UEFA Champions League
Wounded Manchester United are a threat to Bayern, warns Kane
Harry Kane’s first Champions League game for Bayern Munich will be against familiar opposition on Wednesday when Manchester United visit the Allianz Arena and the England striker has warned against reading too much into their poor form.
While Kane has scored four goals already in the Bundesliga and Bayern are level on points with the leaders, United have lost three of their opening five games, including last weekend’s 3-1 home reverse against Brighton and Hove Albion.
United manager Erik ten Hag is already under scrutiny and things could get a lot more uncomfortable for the Dutchman if they suffer defeat against the six-time European champions in one of the standout fixtures of the opening week.
Kane, who played in five Champions League campaigns with Tottenham Hotspur before signing for Bayern in the close season, said underestimating United would be dangerous.
“They’ve been going through a tough spell recently but sometimes that can make a team dangerous because they want to respond,” the 30-year-old Kane, who was reportedly a target for Manchester United, told reporters on Tuesday.
“We’re at home and want to control the game but we need to be careful of their threat. I don’t think about form because every game can be different. There can be big response from teams going through a difficult spell.”
Kane’s England team mates Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire will both be in the squad, although Maguire has made only one substitute appearance for United this season.
Kane believes the defender has been treated badly.
“I think H has come under some unnecessary scrutiny,” the striker said. “He has probably been scapegoated a bit.
“He is a really good friend of mine, a great guy and a really hard working professional. He has been one of England’s best defenders over recent times and in England’s history.”
TOTTENHAM START
Kane said he was delighted to see Spurs start the season strongly but added that his only focus now was winning trophies with Bayern Munich and helping them to European glory again.
They last won the Champions League in 2020 against a Paris St Germain side managed by current Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel.
“Time will tell. For sure there is a reason Bayern brought me here,” Kane said. “They are eager to get back to winning the Champions League. They feel I can be a big help and I feel like I can help as well. We have to focus on the group stage.”
Tuchel, who took Chelsea to the Champions League title in 2021, described Kane as a “difference maker”.
“In time he will make players around him better and will learn how to make them shine. He will assist and not only score. He will be the difference and he’s already the difference,” Tuchel, who will serve a touchline ban on Wednesday, said.
“He is very important and that’s why we relied heavily on this transfer and I’m 100% convinced he will prove us right.”
Tuchel, who was sacked by Chelsea last year, has some sympathy for United’s current plight ahead of the Group A game.
“There’s always a lot of noise around Man United. A lot of pundits in the UK are (ex players) from Manchester United. You’ve a legacy from (their former manager) Alex Ferguson which creates expectations,” he said.
“We can never be sure about Manchester United and we need to control the game. They can be very dangerous.”
-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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