Scottish breakthrough and Israeli luck. Lucky Champions League play-offs - Sportish
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Scottish breakthrough and Israeli luck. Lucky Champions League play-offs

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Scottish breakthrough and Israeli luck.  Lucky Champions League play-offs

All group stage participants are known.

The composition of the group stage of the Champions League was formed. The 26 teams that signed up following the results of the national championships were joined by six teams who passed the sieve of qualifiers. Let’s take a closer look at who these heroes are and what path they had to overcome.

Copenhagen, Denmark)

For Copenhagen, so far not everything is perfect in the Danish championship, where after six rounds the team only takes fifth place. However, all the forces were thrown in to get through the Champions League qualification and the task was accomplished. Only one round had to be passed, but the opponent looked very serious: the Turkish Trabzonspor.

The key was Copenhagen’s first home game, in which the Danes won with a score of 2: 1. Furthermore, the first goal was scored by our well-known Viktor Klasson. In the return match, the Danes resisted away, achieving a goalless draw.

Victoria (Pilsen, Czech Republic)

The path to the Champions League group for Victoria proved to be much longer. He has passed three qualifying rounds. In the first phase, it was relatively easy to face HJK – 2: 1 away and 5: 0 at home. Then there was the confrontation with the Moldovan sheriff, who caused a sensation in the Champions League last season. It will not be possible to repeat this result, because Victoria defeated him twice with a score of 2: 1.

In the playoff round, the decisive battle was with Qarabag, who got a draw at home – 0: 0. The Azerbaijani team looked worthy away, even managed to score first thanks to Ozobich’s efforts. But in the second half, Victoria recovered and scored two goals, winning with their favorite score.

And Qarabag could take offense, because it was already the fourth qualifying round for him. Previously he eliminated the Polish “Lech”, the Swiss “Zurich” and the Hungarian “Ferencvaros” of former Russian national coach Stanislav Cherchesov. If it were possible to pass “Victoria”, the route would be fabulous for “Karabakh”.

Benfica (Portugal)

Perhaps one of the most status participants in the Champions League playoff round. And he joined the group without problems. Eagles are generally impressive early in the season. Roger Schmidt’s team does not know defeat and flies on the wings of the attack. In the championship, he also scored six points out of six possible at the start.

Before the play-offs, Benfica beat Midtjylland 4-1 and 3-1 without much difficulty in two games. And already in the playoffs, he faced Dynamo Kyiv for a clear advantage – 2: 0 and 3: 0. You can be sure that in the Eagles group they will not be acceptable opponents to any opponent.

Maccabi (Haifa, Israel)

A slightly unexpected participant in the group stage, especially considering that he had to face three qualifying rounds. And in each of them, this team was not a favorite. She was expected to leave in the first clash with Olympiacos, which have a much more recognized name. But now the Greeks “are no longer the same”. Away, they took a draw with a score of 1: 1 and lost at home, and big – with a score of 0: 4. Perhaps the most famous player of the Haitian national team FranzdiPierro flashed there, scoring a brace.

By the way, Pierro didn’t stop there and scored in the next round against Apollo. “Maccabi” won at home with a score of 4: 0, but the double is already on Ali Muhammad’s account. In addition, the Israelis scored two out of four goals in the majority after being sent off in the 61st minute to Apollo. It was probably a decisive episode, because the Apollo won at home, but only with a score of 2: 0, which was not enough.

But in the playoffs no one believed in Maccabi. There he was challenged by a much more experienced European Cup fighter: the Red Star. The match in Israel was dramatic. Pierro opened the scoring, then the Serbs scored twice and took the lead. But in the second half Maccabi scored another double (Pierro scored another double) and won.

This victory guaranteed nothing to Maccabi and by the 44th minute of the second away match the Israeli team was losing with a score of 0: 2. However, she managed to win back a ball. It all went into extra time, until Pavkov’s own goal in injury time happened, which buried the Red Star’s hopes. Perhaps the most important dramatic round of the playoffs.

Dinamo (Zagreb, Croatia)

More successful was the current leader of the Croatian league – Dinamo Zagreb. The Croatians started with a not very convincing victory over the modest Macedonian “Shkupi” (2: 2 and 1: 0). Then they swung and faced the Bulgarian Ludogorets with greater confidence (2: 1 and 4: 2). And in the play-offs they ran into daring Norwegian side Bodø-Glimt, who made their mark last season with a spectacular performance against Roma in the Europa League.

The Norwegians, who again include Russian goalkeeper Nikita Khaikin, continued to impress this time, beating Dynamo 1: 0 at home. However, away they finished most of the time with a score of 1: 2. The match moved on to the extra phase, where the Dinamo class still conditioned, and the Zagreb club took the matter to victory with a score of 4: 1. So we will only see Boude-Glimt in the Europa League again. However, this team is still capable of surprises.

Rangers (Scotland)

Perhaps the most intriguing and status couple in the playoffs were the Rangers and PSV. Especially considering the opponents on the coaches’ benches respectively van Bronkhorst and van Nistelrooy. PSV in addition, before that, he eliminated Monaco from the Champions League selection, so he entered without hesitation into tough European competition.

At the same time, the “Rangers” were warming up on the unknown Belgian “Union”, who in the first match managed to lose with a score of 0: 2, but then won a landslide victory – 3: 0. Comparison with PSV It wasn’t easy for the Scots either. In the home game, first they conceded goals, then they took the lead, but did not keep the advantage and the match ended in a draw – 2: 2.

It seemed to be beneficial PSV alignment. And the Dutch, in fact, found themselves well at home in the second leg. But only a big mistake in defense erased everything. On Colak’s goal in the 60th minute PSV he could not answer with anything, so, unexpectedly for everyone, he falls in the Europa League. And Rangers will join Celtic in the Champions League. Two Scottish clubs in the group at the same time – powerful.

Basket composition

And now you can name all the participants in the group stage of the Champions League and at the same time distribute them to the baskets determined for the draw. Until it passes, there is time to fantasize for oneself about both a “death group” and a “weak group”.

First basket: Real Madrid (Spain), Eintracht (Germany), Manchester City (England), AC Milan (Italy), Bayern Munich (Germany), PSG (France), Porto (Portugal), Ajax (Netherlands);

Second basket: Liverpool (England), Chelsea (England), Barcelona (Spain), Juventus (Italy), Atletico (Spain), Sevilla (Spain), Leipzig (Germany), Tottenham (England);

Third basket: Borussia (Dortmund, Germany), Salzburg (Austria), Shakhtar (Ukraine), Inter (Italy), Naples (Italy), Benfica (Portugal), Sporting CP (Portugal), “Bayer” (Germany);

Fourth basket: Marseille (France), Brugge (Belgium), Celtic (Scotland), Victoria (Pilsen, Czech Republic), Maccabi (Haifa, Israel), Rangers (Scotland), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dinamo (Zagreb, Croatia).

Source: Soccer Ru

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Champions League

Mbappe responded to Real Madrid fans over Bellingham’s criticism

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Mbappe responded to Real Madrid fans over Bellingham’s criticism

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe He shared his opinions about the midfielder Jude Bellingham Against the background of the fans’ critical attitude towards the club’s performances.

The Madrid team defeated Levante with a score of 2-0 on Saturday in the 20th week of La Liga. Previously, the Blancos were defeated in the Spanish Super Cup final and left the competition for the Spanish Cup.

Santiago Bernabeu fans accompanied the team’s match with deafening whistles and criticism, which did not subside until the end of the match, despite the three points scored.

“Bellingham’s talent is unquestionable. He has enormous potential. When he is at his best, he is one of the best football players on the planet.”

It’s not easy for everyone right now. We accept the anger of the stands. However, complaints should concern the entire team; This is not Jude’s or anyone else’s personal fault. Our task is to correct the situation.

We have achieved success in the championship and now we need to continue in the Champions League. “If the fans feel our determination and quality play, they will support us again,” Mbappe said in his meeting with the press before the Monaco match.

Source: Sport UA

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Champions League

I didn’t train with the team. Yaremchuk may miss Champions League match

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I didn’t train with the team. Yaremchuk may miss Champions League match

Coach of Olympiacos José Luis Mendilibar He talked about the team’s personnel situation, focusing on the Ukrainian striker, ahead of their match against Bayer in the seventh round of the Champions League main stage. Roman Yaremchuk.

Mendilibar said, “Roman left training the other day due to some illnesses, there is nothing serious. He did not train with the team yesterday. We will have to wait until he tells us how he feels.”

The 7th round match of the main stage of the Champions League will be played between Olympiacos and Bayer on January 20 in Piraeus, Greece, and will start at 22:00 Kiev time.

It was previously reported that a third of the Ukraine national team was not at all ready for the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Source: Sport UA

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World Cup

Zinchenko is just one… You can buy validol from Sweden 2 months ago

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Zinchenko is just one… You can buy validol from Sweden 2 months ago

In March, the national team awaits the 2026 World Cup play-offs. And when you see the situation of the main players, it becomes scary.

Alexander Zinchenko. He is going through the worst period of his career in England. Neither Nottingham nor Arsenal need him. Halfway through the season, Zina receives treatment or regains her old form. Forest removed the Ukrainian from their Europa League candidacy. If Zinchenko doesn’t do game training, even being called up to the national team may not mean anything. Ajax should be a good option in this context.

Artem Dovbik. There is no need for Gasperini. Roma have already announced that the attack will be strengthened in the person of Aston Villa’s Donyell Mullen and have signed 18-year-old Robinio Vaz from Marseille for the future. Most likely, Dovbik could not withstand the loads of the head coach of the Romans, as he began to get injured too often. “Wolves” want to sell Artem, want to leave. As in the case of Zinchenko, Dovbik also needs a club where he can play regularly in the first team and remember to score goals together. True, unlike Alexander, Artem is now still capable of playing in the best club and in the best championship, if the team’s game model suits him. However, Artem has already had surgery in Finland. And – one way or another – Dovbik will be out of action for several months.

Alexey Gutsulyak. The best player of the “goal + pass” system in the national team in 2025 was sent to the U-19 team by Polesye because he did not sign a new contract under the club conditions. The winger was also initially excluded from the training camp, but the club president later changed his decision. If there is no one willing to buy Alexei before the end of the transfer window, he will remain in limbo until the end of the season.

Efim Hemp. I would like to believe that Gutsulyak’s fate will not befall the right. Efim has refused to renew his contract with Shakhtar, which could affect his number of minutes on the field. After all, Arda Turan now has the option of playing more in the Cannabis position with Vinicius Tobias, Pedro Enrique or someone with a Ukrainian passport.

Georgy Sudakov. Mourinho’s arrival did not promise anything good for the midfielder. Jose has long exhausted himself as a coach capable of leading a team to the title, so it is no surprise that Benfica finished 3rd in the championship. But this is not the only problem. Sudakov is at his best in the middle of the field or as an attacking midfielder. What did the Special One do? Exactly what Rebrov was criticized for was that he moved Georgiy to the winger position, which did not allow him to show his best qualities.

Ilya Zabarny. He was the main player at Bournemouth who had no centre-back alternative. At PSG, the Marquinhos-Pacho combination looks unshakable. Zabarny is third choice and given the team’s exit from the French Cup, Ilya is unlikely to get any more match training in the coming months. Especially if the Parisians go directly to the 1/8 finals of the Champions League. As the last match against Lille showed (3:0) Luis Enrique can use a formation consisting of three defenders (Marquinhos, Pacho, Zabarny) if the team needs to switch to a more attacking style. We must also hope that the recent criticism of the Ukrainian footballer from PSG fans after the defeat (0:1) in the capital cup derby will not affect Ilya in any way.

Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine

Vladimir Brazhko. He lost his game plan after a transfer to Wolverhampton fell through. It seems that Brazhko is a reflection of the entire Dynamo, which did not even reach the play-offs of the Conference League, and this can definitely be considered a shame. Vladimir, who was the top choice for the defensive midfield position just a year and a half ago, now looks like he won’t be able to beat Ivan Kalyuzhny’s rival. Here you can add other Dynamo players (Shaparenko, Mikhavko, Voloshin, Karavaev, Timchik, Pikhalyonok), whose form now raises many questions.

Roman Yaremchuk. He has played just 5 times for Olympiacos this season, making 10 appearances as a substitute. Only 4 goals, but all in the Greek Cup. Not a single goal was scored in the Super League and Champions League. There are no prerequisites yet that anything will change for the striker in the near future.

Andrey Lunin. In the autumn, the goalkeeper did not want to come to the national team and watch the matches from the bench, but now the question arises: “Is it worth calling him?” 3 matches per season, 2 of them in the Copa del Rey, where Real was eliminated. Lunin is sorely lacking in consistent game practice. He’s certainly not better than Trubin, and perhaps even picking Riznyk second would be more justified.

Alexander Svatok. Austin finished its MLS season in the fall. The new campaign only starts at the end of February. Whether this will prevent the defender from achieving ideal fitness and getting into the right rhythm of the game is an open question.

Mikhail Mudrik. As long as the sun shines and the water flows, there is hope. The chorus of a famous Ukrainian song performed by the band Mad Heads perfectly describes the winger’s situation. If Mikhail returns to football this winter, a real miracle will happen; He will be conditionally loaned to Strasbourg, where he will gain favorable playing conditions within 2 months. It would be nice if he was the national team leader, but we should definitely not hope for his return.

So what, or rather whom, should we hope for? There are very few such players, but they exist. Now all the hope is that Trubin, Zubkov, Malinovsky, Tsygankov, Vanat, Yarmolyuk and possibly Batagov will not lose their current form and get damaged in the next two months. This picture is definitely not reassuring, on the contrary it points to the potential to buy validol in bulk. Especially if we remember that Sergei Rebrov has not yet assured anyone that he can lead the country’s main team to the World Cup.

Igor YAVKIN

Source: Sport UA

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