Tag: Champions League

Mourinho jokes McTominay “owed” him his shirt after Benfica win

Jose Mourinho
December 2025

Mourinho walked into his press conference carrying McTominay’s Napoli shirt, joking that after giving him his Manchester United debut and even benching Paul Pogba for him, the least the midfielder could do was hand over his jersey as a souvenir. He described a warm post match exchange with McTominay and used the Scot’s journey from overlooked academy player to Serie A star as an example for Benfica youngsters. Mourinho highlighted how trust, work rate and professionalism can outweigh transfer fees when a coach decides who to back.

Courtois backs Alonso amid Real Madrid slump

Thibaut Courtois
December 2025

Courtois publicly defended Alonso after back to back home defeats, insisting the squad remains united behind the coach. He said the display against City showed players are still fighting to change a run that includes only two wins in eight matches. The goalkeeper framed criticism and tension at the Bernabeu as a natural reaction to poor results, but rejected talk of a fractured dressing room. He stressed that the group accepts responsibility for recent setbacks and will work collectively to reverse the current negative momentum.

VAR reprieve and Haaland penalty fire Man City to statement win at the Bernabeu

Erling Haaland
December 2025

Manchester City overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat Real Madrid 2-1 away, with Nico O’Reilly’s close-range finish and an Erling Haaland penalty cancelling out Rodrygo’s opener and pushing City up to fourth in the Champions League league-phase standings. Madrid briefly thought they had an early penalty before VAR ruled Matheus Nunes’ foul outside the box, and after Rodrygo’s breakaway strike, City exploited Madrid’s defensive lapses, with Haaland punishing Antonio Rüdiger’s foul while the hosts were later denied by misses from Jude Bellingham and Endrick.

Under pressure Alonso rolls dice on half fit Mbappe for Man City clash

Xabi Alonso
December 2025

Xabi Alonso has named Kylian Mbappe in Real Madrid’s squad to face Manchester City despite recent leg concerns, gambling on his talisman’s availability as he fights for his job after a poor run that includes only two wins in seven matches across all competitions. Mbappe skipped open training and was reported to have left leg discomfort, yet his 25 goals and heavy share of Madrid’s scoring have made him almost undroppable. With injuries, suspensions and growing pressure after the Celta defeat, Alonso framed the City match as a shared last chance to spark a season that is drifting.

De Ketelaere silences Garnacho as Atalanta stun Chelsea in Champions League comeback

Charles De Ketelaere
December 2025

Chelsea let a 1-0 lead slip in Bergamo as Atalanta struck twice after half-time, with Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere overturning Joao Pedro’s opener and handing Enzo Maresca a damaging Champions League defeat on his return to Italy. De Ketelaere answered Alejandro Garnacho’s pre-match comments in ruthless fashion, heading in the winner after Scamacca’s leveller as Atalanta exploited Chelsea’s lethargic second-half press, grew into the spaces out wide and turned a hostile Bergamo crowd into a decisive advantage.

Chelsea handed major Delap lift with quicker-than-feared shoulder recovery

Liam Delap
December 2025

Chelsea expect Liam Delap to return in three to four weeks after scans confirmed no fracture in the shoulder he damaged against Bournemouth, limiting his latest setback after a two month hamstring layoff and offering hope he can rejoin the attack early in the New Year. Delap had impressed with his physical presence before landing heavily and going off inside half an hour, prompting fears of a long absence, but Maresca now plans to cover upcoming games with Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto and Tyrique George up front while Delap rebuilds fitness once cleared.

Spurs cruise past Slavia to stay on Champions League course

Tottenham Hotspur
December 2025

Tottenham beat Slavia Prague 3-0 in London to keep their Champions League campaign on track, forcing a first half own goal from David Zima before second half penalties from Mohamed Kudus and Xavi Simons delivered a third straight home win in the group stage. Slavia’s aggressive man-to-man setup left huge spaces for Spurs’ attackers, with Romero flicking on a Porro corner for Zima’s own goal before Porro and Simons each drew late challenges in the box, allowing Kudus and the Dutchman to convert calmly from the spot.

Bradley suspension piles more pressure on Slot after 3-3 Leeds collapse

Conor Bradley
December 2025

Liverpool suffered another setback from their chaotic 3-3 draw at Leeds as right-back Conor Bradley collected his fifth yellow card of the season, triggering a one-match ban that rules him out of next weekend’s Premier League trip to Brighton and deepens Arne Slot’s defensive problems. Already missing Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni, Liverpool must now reshuffle again, with Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai possible cover at right-back, as Slot fumed about conceding yet another late set-piece goal and warned such errors explain their lowly league position.

Agent admits Wharton wants Champions League amid Manchester United interest

Adam Wharton
December 2025

Adam Wharton’s agent has admitted the Crystal Palace midfielder ultimately wants Champions League football, acknowledging that a move away from Selhurst Park is likely one day amid growing interest from Manchester United and other elite clubs ahead of the 2026 transfer window. Co-owner Steve Parish stressed Palace will only sell for a huge fee, pointing to Wharton’s long contract, focus on regular minutes and England ambitions, while accepting it is unsurprising major sides admire an “extraordinary talent” who could reach Europe either with Palace or elsewhere.

Pochettino admits he “misses” Premier League and still dreams of title

Mauricio Pochettino
December 2025

Mauricio Pochettino says he is happy coaching the USMNT but openly admits he misses the Premier League and wants to return. He still dreams of winning both the Premier League and Champions League after coming “so close” with Tottenham earlier in his career. Pochettino revealed he watches the Premier League constantly and feels it remains the most competitive league. He said he still has energy and motivation to chase major titles, spoke warmly about Daniel Levy, and described pride in making his family and former Spurs “family” proud.

1...678...16Page 7 of 16

POPULAR ARTICLES

© 2026 All Sports · All rights reserved.