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This season, the world of football is quite different than we’re used to. Of course, this is all due to circumstances we have absolutely no, or at the very best very little, control of. However, there is good news – football has already returned, with most domestic leagues already done and dusted, and the Champions League will do the same this week.

First, we’ll get the Europa League clashes on Wednesday night, 5 August, with Manchester United taking the centre stage against LASK once again. Of course, it would take a heroic effort from the visitors to overturn Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men’s 5-0 thrashing from the first meeting. But even more importantly, and after almost five months of hiatus, the Champions League will return this Friday, 7 August.

Manchester City will welcome Real Madrid at the Etihad stadium, having previously won their clash at the Santiago Bernabeu with a 2-1 scoreline. Pep Guardiola’s team is primed to take this one and go all the way to the final.

The day after, on Saturday, Chelsea will visit Bayern Munich as Frank Lampard’s troops hope for a miraculous comeback since the first game ended in a 3-0 stomp for the Bavarians.

What are the new rules for the return of the Champions League?

UEFA have indeed introduced a couple of new rules for the Champions League’s grand return this week. First of all, all quarter-finals and semi-finals will now take place as single-leg ties, as opposed to the usual format where teams would have the chance to compete both home and away.

Additionally, seeing how this will be a one-off affair between the clubs, UEFA have decided that all games will take place across two stadiums in Portugal: Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Estadio Jose Alvalade. Of course, the unplayed round of 16 second legs will be held at the club’s home grounds as they normally would, providing the health measures are met.

Teams will also have the possibility of five substitutes, as was the case throughout the domestic leagues after the break, but will also only be allowed to make these changes at three specific points in the game.

Finally, teams will be allowed to bring 23 players for all the games instead of 18, something that is usually exclusively permitted only for the final.

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O Botafogo pagou contra a LDU, na última quinta-feira (21), em Quito, o preço de duas situações importantes em 2025: planejamento e expectativa. O 1 a 0 na ida não foi o suficiente, e o time equatoriano reverteu o placar agregado com extrema superioridade técnica e, principalmente, física.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBotafogoDavide Ancelotti explica esquema do Botafogo na altitude: ‘Foi o plano’Botafogo21/08/2025BotafogoTextor manda recado à torcida do Botafogo após eliminação: ‘Venceremos novamente’Botafogo21/08/2025Fora de CampoTorcedores mandam recado a Davide Ancelotti depois da eliminação do Botafogo para LDUFora de Campo21/08/2025

➡️ Textor manda recado à torcida do Botafogo após eliminação

A temporada do Botafogo após os títulos do Brasileirão e da Libertadores em 2024 é conturbada e ponta a ponta. Troca de técnico, resultados ruins, eliminações frustrantes, contratações caras sem o retorno esperado e, agora, esperança pelo que resta.

Isso passa pelo discurso sobre a temporada começar em abril, dado por John Textor após as perdas dos títulos da Supercopa do Brasil, para o Flamengo, e Recopa Sul-Americana, para o Racing, e chega à tentativa de um novo time, com novo comando e contratações, mas que mostra fragilidade.

continua após a publicidadeBotafogo abaixo na Libertadores

A campanha na Libertadores foi irregular como um todo. Na primeira fase, foram 12 pontos conquistados e, ainda que tenha sido melhor em relação ao ano do título, as atuações já preocupavam. O time se classificou na segunda colocação, atrás do Estudiantes.

No confronto com a LDU, foram escancarados os problemas logo em um jogo de mata-mata e durante fase conturbada da SAF nos bastidores. Nos dois jogos, Davide Ancelotti sofreu com falta de peças no grupo devido aos problemas por lesões, viu necessidade de improvisação e, de quebra, uma das piores atuações sob seu comando na vitória do jogo de ida, no Nilton Santos.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Fogão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Botafogo

A receita do bolo, com ingredientes para lá de complicados, já indicavam um grande desafio no mata-mata. E o Botafogo cai na Libertadores com merecimento. Agora, vira a chave estando nas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil, onde irá enfrentar o Vasco. No Brasileirão, o sonho do título é distante, ainda que o quinto lugar mantenha as esperanças.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers’ fantastic season is currently on hold with Nuno Santo’s squad ordered to stay at home during the current situation sweeping the nation.

Football is suspended, training is almost certainly cancelled, so what are players getting up to?

Versatile wing-back Jonny Otto has posted the following video to

/B-XhHZAqTLK/” data-lasso->Instagram, giving the Wolf Pack an update on exactly what he’s been doing to pass the time…

The Spaniard can be seen working out as well as cooking and spending time with his loved ones. Crucially, the 26-year-old is trying to keep fit which bodes well for Wolves’ end to the season.

If the campaign does indeed resume in the near future, then the west Midlands outfit can contend with their Europa League knockout run and have everything to play for in terms of breaking into the top six.

For true Wolves fans only: How much did each of these players cost?

AND in other news, Wolves must win the race for 6 foot 3 GIANT to match ambitions…

It seems that Granit Xhaka’s relationship with Arsenal has deteriorated beyond repair and the 27-year-old midfielder could be leaving the Emirates pretty soon. The Telegraph have recently come out with a story stating that Newcastle may offer him a loan deal in January, should he want to remain in the Premier League.

But just in case the Toon Army can’t land the Arsenal outcast, we have prepared a list of three players from across Europe Newcastle should look to bring in on loan that would serve as good Xhaka alternatives.

So without further ado, let’s delve into the list:

Manuel Locatelli – Sassuolo

The 21-year-old defensive midfielder has so far only played a total of eight games across all competitions for his current club and seeing how he’s young and needs some minutes to develop, a loan deal to a competitive stage like the Premier League could definitely be of interest to him.

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It’s difficult to actually see Sassuolo part with Locatelli permanently at the moment, at least from Newcastle’s perspective since they could very well put a big price on his head.

But a loan deal sounds like something both parties could use – Newcastle could get a really talented young defensive midfielder who wouldn’t burden their wage bill and the Italians would get decent minutes for their developing youngster.

Win-win.

Jordan Ferri – Montpellier

Ferri is 27, just like Xhaka, and his situation at the club is not really sunshine and rainbows, either.

The midfielder moved from Olympique Lyon last summer in search of more minutes but ended up being put aside at his new home as well, appearing only seven times across all competitions.

Granted, he is injured at the moment but seeing how his move from one French club to another hasn’t really yielded him a bigger chance to express himself, a loan could very well be the answer to his problems.

Previously he played a total of 213 games for Lyon, bagging 12 goals and 18 assists, so the experience and the quality is certainly there and Newcastle could make great use of it.

Taulant Xhaka – FC Basel

A Xhaka for a Xhaka!

FC Basel’s Xhaka, however, might be more easily attainable but offers about the same amount of quality.

The 28-year-old has so far played a total of 21 games across all competitions for his club and has plenty of experience on the international stage as well.

He has also participated in the Europa League and the Nations League, meaning that he brings about that extra pedigree that Newcastle don’t have that much of in their squad.

Seeing how this deal would represent a jump from the Swiss Super League to the Premier League, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that it would represent a tempting opportunity for the 28-year-old.

It would also mean that Xhaka comes with a somewhat smaller price tag, even when considering just a loan deal.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Why Joe Gomez was booed at Wembley Stadium on Thursday makes little sense.

The Liverpool defender was involved in an altercation with Raheem Sterling in the England camp after the two had clashed during the Reds’ fixture against Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend. However, the 24-year-old winger was the one who was dropped for the match, even if there has been some discussion as to whether Gareth Southgate made the right decision.

Sterling may be a fantastic player, but he was at fault – which he confirmed in his own words on Twitter after the match against Montenegro. 22-year-old Gomez cannot be blamed for his teammate’s actions, yet he received the brunt of the abuse from the crowd. No wonder he was said to be “devastated” afterwards.

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This is just the latest episode in a tense atmosphere between Liverpool and the national team. One Reds fan called into talkSPORT this year to adamantly say he was “Scouse”, not English, but there is truth in his and other people’s comments.

They are not the only fans to say so, whilst Jamie Carragher (BBC via The Liverpool Echo) even admitted that he cared more about playing for his club rather than the Three Lions.

There is apathy towards England from sections of the Anfield faithful. When the Reds were challenging for the Premier League title last term, there were many rival fans who didn’t want them to lift the trophy. Even though winning clubs are often disliked, it is hard to remember such a distaste towards one side.

The reaction and vitriol towards Liverpool’s Gomez makes it easier to understand why portions of the club’s supporters are against the national side. Why would you be fully behind a team whose fans boo their own player despite him doing nothing wrong, and damage his morale in the process?

The situation was made even worse by the fact that the England supporters appeared to be siding with Sterling, a player who is far from popular with a number of Reds followers after being booed himself.

Incidents like this will do little to reduce the fans’ apathy towards England. For all involved, it is a crying shame.

يرى محمد بركات، مدير منتخب مصر الأول، أن بطولة كأس العرب، المقرر إقامتها في قطر، أفضل استعداد لبطولة كأس الأمم الإفريقية.

بطولة كأس العرب ستنطلق خلال الفترة من 1 إلى 18 ديسمبر المقبل في قطر، بمشاركة 23 منتخبًا عربيًا، وستقام قرعتها مساء اليوم. طالع الموعد من هنا.

وقال بركات في تصريحات إذاعية عبر أثير راديو “أون سبورت”: “بطولة كأس العرب أفضل استعداد لبطولة كأس الأمم الأفريقية، أسماء المنتخبات المتواجدة في البطولة تونس والمغرب والجزائر، وعلى المستوى الآسيوي العربي السعودية وقطر والكويت والعراق”.

وتابع: “ستكون مباريات البطولة في منتهى القوة، وسنستعد بشكل جيد، بدلًا من التفكير والتحضير لمباريات ودية قبل كأس الأمم المقرر إقامته في الكاميرون، وسنستفيد بشكل جيد”.

وعن تواجد المحترفين، تابع: “الأمر لم يتحدد حتى الآن، ومن الواضح أنه سيكون هناك صعوبة في تواجد اللاعبين المحترفين مع منتخباتهم، ولا اعتقد أن الدوريات الأوروبية ستقام، ومن الصعوبة أن الأندية تترك اللاعبين في شهر 12 وشهر 1 الذي تقام فيه بطولة كأس الأمم، ولكن المحترف في الدوريات العربية سيتواجد”.

طالع أيضًا.. منتخب مصر في التصنيف الثاني لقرعة كأس العرب

وبسؤاله عن تواصله مع اتحاد الكرة بشأن توقف الدوري المصري، قال: “لم نتناقش في هذا الأمر، ولكن توقف الدوري أمر صعب للغاية، لأن ابتداء من معسكر شهر يونيو المقبل ستبدأ تصفيات كأس العالم والتي ستكون بمواجهة أنجولا والجابون، وبعدها معسكر في شهر سبتمبر المقبل، ثم معسكر شهر أكتوبر، ولا توجد مساحة كبيرة لبطولة بدايتها مطلع شهر ديسمبر، والأهم في الوقت الحالي تصفيات كأس العالم وكيفية تصدر المجموعة والتعلم من أخطاء المعسكر الماضي”.

وعن الاستعداد لكأس العالم واصل: “انتهيت من التأهل لكأس الأمم الأفريقية، واتفقنا على خوض مباراة ودية مع بوروندي يوم 3 من شهر يونيو في القاهرة، وستكون قبل مباراة أنجولا بأربعة أيام، فالمباراة ستكون يوم 7 أو 8 لذات الشهر”.

وعن كواليس منح محمد صلاح نجم ليفربول ومنتخب مصر شارة القيادة قال: “حسام البدري كان ينتظر مرور مرحلة معينة وصعدنا إلى كأس الأمم، وتحدث مع جميع اللاعبين في هذا الأمر وطرحه عليهم، والجميع كان مرحبًا بذلك بما فيهم أحمد حجازي”.

وعن تطور حالة حسام البدري بعد إصابته بفيروس كورونا أوضح: “هو بحالة جيدة، ويعاني من بعض الأعراض الخفيفة، وإن شاء الله سوف يعود قريبًا”.

It was a good day for Aston Villa as they beat Brighton 2-1 despite going behind.

Adam Webster had put the Seagulls 1-0 up after 21 minutes at Villa Park, but the Villans were boosted when Aaron Mooy was sent off just 14 minutes later. Jack Grealish then bagged the equaliser in added on time in the first half, and it looked as though Dean Smith and co would have to make do with a point.

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Fortunately for them, 24-year-old Matt Targett was on hand in the last minute of the game to score the winner and give his side all three points. It is now the newly-promoted side’s second successive victory, and they have now moved up to 11th in the table.

However, despite his match-winning moment, the Villa fans were not exactly pleased with his performance. They took to Twitter to share their thoughts, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.

Tottenham are interested in signing West Brom youngster Nathan Ferguson, according to The Sun.

Mauricio Pochettino has struggled to cope with the loss of Kieran Trippier, with the club’s failure to bring in a new addition meaning he has had to use a variety of different options at right-back, including Serge Aurier, Kyle Walker-Peters and even Moussa Sissoko.

As a result, supporters are happy to hear the news that the club is looking to improve in that area of the pitch, and many think Ferguson could be the right player to bring in.

He has burst onto the scene at the Hawthorns under new manager Slaven Bilic and featured in ten games for the Baggies this season, helping his side to the top of the Championship.

Some fans believe his hunger as a young player looking to impress will serve Spurs well currently, and they are pleased the club is taking the approach of signing a defender who they can nurture and develop.

Here are some of the reactions from supporters who are keen to see the 19-year-old join.

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Some QPR fans have taken to Twitter to name Nahki Wells and Jordan Hugill as the Championship’s most ‘dynamic duo’, after a tweet from Sky Bet’s Twitter account called on supporters to reveal their choice.

Along with the prolific QPR pair was Charlton’s Jonny Williams and Lyle Taylor, Blackburn’s Bradley Dack and Danny Graham, as well as Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and Tom Cairney.

In the R’s case, both of their frontman top the Championship scoring ranks with five league goals each, which bodes pretty well for the argument of them being the most dynamic duo.

Some QPR supporters certainly think they’re the best pairing.

One fan said anyone who doesn’t think the pair are the best duo in the league doesn’t “know football”, while another supporter asked how it was even a question seeing as Wells and Hugill are both at the top of the scoring charts.

Let’s take a look at some more of the Twitter reaction…

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Ray Parlour has spoken out positively about his time at the club and in the city.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the 46-year-old reflected fondly on the time he spent on Teesside, having relocated completely from London after spending more than a dozen years in Arsenal’s first team.

When talking about his time with Middlesbrough, Parlour told talkSPORT: “I loved it, it was fantastic to live up there for a couple of years; great people, nice surroundings, it was great”, with those quotes shared on Twitter by @GazetteBoro.

The 10-cap England international, who has been nicknamed ‘the Romford Pele’, came to ‘Boro on a free transfer from Arsenal in 2004 and was a member of the squad that reached the UEFA Cup final in 2006, although he did not play in the 0-4 defeat to Sevilla in Eindhoven.

He made 58 appearances in two and a half seasons at the Riverside Stadium before being released from his contract in January 2007, going on to have a brief stint at Hull to finish out his professional career.

These Middlesbrough fans on Twitter were appreciative of Parlour’s reflections on his ‘Boro days:

Do you have any favourite memories of Parlour at Middlesbrough? Let us know your views in the comments section below!