Sports
Facts About The New Champions League Rule
By Ojomah Austin.
The draw has been revamped accordingly, with each team now set to play eight fixtures rather than being sorted into groups. From England, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa have secured their spots, with Scottish champions Celtic also in the mix.
As usual, teams cannot face opponents from their own country, but this year’s format introduces the possibility of some blockbuster matchups.
Gone are the traditional group stages in the Champions League, replaced by a new league phase that UEFA hopes will inject more excitement into the competition’s early rounds.
For the first time, clubs can face rivals from the same seeding pot, meaning last season’s champions Real Madrid could potentially clash with Manchester City. Madrid triumphed over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley last season to claim a record-extending 15th European title.
Highlights to note
New Format: The traditional group stages have been replaced with a league phase where each team will play eight matches.
Teams to Watch: From England, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa have qualified, with Scottish champions Celtic also in the running.
Potential Blockbuster Matches: Teams from the same pot can now face each other, raising the possibility of major matchups like Real Madrid vs. Manchester City early in the competition.
Aston Villa’s European Return: Aston Villa, a former European champion from 1982, makes a long-awaited return to the Champions League after 41 years. Under Unai Emery, the team clinched a top-four finish last season, including notable victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.
Villa also reached the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, where they were narrowly defeated by Olympiacos. Emery, with a record four Europa League titles, brings a wealth of experience to Villa’s Champions League campaign.
Fans at Villa Park can look forward to some electrifying European nights, though the team will need to find the right balance to avoid the pitfalls that hindered Newcastle’s campaign last season. The new format adds another layer of complexity to their journey.
How the draw works
The draw is set to be a mix of manual and automated processes. All eight matches will be against different teams, with four at home and four away, determined by seeding. Teams will be seeded into four pots based on their club coefficient, and the draw will ensure that no team faces an opponent from their own country.
The draw will be conducted manually, with automated software randomly assigning each team’s opponents, revealing the matchups on screen during the draw ceremony.
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Diagnosed Down With Viral Infection-Club
By Mario Deepromoter
Al Nassr struggled in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence on Monday, when the Saudi club kicked off the revamped Asian Champions League with a 1-1 draw against Al Shorta in Iraq.
Al Nassr captain Ronaldo did not travel with the squad for the match in Baghdad, with the club issuing a statement a day before stating that the Portuguese superstar had been diagnosed with a viral infection.
The statement read: “Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t feeling well today and was diagnosed with a viral infection.
“The team’s doctor confirmed he needs to rest and stay at his place.
“As a result, he will not be travelling with the team to Iraq today. We wish a speedy recovery to our captain.”
Al Nassr, who were knocked out of last season’s Asian Champions League in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Al Ain, were given a dream start in the Iraqi capital, when full-back Sultan Al Ghannam met Otavio’s astute, first-time pass on 14 minutes to finish low past Al Shorta goalkeeper Ahmed Basil
Ronaldo is yet to win a major trophy with Al-Nassr since joining the Saudi club.
Sports
Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa May Return To NPFL
By Mario Deepromoter
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has hinted on a possible return to the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Musa urged his supporters to decide on his next club among the 20 teams in the NPFL.
The former NPFL hotshot made the announcement on the social media.
“Let’s go again, which of this team’s do you wish for me to sign,” Musa wrote on X with the logos of the 20 NPFL clubs..
Musa previously had two stints with Kano Pillars in the NPFL.
The 31-year-old has been without a club since leaving Turkish Super Lig club, Sivasspor.
Sports
Champions League: Vinícius Jr Bags 2023-24 Best Player Award
By Mario Deepromoter
Superstar Vinicius Junior on Monday received his award as the Best Player for the 2023/24 Champions League.
Vinicius was decisive as the LaLiga champions won the title.
The Brazilian winger scored six goals and laid on five assists in the competition last season.
His ability to step up in crucial matches was instrumental in ultimately securing the trophy.
Meanwhile, Mbappe was also awarded as the top scorer of the Champions League, netting eight goals throughout the tournament.
Both players will be hoping to form a lethal duo that will dismantle opposing defences this season.
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