2024 - 2025 Champions League Thread

[Tom McAndrew]

Barcelona 3-1 Benfica (agg: 4-1): Champions League last 16, second leg – as it happened

Minute-by-minute report: Lamine Yamal and Raphinha put on an attacking masterclass in the first half to swat aside Benfica and make it to the quarter-finals. Scott Murray was watching

www.theguardian.com

Lamine Yamal bamboozles Benfica as Barcelona advance in name of Carles Miñarro

Lamine Yamal adds to Raphinha’s double to beat Benfica 3-1 in the second leg and win 4-1 on aggregate to progress to the quarter-final of the Champions League

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Kane and Davies complete emphatic Bayern Munich win over Leverkusen

Goals from Harry Kane and Alphonso Davies gave Bayern Munich a 2-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen to complete an emphatic 5-0 aggregate victory and set up a quarter-final against Inter

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Donnarumma denies Liverpool and Núñez to send PSG through on penalties

Gianluigi Donnarumma saved two penalties as PSG won 4-1 in the shootout after a 1-0 victory at Anfield to knock Liverpool out of the Champions League

www.theguardian.com

Slot sanguine after Liverpool exit in ‘best game of football I’ve ever been involved in’

Arne Slot described Liverpool’s Champions League exit as the finest game of his career after Paris Saint-Germain stunned Anfield with victory in a penalty shootout

www.theguardian.com

 

[Woodpecker]

Donnarumma denies Liverpool and Núñez to send PSG through on penalties

Gianluigi Donnarumma saved two penalties as PSG won 4-1 in the shootout after a 1-0 victory at Anfield to knock Liverpool out of the Champions League

www.theguardian.com

Slot sanguine after Liverpool exit in ‘best game of football I’ve ever been involved in’

Arne Slot described Liverpool’s Champions League exit as the finest game of his career after Paris Saint-Germain stunned Anfield with victory in a penalty shootout

www.theguardian.com

I was surprised to see Mo Salah play poorly in both games. I haven't seen him much in the PL this year - is he having a down year in general or could he simply not perform his magic against the big boys?

 

[BobPSU92]

I was surprised to see Mo Salah play poorly in both games. I haven't seen him much in the PL this year - is he having a down year in general or could he simply not perform his magic against the big boys?

Salah is having a great year in the PL. Liverpool were poor in both matches against PSG. Liverpool looked tired in both matches. Passing was not sharp. By contrast, PSG looked fast and more clinical. PSG were just better.

 

[manatree]

My BvB advances yet again.

 

[kgilbert78]

My BvB advances yet again.

"Es gibt nuer eine Borussia"--and it isn't BvB.

(see my picture)

But congrats to the "other one".

 

[manatree]

"Es gibt nuer eine Borussia"--and it isn't BvB.

(see my picture)

But congrats to the "other one".

Aber jeder außer Bayern!

 

[kgilbert78]

Aber jeder außer Bayern!

Zieht Bayern die Lederhosen aus!

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Asensio’s double breaks 10-man Brugge as Aston Villa bulldoze into last eight

After Kyriani Sabbe’s sending-off 16 minutes in, goals for Marco Asensio either side of Ian Maatsen’s strike gave Aston Villa a 3-0 win over Club Brugge and a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Sterling makes his mark against PSV as Arsenal stroll into quarter-finals

Raheem Sterling set up both Arsenal’s goals in their 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven to complete their 9-3 aggregate stroll into the quarter-finals

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Ranking Champions League quarterfinal matchups: Barca vs. Dortmund and Real Madrid vs. Arsenal don't top list

The Champions League quarterfinals will take place from April 8 to April 16, and here's the most intriguing matchup of all

www.cbssports.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Premier League almost certain to have five teams in 2025-26 Champions League

Italy are England’s closest rivals for a fifth slot but there could even be a record seven clubs from the Premier League

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Declan Rice’s double rocket sinks Real Madrid to put Arsenal in dreamland

Two stunning free-kicks from Declan Rice helped Arsenal to an exhilarating 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final

www.theguardian.com

‘Nice bit of history’: Rice delighted by Arsenal’s famous win against Madrid

The midfielder, who scored two free-kicks in Arsenal’s 3-0 first-leg win against Real Madrid, said: ‘I don’t know if it will ever sink in. I am a bit speechless’

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Frattesi puts Inter in control with win at Bayern Munich after costly Kane miss

Davide Frattesi scored a late winner for Inter to put them in control with a 2-1 first leg victory at Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[LionJim]

I went to DuPont Circle DC to watch Arsenal-Real Madrid in a bar with some friends. Great time. It could easily have been 5-0.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

‘It’s not done yet’: Emery and Rogers defiant despite first-leg defeat at PSG

Unai Emery and Morgan Rogers insisted their Champions League quarter-final with PSG is far from over despite a 3-1 first-leg defeat

www.theguardian.com

Kvaratskhelia, PSG’s joyous throwback, delivers moment of old-school delight | Barney Ronay

PSG’s winger makes up his own moments – and he scored a beauty to set Luis Enrique’s side on course for victory

www.theguardian.com

Late Nuno Mendes strike caps PSG comeback to hurt Aston Villa hopes

Nuno Mendes scored a late goal to give PSG a significant 3-1 first-leg lead against Aston Villa in their Champions League quarter-final

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Lewandowski doubles up as Barcelona dominate Dortmund to close on semis

Robert Lewandowski scored twice against his former club as Barcelona beat Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Are PSG the favourites to win the Champions League? – Football Weekly Extra podcast

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Philippe Auclair and Archie Rhind-Tutt as to talk over the Champions League action

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Champions League review: Kane v Martínez and Rice’s newfound skill

The quarter-finals got going with some sparkling highlights. We hand out honours and dishonours from the latest round of action

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

PSG end Aston Villa’s European run after epic fightback falls just short

Goals from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa gave Aston Villa a 3-2 win against PSG but the French side held on to win 5-4 on aggregate

www.theguardian.com

When dust settles on PSG exit Aston Villa will be proud of their progress | Ben Fisher

The disappointment on show after a valiant quarter-final defeat shows just how far Unai Emery’s team have come

www.theguardian.com

Emery challenges Aston Villa to return to Champions League quickly after exit

Unai Emery said Aston Villa must use their defeat by PSG as fuel to qualify again, but added a permanent move for Marcus Rashford will be ‘difficult to plan’

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Barcelona sneak through after Serhou Guirassy’s treble gives Dortmund hope

Serhou Guirassy’s hat-trick was not enough as Borussia Dortmund exited the Champions League despite a 3-1 second-leg win over Barcelona

www.theguardian.com

Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Barcelona (agg: 3-5): Champions League quarter-final, second leg – as it happened

Serhou Guirassy’s hat-trick gave Barcelona a scare but they held on to reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2019

www.theguardian.com

 

[manatree]

Barcelona sneak through after Serhou Guirassy’s treble gives Dortmund hope

Serhou Guirassy’s hat-trick was not enough as Borussia Dortmund exited the Champions League despite a 3-1 second-leg win over Barcelona

www.theguardian.com

Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Barcelona (agg: 3-5): Champions League quarter-final, second leg – as it happened

Serhou Guirassy’s hat-trick gave Barcelona a scare but they held on to reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2019

www.theguardian.com

It’s been a weird and disappointing season.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Saka and Martinelli fire Arsenal to last four after famous win at Real Madrid

Gabriel Martinelli’s injury-time goal earned Arsenal a 2-1 win at Real Madrid and a 5-1 aggregate triumph in the Champions League quarter-final, second leg

www.theguardian.com

Rice finds antidote to Madrid’s magic and provides glimpse of his ultimate potential | Barney Ronay

Arsenal conclusively outplayed Real Madrid, led by brilliant performances from Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice

www.theguardian.com

‘Massive step’: Arteta praises Arsenal’s character in statement Real Madrid win

The manager said ‘the way Saka handled penalty miss was incredible’ after Arsenal set up a semi-final with PSG following a 5-1 aggregate victory against Real Madrid

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Martínez and Pavard send Inter past Bayern into Champions League last four

Lautaro Martínez and Benjamin Pavard scored for Inter in a 2-2 draw against Bayern that secured a 4-2 aggregate Champions League quarter-final win

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Arsenal’s Declan Rice turns sights to winning midfield battle against PSG

Real Madrid could not live with his relentlessness but how will Rice fare against João Neves, Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha?

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Spirited Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal fans to ‘bring their boots’ against PSG

Mikel Arteta has told his Arsenal supporters to ‘bring your boots’ for the Champions League semi-final first-leg at home against Paris Saint-Germain

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Luis Enrique calls on PSG to ‘rewrite history’ in rematch with Arsenal

PSG manager said his side is more complete since their match with Arsenal in October

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Dembélé and Donnarumma give PSG edge over Arsenal in Champions League

Ousmane Dembélé’s early goal and a fine display from the PSG goalkeeper mean Arsenal have it all to do in second leg

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Mikel Arteta tells Arsenal players ‘do something special’ to beat PSG

‘We are more than capable of winning in Paris,’ Mikel Arteta said after Arsenal lost the first leg of their Champions League semi-final

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Mikel Arteta’s Big Energy show splutters against PSG to reveal Arsenal’s frailties | Barney Ronay

Absences were keenly felt by hosts whose aggressive approach was disrupted by visiting side’s physical pressure

www.theguardian.com

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Ousmane Dembélé, last matinee idol in Paris, finally delivers on big stage | Jonathan Liew

The forward, often seen as a remnant from the decadent PSG of old, scored the biggest goal of his career at Arsenal

www.theguardian.com