UEFA Champions League
Champions League: Man United travels to Bayern; Real Madrid without Carvajal against Berlin
A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Wednesday:
Bayern Munich vs. Manchester United (Group A)
Manchester United will be without injured defenders Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as they face the daunting trip to Munich.
The season has not started as planned for Erik ten Hag’s team after opening the Premier League with three losses in their first five games.
Bayern, which have won the last 11 Bundesliga titles in a row, will measure their success this season on how far they progresses in the Champions League.
The Bavarian powerhouse are as yet unbeaten this season, though did drop their first points in a 2-2 draw at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
Galatasaray host Copenhagen in the other group game.
Arsenal vs. PSV Eindhoven (Group B)
After qualifying for the Champions League for 19 straight years under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal have had to wait six years to get back into the competition.
And it’s clear the team have been looking forward to this moment. The Champions League theme tune was blaring from the speakers in the gym at the club’s training center this week, striker Gabriel Jesus said.
Jesus could make his first start of the season following a knee injury, while manager Mikel Arteta will have to decide how many other players to rotate ahead of a crucial north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
PSV have won all four of their league games so far and cannot be taken lightly, having scored 13 goals while conceding just one in that stretch.
Sevilla host Lens in the other group game.
Real Madrid vs. Union Berlin (Group C)
Real Madrid will be without right back Dani Carvajal against newcomer Union Berlin at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Carvajal was injured in training on Tuesday.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti said Lucas Vazquez will be Carvajal’s replacement. Forward Vinicius Junior had already been ruled out because of an injury.
The record 14-time European champions are making their 27th consecutive appearance in the competition’s group stage, while Union Berlin are making their tournament debut.
Madrid started the season with five straight wins in the Spanish league.
Braga vs. Napoli (Group C)
Napoli blew their opponents apart in last year’s group stage – winning five of their six matches and scoring 20 goals.
That was part of a fantastic season for the Italian club, which saw they end a 33-year wait for the Serie A title.
However, they changed coach in the offseason with Rudi Garcia coming in for Luciano Spalletti – who left the club saying he needed a break before replacing Roberto Mancini as Italy coach following the latter’s sudden resignation.
Napoli won their first two matches under Garcia before losing to Lazio and having to fight back from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw at Genoa last weekend.
Braga lost at the weekend but had opened the Portuguese season with a draw and a win.
Their last Champions League appearance was in 2012 when they won just one of their group stage matches.
Real Sociedad vs. Inter Milan (Group D)
Last season’s runner-up Inter Milan head into their Champions League opener at Real Sociedad coming off a 5-1 win over city rival AC Milan in the derby on Saturday to maintain their perfect start to the season – the only team in Serie A to have won all their four matches.
That goal was the only one Inter have conceded so far this campaign. New signing Marcus Thuram has particularly impressed.
Inter will be without one of their key players, however, as midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has been ruled out of the trip to Spain with a thigh strain.
Sociedad lost at Real Madrid at the weekend.
They drew their first three matches before beating Granada in the previous round. This is Sociedad’s first season in the Champions League in 10 years. The last time it made it out of the group stage was in the 2003-04 season.
Benfica vs. Salzburg (Group D)
The Portuguese champion host the Austrian champion in a meeting between two teams with an eye on getting out of the group at Sociedad or Inter’s expense.
Benfica was a Champions League quarterfinalist in each of the last two seasons and Salzburg reached the last 16 in 2021-22.
-AP
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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UEFA Champions League
PEPSI GOALFEST 2025: Record-Breaking UCL Final, Unforgettable Fan Experience!

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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