Football

Liverpool Face Tough Test in Champions League Opener Against AC MilanLiverpool will begin their UEFA Champions League campaign with a challenging away fixture against Serie A giants AC Milan on Wednesday, September 18. The match will mark the debut of new Liverpool manager Arne Slot in the competition.Liverpool enter the game on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Despite winning the Champions League under Jurgen Klopp in 2019 and reaching the final twice more, pressure is mounting on Slot to deliver success in Europe.Milan, meanwhile, have had a mixed start to their Serie A season, winning just one of their opening four league games. The Italian giants will be eager to make a statement in the Champions League and will pose a significant threat to Liverpool.The match will be played at the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 AM IST. It will be live telecast on the Sony Sports network and live streamed on the SonyLIV app and website.Liverpool will be without several key players for the match, including Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota, and Ibrahima Konate. Milan, on the other hand, will be boosted by the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been out injured since May.The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams desperate for a positive result. Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from their Premier League defeat and establish themselves as contenders in the Champions League, while Milan will be aiming to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with in Europe.

The Champions League, Europe's premier club football competition, embarks on a new era with an expanded format and increased matches. UEFA, the governing body, has introduced a 36-team league phase, with each team playing eight matches against different opponents.The expanded format aims to address the predictability of the traditional group stage and prevent the formation of a breakaway Super League. The top eight teams from the league phase will advance directly to the last 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will compete in a play-off round for the remaining berths.The opening week of the competition features several high-profile clashes, including Real Madrid vs. VfB Stuttgart, AC Milan vs. Liverpool, and Manchester City vs. Inter Milan. The draw has also produced intriguing matchups such as Paris Saint-Germain vs. Arsenal and Manchester City, and Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, and Milan.While the expanded format promises more excitement and unpredictability, concerns have been raised about the impact on player workload. The additional matches come at a time when top clubs are already facing a congested schedule, including the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.Global footballers' union FIFPro has expressed concerns about the lack of rest and recovery time for players. The union argues that the increased number of matches could lead to injuries and burnout.Despite the concerns, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin believes the new format will benefit the competition and make it more interesting. The expanded Champions League promises a fresh start, but it remains to be seen whether the increased workload will ultimately prove beneficial or detrimental to the players and the sport as a whole.

San Marino, the perennial underdogs of international football, etched their name in history on Thursday by securing their first-ever competitive victory. The tiny nation, nestled within the heart of Italy, stunned Liechtenstein 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League, ending a remarkable 140-game winless streak that had spanned over two decades.The match at San Marino's Stadio Olimpico was a tale of resilience and determination for the home side. Liechtenstein, ranked 195th in the FIFA rankings, had the better of the chances in the first half, but a disallowed goal for offside kept the scores level.The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute when San Marino capitalized on a defensive lapse by Liechtenstein. Nicko Sensoli, a 19-year-old forward, pounced on a loose ball and fired home the historic goal. The stadium erupted in jubilation as the team celebrated their long-awaited triumph.San Marino's victory is a testament to the unwavering spirit of the players and the unwavering support of their fans. Despite being the lowest-ranked team in the world, they refused to be defined by their past failures. Their recent string of draws in friendly matches against Seychelles, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis had hinted at a growing confidence within the squad.The win against Liechtenstein is a watershed moment for San Marino. It marks the end of a painful chapter in their footballing history and signals a new era of hope and optimism. The team's performance in the UEFA Nations League, where they are grouped with Liechtenstein and Gibraltar, will be closely watched as they aim to build on their historic victory.

Cristiano Ronaldo's unwavering commitment to the Portugal national team remains steadfast despite his underwhelming performance at Euro 2024. The 39-year-old legend has been included in the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and Scotland, signaling the continued faith of coach Roberto Martinez.Ronaldo's inclusion comes after a disappointing Euro campaign where he failed to find the back of the net. However, his recent form for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where he has scored four goals in four games, has bolstered his case for a starting role.With Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos sidelined by an ankle injury, Ronaldo is expected to lead the Portugal attack. The veteran forward has expressed his determination to continue representing his country, stating, "When I quit the national team, I won't tell anyone in advance... At the moment what I want is to be able to help the Selecao."Martinez is also looking to the future with the inclusion of 17-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda. The young talent joins Chelsea left-back Renato Veiga and Lille defender Tiago Santos as new faces in the squad.The squad also features experienced players such as Ruben Dias, Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva. Martinez will be hoping that the blend of youth and experience can guide Portugal to success in the upcoming Nations League matches.

Kylian Mbappé's departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has been marred by a financial dispute between the French striker and the club's Qatari owners, Qatar Sports Investments (QSI). Mbappé is claiming unpaid wages amounting to approximately €55 million, prompting him to file a complaint with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).The unpaid wages include three months of salary (April, May, and June), an "ethical bonus" for the same period, and the final installment of a €36 million signing bonus that was due in February. According to French newspaper Le Monde, PSG received an official notice from Mbappé's camp in mid-June.Mbappé's complaint was initially filed with the legal committee of the French Professional Football League (LFP), citing article 259 of France's professional football charter. The matter was subsequently referred to UEFA via the French Football Federation (FFF).The dispute has further strained the relationship between Mbappé and PSG, which ended on a sour note after the striker's seven-year stint at the club. Reports emerged of a verbal altercation between Mbappé and PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi.Mbappé has since joined Real Madrid, where he has made an immediate impact. He won the UEFA Super Cup in his first game and played a role in the team's 1-1 draw against Mallorca in their La Liga opener.The financial dispute between Mbappé and PSG highlights the complexities of player contracts and the potential for disputes when clubs fail to meet their obligations. It also raises questions about the financial management of PSG, which has spent heavily on player acquisitions in recent years.

The Premier League 2024-25 season kicks off this weekend, bringing with it a significant change to the traditional matchday routine. Clubs will now have an additional 15 minutes to release their team sheets, moving the deadline to 75 minutes before kick-off.This rule adjustment aligns with UEFA regulations and aims to enhance the competitiveness of matches. By providing managers with less time for last-minute changes, the new rule encourages more strategic planning and reduces the potential for tactical surprises.The Premier League handbook now stipulates that team sheets must be submitted "at least 75 minutes before the time fixed for the kick-off of a league match." Clubs are required to provide the shirt numbers and names of participating players, including substitutes, as well as the color of their uniforms and the names of up to seven officials occupying the trainer's bench.The change also affects the pre-match briefing between managers and the referee, which must now take place at least 60 minutes before kick-off. This briefing provides an opportunity for managers to discuss any potential issues or concerns with the referee.The Premier League's decision to adopt this new rule is a testament to its commitment to improving the quality and fairness of its matches. By giving managers less time to make changes, the league hopes to create a more level playing field and increase the excitement for fans.

Ajax and Panathinaikos engaged in an epic penalty shootout that set a UEFA competition record, with the Dutch giants emerging victorious after 34 attempts. The Europa League third qualifying round tie ended 1-1 over two legs and extra time, leading to the marathon shootout.Ajax, who had won 1-0 in the first leg in Greece, conceded a late equalizer in the 89th minute in Amsterdam, forcing the shootout. The previous record for the longest shootout in a UEFA competition was 32 attempts, set in the 2007 European U-21 Championship semi-final between Netherlands and England.The world record for the longest shootout was set in May when Israeli third-tier clubs SC Dimona and Shimshon Tel Aviv took 56 penalties to resolve their semi-final promotion playoff tie.Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer was the hero for the hosts, saving five penalties. However, Dutch international Brian Brobbey missed two penalties for Ajax, keeping the shootout alive."Five is quite a lot, yes. I save a penalty every now and then, but I don't think you often experience something as crazy as this," Pasveer said. "Every time I thought we would do it. Brobbey behind the ball, we will do it. But he missed, while he always scores during training."Defender Anton Gaaei ultimately delivered the winning penalty for Ajax, sending the Eredivisie club into the playoff round later this month, where they will face Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.

UEFA has charged Spain captain Alvaro Morata and midfielder Rodri with violating its "basic rules of decent conduct" after they sang about a sovereignty claim on Gibraltar at the team's European Championship title celebration. The charges also include "bringing the sport of football, and UEFA in particular, into disrepute."Morata and Rodri led thousands of fans in singing "Gibraltar is Spanish" at a celebration in Madrid last week after Spain's 2-1 win over England in the Euro 2024 final. Gibraltar, located on the southern tip of Spain, has been a British overseas territory for more than 300 years.The Gibraltar soccer federation filed a formal complaint to UEFA, which has now opened disciplinary proceedings against Morata and Rodri. The federation welcomed the move, saying it was "an important first step in order to establish the unlawfulness of the chant."UEFA's disciplinary body will rule on the case at a later date, with the players facing a possible suspension from Nations League games in September. In a similar incident at Euro 2024, UEFA banned Albania player Mirlind Daku for two games after he led fans in nationalist chants against Serbia and North Macedonia.Morata recently completed a move from Atletico Madrid to AC Milan, while Rodri, who was named player of the tournament at Euro 2024, plays for Manchester City.

Jude Bellingham, the prodigious English midfielder, has escaped an immediate suspension after making an offensive gesture during England's thrilling victory over Slovakia in the UEFA Euro 2020.UEFA imposed a one-game ban on Bellingham, but it is "not immediately enforced and is subject to a probationary period" of one year. The 18-year-old will be available for England's crucial clash against Switzerland on Saturday, which will determine their fate in the tournament.Bellingham's gesture, which appeared to be directed towards his crotch, occurred after he scored a stunning overhead kick to level the score in the dying minutes of the match. England went on to win 2-1 in extra time, with Bellingham's goal proving to be a pivotal moment.The incident sparked controversy, with some accusing Bellingham of making an inappropriate gesture. However, the midfielder has denied any wrongdoing, claiming it was an "inside joke" with friends who were present at the game.UEFA has also fined England a total of €11,000 ($11,900) for crowd disturbances and the "lighting of fireworks" during the Slovakia match.Bellingham's gesture has raised questions about the standards of conduct expected of professional footballers. UEFA's decision to impose a suspended ban suggests that they believe Bellingham's actions were inappropriate but not severe enough to warrant an immediate suspension.The incident has also highlighted the challenges faced by young players in the spotlight. Bellingham is one of the most promising talents in world football, but he is still learning the ropes of professional conduct.Despite the controversy, Bellingham remains a key player for England. His performance against Slovakia was a testament to his talent and determination. If he can maintain his focus and avoid further incidents, he has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the world.