UEFA Champions League
Arsenal can win the Champions League, says Henry
Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge looks shot and injuries still hamstring them but Champions League glory is within reach, according to former great Thierry Henry.
Arsenal obliterated PSV Eindhoven 7-1 away on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash and all but guaranteed a quarter-final meeting with either holders Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid next month.
Jurrien Timber, scorer of Arsenal’s opening goal, said before the trip to the Netherlands that it was a chance for Mikel Arteta’s side to change the narrative after a disappointing run of form in the Premier League.
And the dazzling display at the Philips Stadion certainly did that as Arsenal made a massive statement of intent.
Henry, Arsenal’s all-time leading goal scorer who played in the 2006 Champions League final defeat by Barcelona, believes that the title race being virtually over will allow the London club to focus squarely on Europe.
“Yes, they can (win the Champions League),” Henry told CBS Sports Golazo. “I do believe that, this is why I called it.
“I’m just saying now, show us that you can do that against a good team, with people that are coming back.
“No disrespect to Eindhoven, I really thought it was going to be difficult, especially away from home but they made it look easy. I think they had an outstanding game.”
Arsenal would be at a slight disadvantage in the quarter-final with the home leg first, but Henry said the display against PSV should fill them with confidence.
“We all know that the (Premier) League is over. Apart from if something crazy happens but what I’m trying to say is that this game can help maybe to be confident in this competition and the game that you have after, Real Madrid or Atletico,” the Frenchman said.
“Sometimes I think the path to the final can at times help or not, but if you want to win the competition you have to go through these teams.”
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Following is the possible lineup for the Champions League last 16 ahead of Friday’s draw:
* Paris St Germain or Benfica will face Liverpool or Barcelona.
* Club Brugge or Borussia Dortmund will face Aston Villa or Lille.
* Bayern Munich or Real Madrid will face Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.
* PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord will face Inter Milan or Arsenal.
-Reuters
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Atalanta striker Ademola Lookman said his coach Gian Piero Gasperini’s comments describing him as “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever seen after Tuesday’s Champions League exit were “deeply disrespectful” and hurtful.
Belgian side Club Brugge stunned Atalanta 3-1 in the second leg of their playoff tie to dump the Italian side out with a 5-2 aggregate win and reach the last 16.
Lookman pulled back one goal for Atalanta when they were 3-0 down. But the Nigerian, who has scored 15 times this season, had a penalty saved as they crashed out, after which Gasperini said Lookman was not supposed to take the penalty.
“Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo,” Lookman wrote on Instagram.
“In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here – the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first.
“This makes what happened last night even more hurtful. Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night’s result.
“During the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team I took responsibility in the moment to do so. Life’s about challenges and turning pain into power which I’ll continue to do.”
Gasperini said Lookman has a “terrible record even in training”, adding that Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere were better options to take the spot kick.
Lookman was Atalanta’s hero last season when they won the Europa League, netting a hat-trick in the final when they beat Bayer Leverkusen who had been undefeated all season.
-Reuters
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Some Manchester City fans took a not-so-subtle dig at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during Tuesday’s Champions League playoff game, displaying a banner showing City midfielder Rodri with the Ballon d’Or trophy beside the caption, “Stop crying your heart out.”
But Vinicius, who said he believed his activism against racism led to him not winning the prestigious award last year, used the mocking banner as fuel, helping Jude Bellingham score a late winner as Real clinched a 3-2 victory in the first leg of the tie.
“Yes, I saw it. At times the opposing fans do things which spur me on to put in a great performance. I did that again here tonight and we managed to win the game,” said player-of-the-match Vinicius.
Real had cancelled their plans to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony in anticipation of Vinicius not winning the men’s award, with several teammates and former Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo saying the Brazil international deserved to win.
Vinicius went on to win the FIFA player of the year 2024 award in December.
“We have to get back to Madrid and our fans will make it special,” Vinicius said after Tuesday’s win.
“The return leg will be tough but we have to keep this up and defend like we did tonight to ensure another magical night in front of our fans.”
Defending champions Real host City in the second leg game next Wednesday.
-Reuters
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