The Champions League play-off draw has been announced, and Manchester City will be facing off against Real Madrid while Celtic is set to take on Bayern Munich in the upcoming round. With City placed in the "top" half of the draw and Celtic in the "bottom" half, both teams will face tough opponents. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Wolves are making moves in the transfer market. Get ready for thrilling games and join the conversation on #bbcfootball or through WhatsApp and text. Tune into The Football News Show with former pro footballer Stephen Warnock for more analysis.
Champions League Play-Off Draw: Real Madrid to Face Manchester City
The Champions League play-off draw has pitted Manchester City against Real Madrid in a highly anticipated matchup. Celtic, meanwhile, will take on Bayern Munich.
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
This clash will see two of Europe's most formidable clubs go head-to-head. Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, have been a dominant force in recent years, while Real Madrid, a perennial powerhouse, are the defending Champions League winners.
With Manchester City in the "top" half of the draw, they will play the second leg at home. However, Real Madrid, with their vast experience in knockout football, will pose a significant threat.
Celtic vs. Bayern Munich
Celtic, the Scottish champions, will face a daunting task against Bayern Munich, one of the most successful clubs in European history. Bayern have won the Bundesliga 10 times in the last 11 seasons and are renowned for their attacking prowess.
With Celtic in the "bottom" half of the draw, they will host the second leg. However, they will need to overcome a significant deficit against the German giants if they want to advance.
Other Transfer News
In addition to the Champions League draw, Arsenal and Wolves have been busy in the transfer market. Arsenal have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Fabio Vieira from Porto, while Wolves have completed the signing of Nathan Collins from Burnley.
Top 5 FAQs
1. When will the Champions League play-off matches take place? The first legs will be played on February 14/15, 2023, and the second legs on February 21/22, 2023.
2. How can I watch the matches? The matches will be broadcast on CBS Sports in the United States, BT Sport in the United Kingdom, and DAZN in Canada.
3. Who is the favorite to win the Champions League? Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool are considered the favorites to win the tournament this year.
4. Who has won the most Champions League titles? Real Madrid has won the most Champions League titles, with 14.
5. When was the last time Manchester City played Real Madrid in the Champions League? Manchester City and Real Madrid last met in the 2020/21 Champions League semifinals, with Madrid winning 3-1 on aggregate.
Pakistan has chosen its 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy and it includes three players who have shined in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League. Opener Usman Khan, all-rounders Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf have impressed for their teams and have helped them reach the knockout stage of the tournament. They will be led by Mohammad Rizwan, who has been captain since Babar Azam stepped down in 2023, and are hoping to defend their title as the hosts for the 2025 edition.
In a thrilling high-scoring match, India defeated England by 20 runs in the fourth T20I. Shivam Dube's unbeaten 52 off 36 balls and Hardik Pandya's 53 off just 31 balls propelled India to a total of 181. Despite a valiant effort from England, they fell short as India's bowlers successfully defended their total.
Hardik Pandya put up a stellar performance with the bat, scoring a blazing half-century to help India win against England in the ongoing T20I. The all-rounder managed to reach his milestone with a six off the bowling of Jamie Overton, bringing up his fifth half-century in T20I career. Despite his dismissal soon after, Pandya's efforts helped India level the series 2-2 with two more matches left to play. Follow all the live updates and news on the IPL 2025 auction and cricket developments at Sportskeeda.
In a historic event at the fourth T20I between India and England, 23-year-old cricketer Harshit Rana became the first concussion substitute to make his T20 International debut. Rana was called up to replace Shivam Dube, who was struck on the helmet by a delivery. Rana went on to make an immediate impact, taking three crucial wickets and helping India win the game. This makes him among a select group of cricketers to have made their international debuts as concussion substitutes, under the new ICC guidelines.
India and England are set to face off in the 4th T20I, with the series currently in India's favor at 2-1. After a loss in the 3rd match, India will be looking to make some changes to their playing XI, possibly including the return of pacer Arshdeep Singh. Meanwhile, England will be counting on the skills of their top players, including Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid, to turn the tables in their favor on the Pune pitch. With the match being a crucial one for both teams, it will be an exciting battle to watch.
In the 4th T20I match between India and England, Harshit Rana became the first Indian to debut as a concussion substitute. Despite not being part of the original Playing XI, Rana took three wickets and played a crucial role in India's 15-run victory. His performance has sparked debates among fans regarding the fairness of concussion substitutions in cricket.
Indian pacer Harshit Rana unexpectedly made a last-minute entry into the playing XI for the fourth T20I against England, replacing batsman Shivam Dube as a concussion substitute. Despite being cleared to play by the mandatory concussion test, Dube was run out after being struck on the helmet by a delivery from Jamie Overton. Rana, however, impressed with his bowling, taking three wickets and sparking a debate on social media over the controversial decision to substitute him for Dube. Many criticized the move as lacking in sportsmanship and an abuse of the ICC's substitution rules.
In a thrilling T20 match, England fell short by 15 runs in their chase against India. Despite a heroic half-century by Harry Brook, the team was unable to secure a win due to a string of wickets falling in the second half of their innings. The turning point of the match was when India's Shivam Dube was replaced by Harshit Rana as a concussion substitute, leading to controversy and frustration from the England team. However, Rana's three crucial wickets proved to be the difference, helping India seal the series victory.
England opener Ben Duckett admitted that he missed an opportunity to take down Axar Patel in the third T20I against India, which ultimately cost them a bigger score. Despite the missed opportunity, Duckett praised the team's aggressive approach under the leadership of head coach Brendon McCullum, who encourages them to go hard no matter the situation. With the series tied at 2-2, England will face another must-win situation in the fourth T20I in Pune. Stay updated with the latest news and live updates of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction on Sportskeeda.
In an intense match between India and England in the fourth T20I, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube's commanding fifties helped India reach a total of 181 for 9. Despite a rocky start with early wickets, the duo's partnership of 87 runs was crucial in pushing India past the 150-mark. However, Saqib Mahmood's impressive performance as the most successful bowler with three wickets kept England in the game.