saka has described Declan Rice as “Incredible”. The 24-year-old England international joined Arsenal in the summer of 2023 from West Ham United, a fellow London and Premier League team.
Declan Rice has rapidly made a remarkable impression at Arsenal and has already become an essential player in manager Mikel Arteta’s squad.
In the present season, the English midfielder has scored one goal in four Premier League matches for the Gunners. Saka had this to say about Rice: “In my opinion, he appears to have improved even more. He’s truly unbelievable.
Declan Rice and Saka celebrating after winning the Community Sheild (Picture: Getty)
Declan Rice: An Important Asset for Both Arsenal and the English National Team
We Believe Declan Rice Is among the best midfielders around, Playing Pivotal Roles for Arsenal and the English National Team. Rice’s Progression and Evolution as a Player Has Been Very Significant.
Regardless of his primary role as a defensive midfielder, the English international also possesses the ability to lead the team’s offensive charge, presenting a formidable challenge to opposition defenses.
Rice has gained valuable experience with consistent first-team appearances, contributing remarkably to his progression. In his Premier League career so far, the midfielder has featured in 208 matches, providing 11 goals and ten assists to his team.
It’s worth noting that Rice is versatile and capable of playing in a defensive role as well. At just 24 years old, Rice holds the promise of additional improvement, potentially elevating him to the level of a truly elite midfielder in the years ahead.
Jay Bothroyd Expresses Strong Interest in Seeing Ivan Toney Join Arsenal
Interestingly, Arsenal has been linked with the English national team striker. According to a report from The Times in August 2023, Arsenal could consider making an offer for Toney during the forthcoming January transfer window.
Currently, the 27-year-old is under suspension and is set to return to action only in January 2024. The Times added that Brentforth wanted £80 million for the England international.
Bothroyd demonstrates his thoughts on Toney during an interview with Sky Sports, stating, “He has a remarkable goal-scoring record, possesses great physicality, and performs excellently as the frontman.
“If he were to join any of the top-tier clubs, he could easily net a minimum of 20 Premier League goals annually, and he’s particularly proficient in taking penalties.
“I hold a strong desire for Arsenal to secure his signature.”
Arsenal May Encounter Challenges in Securing Ivan Toney’s Transfer in January 2024
We believe that Arsenal might face significant challenges in their pursuit of Ivan Toney from fellow London and Premier League competitors, Brentford, during the January transfer window.
First of all, Ivan Toney would have been inactive for several months, raising questions about his desire to depart from Brentford under such circumstances.
Secondly, Brentford may be hesitant to let their star striker leave in the mid-season. In January, the Bees could be in contention for the European spots in the Premier League standings, possibly prompting them to delay Toney’s sale until the coming summer.
Furthermore, Arsenal might be unwilling to meet an £80 million price tag for a striker who hasn’t been in action in the current season.
Jonsa Eidevall with Beth-Mead (Isaac Parkin/PA) (PA Wire)
Arsenal winger Beth Mead is returning to the team after a long-term knee injury; she was out of the squad since November 2022. Eidevall hopes Mead’s return will inspire other players to recover and return to the team.
Beath Med is returning to Arsenal. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)
Coach Eidevall has confirmed that Beth Mead will travel with Arsenal’s squad for the Champions League qualifier, although she isn’t expected to play.
Beth has been out of the pitch since November 2022 after she had an injury; she ruptured her ACL in a Women’s Super League match.
Arsenal has been suffering from injuries for a long time; Vivianne Miedema (December), Leah Williamson (April), Laura Wienroither (May), and Teyah Goldie (June) are all suffering from injuries and believe that the winger’s return can serve as inspiration to the other injured players.
Jonas Eidevall with Beth-Mead (Isaac Parkin/PA) (PA Wire)
Eidevall said, “Beth is here, and she can travel with us; she is the first of our long-term injuries to return. We hope that is also a turning point for more players to come back.”
He added, “Mentally, we hope this is a lift for the other injured players, too, to see her coming back because we know this will happen again this season.
He also mentioned: “It’s so nice when you welcome a player back because you know how hard they have fought for so many months. That starts the pitch and then on the pitch to get into this shape.”
It is pretty evident that coach Eidevall is encouraging players to recover from injuries and return to the squad.
After beating Chelsea to the Conti Cup, Beth with Steph Catley and Lia Walti.
When asked about Mead playing against Linkoping, Eidevall said: “No. She is not there yet; this is too early for her. But she is not very far.”
Mead’s return will strengthen the Arsenal team.
As WSL is knocking at the door, Mead’s return will give the required boost to the Gunners. Mead was one of their high-profile injuries, including the above players and the Captain herself, Kim Little.
If all of them had been fit, then Arsenal could have made it to the Champions League final and won it, too.
Mead’s return will boost the morale of her teammates and reflect on the pitch, too, which will help Arsenal win big games and Championships.
The 2023–24 Champions League group stage draw offered an array of intriguing matchups between some of the most significant clubs in Europe.
Manchester City, the defending champions, are fortunate to be placed in a favorable group, but a number of major clubs will face difficult challenges in the first round.
In light of this, take a look at the top matchups to watch during the group round, beginning with a thrilling matchup between two of the tournament’s heavyweights.
UEFA Champion League Via UEFA.
Manchester United vs Bayern Munich – September 20.
Football tickets for the Group A match between Bayern Munich and Manchester United at the Allianz Arena on September 20 will be in high demand with the heat of the match.
Bayern hasn’t won the Champions League since 2020, so now the club is desperate to do it after losing in each of the previous three seasons’ quarterfinals.
It is now up to England striker Harry Kane to score the goals that will drive the team to victory after they went far enough to sign him from Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Following a string of setbacks in Europe, Man United are also eager to make their imprint in the tournament, but they may have their hands full against Bayern.
Napoli Team Via Football/Twitter.
Real Madrid vs Napoli – October 3
Braga and Union Berlin are likely to find it difficult to compete with Napoli and Real Madrid in Group C.
The defending Serie A winners, who advanced to the competition’s quarterfinals last year, will be motivated to do so again this year.
On October 3, they play Madrid at home, and it should be an intriguing game because both teams are capable of playing some very deadly football.
In his quest to become one of the top midfielders in the world, Jude Bellingham is a player worth watching for the visiting team.
Newcastle United vs Paris Saint-Germain – October 4
There is often just one “group of death” created by the Champions League draw, and this season’s competition is no exception.
Along with Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan, Newcastle has been placed in the insanely difficult Group F.
In order to stand a chance of making it to the round of 16, their performances at St James’ Park will be important, therefore on October 4, they will want to get off to a quick start against PSG.
But the visitors have added some striking players to their lineup this summer, and they could prove too hot for the Magpies to handle.
Atletico Madrid vs Celtic – October 25.
Celtic has been left to represent their own country since all other Scottish Premiership clubs have already failed in European competitions.
Despite being placed in a difficult group with Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, and Lazio, they will have faith that they can advance to the next round.
The La Liga team will visit Parkhead on October 25, and it’s sure to be packed. Their home game versus Atletico promises to be a blast.
This match won’t be for the faint of heart because the pantomime villain Diego Simeone will be in the opposing dugout.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Will be defending their title. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Arsenal vs. PSV Eindhoven – December 12
Although Arsenal is unquestionably the favorite to advance from Group B, they would be wise to not underrate the other teams.
Champions of the Europa League in UEFA competitions, Sevilla may be difficult to beat, while Lens proved a challenge in Ligue 1 last season.
PSV Eindhoven will also be hoping for success after securing their spot in this round of the competition with a convincing 7-3 overall win over Rangers.
Given that PSV is likely to be competing for the other qualification position, Arsenal will want to have locked up advancement to the round of 16 before this match on December 12.
Champions League is the highest standard there is in football. People from all around the world watch it, and players from all around the world want to play in it. Like Sir Alex Ferguson once said, “There is no bigger competition in world football than the Champions League”, which is correct. The players, the teams, the stadium, the fans, and the level of football, nothing compares to it. This stage is bigger than the rest. The biggest clubs in the world, like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, PSG, and Liverpool, all compete against one another to win the prestigious trophy. As of now, Real Madrid leads the list with the most titles, 14, followed by Liverpool, Milan, and Bayern Munich.
For over 50 years, this competition has entertained us and has given us some best footballing action. Matches that we can always watch on repeat and still gives us goosebumps. There are fans all over the world who go to witness the action live inside the stadiums. They have been part of such historical matches that we still remember today, matches of the past. There is not a single season where fans are left disappointed. Every season something new happens, there is a new hero, a new villain in the story, and possibly a new champion. The current holders are Real Madrid, who won their fifth title in the last eight years.
Let’s have a look at some of the most iconic matches in the UEFA Champions League for the past decade.
Champions League: Juventus Vs Bayern Munich Quarterfinal 2015/2016( 4-6)
This is one of the most exciting round-of-8 matches probably ever witnessed in the Champions League. It was a two-legged round where the first match was played at Juventus’s home stadium. The match started off on a very positive note for Bayern Munich as they took a two-nil lead. Things were looking bad for Juventus, and it seemed they would be out of the competition. However, in the second half, they came back to make it a 2-2 draw. Goals from Paolo Dybala and Morata ensured that things will be exciting in the second leg. Bayern Munich, though still had an upper hand because of two away goals.
Juventus Vs Bayern Munich Quarterfinal 2015/2016
The second leg was even more exciting for the spectators. It followed a similar suit, but Juventus looked much better than Bayern. A fantastic solo run by Morata, passing through 5-6 Bayern players, opened up an easy chance for Cuadrado to finish. Pep Guardiola, manager of Bayern Munich at that time, couldn’t believe his eyes. Juventus were now 2-0 up in the second leg, leading the tie 4-2. In the second half, the story changed. Bayern came back and how. They equalized quickly to make it 4-4, and the match went to overtime. Maybe, it was the fatigue or what, but Bayern just overpowered Juventus. They started putting in crosses inside the box, a different approach than what Guardiola is used to. Two quick goals sealed the deal for Bayern, and they won the tie 4-6.
Champions League: PSG Vs Barcelona 2016/2017 (5-6)
This was probably the biggest comeback of recent times or even ever in the Champions League. It was a round-of-16 encounter, PSG faced Barcelona in Paris for the first leg. Things couldn’t have turned out to be more amazing for PSG because they dominated Barcelona. The worst thing was that Barcelona had only one shot in the entire match and PSG had ten. Angel Di Maria opened the scoring for the home team in the 18th minute before Draxler made it 2-0 just before the end of the first half. As soon as the second half began, Di Maria scored his second goal of the match in the 55th minute, making it 3-0. In the 71st minute, Edinson Cavani scored the fourth goal. A disastrous result for Barcelona as they had a mountain to climb on the second leg.
PSG Vs Barcelona 2016/2017
Barcelona fans had given up hopes that their team would be able to turn something around. They needed no less than a miracle to turn things around, doing the improbable and impossible. But would you believe what happened? The miracle came true at Camp Nou. What happened that night probably never happened before, and I can’t promise that it will ever happen again. In the third minute of the match, Suarez opened the scoring for Barcelona. You always need early goals whenever trying to make a comeback. Unfortunately for PSG, Kurzawa scored an own goal in the 40th minute of the match that put Barcelona two-nil ahead. Messi scored a penalty at the beginning of the second half, and Barcelona needed only two goals more to win the match. However, Edinson Cavani brought one back for PSG in the 71st minute.
With less than 10 minutes left on the clock, it seemed the dream for Barcelona was finally over. But then came Neymar. He was Barca’s best player in the first leg when the team did not perform well. He came to life in the dying moments, and believe you may, in the 88th minute, he scored a wonderful goal. Now needed only two goals in the final few minutes, Neymar won a penalty and converted it. It was the 91st minute, and the score was level. It meant PSG was still going through because of the crucial away goal. However, in the last seconds, probably in the last chance, Barcelona scored a goal courtesy of Sergi Roberto. The entire stadium erupted, and there were scenes in Camp Nou we had never seen before. Barcelona won the tie 5-6.
Liverpool vs Barcelona 2018/2019 (4-3)
The previous year, in the 2017/2018 season, Liverpool had lost to Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League. It was a devastating loss for the players and for Liverpool fans. Come next year, they were again in the race to qualify for the Champions League final. This time, in the semi-final, they were facing the mighty Barcelona. The first leg happening in Camp Nou, where things started on a good note for Barcelona. Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the 26th minute against his former club. The score stayed the same in the first half. The second half saw two great goals from Lionel Messi. The first one came in the 75th minute, and the third was a beauty. Probably the best free-kick Messi ever scored in his career. The match ended 3-0 in Barca’s favor, and it looked over for Liverpool.
Liverpool vs Barcelona 2018/2019
The night arrived at Anfield. This stadium has some different energy that brings out the best in home team players. It had the same effect that night. Origi opened up the scoring in the 7th minute for Liverpool. It looked like Liverpool was off to a great start, but nothing solid happened in the coming minutes. The first half ended with Liverpool leading 1-0. It was a monumental task to make a comeback against a team like Barcelona, but some things are just meant to be. Out of nowhere, Wijnaldum scored two quick-fire goals for Liverpool, making the score 3-3 on aggregate. In the 79th minute, a smart move by Trent Alexander Arnold, taking an early corner, saw a completely free Origi scoring in an open net. The scenes at Anfield, once this goal was scored, are indescribable. It was like a tsunami of happiness inside the stadium.
The tie ended 4-3 in favor of Liverpool. These are some of the epic moments in UEFA Champions League history for the past decade.
Karim Benzema's solo effort put a damper on Chelsea's Champions League ambitions this year.
Maybe it was the instability at the hierarchy of the club, or maybe it was just Karim Benzema at his best, Chelsea seemingly had no answer for the talismanic French forward as he steamrolled through opposition single-handedly and dealt a massive blow for Chelsea to recover in the 2nd leg. In impeccable form, Karim Benzema shows no sign of stopping with back-to-back hat tricks in the Champions League.
With two headers after assists from Vinicius Jr and Luka Modric, Karim Benzema seemed like a man on a mission. He was able to head past the Chelsea goal in quick succession. However, Chelsea did manage to get a goal back when Kai Havertz managed to put one past Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after latching onto a cross from Jorginho in the 40th minute.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 6, 2022
However, Benzema had other plans when he went on to grab his 3rd goal of the evening in the 46th minute after capitalizing on an error by the Chelsea shot-stopper, Eduoard Mendy. A loose pass by Mendy back to Antonio Rudiger left both of them in no man’s land, only for Karim Benzema to come sweeping in to complete his treble. With this hat trick, Benzema took his season’s tally to 37 goals in 36 games throughout all competitions.
A Carlo Ancelotti masterclass
The struggles of Chelsea were plain to see as Real Madrid dominated the game tactically. Additionally, Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid claimed he was able to outmaneuver Thomas Tuchel’s side by deploying Federico Valverde on the wings to tighten up the left wing of Chelsea. This move was able to restrict Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea, with Valverde working in tandem with the positioning of Azpilicueta.
Carlo Ancelotti
All to play for in the 2nd Leg
An entertaining game, to say the least, it was a showcase of strikers. With Benzema leading the charge of Real Madrid and Kai Havertz getting one back for the team. However, expensive signings like Romelu Lukaku missed a precious chance. He had a clear header off Azpilicueta’s cross, but he put it past the Real goal. Further, Timo Werner was not deemed good enough to even be bought on as a substitute. It is a known fact that the struggles of Chelsea off the pitch are filled with turmoil. Nonetheless, Thomas Tuchel’s side will look to bounce back in the 2nd leg when they face Real Madrid away from home in the prestigious Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
With the away rule advantage, Chelsea might be able to pull back a miraculous victory. However, they would first need a strategy to overcome the one-man army, namely Karim Benzema. Real Madrid will host Chelsea on the 13th of April, 2022, for the enticing 2nd leg.
With the epic conclusion to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, we determined our semi-finalists. Real Madrid, Villarreal, Manchester City, and Liverpool. A battle between Spain and England ultimately determines this year’s champion. The final of the Champions League is on May 28th at the Saint-Denis stadium (France). However, before that, the four teams will battle out in the Champions League Semi-Finals to determine this year’s finalists. Earlier, the finals were going to be played in St. Petersburg. However, UEFA Sanctions against Russia prompted the new location to be in Paris. Let us take a look at the teams which have qualified for the Champions League Semi-Finals.
Villarreal
The giant killers of this year’s Champions League. Unai Emery’s Villarreal pulled off the impossible when they ousted giants Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. Just 10 years ago, Villarreal was relegated to the Spanish second division. The amount of suffering endured by the club has been an arduous journey. Nevertheless, they have certainly surprised everybody and punched way above their weight to be successful. Passion and hard work did pay off, and they will now face Liverpool in the Champions League Semi-Finals. True underdogs of the competition, their grit and tenacity certainly propel them towards success. Nonetheless, it is poised to be an interesting match-up. David vs. Goliath on the football pitch. Our minds say Liverpool, but the heart certainly loves to root for the underdogs.
Villarreal
Liverpool
The Goliath to Villarreal’s David. Jurgen Klopp’s rock and roll football has dominated the opposition throughout the competition. Now with a healthy squad, Liverpool seems destined to once again lift the trophy. It will certainly be on their list to go for the treble. With FA Cup and Premier League on the horizon, Klopp’s Liverpool will be looking to make history. Having faced tough competition throughout, Liverpool has a clear destination in sight. With Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, and Roberto Firmino all firing their cylinders, the tournament needs to be wary of the domination of Liverpool.
Liverpool
Real Madrid
The legendary Real Madrid are once again looking to regain their former glory. With the departure of key players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid looked like a shell of its former glory. However, with the departure of their talisman in Ronaldo, and captain Ramos, Karim Benzema stepped up to the plate encompassing both the qualities in one. Currently, Benzema seems unstoppable. Scoring 2 back to back hat tricks in the Champion’s League, Benzema looks determined to bring Real Madrid back to European glory all by himself. Vinicius and Benzema in the front have wreaked havoc on teams like PSG and Chelsea. They are facing another megastar in the Champions League Semi-Finals in the form of Manchester City. An epic duel awaits the arena when these two gladiators will collide.
Real Madrid
Manchester City
Perhaps this will finally be the year Pep Guardiola can guide Manchester City to their first-ever European glory. They have all the means necessary to triumph the best of the best. However, European success has forever eluded the Premier League giants. This year they are scheduled to face Real Madrid in the Champions League Semi-Finals. A tough task, to say the least. Even more, since Karim Benzema has found his new one-man army form and has been unstoppable. Additionally, a couple of injury scares in the form of Kevin De Bruyne, and Kyle Walker dampens their chances a bit. Nevertheless, the squad depth and the genius tactical mind of Pep Guardiola can certainly conjure up backup plans to overcome these odds. Nevertheless, Real Madrid vs. Manchester City will be a spectacle to witness, and we are all for it.
Manchester City
Time and Date of the Champions League Semi-Finals
The first leg of the Champions League Semi-Finals will be contested on the 27th and 28th of April. With the second leg contested on the 4th and 5th of May.
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid: 27th April (First Leg) | 5th May (Second Leg)
Liverpool vs. Villarreal: 28th April (First Leg) | 4th May (Second Leg)
Where to watch
The rights to show UEFA Champions League matches in India belong to Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN). They will be streaming the match on the SONY LIV app, and it will be broadcast on Sony TEN 1 and Sony TEN 2. Additionally, it will also be streaming on the JioTV app.
Fans in the USA can catch the broadcast on CBS and TUDN Deportes. For fans in the UK, it will be broadcast specifically on the BT Sport channel.
