Champions League

Barcelona is in advanced talks to sign Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal for a fee between €10-15 million, with reports indicating a deal is close to completion. The 29-year-old, under contract until 2027, is seen as a replacement for departing Robert Lewandowski. Multiple journalists confirm negotiations, with Jesus keen on the move and a medical scheduled. The transfer aims to bolster Barcelona's attack before the window closes.

26 reports · 2 sources · Updated Sep 4, 12:41 AM UTC

On August 27-28, 2026, the UEFA Champions League draw ceremony in Monaco determined the eight league-phase opponents for top European clubs including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund. The new format pits teams from four pots against each other in home-and-away matches. Reactions from fans and media ranged from relief to concern over challenging fixtures, highlighting the competitive landscape of the upcoming season.

7 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 29, 12:44 PM UTC

Argentine striker Julian Alvarez is in a mental and professional crisis at Atletico Madrid after the club refused to negotiate his transfer to direct rival Barcelona. Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin rejected all offers, including a €100 million bid, and filed complaints with FIFA over alleged pressure from Alvarez's agent and Barcelona. Alvarez, booed by fans and at odds with coach Simeone, refuses Premier League moves and insists on Barcelona only. The deadlock threatens team cohesion and player value as the transfer window closes.

42 reports · 2 sources · Updated Sep 1, 11:20 AM UTC

Austrian side LASK Linz overturned a 0-4 aggregate deficit to defeat Celtic 5-1 in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff, winning 5-4 on aggregate. Trailing after an early Celtic goal, LASK scored four times in regular time, including a 91st-minute equalizer, then added a fifth in extra time. The historic collapse eliminates Celtic from the Champions League, sending them to the Europa League, while LASK advances to the group stage.

5 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 25, 10:21 PM UTC

Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, unable to use their Donbas Arena due to Russia's war, will play their 2026-27 Champions League group stage home matches at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge in London, pending regulatory approval. Chelsea, who failed to qualify for European competition, will retain full operational control, handling security, ticketing, and logistics. Shakhtar will pay rent for the venue, and the arrangement was facilitated by the strong relationship between the clubs, including the Mykhailo Mudryk transfer.

5 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 21, 03:32 PM UTC

FC Barcelona is actively pursuing Manchester City midfielder Rodri, reportedly offering €60 million and accepting his high salary demands. Multiple Spanish media outlets indicate Rodri has rejected a generous offer from Real Madrid, choosing Barcelona for personal reasons. Barcelona must resolve registration issues and negotiate with City, who seek at least €50 million. The club hopes to finalize the deal quickly for Rodri to join training next week.

151 reports · 5 sources · Updated Aug 19, 09:31 PM UTC

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup on August 12-13, 2026, at Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria. Goals from Kvaratskhelia and Doué secured PSG’s second consecutive title. The match was notable for Somali referee Omar Artan, appointed amid UEFA-FIFA tensions after being barred from the 2026 World Cup. Aston Villa missed key players due to World Cup recovery and transfers.

11 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 13, 09:14 AM UTC

Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, 23, has rejected a lucrative contract extension, unhappy with his substitute role in key matches. His contract runs until 2028, but PSG now considers him transferable, demanding €170 million. Liverpool leads interest, with Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea also monitoring. Barcola reportedly prefers Liverpool, and negotiations have begun. The decision impacts PSG’s transfer plans as they pursue other targets.

26 reports · 9 sources · Updated Aug 8, 01:48 AM UTC

On July 29-30, 2026, false rumors spread on Italian social media claiming AC Milan legend Franco Baresi, 66, had died. The club issued an official denial, stating Baresi is alive but in a difficult health period, reportedly undergoing treatment after lung nodule surgery. Italy’s Deputy PM Matteo Salvini mistakenly posted a tribute before deleting it. AC Milan urged privacy and condemned misinformation.

36 reports · 13 sources · Updated Jul 31, 05:08 PM UTC

According to an ESPN social media post, actor Tom Holland (Spider-Man) and his wife Zendaya recently visited Paris Saint-Germain Football Club during a stop in Paris. Photos released on social media show the couple posing together holding a PSG jersey, and Holland even lifted one of the club's Champions League trophies. The news was reported by Hupu Football News on July 30, citing ESPN's X (formerly Twitter) post. The article also notes a user comment recalling that Holland is a Tottenham Hotspur fan.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 07:09 AM UTC

Olympique Lyonnais, fourth in Ligue 1, will learn their UEFA Champions League third preliminary round opponents on July 20, 2026. As a seeded team, they could face Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium), Sparta Prague (Czech Republic), NEC Nijmegen (Netherlands), or the winner of Sturm Graz vs. Heart of Midlothian. First legs are August 4-5, return legs August 11. Lyon is in preseason training in Bavaria and recently lost 0-2 to Slavia Prague.

6 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 29, 09:26 PM UTC

Olympique Lyonnais suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Real Betis Balompié in their final pre-season friendly, exposing defensive frailties and a lack of energy. Coach Paulo Fonseca delivered a scathing assessment, warning that if the team plays with such low aggressiveness, they will struggle in their upcoming crucial Champions League third qualifying round match against Sparta Prague. Fonseca expressed concern about the performance, noting that young players are not ready for such important matches, and hopes to have new signing Loïs Openda available for the decisive fixture. He described the result as a wake-up call that brings the team back down to earth after positive pre-season results.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 08:38 PM UTC

In a dramatic Champions League second-round qualifier, Polish champions Lech Poznań, who had won the first leg 4-1 away against Danish champions Aarhus, collapsed at home. Trailing 3-0 in regular time, they forced extra time, where both teams scored once. In the penalty shootout, Lech Poznań led 1-0 after the first round but missed their second and third penalties, ultimately losing 3-4. The defeat means Lech Poznań is eliminated from Champions League group stage contention and drops into the Europa League qualifiers, while Aarhus advances to the third round of Champions League qualifying.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 07:56 PM UTC

In the second leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, Kairat Almaty hosted Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia. Kairat played with a one-man advantage from the 26th minute after an Omonia red card, and took a 1-0 lead in regular time through a goal by Edmilson, forcing extra time. In the 112th minute, Omonia's central defender Senou Coulibaly received a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving the visitors with nine men. Despite the two-man advantage, Kairat could not score a winner, and the match went to a penalty shootout. The shootout lasted seven rounds, with Kairat winning 6-5. Kazakh goalkeeper Anarbekov saved the decisive penalty from Cypriot defender Papanayiotou in the final round, sending Kairat through to the third qualifying round.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 07:21 PM UTC

Torreense, a club from Portugal's second division (2ª Liga), is aiming to become the first team outside the top-flight 1st League to win the Portuguese Super Cup. They face FC Porto in the final, scheduled for this Saturday in Coimbra. The match will be officiated by referee André Narciso. In preparation, Torreense has gained momentum by defeating Spanish side Eibar 2-0, following a previous win over Real Sociedad, building confidence ahead of their Champions League debut against Juventus on August 5th in Turin. Ticket sales for the Super Cup have been strong, with few remaining for Torreense fans, though new members are guaranteed tickets. The article highlights the historic opportunity for the underdog club.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 06:12 PM UTC

Olympique Lyonnais (OL) concludes its friendly match campaign on July 29, 2026, against Real Betis Seville in Cadiz, Spain, ahead of their Champions League third preliminary round against Sparta Prague. The match kicks off at 8:00 PM and is covered live by RMC Sport. Separately, the article discusses how a potential transfer of former OL player Bradley Barcola from PSG could benefit OL's finances, despite OL not having a sell-on clause, as they would receive 5% of the transfer fee. Additionally, Belgian striker Loïs Openda has joined OL on a season-long loan from Juventus Turin for the 2026-2027 season for a fee of 3.5 million euros. The page also highlights top stories including Zinedine Zidane's first press conference as France national team coach and a UEFA emergency meeting over FIFA's proposed sale of shares.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 04:50 PM UTC

The article reports on a goalless draw by Sporting's women's team against a Spanish side in Seville, serving as a Champions League dress rehearsal ahead of their match against SeaSters on August 5th. Notably, Daniela Arques was absent from the squad, linked to a move to London City Lionesses. Additional news includes: 18-year-old center-back Carolina Simões signing a professional contract with Benfica until 2028; 19-year-old defender Dária Kaminska extending her loan at V. Guimarães until 2027; and former Benfica player Andreia Faria debuting as captain for Al Nassr, scoring in a 5-0 victory at the WAFF Women's Clubs Championship.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 04:42 PM UTC

Fenerbahçe Istanbul faces Gornik Zabrze in the second leg of their Champions League qualifying match on Wednesday evening at 8 PM, streamed live on BILD for subscribers. The Turkish runners-up won the first leg 1-0 thanks to a goal from Anderson Talisca. If they advance, they will reach the penultimate qualifying round and be just four games away from the Champions League group stage. Their likely next opponent is Sturm Graz, who won their first leg 4-0 against Heart of Midlothian. Fenerbahçe last participated in the Champions League in the 2008/09 season and have failed in nine qualification attempts since then, a streak they hope to end this year.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 06:56 AM UTC

Real Betis faces Olympique Lyon in the Trofeo Ciudad de La Línea friendly match (8:00 PM) as a Champions League-level test for Manuel Pellegrini's squad. The match comes after Betis showed mixed form in summer friendlies, including a defeat to Granada. Lyon is preparing for a Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague. Key focuses include new signings Fran García and Facundo Bernal, as well as the anticipated summer debut of Brazilian winger Antony, who has been recovering from pubalgia. The match also highlights former player Nabil Fekir, who played for both clubs. Pellegrini expects more reinforcements and is evaluating academy players like Morante, while players destined to leave (Gonzalo Petit, Nelson Deossa) remain in the squad.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 10:05 PM UTC

Bayern Munich captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 40, announced he will likely retire at the end of the 2026-27 Bundesliga season, his 21st. Speaking at Bayern’s training camp in Rottach-Egern, the 2014 World Cup winner said he was 85% ready to retire but chose to continue due to team quality and personal enjoyment. He hopes to end his career by winning a third Champions League title in the final on June 5, 2027, at Atlético Madrid’s Estadio Metropolitano.

9 reports · 5 sources · Updated Aug 4, 09:20 PM UTC

In a Champions League second qualifying round match on July 29, Austrian Bundesliga runners-up Sturm Graz defeated Scottish Premiership runners-up Hearts 2-0 away, securing a 6-0 aggregate victory over two legs. Sturm Graz controlled the game and scored two goals in the 64th and 68th minutes through Simon Seidl and Soglo. The first leg had ended 4-0 in favor of Sturm Graz at home. With this win, Sturm Graz advances to the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 09:19 PM UTC

Belgian striker Loïs Openda, 26, has been loaned to Olympique Lyonnais from Juventus for a €3 million fee with no purchase option. Juventus will cover most of his €8 million gross salary. Openda struggled at Juventus, scoring only 2 goals in 34 appearances, but previously excelled at Lens and RB Leipzig. Lyon, facing financial constraints, urgently needed a center forward ahead of Champions League qualifiers. The move offers Openda a chance to revive his career in Ligue 1.

18 reports · 4 sources · Updated Jul 28, 08:59 PM UTC

Sporting CP resumed training at their Academy with three players absent but at full intensity as they prepare for their last pre-season friendly before the Liga Portugal debut. The Lions will face Nottingham Forest on Friday at 7:00 PM in the Algarve. Coach Rui Borges is preparing the team amid ongoing transfer market uncertainties. The article also highlights the squad's renewal, with reinforcements eager for Champions League football and Geny Catamo rising in the hierarchy. Young but experienced center-backs place Sporting in the top-3 youngest defensive pools in the Champions League. New signing Zalazar from Sp. Braga has impressed in pre-season, showing fitness and artistic flair, and has already scored. The club presented 30 players, with Pote and Zalazar receiving the most applause.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 03:13 PM UTC

Olympique Lyonnais is close to signing Austrian center-back Felix Bacher from Portuguese club Estoril for around €4 million, with a five-year contract until 2031 pending a medical. The 25-year-old, a former Austrian U20 international, was an undisputed starter for Estoril in the 2025-2026 season. Lyon, preparing for a Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague, is also pursuing striker Loïs Openda on loan.

6 reports · 5 sources · Updated Aug 2, 03:49 PM UTC

BILD is offering a live stream of the Champions League qualifying match between Fenerbahçe Istanbul and Gornik Zabrze on Wednesday evening at 8 PM. The Turkish runners-up won the first leg 1-0 with a goal from Anderson Talisca. If Fenerbahçe advances, they will face Sturm Graz in the penultimate qualifying round, just four games away from the Champions League group stage. Sturm Graz convincingly beat Heart of Midlothian 4-0 in their first leg. The match can be viewed via a BILDplus subscription.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 11:35 AM UTC

This article from Record Portugal covers multiple stories from the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds as of July 28, 2026. The main headline reports that Manuel Tulipa's Ararat-Armenia is close to advancing to the next phase after the 2nd leg of the 2nd qualifying round. A separate story highlights Sturm Graz thrashing Hearts, leaving the tie practically resolved, with the loser dropping to the Europa League where they could face Benfica if Benfica overcomes St. Gallen. Additionally, Lithuanian club FK Kauno Zalgiris is forced to play their Champions League match at a borrowed stadium due to a Pitbull concert. Finally, Portuguese coach Filipe Coelho has qualified Universitatea Craiova for the Champions League after a 1-0 win over Vitebsk in the 1st qualifying round.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 03:06 AM UTC

Portuguese forward Ana Capeta is in excellent form for Juventus, scoring three goals in two pre-season matches ahead of the upcoming Champions League campaign. The article, published by Record Portugal on July 26, 2026, highlights her consistent performance and serves as a warning to her former club, Torreense, about her current scoring prowess. The report includes multiple images of Capeta celebrating her goals, emphasizing her key role in Juventus's preparations for the European competition.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 09:43 PM UTC

Torreense women's football team, led by coach Gonçalo Nunes, secured a 2-0 victory over Eibar, following a previous win against Real Sociedad. This back-to-back triumph builds confidence ahead of their historic Champions League debut against Italian giants Juventus, scheduled for August 5th in Turin. The article, published by Record Portugal on July 26, 2026, highlights the team's strong form as they prepare for the high-profile European clash.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 05:58 PM UTC

German Sky Sports reports that RB Leipzig has canceled the planned transfer of center-back Willi Orban to Saudi club Al-Diriyah. Orban had agreed to a two-year contract worth $15 million net. However, after midfielder Abdou Koné suffered an injury, RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schäfer called off the deal. The medical examination scheduled for Monday morning was canceled, and the Saudi club's medical team, already in Leipzig, had to return. Orban will remain at RB Leipzig, continue as a core player under coach Martin Demichelis, and lead the team in the Champions League. His current contract runs until 2027.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 04:44 PM UTC

Federico Chiesa has expressed his desire for a 'new chapter' at Liverpool under new head coach Andoni Iraola, following a frustrating two-year period under Arne Slot. The 28-year-old Italian forward scored in Liverpool's 4-2 friendly win against Sunderland in Nashville. Chiesa made 36 appearances last season but only five were starts, leading to speculation about a return to Italy with Como and Juventus linked. He admitted he has not discussed his future with Iraola but is focused on proving himself. Chiesa also criticized Liverpool's Champions League qualification as 'lucky' and called for improvement in the upcoming season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 04:00 PM UTC