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UEFA Champions League Group Stage Draw LIVE: Man Utd in group with Bayern

Published

4 weeks ago

August 31, 2023

UEFA Champions League Group Stage Draw LIVE: Man Utd in group with Bayern

Newcastle United’s return to the Champions League has posed a formidable challenge, as they have been placed in Group F alongside football powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan.

The group draw, conducted in Monaco, has revealed some intriguing matchups for the final season of the current Champions League format. In Group A, Manchester United will face off against Bayern Munich, led by Harry Kane. The group also includes Turkish champions Galatasaray, and Rasmus Hojlund, Manchester United‘s new striker, will encounter his former club Copenhagen.

For Arsenal, the journey in Group H entails clashes with Europa League victors Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven, and Lens. Meanwhile, the reigning champions, Manchester City, have been drawn into a seemingly more favorable Group C, where they will compete against RB Leipzig, Young Boys, and Red Star Belgrade.

These matchups promise an exciting and competitive Champions League season ahead.

UCL 2023/24 Full Draw

Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray
Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, RC Lens
Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga, Union Berlin
Group D: Benfica, Inter Milan, Salzburg, Real Sociedad
Group E: Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
Group F: Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United
Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, FK Crvena Zvezda, BSC Young Boys
Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Antwerp

Champions League format

The upcoming Champions League tournament marks the 20th and final edition of its familiar format, characterized by eight round-robin groups, each consisting of four teams. The top two teams from each group proceed to a 16-team knockout stage.

However, significant changes are in store for the following year. The Champions League will expand to include 36 teams, with each team competing in eight matches, an increase from the current six. Teams will be ranked based on their performance in these matches, forming a single standings table. The top eight ranked teams will secure a direct path to the round of 16. Teams ranked from No. 9 to No. 24 will engage in a knockout playoffs round to determine the remaining eight spots in the last-16 stage.

The final edition of the traditional format is scheduled to commence on September 19, with group-stage matches concluding on December 13. Subsequently, the knockout stage will begin in February, culminating in the final match at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 1.

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JUST IN: Man Utd confirm injury to Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Published

1 week ago

September 18, 2023

Williams

JUST IN: Man Utd confirm injury to Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Manchester United has officially announced that Aaron Wan-Bissaka suffered a hamstring injury over the weekend.

In their statement, the club confirmed that:

“Aaron is set for a period on the sidelines after sustaining an injury during Saturday’s game against Brighton.”

Although the club’s statement mentions that the full-back will be sidelined for “several weeks,” The Athletic reports that he might be out for up to two months.

Wan-Bissaka had featured in all five Premier League games this season, and his absence will be felt by the team.

With Wan-Bissaka sidelined, Diogo Dalot is expected to step in as the starting right-back for Manchester United’s upcoming Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

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EXPLAINED: How Madrid can afford Mbappe and Davies next summer without having to sell

Published

2 weeks ago

September 15, 2023

Williams

EXPLAINED: How Madrid can afford Mbappe and Davies next summer without having to sell

Real Madrid‘s combined squad salary bill is currently €485 million, while La Liga’s wage limit for the club will be €727 million for the next season, according to COPE.

This surplus in the wage limit provides Real Madrid with the opportunity to spend significantly in the upcoming summer transfer window without the need to sell players.

The €242 million difference between the limit and the actual wage spending opens up possibilities for big signings, including players like Alphonso Davies and Kylian Mbappe.

While this surplus doesn’t guarantee that Real Madrid won’t sell any players or that specific targets like Davies and Mbappe will be signed, it does give the club financial flexibility to pursue top talent in the transfer market.

Ultimately, the decision on signings will depend on the club’s priorities and needs for the next season.

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Victor Osimhen, Lionel Messi leads nominees list for 2023 Best FIFA Football Award

Published

2 weeks ago

September 14, 2023

Williams

Victor Osimhen, Lionel Messi leads nominees list for 2023 Best FIFA Football Award

The nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award include Victor Osimhen, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland, among others.

Manchester City dominates the list with six of their players, including Ederson in the goalkeepers’ category.

Pep Guardiola and Ange Postecoglou are among the nominees for the men’s coach award.

In addition to the men’s awards, there are also nominations for women’s awards.

England’s Lionesses, who reached the final of the Women’s World Cup, have several players nominated, including Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood, Lauren James, Keira Walsh, and Mary Earps.

Sarina Wiegman and Emma Hayes are nominated for the women’s coach award.

The awards will be based on performances from December 19, 2022, to August 2023 for the men’s categories and from August 1, 2022, to August 20, 2023, for the women’s categories.

The winners will be decided by an international jury of coaches, captains, journalists, and fans.

The Best FIFA Men’s Player Nominees

Julián Álvarez (Argentina); Marcelo Brozović (Croatia); Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium); İlkay Gündoğan (Germany); Erling Haaland (Norway); Rodri (Spain); Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia); Kylian Mbappé (France); Lionel Messi (Argentina); Victor Osimhen (Nigeria); Declan Rice (England); Bernardo Silva (Portugal).

The Best FIFA Women’s Player Nominees

Aitana Bonmatí (Spain); Linda Caicedo (Colombia); Rachel Daly (England); Kadidiatou Diani (France); Caitlin Foord (Australia); Mary Fowler (Australia); Alex Greenwood (England); Jennifer Hermoso (Spain); Lindsey Horan (USA); Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden); Lauren James (England); Sam Kerr (Australia); Mapi León (Spain); Hinata Miyazawa (Japan); Salma Paralluelo (Spain); Keira Walsh (England).

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach Nominees

Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden): Jonatan Giráldez (Spain); Tony Gustavsson (Sweden); Emma Hayes (England); Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands).

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach Nominees

Pep Guardiola (Spain); Simone Inzaghi (Italy); Ange Postecoglou (Australia); Luciano Spalletti (Italy); Xavi (Spain).

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Nominees

Mackenzie Arnold (Australia); Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany); Catalina Coll (Spain); Mary Earps (England); Christiane Endler (Chile); Zećira Mušović (Sweden); Sandra Paños García-Villamil (Spain).