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Ajax head coach Erik Ten Hag has revealed the reason he named reported Inter and Arsenal target Andre Onana in his squad for the Caf Champions League.

The 25-year-old Cameroon international is the subject of transfer interest with the Italian giants the latest to join the race for his services.

Arsenal, Tottenham, Lyon, and Borussia Dortmund have all shown an interest in the custodian, according to reports, who has less than 12 months left on his current contract.

A potential transfer could be decided during the January 2022 transfer window. Despite the interest from other clubs, the Dutch tactician has revealed his intentions to keep the star beyond his current contract.

“I think it is best for all parties to extend his contract and I also recommended this to Onana,” Ten Hag said as quoted by Sempreinter. “The contract extension is definitely an option for me, but at the end [Ajax Sporting Director] Marc Overmars and the player will take care of it together.”

He went on, “Onana will definitely take my advice into account, and then he and his entourage will have to decide.”

Ten Hag further explained the 25-year-old is still in Ajax’s plans for this season once he returns from the doping ban which he is currently serving.

“We put him on the squad list for the Champions League and this has not been done without reason. I am very grateful to him for what he has done for Ajax and for me in recent years. If the club needs him, I will definitely push for him to be able to stay on with him.”

In a recent interview, Ajax Director Marc Overmars revealed the player will probably not extend his stay by saying: "You can never say never in football [about him renewing his contract], but at the moment I do not see that he extends his contract with us.

"We have been very clear. We have spent a lot of time negotiating to extend his contract, but it did not work. We then gave him the space to move during the summer and it did not work either. He can leave in January, otherwise, he will leave for free next June."

Although Chelsea progressed through the Group Stage serenely enough, few had them down as favourites for the Champions League trophy this time last season.

Not only were results in league play leaving a lot to be desired, but there was also the acknowledgement that Frank Lampard’s lack of tactical rigour would not cut it when the water level rose to a sufficiently high mark.

The dynamic quickly shifted upon the appointment of Thomas Tuchel, with the German installing a solid, disciplined shape and imbuing a group assembled at great cost with the nous to make a deep run.

In the end, the Blues were worthy winners, beating Manchester City in the Final to make an important point: even in the era of player power, organization and strategy still remains the biggest factor for triumph on the biggest stage.

With Romelu Lukaku added to the mix, Chelsea look an even more fearsome proposition, and it is easy to envisage the team getting stronger the more time Tuchel has to work his magic.

That would afford more chances to impress for silky playmaker Hakim Ziyech, whose performances to this point have been mostly decorative, and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who was a key man in the Blues' European success.

The pair are the sole African representatives at a club that has, over the years, had its fair share of top performers from the continent.

Who though are the realistic African challengers to Ziyech and Mendy’s Chelsea setting up a European dynasty?

Contenders

Having finally broken their quarter-final hoodoo two seasons ago, French giants Paris Saint-Germain have steadily built themselves up to contender status in the Champions League.

The sacking of Tuchel did not impair them to a significant degree in Europe, as they avenged their 2019/20 Final defeat to Bayern Munich en route to semi-final elimination at the hands of Manchester City.

Idrissa Gueye, despite concerns over his aptitude and performances against the bigger teams in the latter stages of the competition, remains a vital cog in the machine at Parc des Princes, and has actually begun the season in fine form.

The versatility of Senegal’s Abdou Diallo has compensated somewhat for the absence of Juan Bernat and the inconsistency of Layvin Kurzawa, and could also be key if PSG are to make deep progress in the competition.

If the signing of Lionel Messi elevates them to the status of favourites, then the impact that Cristiano Ronaldo could have at Manchester United cannot be overlooked.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus man is almost synonymous with the competition, and could not only provide the blockbuster attacking output the Red Devils have so craved, but also mentor Ivoirian youngster Amad Diallo. Eric Bailly, while essentially bumped down to fourth choice on account of the signing of Raphael Varane, could also be a factor in any success United have in the competition.

Bayern Munich have a new manager at the helm in Julian Nagelsmann, and will need to get to grips quickly with his methods. Much of their success will however continue to ride on Robert Lewandowski’s goals, but if the Pole is indisposed, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting displayed his aptitude as a replacement at points during last season’s competition, and should be able to do so again.

There is of course the Liverpool factor, with Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Joel Matip and Naby Keita flying the flag for Africa.

For all the apparent dissatisfaction over the level of investment in the first team squad, the Reds have reached two finals in the last five years, and on their day have the firepower and defensive strength to hold their own against any opponent.

African MVP

Last season, Edouard Mendy produced a number of solid displays in goal for Chelsea, challenging the stereotype around African goalkeepers with assurance.

He will again be crucial in marshalling a parsimonious rearguard if Tuchel’s men make a proper fist of defending their title.

However, it is about time Sevilla had a real run in the Champions League.

Their modus operandi of simply using the competition as a means to bypass the Europa League Group Stage has grown a little old, and they genuinely have the quality and depth – as well as a kind enough draw – to win their group comfortably.

Look then for Youssef En-Nesyri to continue to build on last season’s performances. The Moroccan is probably just a notch below world-class, but he is improving all the time (he saw off competition from Luuk de Jong, who has now joined Barcelona) and is now established as Sevilla’s undisputed number 9. In a group with Lille, Salzburg and Wolfsburg, he may well fill his boots.

African tie of the Group Stage

Liverpool vs Porto

This is a meeting chock full of African interests, and which raises a number of questions.

Last season, Chancel Mbemba led a terrific rearguard action to shut out Manchester City in the Group Stage. Will they be able to repeat the trick?

Will left-back Zaidu Sanusi regain his place in the starting eleven in order to face up to Mohamed Salah?

Did Porto make the right choice letting Moussa Marega leave, and will they be able to pose the same level of threat without him as they did last season against the likes of Juventus and Chelsea?

Will the efforts of Wilson Manafa or Guinea-Bissau defender Nanu be enough to keep Sadio Mane in check?

Young Stars to Watch

In truth, Noussair Mazraoui is hardly an unknown quantity. In fact, since Ajax’s improbable run to the semi-final stage four years ago, the Moroccan has arguably stalled in his development. However, on the basis of his form so far this season, the 23-year-old seems to have rediscovered his spark, and looks set to explode once more in the Champions League this season.

In a forgiving group featuring Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Club, two teams particularly susceptible to wide attacks based on their tactical shape, Mazraoui could hold the key to Ajax’s progress.

RB Leipzig’s signing of Ilaix Moriba rescued the Guinean from contract hell at Barcelona.

It is an investment that could reap immediate rewards: the 18-year-old midfielder was impressive in his breakthrough season at Camp Nou, and remains one of the brightest prospects in world football in his position.

With a manager in Jesse Marsch who has earned a reputation for bringing through young stars, and within an environment that supports a technical, high-pressing brand of football, Moriba could flourish in the Champions League Group Stage.

Villarreal manager Unai Emery has confirmed winger Samuel Chukwueze is far from making a return to active football.

The 22-year-old Nigeria international has been out of action since picking an injury during the Yellow Submarine’s Europa League semi-final clash against Arsenal which ended 0-0 at the Emirates Stadium on May 6.

The injury saw the Super Eagle miss Villarreal’s Europa League final victory over Manchester United at the Stadion Gdansk in Poland, and also the team’s Super Cup defeat to Chelsea in August.

He underwent successful surgery on May 31 at Hospital Quironsalud in Barcelona but despite reports indicating he had resumed training with the team, Emery has provided an update that has ruled him out of the team’s opening match in the Champions League against Atalanta BC.

“He's going a little bit slower than we wanted to and we still want to go cautiously with him,” the former Arsenal manager said as quoted by the club’s official website ahead of the clash at Estadio de la Ceramica on Tuesday night.

The news will be a huge concern to Nigeria, who already missed Chukwueze’s services when they played their opening two matches in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying matches.

The Super Eagles opened their campaign to reach Qatar with a 2-0 win against Liberia at Teslim Balogun Stadium and then traveled to Cape Verde, where they came from a goal down to sink the hosts 2-1 at Stadium Aderito Sena.

Chukwueze made his debut for the Nigeria senior team on November 20, 2018, as a starter in a 0-0 friendly draw against Uganda.

In May 2019, Chukwueze was invited to represent Nigeria's senior team at the Africa Cup of Nations and the U20 team at the U20 World Cup. However, Villarreal said he could only play in one of the tournaments.

He ultimately decided to take part with Nigerian's senior squad for the Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Egypt and scored his first senior goal in Nigeria's 2-1 win over South Africa in the quarter-finals.

He has so far missed Villarreal’s three opening matches in La Liga – a 0-0 draw against Granada, 0-0 draw against Espanyol and a 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid.

Romelu Lukaku can emulate Didier Drogba by firing Chelsea to Premier League and Champions League glory, according to former Stamford Bridge favourite Joe Cole.

The Belgian has made a superb start to life back in west London following his £98 million ($136m) transfer from Inter.

Lukaku has scored three goals in three appearances so far, including two in Saturday’s win over Aston Villa, and on Tuesday night will make his first Champions League appearance for the Blues as they take on Zenit St Petersburg.

Is Lukaku the new Drogba?

Cole, speaking exclusively to Goal in his role as one of BT Sport’s lead Champions League pundits, compared Lukaku’s Chelsea role to that of Drogba, one of the club’s greatest ever strikers.

“For sure, they are similar,” he said. “It’s not just what he brings on the pitch, either. I think Lukaku has learned a lot from Didier in terms of his presence off the pitch. By all accounts he is a bit of a leader in the dressing room and that’s Didier.

“Didier was a born leader, a real man’s man. Everyone loved him. We talk about [John] Terry and [Frank] Lampard being leaders in that dressing room, but Drogba was every bit as much a leader as them.

“Lukaku is of that ilk. He’s got a little way to go before he can be put in that bracket, for me, but he’s certainly got the ability to get there. 

“And he’s got a great mindset, a bit of fire in his belly because he wants to prove himself at Chelsea the second time around.”

‘He’s got everything’

Lukaku’s signing is seen as the final piece of the jigsaw, as far as Thomas Tuchel is concerned. 

Chelsea were strong enough to become European champions without him, but Cole believes the presence of the new No.9 will move them up a level, and allow others, such as Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and the much-maligned Timo Werner to benefit too.

“You love it as an attacking midfielder or wide player, having someone like him,” he says. “He’s got everything. If you put a cross in from deep, he can win it and score from it. If you want to turn it round the corner he’s strong enough to hold it and good enough to lay it back to you, and if you’re under pressure and playing deep, you know you can play the ball forward and he will make something of it. 

“His movement is good. He’s come back as the complete package. I’d love to have played with him, I can tell you!”

Are Chelsea Champions League favourites?

Chelsea begin their Champions League defence this evening, when they take on Russian champions Zenit at Stamford Bridge.

Tuchel’s side arrive in good form, with 10 points from their opening four Premier League matches and only one goal conceded. They are, naturally, among the bookmakers’ favourites for the competition, despite the fact that, in the Champions League era, only Real Madrid have ever successfully retained the trophy.

“They’re capable, but it’s hard to say they definitely will,” says Cole. “There’s so much quality, and especially with the Premier League sides. 

“You can make a case that Chelsea are favourites, but I honestly think you can make a case for all four.”

Cole, however, says he is enthused by Chelsea’s prospects this season.

“I love the business they have done,” he says. “What Tuchel has done last season, the squad looked so strong anyway, but you’ve got to give credit to Marina [Granovskaia, the Blues' chief executive] and the team for the way they’ve gone out and got the right players in. 

“They’ve made a profit, and signed one of the top three centre-forwards in the world in Lukaku. That’s incredible. 

“The academy is flourishing. They’re sending out Conor Gallagher, Tino Anjorin and Billy Gilmour on loan! Do you know what I mean?! Those three players walk into most Premier League sides.

“As an ex-player, it’s the easiest thing in the world to talk about Chelsea right now. They are flying. Even the image of the club has changed, the business model is working, they’re winning trophies and everyone is happy and content. 

“A lot of people are doing a lot of good things at the club.”

Further reading

BT Sport is the exclusive home of UEFA Champions League football. Watch every game of the 2021/22 competition live on TV, online and on the BT Sport app. For more info, visit btsport.com

Mohamed Salah is "as professional as Cristiano Ronaldo" and an all-time great at Liverpool, says Jamie Carragher, with one Reds legend calling for another to be handed a lucrative new contract.

Several senior stars in Jurgen Klopp's squad have penned fresh terms over recent weeks, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Andy Robertson committing their respective futures to Merseyside heavyweights.

Salah is said to be next in line, after reaching 100 Premier League goals in his last top-flight outing, and Carragher believes an Egyptian forward destined to secure a standing among Anfield greats of the past is deserving of another substantial pay rise.

What has been said?

Carragher has told Sky Sports: "While Liverpool have not spent big this summer like other teams, they have had a lot of players sign new contracts. The one that is yet to sign is Mo Salah.

"Now, he obviously wants a few quid. And rightly so. Good luck to him. He deserves it. He deserves to be one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League for what he has done since he came to Liverpool, he really does.

"He is never injured and year after year he is top goalscorer. He just is. That is what he is.

"I will say something else. When you pick your all-time Liverpool XI, there are positions where you just think, 'He is in.' Alan Hansen, Graeme Souness, John Barnes, Steven Gerrard, Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish. You could fill all those positions no matter what this team does.

"There is nobody you ever think of on the right. Mo Salah will be in that position when he finishes his Liverpool career. He will be in that all-time Liverpool XI. There is no doubt for me about that.

"When you think about strikers getting to 29 or 30, we talk about Cristiano Ronaldo being 36, that guy is a machine in terms of how he looks after himself.

"I think Mo Salah is as professional as Ronaldo, he looks after his body and I think there are a lot of years left in Mo Salah so I just hope this gets sorted sooner rather than later.

"You always debate about money, the player wants a bit more, the club wants a bit less, but that needs to be sorted. Fingers crossed it will because he deserves it for what he has done for Liverpool."

What is Salah's record at Liverpool?

Liverpool spent £36.5 million ($51m) bringing former Chelsea flop Salah back to English football from Roma in the summer of 2017.

An immediate return was offered on that investment during a 44-goal debut season that saw Salah land a Golden Boot and PFA Player of the Year award.

There was no stopping him from there, with Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and Premier League titles secured in one memorable 12-month spell - along with another top scorer prize.

Salah has remained a model of consistency throughout his time at Anfield, with 128 goals recorded through 207 appearances.

His current contract is due to expire in 2023, but Liverpool are making every effort to ensure that he gets nowhere near the final 12 months of that agreement.

Further reading

Former Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama has expressed his displeasure at the country having only two players to have managed 100 appearances for the national team.

The 39-year-old custodian is unhappy that despite Nigeria producing a host of stars in recent years, only him and defender Joseph Yobo managed 100 caps for the Super Eagles.

“It is a big shame because with the quality we have in Nigeria we should have more,” Enyeama said as quoted by ESPN. “That shows that there is a lack of continuity, consistency, commitment on the part of the players and management.

“Look at other top football countries, you will find that many of their players, active and retired, have more than 100 caps. But we have players in Nigeria playing 10 to 15 years and still don't get up to 100 caps because these coaches come in and change players all the time.

“Players like Jay Jay [Okocha], Peter Rufai, Kanu deserve to have more than 100 caps. It is sad that Mikel could not get up to 100 because he was very close to it. Going forward we need to do better. We need more players to get there.”

Enyeama, who played for a host of clubs in Europe including Lille of France, managed 101 caps for Nigeria while Yobo reached 101 matches with seven goals to his credit.

Meanwhile, Kanu reached 86 caps with 12 goals while Okocha managed 73 caps with 14 goals.

During the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers, another player Ahmed Musa thought he had reached 100 caps for Nigeria after playing in the 2-1 win against Cape Verde but Fifa rescinded two matches meaning he is on 98.

Despite the situation, Enyeama is still confident Musa, who turns out for Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk, will reach the landmark soon and even surpass his record of 101 appearances and reach even 130 caps for Nigeria.

“If he is in good health, I think Musa can get up to 130 caps. He is doing well, he is the captain of the team. With the time he has, he can still get up to 40 more games for the country, comfortably,” Enyeama continued.

“Musa is a top player. I want him to make 130-140 easy. Musa can comfortably play two Afcons and that is 12 games already. Then another set of qualifiers. And another World Cup to crown it off. He can achieve it without any push.”

The 28-year-0ld Musa will have a chance to reach the century when the Super Eagles face the Central African Republic on October 6 before they face off again on October 10, in the World Cup qualifiers.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) have included Nigerian-born forward Eleta Kingsley in their preliminary 34-man squad for the upcoming SAFF Championship 2021 as they await clearance from FIFA so that the player can represent the country.

The Bangladesh football team is expected to start their preparation for the SAFF Championship from September 21 once their domestic football season gets over. The 2020-21 Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings will play their remaining three fixtures on September 14, 17 and 20 after which the national team will start their preparation.

Who is Bashundhara Kings forward Eleta Kingsley?

Born in Ogbona, Nigeria, Eleta Kingsley began his professional career with Nigerian club Akwa United in 2009 and spent two seasons there. Since 2011, Kingsley has been plying his trade in Bangladesh. He has played for clubs Arambagh KS, Team BJMC and Muktijoddha Sangsad KC. 

In 2021, the forward attained Bangladesh citizenship via naturalization and then joined Bangladeshi champions-elect Bashundhara Kings. While Kingsley is officially a Bangladeshi citizen now, he is yet to receive clearance from FIFA to represent the national team.

What is BFF saying about Eleta Kingsley's chances of playing in the SAFF Championship?

Despite not getting clearance from FIFA yet, BFF decided to include Kingsley in the preliminary national squad for the upcoming SAFF Championship as the federation expects a clearance from FIFA very soon.

Speaking to Daily Star BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag said, "We have contacted FIFA several times regarding Eleta's clearance to play for Bangladesh in the SAFF championship. We understand that FIFA will send the matter to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and we may have a virtual meeting with FIFA regarding Eleta Kingsley's clearance."

When are Bangladesh playing their first match in SAFF Championship 2021?

Bangladesh begin their campaign on October 1 against Sri Lanka followed by facing India on October 4. They take on hosts Maldives on October 7 and then face Nepal in their final league match on October 13.

What is the format of the SAFF Championship 2021?

Since only five nations will be participating in the competition there will be no groups and the teams will play each other once in a round-robin format. The top two teams will advance to the final. 

The UEFA Champions League is considered as the most prestigious trophy in European football which is contested by the top clubs in the continent.

The Champions League in its current form and name started in 1992. Prior to that, it was known as the European Cup which was introduced in 1955. Real Madrid are the most successful club in the history of the Champions League with a record 13 titles to their name. 

Los Merengues are followed by Serie A giants AC Milan who have won seven titles, followed by Bayern Munich and Liverpool who have six titles. The current reigning champions of the competition are Chelsea who defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the final of the last season's competition. 

Only three managers in the history of the competition have won the title thrice. Legendary Liverpool manager Bob Paisely guided the Reds to three Champions League wins in 1977, 1978 and 1981. 

Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti won two Champions League titles with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007 and won a third one in 2014 with Real Madrid. Ancelotti's former assistant at Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane is the only manager in the history of the competition to win three titles in a row from 2016 to 2018 with Real Madrid.

Other than Ancelotti and Zidane, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and AS Roma's Jose Mourinho are the only two active managers who have won the Champions League title more than once. While Guardiola guided Barcelona to title triumphs in 2009 and 2011, Mourinho won it with FC Porto (2004) and Inter Milan (2010).

Here, we take a look at all the managers who have won the Champions League title more than once.

Jose Mourinho completed 1000 matches as a manager on Sunday evening as AS Roma took on Sassuolo in a Serie A gameweek three clash at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.

The Portuguese coach's milestone match became a memorable one as Stephen El Shaarawy scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to help his club win the tie 2-1 and remain at the top of the league table. With the win against Sassuolo, Mourinho now has won 638 matches out of 1000.

The 58-year-old manager began his coaching career in Portugal with Benfica in 2000. He also coached Uniao de Leiria before he made his name at FC Porto, where he won the Champions League.

In 2004, Mourinho moved to England for the first time and managed Chelsea for three seasons, winning two league titles before he joined Inter Milan. He helped the Nerazzurri win the treble in the 2009/10 season.

From Inter, Mourinho took over at Real Madrid and then returned to Chelsea in 2013. He would stay in England for his next two jobs, coaching at Manchester United and then at Tottenham. After 10 years, Mourinho is back in Italy in charge of AS Roma. The club has won all three fixtures in Serie A so far.

As Mourinho completes 1000 matches as a manager, we take a look at the top 10 managers with most number of matches under their belt. Mourinho's former rival managers in England, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have coached in the most number of matches.

Manchester United will be aiming to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start when they travel to the Wankdorf Stadium to take on Young Boys on Tuesday.

The Red Devils have enjoyed a strong start to the Premier League following an exciting summer transfer window, collecting 10 points from a possible 12. Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the club as well and made a fantastic start to his second stint at Old Trafford, scoring two goals in a 4-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday. 

As the 36-year-old will now be looking to make his second Champions League debut for United a memorable one.

Here's how to watch Young Boys vs Manchester United in the 2021-22 Champions League from India.

Contents

What time does Young Boys vs Manchester United start?

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How to watch Young Boys vs Manchester United on TV & live stream in India

The Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) has the rights to show UEFA Champions League matches in India.

Matches will also be available to stream via SonyLIV app and website, besides JioTV mobile app, allowing supporters to watch multiple games simultaneously and catch the replay of matches.

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Young Boys vs Manchester United: Team news & key stats

Fabian Lustenberger, Jean-Pierre Nsame, Esteban Petignat, Joel Monteiro and Nico Mainer are all sidelined for the home side.

Scott McTominay and Edinson Cavani will both be assessed, while Dean Henderson, Alex Telles, Phil Jones and Marcus Rashford are definitely ruled out.

Key Stats:

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Barcelona welcome Bayern Munich to Catalonia on Tuesday evening in the first game in Group E of the Champions League.

The last time these sides met, the Bundesliga champions recorded a historic humiliation, thrashing the Catalans 8-2 in August last year and the Blaugrana will be desperate to erase the memory of that semi-final defeat with a win this week.

Here's how to watch Barcelona vs Bayern Munich in the 2021-22 Champions League from India.

Contents

What time does Barcelona vs Bayern Munich start?

Return to top

How to watch Barcelona vs Bayern Munich on TV & live stream in India

The Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) has the rights to show UEFA Champions League matches in India.

Matches will also be available to stream via SonyLIV app and website, besides JioTV mobile app, allowing supporters to watch multiple games simultaneously and catch the replay of matches.

Return to top

Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: Team news & key stats

The hosts have serious problems up front where Danish striker Martin Braithwaite has become the latest injury concern.

The former Leganes forward has a knee problem and there are reports suggesting he could be out for several months.

Braithwaite is set to miss the game along with fellow forwards Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Aguero while the departure of Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid has left the Catalans looking lightweight up front.

Luuk de Jong is likely to make his debut alongside compatriot Memphis Depay, while at the back Sergino Dest hopes to overcome a sprained ankle.

Bayern for their part missed Corentin Tolisso and Kingsley Coman from their weekend win over RB Leipzig but otherwise Julian Nagelsmann has a fully fit squad from which to choose.

Key Stats:

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Chelsea will begin the defence of their Champions League crown by welcoming Zenit St Petersburg to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Thomas Tuchel’s men look in strong shape to follow up last season’s final win over Manchester City, having added Romelu Lukaku to an already star-studded team over the summer.

Here's how to watch Chelsea vs Zenit St Petersburg in the 2021-22 Champions League from India.

Contents

What time does Chelsea vs Zenit start?

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How to watch Chelsea vs Zenit on TV & live stream in India

The Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) has the rights to show UEFA Champions League matches in India.

Matches will also be available to stream via SonyLIV app and website, besides JioTV mobile app, allowing supporters to watch multiple games simultaneously and catch the replay of matches.

Return to top

Chelsea vs Zenit St Petersburg: Team news & key stats

N’Golo Kante will face a late fitness test as he struggles with an ankle injury, while Christian Pulisic is definitely ruled out.

Dmitri Christyakov is a doubt due to an ankle injury, with Magomed Ozdoev unavailable after damaging his knee ligaments on the opening day of the Russian league season.

Key Stats:

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Sheffield United have announced the signing of Algerian midfielder Adlene Guedioura.

Having completed his spell at Qatar Stars League side Al-Gharafa Sports Club, the 35-year-old returns to England where he has been handed a one-year deal by the English Championship outfit.

This move will see him reunite with former manager Slavisa Jokanovic at Bramall Lane.

“Adlene Guedioura, well known to boss Slavisa Jokanovic, has signed a one-year contract with the Blades after training at Shirecliffe for a number of weeks.

“He has completed his medical and is available for selection, subject to international clearance.”

Guedioura is not new to English football having featured for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Watford and Middlesbrough in the past.

He joins the likes of Robin Olsen, Morgan Gibbs-White, Conor Hourihane and Ben Davies as new faces in the Blades’ squad this summer.

"I'm very pleased to have signed and I can't wait to play for the team,” said Guedioura.

“It's something special for me to come back to the UK, so I am really happy.

“I'd like to thank the manager and the club for allowing me to come to train and have the opportunity to show what I can do.

“I am really happy to end up with a contract now until the end of the season, so I am up for the challenge and ready to start."

For manager Jokanovic who has managed the African twice, he said: “Adlene is someone I know really well.

“He has completed three weeks of training with us and I believe he can bring something positive to the team.

“I have worked with him before; he knows many players here, playing against them and he knows the competition. He will be an important man in the dressing room."

The Desert Fox will wear jersey no 25 at Sheffield and could make his debut when the Blades host Preston on Tuesday.

Despite sweeping aside Peterborough United 6-2 in their last league fixture, the club occupies the 18th spot in the English second tier log after accruing five points from six matches.

Newcastle United and Besiktas are among the clubs to pay tribute to Demba Ba, who announced his retirement from professional football on Monday aged 36.

Since springing to prominence during his spell at French side Rouen, the African star represented ten more teams that included the Magpies and Black Eagles.

In a post on social media tagged ‘Thanks to Demba Ba’, the Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas lauded the Senegal football icon for his contributions to Turkish football during his time at Vodafone Park.

“We have learned that Demba Ba, who played for us in the 2014-15 and 2016-17 seasons and played a part in the Super Lig championship we won in the 2016-17 season, and whose hard work on the field was crowned in the hearts of our fans with his gentlemanly personality off the field, has ended his active football life. We would like to thank Ba for his valuable service to Turkish football and our club and wish him success in his future career,” the 16-time Super Lig kings wrote on Instagram.

In the same vein, English Premier League outfit also appreciated the striker for his impact during his spell at St James' Park - where he accrued 29 goals in 58 appearances.

Ba took to social media to make his decision public while expressing his gratitude to all who helped him grow.

“It is with a heart filled with gratefulness that I announce the end of my playing career. What a wonderful journey it has been,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Besides all the sweat and tears I have faced; football has given me so many beautiful emotions.

"From the passion of the fans and the noise coming from the stands after every goal to the connection with my teammates on and off the field, this will forever remain in my head and heart.

"I want to thank everyone I've crossed paths with and helped me grow, every club and manager for given me an opportunity, the fans for their tremendous support and my family and friends for unconditional love.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Praise be to the almighty."

On the international scene, former Chelsea star Ba featured for the Lions of Teranga in 22 matches with four goals to his name.

Manchester City have only grown stronger in FIFA 22 as their title-winning journey last year and summer transfer activity have boosted the squad's video game abilities.

Not only are the very best players on the team, such as Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson, rated among the best in the world, but the quality of depth is also a sight to behold as there are a whopping 18 players above an 80 rating.

What are the specific strengths and weaknesses of this heavyweight group? Goal brings you all the details about how they measure up on EA Sports' new game.

Manchester City FIFA 22 player ratings

De Bruyne once again leads Manchester City with a 91 rating, with goalkeeper Ederson just behind him at 89.

Centre-back Ruben Dias has jumped from an 81 in last year's game to an 87 this time around, and attacking midfielder Phil Foden has made a similar leap as he has gone from a 79 to an 84 following an excellent second half of the season last term.

Newcomer Jack Grealish, whom fans will likely be eager to try out, has been given an 84 after his move from Aston Villa.

The lone weakness in the team is the lack of options at striker; you'll need to play someone out of position up top if you don't have 83-rated Gabriel Jesus in the line-up.

Ex-Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has claimed that Barcelona would be hauled in front of a judge for bankruptcy if they existed in Germany, describing the Catalan giants as "broke".

The Bundesliga champions make the trip to Camp Nou to face one of La Liga's true heavyweights in their Champions League opening clash this week, as the latter grapple with life after Lionel Messi amid the fallout of financial mismanagement.

Speaking ahead of the match, Hoeness stressed that he had little sympathy for the Spaniards, and recalled a discussion with now-Real Madrid man David Alaba where he warned him against a Blaugrana move.

What has been said?

"Barcelona is actually broke!," the 69-year-old told radio station Bayern1. "If Barcelona were in Germany, that would be a case for the bankruptcy judge. [They're] no longer a role model for us.

"David Alaba, for example, once told me: 'My dream is still to play in Barcelona.' Then I said to him: 'Do you want to negotiate with the president or with the insolvency administrator?'

"I am also in favour of going to the limit. At the moment when the whole thing cannot be refinanced, you have to say 'No!' and 'Then I won't win the Champions League!'"

Hoeness fearful of Covid complications

The former president, who previously spent the majority of his playing career with Bayern as a World Cup-winning forward, also acknowledged that the knock-on effect of the Covid-19 pandemic had hurt the club's coffers, and could continue to do so.

"Bayern was a model club in the world until the pandemic," he added. "Almost no one understood the great success without economic success. The pandemic has made this more difficult.

"Without an audience, we lost millions of euros a year. This led to our fixed deposit account, which used to be really big, melted away. It's still there - but if it goes on like this for a long time, it will be difficult at some point."

The bigger picture

Bayern's savvy approach to their finances has certainly not hurt their prospects in keeping a semi-permanent hold on the Bundesliga crown, though opposition managers have raised questions of their monetary advantage, including Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch.

New coach Julian Nagelsmann, meanwhile, has played down suggestions that his side will face an easier test at Camp Nou simply because Messi is no longer at Ronald Koeman's disposal.

The Bavarian giants will hope to emerge with an opening victory as they look to set about reclaiming their Champions League crown, after Chelsea dethroned them last season.

Further reading