Football
Champions League ‘considering THREE huge format changes next season’
UEFA is considering significant adjustments to the Champions League format for the 2025/26 season, despite only recently rolling out the Swiss model for the league phase. According to reports from Germany, three major changes are under discussion, with a key meeting scheduled to take place in Munich next month ahead of the tournament final.

One of the proposals aims to address concerns raised by Arsenal regarding home advantage in the knockout stages. Under current rules, teams that finish in the top eight of the league phase skip the play-offs and are guaranteed a home fixture for the second leg of their last 16 ties. However, this advantage does not carry over to the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
This season, Arsenal—who placed third in the league phase—had to travel to Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu for the second leg of their quarter-final and will again be away for their semi-final return leg against PSG.
In contrast, Madrid (11th) and PSG (15th), both lower-ranked, had to win a play-off to reach the round of 16. Arsenal argues that higher-ranked teams should retain the second-leg home advantage throughout all knockout rounds, a view that has gained support among fans who believe playing the second leg at home offers a tangible edge.
UEFA is also exploring the idea of eliminating extra-time altogether. In a bid to reduce player fatigue and injury risk, especially with the demanding club and international schedules, matches that end in a draw after 90 minutes could go straight to penalties. This change would mark a major shift in how tight knockout ties are decided.
The third change under consideration focuses on limiting domestic clashes in the tournament. Previously, teams from the same country could not face each other in the group stage or the round of 16. However,
the current Swiss format only prevents these matchups during the league phase.
As a result, this season saw PSG vs. Brest, Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen, and Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid in the early knockout rounds. UEFA is reportedly concerned that domestic encounters are less appealing to international audiences and broadcasters, prompting a potential reinstatement of the previous restrictions.

These proposals will be presented to the Club Competitions Committee, with discussions scheduled just a day before the Champions League final.
If approved, the changes would take effect for the next season, potentially reshaping the competitive dynamics of Europe’s premier club tournament.
Football
‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer
Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.
The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.
In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.
The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.
Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.
Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.
Football
Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider
Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.
In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.
The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.
With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.
Football
Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.
A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.
Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.
Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.
Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.
After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.
Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.
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