Paris (AFP) – Benfica cruised into the group stage of the Champions League after overrunning Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 in the second leg of their playoff on Tuesday thanks to David Neres' assist and goal. The two-time European champions from Portugal will be in the draw on Thursday while Dynamo will be in the Europa League. […]

Paris (AFP) – Two-time former champions Benfica will play Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv while Ruud van Nistelrooy's PSV Eindhoven will face Glasgow Rangers after they all qualified for the final Champions League qualifying play-off round on Tuesday. Luuk De Jong claimed an 109th-minute winner as PSV Eindhoven edged Monaco 3-2 in extra-time in the Netherlands, to […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Ukraine's envoy to Turkey on Thursday expressed "sadness" over a chant of "Vladimir Putin" that rang out at a Champions League qualifying round football match in Istanbul involving Dynamo Kyiv. Images on social media showed a section of Fenerbahce's packed stadium singing the Russian president's name in response to Dynamo's first goal […]

Istanbul (AFP) – Ukraine's envoy to Turkey on Thursday expressed "sadness" over a chant of "Vladimir Putin" that rang out at a Champions League qualifying round football match in Istanbul involving Dynamo Kyiv. Images on social media showed a section of Fenerbahce's packed stadium singing the Russian president's name in response to Dynamo's first goal […]

Warsaw (AFP) – Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine's most successful football club, began a tour of Europe to help raise funds for the war-torn country with a friendly against Legia Warsaw in Poland on Tuesday. The Ukrainian league did not resume after the winter break and has been put on hold indefinitely following the invasion by Russia […]

Jose Mourinho was granted a reprieve as Willian's free kick earned a 2-1 Champions League Group G victory over Dynamo Kiev at Stamford Bridge. The adulation poured down from the stands on the self-proclaimed Special One, whose position appears perilous, and his Chelsea side eked out an unconvincing victory to ease the pressure a little. Aleksandar […]

UEFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against Dynamo Kiev following disturbances at the Champions League match against Chelsea on Tuesday. The Ukrainian side have been charged with racist behavior and crowd disturbances following an incident captured on camera by anti-discrimination network Football Against Racism in Europe at the Group G match, which finished goalless. Footage of […]

Eden Hazard and Willian hit the woodwork as Chelsea were held to a goalless draw at Dynamo Kiev. It was a vastly improved display, even on the win over Aston Villa, but Jose Mourinho's men stayed third in Champions League Group G behind Porto and Dynamo, who remained unbeaten. Mourinho had targeted four points from the […]

This recap comes a little late but there are still a few points I wanted to make. First off, I was glad to see the Zenit – Juventus game proceed without incident. After the horrible incident earlier in the week, it would have been understandable had the game been postponed but the game did go […]

To use a golf analogy, the teams in the group stage of the Champions League make the turn today and tomorrow with the completion of the first three games of the group stage. And while it's early, for some teams, it's make-or-break time. Group by group, here's an analysis of who needs to win: Group […]

Just a quick editorial note to start, I had hoped to complete my Group Previews before Matchday 1 but that was not the case. I will still be pushing those out, hopefully finish before Matchday 2 hits. Now, on to last night's action. After absences last season for perennial Champions League participants Bayern Munich (pictured […]