CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Manchester City Hosts Club Brugge In Champions League Showdown

As the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League group phase reaches its climax, 2023 winner Manchester City will aim to avoid group phase elimination when they host Club Brugge at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

With just eight points from seven matches this season, the Citizens sit 25th in the table and must secure all three points to stand any chance of securing a round-of-16 playoff spot.

Club Brugge, three points ahead of their hosts, will come to Manchester knowing that a draw would be enough to get them a playoff spot. The action will be broadcast live on DStv and GOtvat 9 pm on Wednesday.

Fans are in for a thrilling night of Champions League football with 17 other matches running simultaneously. Champions League debutants, Brest and defending champions, Real Madrid, will hope they can nick one of the top eight spots when they slug it out in France.

With 10 points each, PSG and Stuttgart will engage in a fierce match as both sides aim to avoid dropping out of the playoff spots. In the other encounters, Bayern Munich will take on Slovan Bratislava, Juventus will host Benfica, Aston Villa will square up against Celtic in a British derby, and Inter Millan will take on Monaco.

Elsewhere, Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta will face off with Barcelona in Spain in what promises to be a goal fest. Girona will host Arsenal, while Liverpool will square up against PSV in the Netherlands. All the action will be broadcast on SuperSport channels available on DStv and GOtv.

GOtv subscribers can take advantage of the Step-Up offer to enjoy more football action across the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League, and Europa League matches. Customers on the Jolli package who upgrade to Max will be automatically upgraded to Supa, while those upgrading to Supa will gain access to Supa Plus at no extra cost. The offer is available until March 31.

Related Topics:UEFA Champions League 2025

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Liverpool seal first place in Champions League despite PSV defeat in five-goal thriller

A much-changed Liverpool side secured the top spot in the Champions League group phase despite a dramatic 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven, ending their perfect winning streak.

The Reds, who had won their previous seven matches, led twice in the Netherlands but conceded two late first-half goals. Despite the defeat, Barcelona’s failure to beat Atalanta ensured Liverpool finished top with 21 points, two clear of their closest rivals.

Cody Gakpo opened the scoring from the penalty spot against his former club after Joey Veerman fouled Federico Chiesa. Johan Bakayoko equalized with a brilliant turn and finish, but Harvey Elliott restored Liverpool’s lead after a parried Chiesa attempt.

PSV responded with goals from Ismael Saibari and Ricardo Pepi, handing Liverpool their first European defeat of the season.

Liverpool were reduced to 10 men when substitute Amara Nallo received a straight red card in the 87th minute for a foul on Bakayoko.

With their place in the last 16 already secured, Liverpool manager Arne Slot rested key players ahead of a crucial Premier League clash against Bournemouth.

PSV, now guaranteed a play-off spot, celebrated a significant win, while Liverpool await the draw for their round of 16 opponents.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

AC Milan fall to Dinamo Zagreb, to face Champions League play-off round

AC Milan missed the chance to secure an automatic spot in the Champions League last-16 after a 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, who also failed to advance to the knockout stage despite the victory.

Dinamo struck first when Martin Baturina capitalized on a loose touch from Matteo Gabbia, calmly slotting past goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

Already assured of a next-round spot but aiming for a top-eight finish, Milan’s hopes dimmed when Yunus Musah received a second yellow card for pulling back Luka Stojkovic.

Dinamo squandered chances to extend their lead, with Sandro Kulenovic missing a golden opportunity before halftime. Stojkovic appeared to score early in the second half, but a handball in the build-up nullified the goal.

Milan responded swiftly, with Christian Pulisic’s low strike slipping past Dinamo goalkeeper Ivan Nevistic to equalize.

However, Dinamo regained the lead on the hour mark through Marko Pjaca’s precise finish from a tight angle. Milan’s hopes of a comeback faded when a potential penalty was overturned due to a foul by Rafael Leao.

Dinamo’s win fell short of securing their first-ever knockout stage appearance, while AC Milan will now contend with a play-off tie.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Barcelona miss Champions League top spot as they settle for draw against Atalanta

Barcelona missed the opportunity to finish top of the Champions League league phase after a 2-2 draw with Atalanta, who dropped into the play-off round.

With Liverpool suffering a 3-2 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona only needed a victory to secure the top position.

After a scoreless first half, Lamine Yamal put Barca ahead two minutes after the break, converting Raphinha’s cross. Atalanta responded with a brilliant strike from Ederson to level the match.

Ronald Araujo’s diving header restored Barcelona’s lead in the 72nd minute, but Mario Pasalic equalized for Atalanta by slotting the ball past Wojciech Szczesny.

The draw, coupled with wins for Lille and Aston Villa, dropped Atalanta from seventh to ninth, sending them to the play-offs where they will face either Sporting or Club Brugge.

Barcelona, meanwhile, bypass the play-offs and advance directly to the last 16. The play-off draw is set for January 31 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.