Champions League 2025-26 Soccer

[Bob the Ninja]

Match Day 7 Results
FC Kairat Almaty (KAZ) 1 V 4 Club Brugge KV (BEL)
FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) 3 V 1 Manchester City (ENG)
F.C. Copenhagen (DEN) 1 V 1 SSC Napoli (ITA)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) 1 V 3 Arsenal FC (ENG)
Olympiacos FC (GRE) 2 V 0 Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER)
Real Madrid C.F. (ESP) 6 V 1 AS Monaco (FRA)
Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR) 2 V 1 Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) 2 V 0 Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Villarreal CF (ESP) 1 V 2 FC Ajax (NED)
Galatasaray A.Ş. (TUR) 1 V 1 Atlético de Madrid (ESP)
Qarabağ FK (AZE) 3 V 2 Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)
Atalanta BC (ITA) 2 V 3 Athletic Club (ESP)
Chelsea FC (ENG) 1 V 0 Pafos FC (CYP)
FC Bayern München (GER) 2 V 0 R. Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)
Juventus (ITA) 2 V 0 SL Benfica (POR)
Newcastle United FC (ENG) 3 V 0 PSV Eindhoven (NED)
Olympique de Marseille (FRA) 0 V 3 Liverpool FC (ENG)
SK Slavia Praha (CZE) 2 V 4 FC Barcelona (ESP)

Spoiler: League table after 7 games

 

[Bob the Ninja]

Match Day 8 Results

Arsenal FC (ENG) 3 V 1 FC Kairat Almaty (KAZ)
AS Monaco (FRA) 0 V 0 Juventus (ITA)
Atlético de Madrid (ESP) 1 V 2 FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR)
Athletic Club (ESP) 2 V 3 Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) 3 V 0 Villarreal CF (ESP)
Borussia Dortmund (GER) 0 V 2 FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
Club Brugge KV (BEL) 3 V 0 Olympique de Marseille (FRA)
Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) 0 V 2 Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)
FC Ajax (NED) 1 V 2 Olympiacos FC (GRE)
FC Barcelona (ESP) 4 V 1 F.C. Copenhagen (DEN)
Liverpool FC (ENG) 6 V 0 Qarabağ FK (AZE)
Manchester City (ENG) 2 V 0 Galatasaray A.Ş. (TUR)
Pafos FC (CYP) 4 V 1 SK Slavia Praha (CZE)
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 1 V 1 Newcastle United FC (ENG)
PSV Eindhoven (NED) 1 V 2 FC Bayern München (GER)
R. Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) 1 V 0 Atalanta BC (ITA)
SL Benfica (POR) 4 V 2 Real Madrid C.F. (ESP)
SSC Napoli (ITA) 2 V 3 Chelsea FC (ENG)

Spoiler: Final League Table"

 

[Bob the Ninja]

Benfica is set to face Real Madrid in the upcoming play-offs, just weeks after a dramatic encounter in the league phase. The last match saw Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, score a stunning 98th-minute goal, leading to a 4-2 victory against the iconic Spanish club.

The play-off format allows teams finishing between 9th and 24th in the league phase to compete for a spot in the knockout stage. Notably, Newcastle will take on Qarabag, while defending champions Paris St-Germain are pitted against Ligue 1 rivals Monaco. The first legs of the play-offs are scheduled for February 17-18, with the return matches occurring the following week.

Play-off Matches:

• Benfica vs Real Madrid
• Monaco vs Paris St-Germain
• Qarabag vs Newcastle
• Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan
• Galatasaray vs Juventus
• Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid
• Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
• Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen

Upcoming Knockout Phase Dates:

• Last 16: March 10-11 and 17-18
• Quarter-finals: April 7-8 and 14-15
• Semi-finals: April 28-29 and May 5-6
• Final: May 30

 

[Bob the Ninja]

Knock-out Round 1st Leg Results
Galatasaray A.Ş. (TUR) 5 V 2 Juventus (ITA)
AS Monaco (FRA) 2 V 3 Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Borussia Dortmund (GER) 2 V 0 Atalanta BC (ITA)
SL Benfica (POR) 0 V 1 Real Madrid C.F. (ESP)
Qarabağ FK (AZE) 1 V 6 Newcastle United FC (ENG)
Club Brugge KV (BEL) 3 V 3 Atlético de Madrid (ESP)
FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) 3 V 1 FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
Olympiacos FC (GRE) 0 V 2 Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER)

Knock-out Round 2nd Legs
Tuesday 24th February
Atlético de Madrid (ESP) V Club Brugge KV (BEL) - (17:45) - (Agg 3-3)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) V Olympiacos FC (GRE) - (20:00) - (Agg 2-0)
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) V FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) - (20:00) - (Agg 1-3)
Newcastle United FC (ENG) V Qarabağ FK (AZE) - (20:00) - (Agg 6-1)

Wednesday 25th February
Atalanta BC (ITA) V Borussia Dortmund (GER) - (17:45) - (Agg 0-2)
Juventus (ITA) V Galatasaray A.Ş. (TUR) - (20:00) - (Agg 2-5)
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) V AS Monaco (FRA) - (20:00) - (Agg 3-2)
Real Madrid C.F. (ESP) V SL Benfica (POR) - (20:00) - (Agg 1-0)

Bodo Glimt take another big scalp. The return leg will be worth watching. It was great to see them 2-1 up and still going for it, no time wasting or trying to kill the game.

 

[Bob the Ninja]

The draw for the Champions League last 16 has produced some thrilling matchups, notably Chelsea facing the defending champions, Paris St-Germain (PSG). This rematch of last year's FIFA Club World Cup final sees Chelsea coming in with confidence after their dominant 3-0 victory over PSG in New Jersey. Chelsea's director of football, David Barnard, has emphasised the importance of approaching each game with focus, suggesting, "It's too soon to speak about the final, we should think game by game."

Meanwhile, Manchester City will continue their fierce rivalry with Real Madrid for the fifth consecutive season. City's director of football, Hugo Viana, views this matchup as a significant challenge, akin to a final. Liverpool, facing Galatasaray, holds an advantage with the second leg at Anfield, where the legendary Ian Rush anticipates a vibrant atmosphere playing a key role.

The draw has also set up intriguing potential clashes in the quarter-finals, should Newcastle and Tottenham progress. Arsenal, who topped the league phase with an impressive record, is seen as a favourite to win the competition, rated by Opta with a 27.40% chance of being crowned champions. Arsenal's potential path includes a matchup against Sporting or Bodo/Glimt if they navigate past Bayer Leverkusen.

As Chelsea's new manager, Liam Rosenior, expressed his excitement about facing PSG, he acknowledged the quality of the French side under Luis Enrique. Both teams are aware of the stakes involved, with PSG emphasising that this match isn't about revenge but rather a fresh competition.

In summary, the upcoming matches promise to deliver high-stakes drama and showcase the best of European football. As the clubs prepare for their respective clashes on March 10th and 11th, the anticipation is palpable.

Key Highlights:

• Chelsea vs. PSG: A rematch of last year's FIFA Club World Cup final.
• Manchester City faces Real Madrid for the fifth consecutive year.
• No all-English ties in the last 16, with Arsenal facing Bayer Leverkusen.
• Opta rates Arsenal as the top favourites for the title, with a 27.40% chance.
• Liverpool's second-leg advantage at Anfield could be crucial against Galatasaray.
• Potential quarter-final matchups: Newcastle vs. Tottenham and Chelsea vs. Liverpool.

Round of 16 Draw
Silver Side
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) V Chelsea FC (ENG)
Galatasaray A.Ş. (TUR) V Liverpool FC (ENG)
Real Madrid C.F. (ESP) V Manchester City (ENG)
Atalanta BC (ITA) V FC Bayern München (GER)

Blue Side
Newcastle United FC (ENG) V FC Barcelona (ESP)
Atlético de Madrid (ESP) V Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)
FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) V Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) V Arsenal FC (ENG)

 

[John Steed]

I wish they would just put them all in a bag and draw the teams, none of this team can't face this team rubbish.

Getting bored of Man City v Real Madrid every season now.

Arsenal really should be making the final from their side of the draw.

 

[Black Sheep]

This must be Arsenal's best chance of winning the Champions League.

 

[Bob the Ninja]

The English teams didn't have the best of weeks in the Champions League. 2 draws and 4 defeats (3 of those heavy defeats)

Round of 16 1st Leg Results

Galatasaray A.Ş. (TUR) 1 V 0 Liverpool FC (ENG)
Atalanta BC (ITA) 1 V 6 FC Bayern München (GER)
Atlético de Madrid (ESP) 5 V 2 Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)
Newcastle United FC (ENG) 1 V 1 FC Barcelona (ESP)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) 1 V 1 Arsenal FC (ENG)
FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) 3 V 0 Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR)
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 5 V 2 Chelsea FC (ENG)
Real Madrid C.F. (ESP) 3 V 0 Manchester City (ENG)

Bodo/Glimt is a very tidy team. Obviously, the artificial turf they are used to in home games helps them, but they play some lovely football. Hopefully, they can complete the job in the second match. SF in the Europa League last season and QF in the Champions League this season would be some achievement.

 

[Tom]

Arsenal have reached their first Champions League final in 20 years after defeating Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate.

Bukayo Saka's first-half goal was the difference in the second leg after the teams drew 1-1 in Madrid last week.

In the second period, Atletico were denied a penalty for a challenge on Antoine Griezmann, while Viktor Gyokeres missed a glorious opportunity to put the home side further ahead.

Arsenal will face either Bayern Munich or PSG in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday, May 30.

Well done Arsenal. I'm not a fan of their football but they are into the Champions League Final and have a great chance of beating either Bayern or PSg and completing the Premier League and Champions League double.

 

[Crabtree]

So, Arsenal will face holders PSG in the final after the French side beat Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate. The second leg was pretty disappointing after that fantastic game in Paris the week before. It would have been interesting if Bayern had scored even 10 minutes earlier than they did to see how PSG would have coped.

I think Arsenal will need to be brave and press against PSG to win. PSG are so good at passing and at beating players that sitting back is not a good tactic against them. PSG lack a bit of threat without Hakimi, but on the wings, Arsenal will need to have the PSG full-backs defending more than attacking, and that is not easy to do. If PSG are allowed control of the ball, I could see it ending up like the Barcelona vs Man United final, where one team is chasing shadows. Push to pressure them high up the field, and PSG will give up chances.