UEFA Champions League
Benzema returns as Real eye Champions League knockout stage
Real Madrid will focus on sealing a place in the Champions League knockout stage with a win against Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw on Tuesday and striker Karim Benzema will be back in the team to help, coach Carlo Ancelotti said
Real Madrid are top of Group F on a maximum nine points from three games and a win against second-placed Shakhtar — on five points — will take them into the knockout phase.
“Qualifying from the group stage is the first goal of the season because it comes very early, very fast and the sooner we do it, the better,” Ancelotti told a news conference on Monday.
“Clearly, mentally, this can give you more energy for the (Spanish league). But we also have to keep in mind that Real Madrid in the Champions League can’t think about not playing a serious match.”
The Italian coach confirmed there would be changes to his team ahead of ‘El Clasico’ against rivals Barcelona on Sunday.
While Ancelotti said he may rest forward Vinicius Jr., who scored in their 2-1 win over Shakhtar in Madrid and has played a lot recently, Benzema will return after being given a rest in the 1-0 win at Getafe on Saturday in LaLiga
“Karim is fine. It’s quite clear that tomorrow he will start the game. He’s going to play because he’s rested — like (Toni) Kroos, (Ferland) Mendy, they’re fresh to play,” Ancelotti said.
Frenchman Benzema, who suffered two thigh injuries early in September, played the full 90 minutes against Osasuna and Shakhtar but had muscle fatigue so did not play at Getafe.
COURTOIS MISSING
In Warsaw, where Shakhtar are hosting their Champions League matches due to the war in Ukraine, Real will still be without first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois so Ukraine’s Andriy Lunin will continue to deputise.
The Belgian is set to return to training on Thursday, however, and should be ready to face Barca, Ancelotti said.
“(Lunin) is young, has a lot of quality, these games will help him to accumulate experience and knowledge — which are the only thing he lacks at the moment because his quality in goal is the quality of a great goalkeeper,” Ancelotti added.
Asked how the 23-year-old Lunin was coping with news from Ukraine about the war, which Russia calls a ‘special military operation’, Real’s coach said both himself and the team were there to support him.
“Andriy is quite shy, he is not a person who talks too much. It is normal that everything that is happening affects him, as it affects everyone,” Ancelotti said.
“We are in solidarity with them (Shakhtar) and we have a lot of respect for them,” he added.
“To play with these kind of difficulties means a lot to them, to give a good image of a Ukrainian team that is suffering like the whole Ukrainian population”.
-Reuters
UEFA Champions League
TikTokers spend 27 hours in stadium toilet to watch Champions League final for free
A pair of Belgian TikTokers say they spent 27 hours in an Allianz Arena toilet last weekend before watching Paris St Germain beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final for free.
Neal Remmerie and Senne Haverbeke told VRT News they managed to get into the Munich stadium the day before the match and hid in a toilet cubicle.
After sticking a homemade “Out of Order” sign on the door, the pair waited in silence for more than a day as stadium staff used the facility.
“We had a backpack with snacks and we played around on our phones to kill time,” Remmerie told the Belgian public broadcaster.
“The lights were on all the time and the sitting position was uncomfortable, so sleeping was almost impossible. That made it physically and mentally difficult.”
Once they heard fans starting to use the toilets on matchday, the pair left their bolthole and made their way past ticket inspectors to join the 86,600 crowd in the stands.
“We looked carefully at which security guard was paying the least attention. While on the phone and with food in our hands, we just walked on, and suddenly we were inside,” Remmerie added.
“PSG won 5-0 and we were also in the supporters’ section of the winning team. It was the most beautiful football match we have ever seen.”
The Allianz Arena and UEFA did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Those fans who made their way into the match more conventionally had to pay anywhere from 90 to 950 euros ($100-$1,100) for their tickets.
-Reuters
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UEFA Champions League
How Heineken Scored a Five-Star UEFA Champions League Experience for Nigerian Fans
Indeed, it was an evening where football merged with lifestyle. Nigerian music stars Fido and Wande Coal brought their A-game, performing crowd favourites that had fans singing along and dancing well into the night.
Their live performances added vibrant colour to an already electrifying evening, keeping the energy alive after the final whistle.
Hard core fans cut across gender, as displayed by the ladies during the Heineken Watch Party in at the Lagos Continental Hotel last Saturday
Adding star power to the experience was ex-Super Eagles striker Julius Aghahowa, who mingled freely with guests, posed for pictures, and shared expert insight on the game, delighting fans with his presence and personal touch.
“This year’s UEFA Champions League final is not just a match—it’s a cultural moment,” said Maria Shadeko, Portfolio Manager for Premium Beer at Nigerian Breweries. “We’re blending world-class football with unforgettable lifestyle experiences. Through our activities, we’re celebrating the real hardcore fans—the ones who make the game magical from wherever they are.”
Shadeko added that Heineken’s goal is to ensure Nigerian fans feel seen and celebrated. “They may not be in Munich, but they’re just as important to the spirit of the game. That’s why we go all out—every year—to make this night one to remember.”
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The roar of the crowd, the thrill of every shot, and the ultimate victory! Last Saturday night, Pepsi brought the UEFA Champions League 2025 final to life at the Pepsi GoalFest 2025, where PSG dominated Inter Milan in a stunning 5-0 victory, setting a new record for goals in a final.
The Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos was completely transformed into an electrifying arena, with a dominant wave of the iconic Pepsi blue.
Football fanatics experienced passion like never before. Inside and around the venue, fans engaged in thrilling football-themed games, moved to the beats of electrifying music, and stayed refreshed with Pepsi.
The energy soared as Dj Yk Mule, Mayorkun, and Do2tun delivered show-stopping performances, all powered by Pepsi.
It wasn’t just a game; it was an immersive celebration of football, an unforgettable night where every cheer, every goal, and every moment was refreshed by Pepsi!
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