UEFA Champions League
Arsenal favourites against Bayern but Arteta wary of Kane threat
In-form Arsenal will be seeking to set the record straight when they face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday but will be wary of a familiar face who simply loves scoring against the Gunners.
The last time the two clubs clashed in the competition in 2017, Bayern Munich won both legs of their last-16 tie 5-1 — a humiliating outcome that underlined Arsenal’s decline
Arsenal only returned to the Champions League this season and have thrived, reaching their first quarter-final since the 2009-10 season while challenging for the Premier League title.
Such is their form and Bayern’s current struggles that they will go up against the six-times champions as favourites to set up a clash against either Manchester City or Real Madrid.
But the sight of former Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane in Munich’s ranks will be a concern for the home faithful.
Kane scored a record 14 goals in 19 north London derbies and the England captain will be fired-up to bring his former team’s rivals and current Premier League leaders back down to earth.
“When you look at his numbers over the past 10 years they are unbelievable,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told reporters on Monday. “He can score in many different ways.
“He has got the service and the players around him as well to provide those opportunities… But it’s not only him but the 10 other individuals that they have.
“We know the individual qualities of those players, and him in particular. The ability he has. The best thing is to collectively prevent certain things.”
BELOW STANDARD
While Arsenal are potentially seven matches away from winning their first English title for 20 years, Bayern have fallen way short of their normal standards in the Bundesliga and are 16 points behind runaway leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Their manager Thomas Tuchel will leave at the end of the season but, despite his problems, Arteta is a big fan of the German who won the Champions League with Chelsea.
“They are a top team. I am a big admirer of Thomas. The way his teams set up, the way they play, the way they transmit,” Arteta said. “I have learned a lot from him.”
The Spaniard is not reading too much into Bayern’s disappointing league season, saying they are still an imposing hurdle.
“Football is such a competitive environment and so difficult to be consistent that this can happen to anybody,” he said of the form which saw Bayern lose to Heidenheim at the weekend.
Bayern will have no fans at The Emirates on Tuesday as punishment for fireworks being thrown in the previous round against Lazio and Arteta has called on the home supporters to make the atmosphere a cauldron.
“A full house! A lot of passion and emotion. We haven’t had this opportunity for 15 years, so that tells you how special this night is going to be for us,” Arteta said.
Asked if he would be quizzing Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso about how to beat Bayern, Arteta was tight-lipped.
“Great question but I’m not going to answer that!” he said.
-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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