Champions League

Europa League Might Actually Be Fun To Watch In 2018

Welcome to the second tier, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid. Sure you’ve been a part of three of the last five Champions League finals, but sweet Thursday night road trips are in your future after finishing third in your respective UCL groups to earn the Europa League parachute. 

Atletico played in the Champions League final in 2014 and 2016, losing to crosstown rival Real Madrid both times. Los Colchoneros are ranked No. 2 in UEFA’s club coefficients, a rating score based on the previous five seasons of European play.

Bayern Munich Proved They Can Beat PSG, But They Still Couldn't Win Their Group

Bayern-PSG ended with the Parisians taking their second loss this week. Bayern's 3-1 victory was more of a victory in the moral sense, as they had basically no chance of winning the group thanks to goal differential. However, Bayern can hold their heads high knowing they can still compete with the best teams in Europe. As recently as a few months ago that was debatable.

It was all Lil B's doing, obviously.

When Do The Champions League Knockout Rounds Begin?

The battle for the Champions League group stage is over. The battle for the Champions League knockout rounds is about to begin. But we have to wait a couple months. 

The final group stage matches on Wednesday set the teams for the Champions League Round of 16, with eight group winners and eight group runners-up facing off. The draw to determine the matchups will be held on Dec. 11 in Nyon, Switzerland.

Watch Paul Pogba Creatively Eliminate 8 Defenders From An Attacking Situation

Manchester United wrapped up top spot in UEFA Champions League Group A on Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford. Moscow took a shock first half lead before Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford scored in quick succession to restore their side’s advantage for good.

The Super Club World Cup Would Be The Avengers Version Of The Club World Cup

FIFA wants to do away with the limited-appeal Confederations Cup. Perhaps enamored by the financial success of the Avengers movies, FIFA wants to follow suit with a 24-team Super Club World Cup. The summer tournament would bring in the best clubs from around the world every four years like some sort of Infinity War, because super heroes are better than regular, old, boring heroes. 

Juventus Stadium’s Ovation For Andres Iniesta Will Bring A Tear To Your Eye

Barcelona’s assured display in a 0-0 draw with Juventus on Wednesday guaranteed the Blaugrana top spot in Champions League Group D, and with Lionel Messi spending the better part of the opening hour on the bench in Turin, the usual Barca suspects came to the fore to help their side navigate this tricky tie. 

PSG Break Group Stage Scoring Record In 7-1 Thrashing Of Celtic

Celtic has a lot to be proud of, most notably a 64-match domestic unbeaten streak that’s left the rest of Scotland with absolutely nothing to do. But in Champions League play, the Bhoys have gotten a little taste of their own medicine. While the Scottish Premiership bows down to the might of Celtic, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga must similarly contend with Hoops’ UCL group stage opponents Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. 

Sergio Busquets Is As Cool As A Cucumber

Barcelona-Juventus ended 0-0 and Messi only made a substitute appearance, but there was plenty of incredible soccer to go around. For example, in the first half Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets found himself being pressed by Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic. Did Busquets safely pass the ball back to a center half or his goalkeeper? No. Did he panic and hoof the pall up the pitch in the general direction of Luis Suarez? No.

Instead, Busquets calmly (and slowly) gave Pjanic the ol' Zidane roulette before (still slowly) skipping away and finding Ivan Rakitic.

This Awesome Scissor-Kick Goal From Griezmann Is Tastier Than Your Momma’s Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving (if you’re in the United States) is here and while most Americans equate that with home-cooked meals, France’s Antoine Griezmann has something a little tastier for you this holiday. With Atletico Madrid needing a win to keep its Champions League hopes alive, this Griezmann goal vs Roma was more sumptuous than a well-cooked turkey and sweeter than your favorite pie fresh out of the oven. 

Griezmann struck a glorious scissor-kick goal in the 69th minute, sparking the home side to a 2-0 victory on Wednesday at the Wanda. 

Quaresma Had No Choice But To Nutmeg The Referee During A Match

We posited on Tuesday that Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino is the most disrespectful player in the game. But Firmino does his dirty deeds to opponents. Ricardo Quaresma is disrespectful to referees. Which is worse?

Before Firmino scored his naughty no-look goal against Sevilla, Besiktas winger Quaresma pulled off this little maneuver, nutmegging the assistant referee while waiting to take a corner kick against Porto in their Champions League match.

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