champions league
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has doubled down on his claim that his side were the best in the Champions League this season, despite losing to Paris St Germain in the semi-finals, but recognised on Friday they had taken a step back domestically.
Arsenal players were left in tears after Wednesday's 2-1 semi-final loss at Paris St Germain knocked them out of the Champions League, manager Mikel Arteta said in a post-match press conference.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick lavished praise on Lamine Yamal after he scored a brilliant goal to spearhead his side's recovery from a two-goal deficit in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his side’s big win over Real Madrid, which sent them through to their first Champions League semi-final since 2009, can boost the club’s appeal to top targets in the close season transfer window.
The games are coming thick and fast for Serie A leaders Inter Milan and, after reaching the Champions League semi-finals in midweek, they face a tricky away test at fifth-placed Bologna on Sunday as they continue their title defence and treble hunt.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, reeling from a 3-0 mauling at Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, must rally his players for Sunday's trip to Alaves where they will aim to end a three-game winless run in all competitions.
Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers said his side have enough quality to overturn the 3-1 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Paris St Germain.
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac was delighted with his team's 2-1 comeback victory at Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday but predicted they would need to lift their game further to see off Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
Real Madrid fans and players celebrated their hard-fought win against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday to earn a quarter-final berth in the Champions League, but manager Carlo Ancelotti was more relieved than rapturous at what he said was a subpar performance.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is thrilled to have steered his side into a Champions League quarter-final, but now wants even more as they face a daunting clash with Paris St Germain.
Bayer Leverkusen's players must be professional and quickly move on from their chastening 3-0 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, manager Xabi Alonso said on Friday ahead of a Bundesliga clash with Werder Bremen.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said he was proud of his players' effort and sacrifice as they earned a 1-0 win at Benfica in their Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday despite playing most of the game with 10 men.
Had it not been for his keeper, Harvey Elliott's late goal might have been irrelevant but Alisson produced a career best display to help Liverpool survive Paris St Germain's onslaught in their Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday.
Goals from Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez either side of the break secured three-times European champions Inter a two-goal advantage in the first leg of the tie.
Paris St Germain cruised into the Champions League last 16 with a crushing 7-0 home victory over fellow French side Brest in their knockout phase playoff second leg on Wednesday to secure a 10-0 aggregate triumph.
Defending champions Real Madrid will renew their Champions League rivalry with 2023 winners Manchester City in a blockbuster knockout phase playoff tie after the two teams were pitted against each other in the draw held in Nyon on Friday.
The Premier League club came from a goal down to beat Girona 2-1 thanks to Nwaneri's 42nd-minute winner at the Estadi Montilivi on Wednesday. It was Nwaneri's first start in the Champions League.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is not entirely sold on the new Champions League format after his team barely scraped through to the knockout round, but called the experience an "incredible lesson" for his team.
Despite Aston Villa sealing a Champions League last-16 spot on Wednesday, coach Unai Emery faced questions on the futures of Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins, with the Spaniard adamant he wants to keep one forward, while appearing resigned to losing another.
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich must deliver a winning performance at Freiburg on Saturday to bounce back instantly from Wednesday's Champions League loss at Feyenoord, coach Vincent Kompany said on Friday.
