UEFA Champions League
Barcelona eye Champions league knockout stage as they face Shakhtar
Barcelona will seek to clinch a place in the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time in three seasons when they face Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk in Hamburg on Tuesday.
The Spaniards, who beat Shakhtar 2-1 at home last month, top Group H with nine points from three games. They are three points above rivals Porto and six ahead of the Ukrainians in third.
A victory on Tuesday will secure Xavi Hernandez’s side a top-two finish, earning them a place in the knockout phase for the first time since 2020-21 when they reached the last 16 and were eliminated by Paris St Germain.
“We have done our homework. Nine out of nine (points) so far, an ideal record and tomorrow we have to confirm our qualification,” Xavi told a press conference on Monday.
“We have a chance and we mustn’t let it slip away. The second objective is to go through as top of the group, we have it in our hands”.
Barca were eliminated in the group stage in the two previous campaigns of Europe’s elite club competition, finishing third and dropping into the Europa League on both occasions.
Having lost only once so far this season — 2-1 at home to Real Madrid in LaLiga — Barcelona struggled at Real Sociedad in LaLiga on Saturday, where Ronald Araujo scored the winning header in stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 victory.
“We need to dominate the game more and that means pressing high and aggressively,” Xavi said.
“The first half wasn’t acceptable but even without being good we reduced the deficit to Real Madrid and (leapfrogged) Atletico Madrid and that should be a turning point.”
Shakhtar are hosting their European matches in Hamburg this season, after choosing Warsaw in 2022-23, due to the war in Ukraine, which Russia calls a ‘special military operation’.
“We know it’s a difficult situation. They have had a long trip with the circumstances they have but we are here to compete and play football,” said Barca defender Jules Kounde.
“They play well with the ball if you don’t press them. At the Camp Nou we did well in the first half but not so well in the second. It wasn’t a comfortable game. Tomorrow we’ll try to play a complete game and press well”.
-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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