#champions-league

#champions-league

The first leg of the Champions League play-off round threw up some surprises - and some sides already have one foot into the round of 16 after establishing commanding leads. So with the second leg of those games still to follow, how does the draw for the next round look like shaking out? With the tracks already half-set, each side that progresses will go into the draw knowing they can only face one of two sides each,

That's according to former Everton chief Keith Wyness, who told Football Insider that this could end up being a challenging summer for the Reds. Liverpool spent big in the transfer market last summer, bringing in big names like Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike as exciting signings for the present and future. It could be harder for Liverpool to continue progressing next season if they don't get that bonus cash from being in the Champions League, according to Wyness.

It means Lautaro got injured, it's pretty serious. I think he is hurt and he will be out for a while.

Goals from Costinha and Mehdi Taremi earned Olympiacos a 2-0 win over Leverkusen back in January (Image credit: Jorg Schuler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images) Watch Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen today as the UEFA Champions League play-off games begin, with all the details on live streaming and TV coverage right here in this guide. Olympiacos and Bayer Leverkusen face off again, with the hosts currently holding the bragging rights.

Vinicius Junior and his teammates appeared ready to walk off and the game was put on hold for 10 minutes after the Brazilian told the referee that he had been subject to racist abuse after scoring the goal that gives Real Madrid a 1-0 first-leg lead in their Champions League playoff against Benfica. Vinicius had celebrated the strike dancing in the corner of the Estadio da Luz and in the confrontations that followed, Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni said something to him while covering his mouth.

He was booked for his celebrations and items were thrown towards him from the stands. Television pictures showed a heated exchange between Vinicius and Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni. The forward then spoke to referee Francois Letexier and went and sat down in the dugout as play was halted for around 10 minutes. Letexier made a crossed arms gesture to signal racist abuse.

Luka Modric will have the final say regarding his future, but AC Milan hope that a Champions League fairytale could tempt him. Modric signed a one-year deal when he arrived from Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer mercato, but with the option for an extra 12 months. At the time of his signing it was known that the Ballon d'Or winner would be the one to make a call on 2026-27, and he has been brilliant so far.

Arsenal are firmly in the race for every trophy this season.