Category: Champions League

Tottenham Hotspur's Champions League Hopes in Peril After Chelsea Loss
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League Hopes in Peril After Chelsea Loss

Tottenham Hotspur lost once again to Chelsea away at Stamford Bridge putting the Lilywhites' Champions League qualification bid in serious doubt.

Tottenham had won just one of its 31 trips to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League coming into the evening. The first half of the game was hectic and nervy, as you'd expect for a London derby and the outstanding storylines between the two. Nicolas Jackson had a golden opportunity to open the scoring early, but Mickey van de Ven made a goal-line clearance that nearly deflected off Cole Palmer into the net.

It was a 24th-minute header from Trevoh Chalobah that put the Blues in front. After multiple VAR checks, the goal stood. The second came in the 72nd minute after Cole Palmer nearly scored a wonderful free kick, but the rebound off the crossbar fell to Jackson who made up for his miss in the first half with a header. Chelsea climbed up to eighth with the win and Mauricio Pochettino doing the double over his former club.

Tottenham's third straight league loss means that fourth and final Champions League spot is looking more and more likely for Aston Villa. Spurs are seven points off Villa, though they do have a game in hand. At most, the lead can be cut to four points. Dropping any more points in the run-in would make the top four a foregone conclusion.

Tottenham Hotspur's Champions League Hopes in Peril After Loss to Chelsea

Aston Villa has Brighton and Hove Albion (away), Liverpool (home) and Crystal Palace (away) left in the season.

Tottenham has Liverpool (away), Burnley (home), Manchester City (home) and already-relegated Sheffield United (away) for the club's last four games. Missing out on Champions League would sting even more considering the consecutive losses to Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Chelsea on the other hand have hopes of squeaking in to a Europa League or Europa Conference League spot. Chelsea is just two points behind Newcastle, and three points behind Manchester United for 7th and 6th respectively.

While most of the attention has been on the most-exciting title race in quite some time, European qualification is going to come right down to the wire.

Champions League, Chelsea, SI, Soccer, Spurs
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Lucas Hernandez Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury, Will Miss Euro 2024
2 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Lucas Hernandez Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury, Will Miss Euro 2024

Lucas Hernandez suffered a torn ACL in the first leg of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League semi-final matchup with Borussia Dortmund. The defender will miss six-to-seven months and subsequently the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament, PSG announced May 2.

"An MRI scan carried out today confirmed the diagnosis made by the club's doctors on Wednesday evening. The player will undergo surgery in the next few days. A further update will follow," PSG said in a medical update.

Hernandez was forced off because of the injury in the 42nd minute of the first leg. He was replaced by Lucas Beraldo. The centerback will miss the rest of the season for PSG, though the Ligue 1 title is already wrapped up. Luis Enrique will have to figure out his new backline fast if the club hopes to advance to the final.

Lucas Hernandez Suffers Torn ACL, Will Miss Euro 2024

Also of note due to the length of recovery, Hernandez will now miss the Euro 2024 tournament. There aren't necessarily a shortage of top-tier French defenders in Europe, but Hernandez was still a vital part of the squad. He's also versatile notably starting every match of France's victorious 2018 World Cup campaign.

He featured in two of France's last four Euro matches in 2020. His 2022 World Cup campaign saw him start at LB in a 4-1 win over Australia in Group D, but a cruciate ligament tear kept him out of the rest of the competition. That injury also kept him out of most of the qualifiers for Euro 2024, though he did play CB three times in wins against Ireland and Netherlands, and a draw against Greece.

As Enrique figures out how to turn around the Champions League tie, Didier Deschamps also needs to figure out his backline come the summer. As mentioned, the manager has plenty of options including William Saliba, Jules Kounde and Ibrahima Konate. France is still a favorite to win the tournament and likely eager for glory considering how close Les Bleus came to upending Lionel Messi and Argentina's dream ending in 2022.

Champions League, Euro 2024, France, Injury, Lucas Hernandez, Paris Saint Germain, PSG, SI, Soccer
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Devastatingly Unlucky Sequence for PSG Could Come Back to Haunt UCL Dreams
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Devastatingly Unlucky Sequence for PSG Could Come Back to Haunt UCL Dreams

PSG was held scoreless during the first leg of its UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, as the team failed to put one past Gregor Kobel during what was a 1–0 defeat.

During the 52nd minute, the Parisian side was left in despair after a series of excellent looks on goal from Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi ricocheted off either post.

Mbappé opened things up with a beautiful shot that got past the extended reach of Kobel but deflected off the far post. Mbappé received the rebound and attempted another shot, which was blocked, but bounced favorably for Hakimi, who charged in with a shot of his own.

Hakimi's attempt drilled off the left post and rolled across the front of the goal, still somehow not crossing the goal line. The ball was recovered along the end line and whipped back into the center of the field, where Mbappé raced forth but narrowly missed out on a leaping header.

That trio of missed opportunities were PSG's best goalscoring chances of the game, and they failed to capitalize. They'll be back at the Parc des Princes for the second leg on Tuesday, May 7, where they'll look to overcome the 1–0 deficit and pull off the comeback win to secure a spot in the Champions League final.

Borussia Dortmund, Champions League, Kylian Mbappe, PSG
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Real Madrid Stars Go Wild for Ability of Timeless Toni Kroos
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Real Madrid Stars Go Wild for Ability of Timeless Toni Kroos

Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo couldn't hide their admiration for the ability of Toni Kroos after his defence splitting pass helped Real Madrid open the scoring against Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal clash.

The German's slide rule through ball took advantage of poor decision making from Bayern defender Kim Min-jae, allowing Vinicius to zip in behind and slide home the opening goal of an exhilarating contest at the Allianz Arena.

It was a moment of real quality from 34-year-old Kroos, who was once again tasked with pulling the strings in Madrid's midfield despite his advancing years.

Kroos' high performance level inevitably raised the question of whether or not Madrid will look to extend his contract beyond this summer, and it certainly appears that a longer stay would be welcomed by Vinicius and Rodrygo judging by their post-match comments.

"Toni always makes things easy," Vinicius told Movistar. "He gifted me a goal. We practice a lot together in training. I know Toni very well, and he knows me. I'm very happy to have scored two goals. Now we need a magic night at home."

In reply, Kroos told Real Madrid's official website of his two-goal teammate: “Players like him always give you the possibility to make passes. He's not only quick, he's also clever and knows how and when to move. He's done well and it's his quality to get into space. “It's difficult to stop him there.”

Kroos also drew praise from Rodrygo, who drew the foul that saw Vinicius level the tie at 2-2 from the penalty spot, as he remarked: "What a pass! Incredible, Age doesn't matter. [Kroos] has always got that skill, that class that I love to see."

14-time Champions League winners Madrid would now appear to have the upper hand heading into next week's second leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. But Carlo Ancelotti's side will know not to look past the Bavarian giants, who last lifted the trophy in 2020, especially as they fought back from being 1-0 down to take a 2-1 lead through Leroy Sane and Harry Kane.

"It's going to be a really special game," Kroos added of the upcoming Bernabeu duel. "It's going to be the most important match of the season."

Champions League, News, Real Madrid, SI
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Borussia Dortmund vs PSG: Preview, How to Watch on TV and Prediction
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Borussia Dortmund vs PSG: Preview, How to Watch on TV and Prediction

Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain clash in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday night, just 24 hours after Bayern Munich and Real Madrid clashed in a pulsating game at the Allianz Arena.

Dortmund were involved the last time Wembley Stadium hosted the final of European football's most prestigious club competition, back in 2013 when they were managed by Jurgen Klopp. On that occasion, they slipped to a late 2-1 defeat to Bayern, courtesy of Arjen Robben's dramatic goal.

PSG have less Champions League pedigree, losing their only final appearance in 2020 - ironically to Bayern - but have a fantastic chance of reaching a second final against a Dortmund side who have struggled to string together results consistently during 2023/24.

That said, Edin Terzic's side have turned it on in Europe, besting PSG in a group that also contained AC Milan and Newcastle United, before beating PSV Eindhoven and Atletico Madrid in the knockout stages.

Where to watch Borussia Dortmund vs PSG

  • United States (TUDN.com, TUDN App, Univision, TUDN USA, CBS, Paramount+, Univision NOW)
  • Canada (DAZN)
  • United Kingdom (discovery+ App, TNT Sports 1, discovery+)

Borussia Dortmund team news

Mats Hummels is expected to be fit for Wednesday's game after a recent knock, but Ramy Bensebaini and Sebastien Haller are ruled out with respective knee and ankle injuries.

Donyell Malen has been struggling with a thigh issue but is expected to make the matchday squad, and he'll be joined by Emre Can and Ian Maatsen, who return after Bundesliga suspensions.

PSG team news

PSG have a pretty clean bill of health, certainly in the respect of key players. Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Rico, and Layvin Kurzawa are absent, but all three are unlikely to have been included in Luis Enrique's best XI.

Kylian Mbappe will start as a central striker - perhaps a glimpse into his future at likely next club Real Madrid - and he'll be supported in the wide areas by Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, both of whom have been in good form of late.

Borussia Dortmund vs PSG prediction

Few would have expected Borussia Dortmund to reach the last four of the Champions League, especially as their domestic form has been inconsistent to say the least.

But after seeing off Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals, in front of a vibrant home crowd, they will fancy their chances of taking the game to PSG, who are still bidding to win their first Champions League after years and years of huge investment.

The visitors are favourites to win the tie overall and even the game in Germany, but they will be vulnerable on the counter attack. However, it's impossible to overlook the attacking talent that Enrique possesses, with Mbappe the obvious threat running in behind.

Score prediction: Borussia Dortmund 1-2 PSG

Champions League, SI, Soccer
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Harry Kane Explains How He Blocked Out Jude Bellingham 'Mumbling'
1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Harry Kane Explains How He Blocked Out Jude Bellingham ‘Mumbling’

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane revealed Jude Bellingham had no chance of putting him off as he prepared to take his penalty against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The game at the Allianz Arena ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, with Kane's penalty and Leroy Sane's first goal since October cancelling out a brace from Vinicius Junior.

Kane registered his 43rd goal of the season, punishing Lucas Vazquez's clumsy challenge on Jamal Musiala, but before he stepped up to take the spot kick, Bellingham attempted to have a word in the ear of his England teammate.

Referee Clement Turpin quickly ushered Bellingham out of the area, but Kane revealed after the game that he'd barely registered what the Ballon d'Or contender had said.

"I don't know what he was saying. I saw him mumbling something," Kane said. "Once I'm in that moment, I'm in my zone, trying to block everyone out. I'm sure he was saying something to try to put me off."

Kane's successful conversion helped Bayern turn the game around in the space of three minutes. Vinicius had capitalised on poor defending from Kim min-jae to give Madrid the lead in the first half before Sane rocketed a shot past Andriy Lunin at his near post. Bayern were unable to hold on though, with Kim making another mistake when hauling down Rodrygo to concede a penalty.

On the overall result, Kane continued: "A little disappointed. Once we got 2-1 ahead we had two or three good chances.

“This is the Champions League semi-final. We expected a tough game. Real are one of the best teams in Europe who can punish you with one or two actions. All to play for next week. We know we can have chances next week we just have to take them.

‌"We started on the front foot. Their goal came against the run of play. We struggled to play our game. Second half we played with a higher intensity. We deserved our two goals, shame we couldn't get a third.

"It's not a one-off year I'm here for. Of course at the start of the season the expectation was to win trophies. The Champions League is the biggest one. If we can somehow get our hands on that one it would be an amazing season.

Champions League, SI, Soccer
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