UEFA Champions League
Man City players to reimburse travelling fans after shock defeat in Bodo
Manchester City players will dig into their own pockets to refund travelling fans after a humiliating 3-1 Champions League defeat to Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in Arctic conditions.
The Premier League club suffered the upset on Tuesday as Bodo/Glimt secured a first Champions League victory thanks to Kasper Hogh’s quick-fire double and Jens Petter Hauge’s stunning solo effort.
City managed a consolation through Rayan Cherki, but the second-half dismissal of 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri sealed a miserable evening in the Norwegian town of Bodo.
In the aftermath, senior City players Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland issued a statement acknowledging the sacrifice of supporters who made the long journey north.
“Our supporters mean everything to us … it was a lot of travelling for the fans who supported us in the freezing cold throughout a difficult evening for us on the pitch,” they said on Wednesday.
“Covering the cost of these tickets for the fans who travelled to Bodo is the least we can do.”
They will reimburse the 374 fans a total of 9,357 pounds ($12,568) after each paid about 25 pounds per ticket.
“The City support has an incredible connection with the players on a matchday, and this gesture is yet another reminder of that relationship – it means a lot to us,” said Kevin Parker, speaking on behalf of City’s Official Supporters Club.
“We know that the players are disappointed with the defeat to Bodo, but with our next game at home on Saturday there’s a chance to get back to winning ways and our fans will be in full voice, backing the team as they always do.”
Pep Guardiola’s side, who lost 2-0 in the Premier League at Manchester United on Saturday, host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
City sit second in the Premier League with 43 points from 22 matches, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Mohamed Salah was not named in Liverpool’s 19-man squad for Tuesday’s Champions League game at Inter Milan, after the forward said he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club.
Salah, an unused substitute during Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United, lashed out at the club and coach Arne Slot after the match, telling reporters that he had been made a scapegoat for their poor start to the season, as champions Liverpool sit ninth in the Premier League.
The Egypt international trained with the Liverpool squad on Monday morning.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Arsenal’s Luis Munoz became the youngest player to feature in a UEFA Youth League match on Wednesday when the 13-year-old came off the bench in the closing stages of their 4-2 win over Bayern Munich in the under-19 competition.
Munoz, who does not turn 14 until December 18, replaced Kyran Thompson in the 85th minute. The teenage midfielder beat the record set by Liam Payas, who played for Gibraltar-based Lincoln Red Imps aged 14 years and 93 days in September 2024.
Arsenal are 30th in the UEFA Youth League table, with only the top 22 teams qualifying for the knockout stages. They next face Belgian side Club Brugge on December 10.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Galatasaray made the most of a litany of errors by Norwegian visitors Bodo/Glimt as they cruised to a 3-1 home win in the Champions League on Wednesday, with striker Victor Osimhen netting twice for the Turkish side in the first half.
UEFA Champions League – Galatasaray v Bodo/Glimt – RAMS Park, Istanbul, Turkey – October 22, 2025 Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Osimhen wasted no time giving the home side an early lead, sweeping a sumptuous first-time finish past Nikita Haikin in the third minute as the Norwegian side was quickly punished for giving the ball away cheaply in midfield.
Osimhen doubled his tally in the 33rd minute after another error. Under pressure as he ran infield, Bodo left-back Fredrik Bjorkan inexplicably passed the ball straight to Osimhen in a central position, and the forward gratefully tucked the ball away.
UEFA Champions League – Galatasaray v Bodo/Glimt – RAMS Park, Istanbul, Turkey – October 22, 2025 Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen in action REUTERS/Murad Sezer
Bodo created some decent chances of their own but were made to pay again on the hour mark as centre-back Haitam Aleesami was robbed just outside his penalty area by Osimhen, and Yunus Akgun was able to score at the second attempt to make it 3-0.
Osimhen had plenty of opportunities to complete his hat-trick but he was thwarted by keeper Haikin, and Bodo substitute Andreas Helmersen was able to head home a close-range consolation goal in the 76th minute as his side finished strongly.
With seven games kicking off later on Wednesday, the win leaves Galatasaray on six points from three games, while Bodo/Glimt have two points ahead of their home clash with Monaco of France in two weeks. Galatasaray are next away at Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam.
-Reuters
Victor Osimhen scores their second goal REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Nigeria Quarter-Final Clash Leaves Zidane’s Son Sidelined as CAF Sanctions Algeria
Senegal Players to get bonuses, land for Africa Cup of Nations win
Man City players to reimburse travelling fans after shock defeat in Bodo
- AFCON6 days ago
From AFCON Touchlines to Timeless Journeys: A Sports Reporter’s Pilgrimage to Ibn Battouta’s Museum in Tangier
- AFCON7 days ago
BREAKING! CAF bans Eto’o over AFCON conduct
- AFCON3 days ago
Senegal coach Thiaw jeered by journalists, walks out of press conference
- AFCON4 days ago
Hooves, History and Headlines: A Sports Reporter’s First Cart Ride in Marrakech
- AFCON5 days ago
Super Eagles Target Record-Extending Ninth AFCON Bronze as Nigeria Face Egypt in Casablanca
- AFCON5 days ago
Morocco Seek to End 50-Year Wait for Second AFCON Title Against Senegal
- AFCON5 days ago
Fifty Years On, Nigeria and Egypt Renew AFCON Bronze Rivalry in Casablanca
- AFCON6 days ago
A Return to Cristiano Ronaldo Hotel