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The Champions Blog #2.17

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 THE CHAMPIONS BLOG  Just like that, another enthralling season in the Champions League has come to an end. Once again, the Champions League delivered on countless big occasions throughout the entire season, and with the final in Munich being the pinnacle of the season, all we can is "thanks for the memories". It's been quite a ride this season. This is the Champions Blog.  Saturday 31st May 2025:  Paris Saint Germain vs Inter Milan (Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany) As the streets in Munich are filled up with supporters embedded in red, blue and black, Luis Enrique and Simone Inzaghi prepare their men for arguably the biggest night of their lives. After battling their way across Europe since September, their date with destiny has arrived, with the weeks of training now behind them. Inter Milan's last final came in the 2022/23 season, just two years ago, when Simone Inzaghi's men lost 1-0 in Istanbul to hand Manchester City their first Champions League win in their ...

THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: 2024/25 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL PREVIEW: PARIS SAINT GERMAIN VS INTER MILAN

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  THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: 2024/25 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL PREVIEW: PARIS SAINT GERMAIN VS INTER MILAN  36 teams started this blockbuster of a competition back in September, which saw the dawn of a new era in the Champions League. Now, the best two teams in Europe remain. Paris Saint Germain are set to travel to Munich and raise the flag for France and look to become the first French champions since Marseille back in 1993. There, they will face Inter Milan, who raise the flag for Italy, and look to win Italy's first Champions League title since 2010. For the first time since 2004, there will be no English, Spanish or German teams in the final. In just a matter of days, one team will overcome the other and lift the European Cup either for the first time or the first time in 15 years. Will it be PSG or Inter Milan who emerge victorious in Munich? Finalist 1: Paris Saint Germain Road to Munich:  League Phase:  Girona (H): 1-0  Arsenal (A): 0-2 PSV Eindhoven (H): 1-1...

The Champions Blog #2.16

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 THE CHAMPIONS BLOG  The final for this season's Champions League has been determined as we are now just weeks away from the most enthralling and exciting game in European football this season. Over the two days, we were entertained to some of the best matches of the season in Milan and Paris, as those enthralling encounters have determined the finalists of this season Champions League. This is the Champions Blog.  Tuesday 6th:  Inter Milan vs Barcelona (San Siro, Milan, Italy) The first of two semi finals took place in the fashion capital where two sides who just couldn't be separated last time out will finally be tonight. Barcelona took to the stage against Inter Milan in the esteemed San Siro, both of which have an equal chance of making the final. In the first leg, we had one of the games of the season, as Barca came from behind twice to seal an enthralling 3-3 draw, after coming back from 2-0 down. Barca's last Champions League final came 10 years ago when they ...

The Champions Blog #2.15

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THE CHAMPIONS BLOG   First blood has been drawn in the first leg of the Champions League semi finals. We're down to the wire as the outcome of the first legs have been decided, as we've been treated to some exciting encounters between the four remaining teams, with some being halfway there to the final in Munich. This is the Champions Blog.  Tuesday April 30th:  Arsenal vs Paris Saint Germain (Emirates Stadium, London, England) The first of two semi finals took place in North London, with Arsenal hosting PSG, with hopes of making their first Champions League final since 2006. PSG's last and only appearance in a Champions League final came in a COVID- ridden 2019/20 season, where they fell short in the final is Lisbon to Bayern Munich. The Parisians and the Londoners have already faced each other this season, as the two sides met in London back in October, when Arsenal defeated the Parisians 2-0 with goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. PSG look to avenge their defeat a...

UCL Player Profile #1: Lionel Messi

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 UCL Player Profile #1: Lionel Messi  Full Name: Lionel Andrés Messi   Birth Place: Rosario, Argentina  Nationality: Argentinian  DOB: 24th June 1987 UCL Debut: 7th December 2004 vs Shakhtar Donetsk (aged 17) UCL Titles: 4 (2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15) Goals: 129 (120 - Barcelona, 9 - PSG) First UCL Goal: 2nd November 2005 vs Panathinaikos  Last UCL Goal: 25th October 2022 vs Maccabi Haifa  Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest ever player to grace the game, and he was one of the greatest to ever play in the Champions League, smashing for records in his prime well helping Barcelona to four Champions League titles between his tenure at the club from 2004 to 2021. As always, all good things come to an end, as Messi had to say goodbye to his boyhood club, shocking the football world tremendously. However, Messi wasn't done with the Champions League, as he made a move to Paris Saint Germain in the summer of '21. Moments of magic plus a forward trio ...

The Champions Blog #2.11

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   THE CHAMPIONS BLOG  Some of Europe's best teams are back in action in the Champions League as we saw teams win big and have already put themselves one foot into the quarter finals. Over Tuesday and Wednesday night, we were treated to wins by massive amounts, lots of drama and some great goals. This is the Champions Blog.  Tuesday 4th:  Club Brugge vs Aston Villa (Jan Breydal Stadium, Brugge, Belgium) Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid (Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain) PSV vs Arsenal (Phillips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands) Borussia Dortmund vs Lille (Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany) The week started off with four matches, but arguably the most eye catching one was PSV's encounter with Arsenal. The Gunners haven't really been at their best domestically, but in Europe, they've been proven to be a formidable force. With big names like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines due to injury, Arsenal have had to rely on their young st...

The Champions Blog: ROUND OF 16 DRAW SPECIAL

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The Champions Blog: ROUND OF 16 DRAW SPECIAL Once again, the Round of 16 is set to provide us with some mouthwatering games, with every game set to captivate the audience. Some of the matches we have in store will be absolute blockbusters for the final 16 teams that we have left in the Champions League. Former Bayern Munich striker, Giovane Élber, helped out with the draw in Nyon, as the 16 teams have learnt their fate, and the route to Munich is set into motion. This is the Champions Blog: Round of 16 Special.  Game 1: Aston Villa vs Club Brugge  In the first confirmed game of the last 16, we have Aston Villa of England, against the only Belgian team left in the competition, Club Brugge. Villa qualified for their first Champions League campaign since the 1982-83 season, and have done pretty well, repeating their 1982 final win, defeating Bayern Munich on match day 2, 1-0. Going into match day 8, Villa were sitting just outside of the top 8 places, but hat-trick hero, Morgan R...