London (AFP) – Liverpool beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 in a dramatic Champions League Group C opener at Anfield on Tuesday. Here are three things we learned from the clash of two of the leading contenders for the Champions League title: Reds relish Euro return Back in Champions League action for the first time since last […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Roberto Firmino came off the bench to strike deep into stoppage time and hand Liverpool a deserved 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on Tuesday. Last season's finalists showed the French champions have plenty of work to do if they are to mount a challenge for a first-ever Champions League title […]

Monaco (AFP) – Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Monaco 2-1 in their Champions League Group A opener on Tuesday with star strikers Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann detonating the fightback. The visitors had fallen behind against the run of play in the 18th minute when winger Samuel Grandsir forced the ball home in […]

Milan (AFP) – A stunning Mauro Icardi volley sparked a thrilling late Inter Milan comeback as the Italian side beat Tottenham 2-1 on their return to the Champions League after a seven-year absence on Tuesday. Christian Eriksen's deflected strike gave Spurs a 53rd-minute lead at the San Siro, and the visitors looked comfortable for much […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Lionel Messi pictures the Champions League ending with him hoisting the trophy and it began with him scoring a hat-trick on Tuesday as Barcelona put four goals past PSV Eindhoven. An early kick-off at Camp Nou meant that before most of the tournament's teams had even named their line-ups, Messi was up […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino was only fit enough for a place on the bench in Tuesday's blockbuster Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain due to an eye injury. The Brazilian had to be replaced 15 minutes from time in Saturday's 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur after being poked in his left eye […]

Valencia (Spain) (AFP) – Valencia head coach Marcelino says that stopping Cristiano Ronaldo would a "big step" towards beating Juventus when his side meet the Serie A giants in Wednesday's Champions League opener. Ronaldo, who won the competition in four of the last five seasons with Real Madrid, joined Juve for 100 million euros ($117 […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus forward Douglas Costa has been banned for four matches for spitting in the face of Sassuolo winger Federico Di Francesco in last weekend's Serie A game in Turin, the Italian FA announced on Tuesday. Costa was sent off after being caught by VAR aiming an elbow and headbutt before spitting in […]

Bern (Switzerland) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho says Manchester United must not be left making excuses when they begin their Champions League campaign on Wednesday on a synthetic surface against Young Boys in Bern. The Old Trafford club have been drawn in a tricky group along with Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus and Valencia, which makes starting out […]

Madrid (AFP) – Sergio Ramos has launched a scathing attack on Antoine Griezmann's attitude after the French forward said he has his eye on the Ballon d'Or this year and is on a par with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. In an interview with AS on Monday, Griezmann admitted he was disappointed not to be […]

Berlin (AFP) – Schalke, who return to the Champions League on Tuesday after a four-year hiatus, have been accused of "selling their future" for allowing three rising stars to leave. The Royal Blues, who finished second in the German league last season, host Porto in Gelsenkirchen in their Group D opener, but are struggling after […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City's tag as favourites to win the Champions League is recognition for having the best players in the world to choose from, according to assistant manager Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard will take charge of City's European opener on Wednesday at home to Lyon as Pep Guardiola serves a ban […]

Milan (AFP) – Sassuolo winger Federico Di Francesco on Tuesday rubbished claims that he provoked Juventus forward Douglas Costa with racist insults which resulted in the Brazilian spitting in his face. Costa was sent off for aiming an elbow and headbutt before spitting in the face of Di Francesco, the son of Roma coach Eusebio […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his side shouldn't be scared of any side as they look to go one step further in the Champions League after reaching the final last season. The visit of Paris Saint-Germain to Anfield on Tuesday gives Klopp's men an early chance to show their run to the […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge wants referees to give their stars more protection after Corentin Tolisso and Rafinha both suffered long-term injuries at the weekend. Bayern flew to Portugal ahead of their opening Champions League group stage game at Benfica on Wednesday without World Cup winning France midfielder Tolisso or right-back Rafinha. […]