CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Slot Hungry For Special Moments After Record-Breaking Start At Liverpool
Liverpool made it two wins from two in the new Champions League format as goals in either half from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah secured a routine 2-0 win over Bologna at Anfield.
Mac Allister converted Salah’s cross from close range after 11 minutes to put the hosts ahead, but the visitors had their chances before the interval as Alisson denied Kacper Urbanski while Dan Ndoye struck the base of the post.
But Salah settled any nerves in the second period as he notched for the fifth successive Champions League home game, collecting Dominik Szoboszlai’s pass before cutting inside Juan Miranda to thunder his strike into the top corner (76).
Liverpool manager Arne Slot celebrates at the end of the Champions League match against Bologna at Anfield
It is a measure of how well Arne Slot has settled in that this result means he has become the first Liverpool boss in history to win eight of his first nine matches in charge.
Slot said: “I don’t draw many conclusions from that but it is nice. So, so many incredible managers have worked here, doing so many special things.
“The only thing is I don’t hope the only thing people remember me for in one, two or three years – you never know how long I’ll be here – they only say, ‘that is the manager who only won eight of his nine games’.
“I’m hoping to do more special things than winning eight out of nine games.”
Saturday’s victory at Wolves demonstrated they can win when not at their very best, an important quality amid such a hectic fixture schedule, and this latest triumph was again achieved with minimum fuss ahead of this weekend’s trip to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
The result moves them up to fifth place in the nascent league table with Bologna down in 26th position. The Reds face a trip to RB Leipzig on October 23 in their next European outing.
Bologna will be back in England again in just under three weeks as their next game in this competition is at Villa Park a day earlier.
An early kick-off at Palace on Saturday will provide another tough test, but Liverpool will go into the game top of the table and with another away victory on their minds.
Against Bologna, they had to survive some nervous moments in a hard-fought clash. Thijs Dallinga and Darwin Nunez both had efforts ruled out for offside, and the Italians – in their first ever Champions League campaign – acquitted themselves very well.
Ndoye struck the post moments before Bologna capitalised on an error in his own penalty area from Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Alisson – on his 32nd birthday – saved to deny Urbanski.
Riccardo Orsolini was also denied by the Brazilian on his 50th European appearance for Liverpool before Salah inevitably had his say.
The Egyptian’s sumptuous strike was his 49th Champions League goal, as he cut in onto his left and curled his shot into the top corner to ensure Slot continued his fine start to his tenure.
The Dutchman added: “They worked really hard to keep a clean sheet again today, though we also needed our goalkeeper on a few occasions.
“We scored two very good goals, especially the second one. It is always difficult to play a team takes that much risk and is constantly on top of you. Overall, a good result, but I wouldn’t use the word delighted myself today.”
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**Title:** Croatia confirm Slaven Bilic return as former West Ham boss replaces Zlatko Dalic **Meta Description:** Slaven Bilic has been appointed Croatia head coach for a second spell after Zlatko Dalic stepped down following the 2026 World Cup. **Slug:** croatia-confirm-slaven-bilic-return-head-coach **Alt Image Text:** Slaven Bilic during his unveiling as Croatia national team head coach — # Croatia confirm Slaven Bilic return as former West Ham boss replaces Zlatko Dalic Croatia have officially confirmed the return of Slaven Bilic as head coach, with the former West Ham United manager replacing Zlatko Dalic following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bilic returns to the national team after more than a decade away, ending a two-year absence from management as he begins a second spell in charge of his country. ## Bilic begins a second spell with Croatia The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) announced Bilic’s appointment after the Executive Committee unanimously approved the recommendation of federation president Marijan Kustic. Bilic previously managed Croatia between 2006 and 2012, guiding the national team through two European Championships before embarking on a successful club coaching career that included spells with West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion, Besiktas and Al-Ittihad. The federation believes his experience and deep understanding of Croatian football make him the ideal candidate to lead the next generation. ## Huge task replacing Zlatko Dalic Bilic succeeds one of the most successful managers in Croatia’s history. Dalic stepped down after the 2026 World Cup, bringing an end to a remarkable tenure that included a World Cup final, a World Cup semi-final and several memorable tournament campaigns. Federation president Marijan Kustic acknowledged the size of the challenge but expressed complete confidence in Bilic. > “I would like to once again thank Zlatko for the exceptional results he achieved during his tenure. It is not easy to follow in his footsteps, but we are convinced Slaven is the right person for this role.” Kustic added that Bilic’s international pedigree and extensive coaching experience were decisive factors behind the appointment. ## Bilic honoured to return Bilic described his return as the greatest honour of his coaching career and admitted he understands the expectations that come with leading one of international football’s most consistent tournament teams. > “I would like to thank President Kustic and the Federation’s leadership for the confidence they have shown in allowing me to lead the Croatian national team once again — the greatest honour for any Croatian coach.” The 57-year-old also praised the standards established under Dalic while insisting he is ready for the responsibility. > “I am fully aware of the high expectations that follow such a remarkable period under Zlatko Dalic, but anyone who takes charge of Croatia must be prepared for that because we are a football nation that lives and breathes its national team.” ## A new chapter begins Bilic now faces the task of building on Dalic’s legacy while preparing Croatia for the next international cycle. With a blend of experienced stars and emerging young talent at his disposal, Croatia will hope their returning manager can guide them to another successful era on the international stage.
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**Title:** Croatia confirm Slaven Bilic return as former West Ham boss replaces Zlatko Dalic **Meta Description:** Slaven Bilic has been appointed Croatia head coach for a second spell after Zlatko Dalic stepped down following the 2026 World Cup. **Slug:** croatia-confirm-slaven-bilic-return-head-coach **Alt Image Text:** Slaven Bilic during his unveiling as Croatia national team head coach — # Croatia confirm Slaven Bilic return as former West Ham boss replaces Zlatko Dalic Croatia have officially confirmed the return of Slaven Bilic as head coach, with the former West Ham United manager replacing Zlatko Dalic following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bilic returns to the national team after more than a decade away, ending a two-year absence from management as he begins a second spell in charge of his country. ## Bilic begins a second spell with Croatia The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) announced Bilic’s appointment after the Executive Committee unanimously approved the recommendation of federation president Marijan Kustic. Bilic previously managed Croatia between 2006 and 2012, guiding the national team through two European Championships before embarking on a successful club coaching career that included spells with West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion, Besiktas and Al-Ittihad. The federation believes his experience and deep understanding of Croatian football make him the ideal candidate to lead the next generation. ## Huge task replacing Zlatko Dalic Bilic succeeds one of the most successful managers in Croatia’s history. Dalic stepped down after the 2026 World Cup, bringing an end to a remarkable tenure that included a World Cup final, a World Cup semi-final and several memorable tournament campaigns. Federation president Marijan Kustic acknowledged the size of the challenge but expressed complete confidence in Bilic. > “I would like to once again thank Zlatko for the exceptional results he achieved during his tenure. It is not easy to follow in his footsteps, but we are convinced Slaven is the right person for this role.” Kustic added that Bilic’s international pedigree and extensive coaching experience were decisive factors behind the appointment. ## Bilic honoured to return Bilic described his return as the greatest honour of his coaching career and admitted he understands the expectations that come with leading one of international football’s most consistent tournament teams. > “I would like to thank President Kustic and the Federation’s leadership for the confidence they have shown in allowing me to lead the Croatian national team once again — the greatest honour for any Croatian coach.” The 57-year-old also praised the standards established under Dalic while insisting he is ready for the responsibility. > “I am fully aware of the high expectations that follow such a remarkable period under Zlatko Dalic, but anyone who takes charge of Croatia must be prepared for that because we are a football nation that lives and breathes its national team.” ## A new chapter begins Bilic now faces the task of building on Dalic’s legacy while preparing Croatia for the next international cycle. With a blend of experienced stars and emerging young talent at his disposal, Croatia will hope their returning manager can guide them to another successful era on the international stage.
