Champions

“When I won an episode of Countdown and I got the teapot, that was like my Champions League – seriously, it’s a cherished memory” Clarke Carlisle explains how he bypassed the audition process to make it as a contestant on the legendary game show

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During his 19-season career as a professional footballer, Clarke Carlise established himself as an imposing centre-back and set-piece threat for the likes of QPR, Leeds United and Burnley. But the Preston-born defender wasn’t just defined by what he did on the football pitch, as he soon became known for his academic interests off it. This … Read more

Mikel Arteta hits upon a new psychological wheeze for his champions | Football

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THE MICROMANAGER FINAL BOSS The use of psychological stratagems and pitchside or locker-room sabotage has long been employed by football managers trying to give their teams an edge over visiting rivals. Whether it’s placing the pegs too high or the seats too low, painting the walls an aggression-lowering shade of pink or deliberately moving the … Read more

Mickels miss a turning point as latest stop in Sabah’s odyssey ends with regret | Champions League

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Football – like much of life – can be a story of what might have been, and on 39 minutes Joy-Lance Mickels had an experience that was a sliding doors moment for the centre-forward and Sabah that may haunt a long time. Azerbaijan’s champions were trailing to Matheus Cunha’s opener when Kaheem Parris spiralled the … Read more

Fenerbahce boss announces shock resignation after Roma draw in Champions League

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Ismail Kartal resigned as head coach of Fenerbahce just minutes after the Turkish side’s 1-1 draw with Roma in the Champions League. Kartal made the surprise announcement in his post-match news conference, stating he plans to never return to the club he previously served as a player and assistant coach. He came back to Fenerbahce … Read more

Sesko soars as Manchester United surge past Sabah on Champions League return | Champions League

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It was a night for romance given the astonishing story that Sabah brought with them to Old Trafford for their Champions League debut. This is a club that did not even exist a decade ago and nobody saw their bolt to the title in Azerbaijan coming last season; in 2024-25, they had finished 41 points … Read more

Manchester United v Sabah: Champions League – live | Champions League

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Key events It’s also worth noting that Patrick Dorgu starts at left-back tonight, for the first time under Carrick. Bought for Ruben Amorim, really he’s a specialist wing-back – not a defender because his awareness isn’t great, nor his ability to pass the ball out from the back, nor a winger because he lacks finesse … Read more

Meet the Who Wants to be a Millionaire winner taking on Manchester United in the Champions League

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Sabah manager Valdas Dambrauskas has an unusual curriculum vitae. Manchester United’s first opponents after securing a return to the Champions League are one of four teams playing in the competition for the first time, and Dambrauskas will go head-to-head with United boss Michael Carrick at Old Trafford on Thursday. Sabah are first-time champions of Azerbaijan … Read more

Champions League roundup: Raphinha shines as Barcelona thrash Feyenoord | Champions League

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Raphinha let his goals do the talking after being omitted from the Ballon d’Or shortlist, striking twice as Barcelona eased to a 5-1 win over Feyenoord in the Champions League. The Brazilian was a surprise omission from this week’s 30-strong list of candidates for the prestigious award but brushed any disappointment aside to continue his … Read more

Ferran Torres Scores Hat Trick In Champions League Debut With PSG

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Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele scored titleholder Paris Saint-Germain’s first goals of the new Champions League campaign, and his first goals the season, when he netted twice in a 6-1 home win against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday. He also set up a goal in each half for new signing Ferran Torres, whose well-taken hat trick … Read more

Barcelona Wins Champions League Opener With 2 Goals From Red-Hot Raphinha

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With an on-fire Raphinha leading its attack, Barcelona doesn’t seem to need another striker after all. The fiercely competitive Brazilian kept up his great start to the season on Wednesday by scoring twice to lead Barcelona’s 5-1 rout over Feyenoord in their Champions League opener. His double combined with his La Liga-leading six goals makes … Read more