UEFA Champions League
MAN CITY HUNGRY BUT LYON WON’T BE EASY MEAT IN LAST-8 CLASH
Despite winning every domestic trophy since the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008, the biggest slight on Manchester City has been their lack of European pedigree.
Aside from winning the now-defunct Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1970, the English Premier League side have never tasted success on the continent.
Even the injection of funds to become the world’s first billion-dollar football club has not helped City shed their underachieving tag in Europe, having only once reached the last four of the Champions League in 2016.
But there may be no better year than this for City to finally stamp their mark as three of the four semi-finalists will be seeking their maiden European Cup.
Admitting they need to win the trophy to truly establish themselves as European powerhouses, defender Kyle Walker told the club website: “If you had asked me two years ago when I signed here (from Tottenham), I would have probably said that the Premier League was the big one for me, having not won it before.
“Now I have collected two of them and a number of others and this (the Champions League) is the one that I want. I can probably speak on behalf of the whole squad and Manchester City as well for what they need to put them onto that next pedestal.”
Last Friday, Pep Guardiola’s men eliminated 13-time champions Real Madrid 4-2 on aggregate in the last 16 and are firm favourites heading into today’s quarter-final clash against Lyon.
Walker, though, has warned his side not to overlook the Ligue 1 team, who are brimming with confidence after knocking out Serie A champions Juventus on away goals.
“Lyon have got good players. Knocking out Juventus speaks volumes. You need to be a very good team, very disciplined to beat Juventus over two legs,” he said.
The England international has every reason to be cautious. In the previous competition, they played each other in the group stage and Lyon were unbeaten both times, winning 2-1 at the Etihad and drawing 2-2 at home.
The bulk of that Lyon side is still intact and while their days as France’s dominant team have become a distant memory since the 2011 Qatari takeover of Paris Saint-Germain, Rudi Garcia’s unheralded team should not be underestimated.
They were seventh when the Ligue 1 season ended with 10 rounds left in late April because of the coronavirus pandemic.
That means unless Garcia’s men can lift their first Champions League title, they will not be playing in Europe next term for the first time since the 1996-97 season, and that hunger to put things right is fuelling them.
Only once have Lyon made it beyond this stage – they lost to Bayern Munich in the 2010 semi-finals, but their French coach feels they are here on merit.
“We wanted to get to the ‘Final Eight’ in Lisbon and here we are,” said Garcia. “We are the outsiders now but that suits us.”
Their best player, as was the case two years ago, remains former Manchester United forward Memphis Depay, who has scored six goals in as many appearances in Europe this campaign, and sporting director Juninho Pernambucano believes the team “are ready to do great things”.
Beating City would fall into that category, and they have done that before.
AFP/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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