<p>Last week, UEFA decided to move the Champions League final between English giants Manchester City and Chelsea to Porto from Istanbul so that fans from England could travel under COVID-19 restrictions. However, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said that UEFA's decision was political.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kylian-mbappe-magic-sets-up-paris-saint-germain-for-french-cup-victory-386173" hreflang="en">Kylian Mbappe magic sets up Paris Saint-Germain for French Cup victory</a></p>

<p>"A couple of years ago, we were notified that the final would be played in Turkey, but things took a sudden turn when two English clubs qualified to play the final," Erdogan said on Turkish television on Wednesday.</p>

<p>"We couldn't reach the UK&nbsp;Prime Minister in the meantime, he applied a lot of pressure on this issue."</p>

<p>According to Erdogan, talks with British ministers and UEFA failed to achieve any results and said that Istanbul was promised to host the Champions League final in 2023.</p>

<p>Earlier, Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium was scheduled to host the European Championship final, however, Turkey was put on &nbsp;Britain's travel "red list", due to which no English fans could travel to the country. UEFA stepped in and decided to relocate the finals and thus chose Porto's Estadio do Dragao fit to host it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There had been discussions over moving the final to London's Wembley Stadium but UEFA said that despite "exhaustive efforts on the part of the (English) Football Association and the authorities, it was not possible to achieve the necessary exemptions from UK quarantine arrangements".</p>

<p><em>(Inputs from Reuters)</em></p>


Last week, UEFA decided to move the Champions League final between English giants Manchester City and Chelsea to Porto from Istanbul so that fans from England could travel under COVID-19 restrictions.

Last week, UEFA decided to move the Champions League final between English giants Manchester City and Chelsea to Porto from Istanbul so that fans from England could travel under COVID-19 restrictions. However, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said that UEFA's decision was political. ALSO READ: Kylian Mbappe magic sets up Paris Saint-Germain for French Cup victory "A couple of years ago, we were notified that the final would be played in Turkey, but things took a sudden turn when two English clubs qualified to play the final," Erdogan said on Turkish television on Wednesday. "We couldn't reach the UK Prime Minister in the meantime, he applied a lot of pressure on this issue." According to Erdogan, talks with British ministers and UEFA failed to achieve any results and said that Istanbul was promised to host the Champions League final in 2023. Earlier, Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium was scheduled to host the European Championship final, however, Turkey was put on Britain's travel "red list", due to which no English fans could travel to the country. UEFA stepped in and decided to relocate the finals and thus chose Porto's Estadio do Dragao fit to host it. There had been discussions over moving the final to London's Wembley Stadium but UEFA said that despite "exhaustive efforts on the part of the (English) Football Association and the authorities, it was not possible to achieve the necessary exemptions from UK quarantine arrangements". (Inputs from Reuters)

Turkey's Erdogan feels UEFA's decision to relocate Champions League final was political

<p>Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned Sergio Aguero there will be no room for sentiment when he picks his team for the Champions League final against Chelsea later this month.</p>

<p>Aguero has announced he will leave City at the end of the season after 10 successful years with the Premier League champions.</p>

<p>The Argentina striker is City's all-time record goalscorer, but he may not have a fairytale farewell at the end of an injury-ravaged campaign in which he has been limited to just 18 appearances.</p>

<p>Aguero will miss Tuesday's match at Brighton with an adductor problem.</p>

<p>He could return for one last appearance at the Etihad Stadium against Everton on Sunday.</p>

<p>But Guardiola refused to give any guarantees the 32-year-old will feature in City's first Champions League final on May 29.</p>

<p>"I would say I would be cold," Guardiola said of his attitude towards selection. "I have to take a decision which is the best to win that game, so I have to be.</p>

<p>"If Sergio is fit he is going to help us, that is for sure, if he is going to help us score goals he is going to play, but it's the final of the Champions League. I have to take the decision that gives us the best chance of winning that game."</p>

<p>Guardiola suggested it would be a focused City side that faces Brighton, with places up for grabs in the final against Chelsea.</p>

<p>He admitted he can tell the difference around the club's training ground as his players try to persuade him they deserve to start in Porto.</p>

<p>"They listen a little bit more," he said. "It's a serious point what you say: they're not stupid. They want to play so they are nicer to me.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Then I will make a selection and they will be who they are normally: grumpy, upset with me. That's normal!"</p>

<p>"I remember the starting XI at Barca was so clear. Here we rotate a lot and everyone can play. Still I'm not clear on the way we're going to play and who we are going to play.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"That's why I have to take a look over the next 10 days and then we'll take a decision."</p>


Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned Sergio Aguero there will be no room for sentiment when he picks his team for the Champions League final against Chelsea later this month.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned Sergio Aguero there will be no room for sentiment when he picks his team for the Champions League final against Chelsea later this month. Aguero has announced he will leave City at the end of the season after 10 successful years with the Premier League champions. The Argentina striker is City's all-time record goalscorer, but he may not have a fairytale farewell at the end of an injury-ravaged campaign in which he has been limited to just 18 appearances. Aguero will miss Tuesday's match at Brighton with an adductor problem. He could return for one last appearance at the Etihad Stadium against Everton on Sunday. But Guardiola refused to give any guarantees the 32-year-old will feature in City's first Champions League final on May 29. "I would say I would be cold," Guardiola said of his attitude towards selection. "I have to take a decision which is the best to win that game, so I have to be. "If Sergio is fit he is going to help us, that is for sure, if he is going to help us score goals he is going to play, but it's the final of the Champions League. I have to take the decision that gives us the best chance of winning that game." Guardiola suggested it would be a focused City side that faces Brighton, with places up for grabs in the final against Chelsea. He admitted he can tell the difference around the club's training ground as his players try to persuade him they deserve to start in Porto. "They listen a little bit more," he said. "It's a serious point what you say: they're not stupid. They want to play so they are nicer to me. "Then I will make a selection and they will be who they are normally: grumpy, upset with me. That's normal!" "I remember the starting XI at Barca was so clear. Here we rotate a lot and everyone can play. Still I'm not clear on the way we're going to play and who we are going to play. "That's why I have to take a look over the next 10 days and then we'll take a decision."

Football: Guardiola warns Aguero over Champions League final berth

<p>UEFA Women's Champions League final will see either Chelsea or Barcelona crowned champions of Europe for the first time, and though the Catalan club are hot favorites, the London side are also on a roll.</p>

<p>Barcelona crushed everyone in their path en route to the Primera Division title, winning all 26 of their league games this season and scoring 128 goals while conceding only five.</p>

<p>Chelsea may not have been as dominant in winning the FA Women's Super League last week but having won three trophies this term, Emma Hayes's side are full of confidence as they face the 2019 runners-up in Gothenburg, Sweden.</p>

<p>Hayes said it was a dream leading her ladies, who she says are inspiring a new generation of boys and girls alike, as they march into the final.</p>

<p>"They're amazing women that are inspiring generations… And I'm not talking about little girls here. I'm talking about scores of boys too that are becoming big fans of women's&nbsp;football," Hayes said.</p>

<p>"And being in this final, after so many years with an English team not participating, I think it was about time and I'm just delighted that we got the opportunity to do that," she added.</p>

<p>The Londoners have skillful forwards in Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby, and Pernille Harder and they'll be testing their more direct and physical approach with Barcelona's possession-and-passing style.</p>

<p>Barcelona coach Lluis Cortes said his said are hungry for the crown after losing 2019 final 4-1 to Lyon in Budapest.</p>

<p>"We all have renounced so much so we can focus on our project, which is, becoming the best in Europe. That was our goal, our challenge, and we're on the right path," Cortes said.</p>

<p>"Since 2019 we've been working super hard so that we could get another chance and get to another Champions League final. Last year we were knocking on that door, and I think this year everyone is convinced we have a chance," added goalkeeper Sandra Panos.</p>


UEFA Women's Champions League final will see either Chelsea or Barcelona crowned champions of Europe for the first time, and though the Catalan club are hot favorites, the London side are also on a roll.

UEFA Women's Champions League final will see either Chelsea or Barcelona crowned champions of Europe for the first time, and though the Catalan club are hot favorites, the London side are also on a roll. Barcelona crushed everyone in their path en route to the Primera Division title, winning all 26 of their league games this season and scoring 128 goals while conceding only five. Chelsea may not have been as dominant in winning the FA Women's Super League last week but having won three trophies this term, Emma Hayes's side are full of confidence as they face the 2019 runners-up in Gothenburg, Sweden. Hayes said it was a dream leading her ladies, who she says are inspiring a new generation of boys and girls alike, as they march into the final. "They're amazing women that are inspiring generations… And I'm not talking about little girls here. I'm talking about scores of boys too that are becoming big fans of women's football," Hayes said. "And being in this final, after so many years with an English team not participating, I think it was about time and I'm just delighted that we got the opportunity to do that," she added. The Londoners have skillful forwards in Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby, and Pernille Harder and they'll be testing their more direct and physical approach with Barcelona's possession-and-passing style. Barcelona coach Lluis Cortes said his said are hungry for the crown after losing 2019 final 4-1 to Lyon in Budapest. "We all have renounced so much so we can focus on our project, which is, becoming the best in Europe. That was our goal, our challenge, and we're on the right path," Cortes said. "Since 2019 we've been working super hard so that we could get another chance and get to another Champions League final. Last year we were knocking on that door, and I think this year everyone is convinced we have a chance," added goalkeeper Sandra Panos.

Chelsea and Barcelona gear up for Women's Champions League Final

<p>English fans attending the Champions League final in Porto between Manchester City and Chelsea will have to fly in on the day of the match and will need to stay in a 'bubble' before flying back straight after the game, the Portuguese government said on Thursday.</p>

<p>European soccer's governing body UEFA confirmed on Thursday that the game had been moved from original host Istanbul to Porto in order to ensure that English fans could attend.</p>

<p>Turkey was on the UK government's 'red list' for travel while Portugal has been placed on the 'green list'.</p>

<p>City and Chelsea will each be provided with 6,000 tickets for their fans.</p>

<p>Portugal's Cabinet Affairs Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva told a news conference that a set of rules had been put in place for those fans attending the final.</p>

<p>"Those who come to the final of the Champions League will come and return on the same day, with a test done, in a bubble situation, on charter flights.</p>

<p>"There will be two fan zones and from there they will be moved to the stadium and from the stadium to the airport, being in Portugal less than 24 hours," she said.</p>

<p>Vieira da Silva said that the local health authority was in charge of selecting seats for fans to ensure social distancing and that tickets were non-transferable.</p>

<p>Fans who traveled to Porto to enjoy the occasion without going to the stadium were not subject to the same restrictions Vieira da Silva added.</p>

<p>"Obviously those coming by plane (to be in Porto while the match is on but do not actually go the stadium) will comply with the established rules and security measures will be put in place as happened in Lisbon last year."</p>

<p>She said the restrictions put in place were to ensure that COVID-19 rates remain low in Portugal.</p>

<p>The announcement will be a blow to Porto's hotel and hospitality industry who would have been hoping to cash in on English fans enjoying a long weekend in the city.</p>

<p>UEFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>

<p>Manchester City said on their website that the club would be "offering qualifying supporters an official day trip travel package from Manchester to Porto. Further information will be provided to supporters as soon as possible."</p>


English fans attending the Champions League final in Porto between Manchester City and Chelsea will have to fly in on the day of the match and will need to stay in a 'bubble' before flying back straight after the game, the Portuguese government said on Thursday.

English fans attending the Champions League final in Porto between Manchester City and Chelsea will have to fly in on the day of the match and will need to stay in a 'bubble' before flying back straight after the game, the Portuguese government said on Thursday. European soccer's governing body UEFA confirmed on Thursday that the game had been moved from original host Istanbul to Porto in order to ensure that English fans could attend. Turkey was on the UK government's 'red list' for travel while Portugal has been placed on the 'green list'. City and Chelsea will each be provided with 6,000 tickets for their fans. Portugal's Cabinet Affairs Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva told a news conference that a set of rules had been put in place for those fans attending the final. "Those who come to the final of the Champions League will come and return on the same day, with a test done, in a bubble situation, on charter flights. "There will be two fan zones and from there they will be moved to the stadium and from the stadium to the airport, being in Portugal less than 24 hours," she said. Vieira da Silva said that the local health authority was in charge of selecting seats for fans to ensure social distancing and that tickets were non-transferable. Fans who traveled to Porto to enjoy the occasion without going to the stadium were not subject to the same restrictions Vieira da Silva added. "Obviously those coming by plane (to be in Porto while the match is on but do not actually go the stadium) will comply with the established rules and security measures will be put in place as happened in Lisbon last year." She said the restrictions put in place were to ensure that COVID-19 rates remain low in Portugal. The announcement will be a blow to Porto's hotel and hospitality industry who would have been hoping to cash in on English fans enjoying a long weekend in the city. UEFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Manchester City said on their website that the club would be "offering qualifying supporters an official day trip travel package from Manchester to Porto. Further information will be provided to supporters as soon as possible."

Fans to stay in bubble, return same day for Champions League final

<p>Manchester City reached their first Champions League final as Riyad Mahrez's double sealed a 2-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday's semi-final second leg.</p>

<p>City, 4-1 winners on aggregate, will play Chelsea or Real Madrid in the final in Istanbul.</p>

<p>Here, AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from the Etihad Stadium clash:</p>

<h2>Guardiola makes his point</h2>

<p>Criticised for meddling with Manchester City's tactics with disastrous results in last season's shock Champions League quarter-final defeat against Lyon, Pep Guardiola enjoyed a moment of sweet redemption as his astute game-plan laid the foundations for their historic victory.</p>

<p>With a 2-1 lead to defend from the first leg in Paris, Guardiola needed to come up with the right approach to ensure his team didn't let PSG back into the tie.</p>

<p>Some believed Guardiola's desire to prove he could win the Champions League without Lionel Messi had affected him in the latter stages of the competition in the past as he tinkered with team line-ups unnecessarily.</p>

<p>But this time he struck just the right note, with a counter-attacking approach that set City up to take advantage of PSG's need to chase the game.</p>

<p>It worked to perfection with Riyad Mahrez's opening goal coming after a long pass from Ederson exploited the gaps left by PSG at the back.</p>

<p>"We approach this game like any other game," Guardiola had said ahead of the second leg, but even he knew the 289th match of his City reign was unlike any that had come before.</p>

<p>Guardiola last won the Champions League when he lifted the trophy for the second time in his Barcelona reign in 2011.</p>

<p>He hadn't been to the final since then, with City's Champions League campaigns littered with agonising exits in the Guardiola era.</p>

<p>At last, Guardiola and City can put their chequered European history behind them as they chase a remarkable Premier League, Champions League and League Cup treble.</p>

<h2>Rock-solid Dias leads the way</h2>

<p>Ruben Dias has made a superb impact since arriving at Manchester City from Benfica last year and this was the Portugal centre-back's finest moment yet.</p>

<p>After initially failing to fill the void left by Vincent Kompany's exit in 2019, City have finally found a worthy successor for the inspirational Belgian.</p>

<p>Dias was rock solid as PSG fought to get back into the tie, making a series of brave blocks and well-timed interceptions.</p>

<p>Twice, he denied PSG by putting his body on the line without a second thought, but the 23-year-old's tour de force came in the 62nd minute.</p>

<p>Ander Herrera's volley was flying towards goal, but Dias flung himself in the way, taking the ball flush on the face to stop the shot testing City keeper Ederson.</p>

<p>Dias wasn't the only defensive hero for City and when Oleksandr Zinchenko made a last-ditch block to deny Neymar inside the City area, John Stones hugged the left-back with unbridled joy -- a celebration that set the stage for the party to come at the final whistle.</p>

<h2>PSG blunted by Mbappe injury</h2>

<p>The glum look on Kylian Mbappe's face as he sat huddled on the PSG bench encapsulated a miserable evening for the France star and his team.</p>

<p>Mbappe wasn't fit to start after suffering a calf injury and he remained an unused substitute as PSG's final hopes faded away.</p>

<p>Brazil star Neymar had shouldered the burden when Mbappe was absent in the past, with PSG winning all five of their previous games under Mauricio Pochettino without the 22-year-old.</p>

<p>But Neymar was hounded into submission by City's tenacious defence and Mauro Icardi, starting in Mbappe's place, was unable to replicate the threat posed by the World Cup-winning striker, who has 37 goals in 43 appearances this season.</p>

<p>PSG had scored three at Manchester United, four at Barcelona and three at Bayern Munich in the Champions League this season.</p>

<p>But five of those 10 goals came from Mbappe and his absence made it impossible for PSG to overturn the first-leg deficit.</p>


Manchester City reached their first Champions League final as Riyad Mahrez's double sealed a 2-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday's semi-final second leg.

Manchester City reached their first Champions League final as Riyad Mahrez's double sealed a 2-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday's semi-final second leg. City, 4-1 winners on aggregate, will play Chelsea or Real Madrid in the final in Istanbul. Here, AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from the Etihad Stadium clash: Guardiola makes his point Criticised for meddling with Manchester City's tactics with disastrous results in last season's shock Champions League quarter-final defeat against Lyon, Pep Guardiola enjoyed a moment of sweet redemption as his astute game-plan laid the foundations for their historic victory. With a 2-1 lead to defend from the first leg in Paris, Guardiola needed to come up with the right approach to ensure his team didn't let PSG back into the tie. Some believed Guardiola's desire to prove he could win the Champions League without Lionel Messi had affected him in the latter stages of the competition in the past as he tinkered with team line-ups unnecessarily. But this time he struck just the right note, with a counter-attacking approach that set City up to take advantage of PSG's need to chase the game. It worked to perfection with Riyad Mahrez's opening goal coming after a long pass from Ederson exploited the gaps left by PSG at the back. "We approach this game like any other game," Guardiola had said ahead of the second leg, but even he knew the 289th match of his City reign was unlike any that had come before. Guardiola last won the Champions League when he lifted the trophy for the second time in his Barcelona reign in 2011. He hadn't been to the final since then, with City's Champions League campaigns littered with agonising exits in the Guardiola era. At last, Guardiola and City can put their chequered European history behind them as they chase a remarkable Premier League, Champions League and League Cup treble. Rock-solid Dias leads the way Ruben Dias has made a superb impact since arriving at Manchester City from Benfica last year and this was the Portugal centre-back's finest moment yet. After initially failing to fill the void left by Vincent Kompany's exit in 2019, City have finally found a worthy successor for the inspirational Belgian. Dias was rock solid as PSG fought to get back into the tie, making a series of brave blocks and well-timed interceptions. Twice, he denied PSG by putting his body on the line without a second thought, but the 23-year-old's tour de force came in the 62nd minute. Ander Herrera's volley was flying towards goal, but Dias flung himself in the way, taking the ball flush on the face to stop the shot testing City keeper Ederson. Dias wasn't the only defensive hero for City and when Oleksandr Zinchenko made a last-ditch block to deny Neymar inside the City area, John Stones hugged the left-back with unbridled joy -- a celebration that set the stage for the party to come at the final whistle. PSG blunted by Mbappe injury The glum look on Kylian Mbappe's face as he sat huddled on the PSG bench encapsulated a miserable evening for the France star and his team. Mbappe wasn't fit to start after suffering a calf injury and he remained an unused substitute as PSG's final hopes faded away. Brazil star Neymar had shouldered the burden when Mbappe was absent in the past, with PSG winning all five of their previous games under Mauricio Pochettino without the 22-year-old. But Neymar was hounded into submission by City's tenacious defence and Mauro Icardi, starting in Mbappe's place, was unable to replicate the threat posed by the World Cup-winning striker, who has 37 goals in 43 appearances this season. PSG had scored three at Manchester United, four at Barcelona and three at Bayern Munich in the Champions League this season. But five of those 10 goals came from Mbappe and his absence made it impossible for PSG to overturn the first-leg deficit.

Champions League: Three things we learned from Man City vs Paris Saint-Germain

<p>The Paris Saint-Germain of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe go after a first-ever Champions League crown in a final behind closed doors in Lisbon on Sunday, but standing in their way are a fearsome Bayern Munich led by the prolific Robert Lewandowski.</p>

<p>It is a mouthwatering showdown between two of Europe's super clubs, with PSG eager to cap their rise in the last decade under Qatari ownership and Bayern hoping to lift the trophy for the sixth time.</p>

<p>Such an occasion deserves to be played in front of a full stadium, but the cavernous, 65,000-seat Estadio da Luz will remain empty.</p>

<p>No fans are allowed in, as has been the case throughout this unprecedented 'Final Eight' tournament in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p>"It will be odd to play behind closed doors. We would have liked to have our supporters there but I know they are supporting us where they are. But this is still the Champions League," said Mbappe on Saturday.</p>

<p>"You still feel all the tension. Everyone wants to win it, especially with this unusual format. Everyone will remember this for a long time because of the tragic events surrounding it."</p>

<p>While the atmosphere in the ground will be surreal, the match promises to be fascinating, pitting together two teams whose domestic dominance is almost total and who were both comfortable winners in the semi-finals.</p>

<h2>'Go down in history'&nbsp;</h2>

<p>PSG beat RB Leipzig 3-0 to become the first French representative in the final since Monaco in 2004 and can now become just the second French winner ever, after Marseille in 1993.</p>

<p>"At the gates of paradise" roared a headline in France's leading sports daily, L'Equipe, on Sunday.</p>

<p>"This is exactly why I came here. I always said that I wanted to go down in my country's history. (This) is another chance to do that," said Mbappe.</p>

<p>If PSG represent, in the eyes of many, the nouveau riche, Bayern are one of the continent's traditional giants. This is their 11th final.</p>

<p>The last of their five victories came in 2013. Four starters from that victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley -- goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba and Thomas Mueller -- could play here. Boateng is expected to start after a hamstring injury.</p>

<p>The game comes exactly 50 years after PSG's first official match. When, in 1974, Bayern won their first European Cup, PSG were just winning promotion to France's top flight.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Leaving aside their storied past, Bayern appear the most formidable team in Europe just now.</p>

<p>Their 3-0 semi-final win over Lyon was their 20th consecutive victory. They are unbeaten in 29 matches since December last year under coach Hansi Flick.</p>

<p>They have already pocketed a German league and cup double, with the Bundesliga title their eighth in a row.</p>

<p>They have won all 10 Champions League matches this season, scoring 42 goals, including a 7-2 win at Tottenham Hotspur and the 8-2 quarter-final demolition of Barcelona.</p>

<h2>Bayern's 'small advantage'</h2>

<p>Lewandowski has 55 goals this season. But he is more than ably supported.</p>

<p>Bayern take the risk of playing with a high defensive line. Yet it remains to be seen if they can afford to do that against PSG's attack of Neymar, Mbappe and Angel Di Maria.</p>

<p>"We've always played with a high line and ultimately we've got results doing that so we won't change too much," Flick insisted.</p>

<p>"Bayern's faith in their own strengths is unwavering," said Munich-based daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Sunday.</p>

<p>The French champions have themselves lost once since November 1, last year, and they overturned that 2-1 reverse in Dortmund in the last 16 by winning the return leg.</p>

<p>"It is a small advantage for Bayern that they are used as a club to playing these games. I accept that, but it is not a decisive advantage," said their German coach Thomas Tuchel.</p>

<p>He was optimistic playmaker Marco Verratti would start after a calf problem. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas is tipped to return after a hamstring injury.</p>

<p>To the winners, along with the glory, will go huge sums in prize money.</p>

<p>At the start of the season UEFA set out a prize pot which ensured up to 80 million euros ($94m) would be destined for the winners.</p>

<p>To that sum can be added close to the same again from television and as a result of the clubs' respective UEFA ranking.</p>


The Paris Saint-Germain of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe go after a first-ever Champions League crown in a final behind closed doors in Lisbon on Sunday, but standing in their way are a fearsome Bayern Munich led by the prolific Robert Lewandowski.

The Paris Saint-Germain of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe go after a first-ever Champions League crown in a final behind closed doors in Lisbon on Sunday, but standing in their way are a fearsome Bayern Munich led by the prolific Robert Lewandowski. It is a mouthwatering showdown between two of Europe's super clubs, with PSG eager to cap their rise in the last decade under Qatari ownership and Bayern hoping to lift the trophy for the sixth time. Such an occasion deserves to be played in front of a full stadium, but the cavernous, 65,000-seat Estadio da Luz will remain empty. No fans are allowed in, as has been the case throughout this unprecedented 'Final Eight' tournament in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. "It will be odd to play behind closed doors. We would have liked to have our supporters there but I know they are supporting us where they are. But this is still the Champions League," said Mbappe on Saturday. "You still feel all the tension. Everyone wants to win it, especially with this unusual format. Everyone will remember this for a long time because of the tragic events surrounding it." While the atmosphere in the ground will be surreal, the match promises to be fascinating, pitting together two teams whose domestic dominance is almost total and who were both comfortable winners in the semi-finals. 'Go down in history' PSG beat RB Leipzig 3-0 to become the first French representative in the final since Monaco in 2004 and can now become just the second French winner ever, after Marseille in 1993. "At the gates of paradise" roared a headline in France's leading sports daily, L'Equipe, on Sunday. "This is exactly why I came here. I always said that I wanted to go down in my country's history. (This) is another chance to do that," said Mbappe. If PSG represent, in the eyes of many, the nouveau riche, Bayern are one of the continent's traditional giants. This is their 11th final. The last of their five victories came in 2013. Four starters from that victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley -- goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba and Thomas Mueller -- could play here. Boateng is expected to start after a hamstring injury. The game comes exactly 50 years after PSG's first official match. When, in 1974, Bayern won their first European Cup, PSG were just winning promotion to France's top flight. Leaving aside their storied past, Bayern appear the most formidable team in Europe just now. Their 3-0 semi-final win over Lyon was their 20th consecutive victory. They are unbeaten in 29 matches since December last year under coach Hansi Flick. They have already pocketed a German league and cup double, with the Bundesliga title their eighth in a row. They have won all 10 Champions League matches this season, scoring 42 goals, including a 7-2 win at Tottenham Hotspur and the 8-2 quarter-final demolition of Barcelona. Bayern's 'small advantage' Lewandowski has 55 goals this season. But he is more than ably supported. Bayern take the risk of playing with a high defensive line. Yet it remains to be seen if they can afford to do that against PSG's attack of Neymar, Mbappe and Angel Di Maria. "We've always played with a high line and ultimately we've got results doing that so we won't change too much," Flick insisted. "Bayern's faith in their own strengths is unwavering," said Munich-based daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Sunday. The French champions have themselves lost once since November 1, last year, and they overturned that 2-1 reverse in Dortmund in the last 16 by winning the return leg. "It is a small advantage for Bayern that they are used as a club to playing these games. I accept that, but it is not a decisive advantage," said their German coach Thomas Tuchel. He was optimistic playmaker Marco Verratti would start after a calf problem. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas is tipped to return after a hamstring injury. To the winners, along with the glory, will go huge sums in prize money. At the start of the season UEFA set out a prize pot which ensured up to 80 million euros ($94m) would be destined for the winners. To that sum can be added close to the same again from television and as a result of the clubs' respective UEFA ranking.

Preview: Formidable Bayern Munich stand in way of PSG in surreal Champions League final

<p>After four thrilling quarter-finals, the upsets stopped at the last four stage in the Champions League, setting up Sunday’s final between Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain.</p>

<p>Bayern, five-times winners, are back in the final for the first time since 2013 after ending a streak of four losses in the semi-final stage with Wednesday’s comfortable 3-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais.</p>

<p>PSG are in the big game for the first time, having struggled to translate their dominance of the French league into a real challenge in Europe until wins here over Italian club Atalanta and Germany’s RB Leipzig secured their place.</p>

<p>For the first time since 1998, the Champions League final will feature two teams who entered the competition as domestic champions, a throwback to the day’s of the old European Cup when only a country’s title winners were allowed to enter.</p>

<p>While no fans will be present to witness the clash at the Estadio da Luz, home of Portuguese club Benfica, millions across the globe will watch the game which is the most-watched annual sports event in the world.</p>

<p>And there is plenty of interest for those outside of Germany and France.</p>

<p>PSG’s attack is led by Brazil’s biggest star Neymar, the exciting French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe and the crafty Argentine winger Angel Di Maria.</p>

<p>It will be fascinating to see if the French side can expose Bayern’s high defensive line which was breached several times by a wasteful Lyon.</p>

<p>“Paris are a great team,” said Bayern coach Hansi Flick, “We will analyse some things, we know they have quick players. We will look to organise our defence, but we know our biggest strength is putting our opponents under pressure.”</p>

<p>Bayern’s top scorer is Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who leads the tournament’s scoring charts with 15 goals this season and has found the target 55 times in all competitions.</p>

<p>The club’s 19-year-old left back Alphonso Davies has been the most exciting young player in the tournament and was born in a refugee camp in Ghana before moving to Canada, who he represents at national team level.</p>

<p>On a tactical level, the final pits two German coaches against each other for only the second time in the tournament’s history.</p>

<p>PSG’s Thomas Tuchel, the ex-Borussia Dortmund coach, has managed to give the French champion’s expensively assembled squad the balance and steel they have lacked in recent years.</p>

<p>Flick only took over as Bayern coach in November but has had an astonishing impact. Since mid-December, Bayern have enjoyed 28 wins and a solitary draw, scoring 97 goals and conceding just 22.</p>

<p>Bayern, who thrashed Barcelona 8-2 in their quarter-final, also have experience on their side.</p>

<p>The Bavarians have already featured in the European Cup or Champions League final on ten occasions, winning their fifth title in 2013.</p>

<p>PSG have only reached the last four once before and their best performance in Europe came in the old Cup Winner’s Cup which they won in 1996.</p>


After four thrilling quarter-finals, the upsets stopped at the last four stage in the Champions League, setting up Sunday’s final between Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain.

After four thrilling quarter-finals, the upsets stopped at the last four stage in the Champions League, setting up Sunday’s final between Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain. Bayern, five-times winners, are back in the final for the first time since 2013 after ending a streak of four losses in the semi-final stage with Wednesday’s comfortable 3-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais. PSG are in the big game for the first time, having struggled to translate their dominance of the French league into a real challenge in Europe until wins here over Italian club Atalanta and Germany’s RB Leipzig secured their place. For the first time since 1998, the Champions League final will feature two teams who entered the competition as domestic champions, a throwback to the day’s of the old European Cup when only a country’s title winners were allowed to enter. While no fans will be present to witness the clash at the Estadio da Luz, home of Portuguese club Benfica, millions across the globe will watch the game which is the most-watched annual sports event in the world. And there is plenty of interest for those outside of Germany and France. PSG’s attack is led by Brazil’s biggest star Neymar, the exciting French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe and the crafty Argentine winger Angel Di Maria. It will be fascinating to see if the French side can expose Bayern’s high defensive line which was breached several times by a wasteful Lyon. “Paris are a great team,” said Bayern coach Hansi Flick, “We will analyse some things, we know they have quick players. We will look to organise our defence, but we know our biggest strength is putting our opponents under pressure.” Bayern’s top scorer is Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who leads the tournament’s scoring charts with 15 goals this season and has found the target 55 times in all competitions. The club’s 19-year-old left back Alphonso Davies has been the most exciting young player in the tournament and was born in a refugee camp in Ghana before moving to Canada, who he represents at national team level. On a tactical level, the final pits two German coaches against each other for only the second time in the tournament’s history. PSG’s Thomas Tuchel, the ex-Borussia Dortmund coach, has managed to give the French champion’s expensively assembled squad the balance and steel they have lacked in recent years. Flick only took over as Bayern coach in November but has had an astonishing impact. Since mid-December, Bayern have enjoyed 28 wins and a solitary draw, scoring 97 goals and conceding just 22. Bayern, who thrashed Barcelona 8-2 in their quarter-final, also have experience on their side. The Bavarians have already featured in the European Cup or Champions League final on ten occasions, winning their fifth title in 2013. PSG have only reached the last four once before and their best performance in Europe came in the old Cup Winner’s Cup which they won in 1996.

A true final of champions awaits in Lisbon

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<p>Turkey's sports minister on Thursday said that he was "confident" that the Champions League finals will still be held in Istanbul despite coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>UEFA could decide during an Executive Committee meeting scheduled to be held on June 17.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several names of the cities like Lisbon and Frankfurt are making rounds in the media whereas Madrid's Mayor has talked about his city being a possible candidate for hosting the gala night.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the Turkish Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu is assured Turkish football fans, he said: "I have no doubt it will take place in the best way in Turkey. We're confident that we will receive good news on June 17."</p>

<p>"We are following this closely, it's a very important matter," he insisted during an interview with TRT Sports channel.</p>

<p>The Champions League final was set to be held on May 30 in Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, 15 years after hosting Liverpool and AC Milan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Turkish officials and fans, the country is successful in fighting the pandemic and should be the right place to host the game.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Turkey has officially recorded around 173,000 cases of the virus and 4,746 deaths.</p>

<p><em>(Inputs from AFP)</em></p>


Turkey's sports minister on Thursday said that he was "confident" that the Champions League finals will still be held in Istanbul despite coronavirus pandemic. UEFA could decide during an Executive Committee meeting scheduled to be held on June 17.

Turkey's sports minister on Thursday said that he was "confident" that the Champions League finals will still be held in Istanbul despite coronavirus pandemic. UEFA could decide during an Executive Committee meeting scheduled to be held on June 17. Several names of the cities like Lisbon and Frankfurt are making rounds in the media whereas Madrid's Mayor has talked about his city being a possible candidate for hosting the gala night. But the Turkish Sports Minister Mehmet Kasapoglu is assured Turkish football fans, he said: "I have no doubt it will take place in the best way in Turkey. We're confident that we will receive good news on June 17." "We are following this closely, it's a very important matter," he insisted during an interview with TRT Sports channel. The Champions League final was set to be held on May 30 in Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, 15 years after hosting Liverpool and AC Milan. According to Turkish officials and fans, the country is successful in fighting the pandemic and should be the right place to host the game. Turkey has officially recorded around 173,000 cases of the virus and 4,746 deaths. (Inputs from AFP)

Turkey 'confident' that Istanbul will host the Champions League finals despite coronavirus situation

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-tottenham-hotspur-name-mourinho-as-manager-263339">Mauricio&nbsp;Pochettino</a>, who was sacked by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-mourinho-pledges-passion-after-being-named-spurs-boss-263591">Tottenham Hotspur</a> earlier this week, thanked his former&nbsp;players&nbsp;in a&nbsp;farewell&nbsp;message&nbsp;left on a tactics board, photos posted on Twitter by his assistant showed.</p>

<p>The Argentine was let go six months after he led the club to the Champions League final and after more than five years in charge.&nbsp;Spurs&nbsp;appointed former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho as his replacement on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Pochettino&nbsp;has yet to give a statement on his sacking but his assistant Jesus Perez posted two photos on Twitter&nbsp;where he was pictured writing the&nbsp;message&nbsp;on the whiteboard.</p>

<p>"Big thanks to you all,"&nbsp;Pochettino&nbsp;wrote. "We can't say goodbye you will always be in our hearts."</p>

<p>Spurs&nbsp;players&nbsp;also posted&nbsp;messages on Twitter, thanking&nbsp;Pochettino&nbsp;for shaping their careers.</p>

<p>"I'll be forever thankful to you for helping me achieve my dreams," striker Harry Kane wrote.</p>

<p>Teammate Dele Alli tweeted: "He's taught me so much and I'm so grateful for everything he's done for me. Good luck and hope to see you again my friend."</p>


Mauricio Pochettino, who was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week, thanked his former players in a farewell message left on a tactics board, photos posted on Twitter by his assistant showed.

Mauricio Pochettino, who was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week, thanked his former players in a farewell message left on a tactics board, photos posted on Twitter by his assistant showed. The Argentine was let go six months after he led the club to the Champions League final and after more than five years in charge. Spurs appointed former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho as his replacement on Wednesday. Pochettino has yet to give a statement on his sacking but his assistant Jesus Perez posted two photos on Twitter where he was pictured writing the message on the whiteboard. "Big thanks to you all," Pochettino wrote. "We can't say goodbye you will always be in our hearts." Spurs players also posted messages on Twitter, thanking Pochettino for shaping their careers. "I'll be forever thankful to you for helping me achieve my dreams," striker Harry Kane wrote. Teammate Dele Alli tweeted: "He's taught me so much and I'm so grateful for everything he's done for me. Good luck and hope to see you again my friend."

Pochettino leaves farewell message to Spurs players

<p>Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been hailed as the 'ultimate professional' by former skipper Steven Gerrard after the midfielder led the Merseyside club to their sixth European Cup.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-beat-tottenham-to-win-champions-league-final-223520">Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur</a> 2-0 in Saturday's Champions League final to claim their first trophy since the League Cup in 2012 and Gerrard added that he was 'especially proud' of Henderson's refusal to fold in the face of criticism.</p>

<p>Henderson joined Liverpool in 2011 but came close to leaving a year later before finally establishing himself as a first-team regular, replacing the departing Gerrard as club captain in 2015.</p>

<p>"If I had to name someone I regard as the ultimate professional, then Jordan would come right at the top of the list," Gerrard wrote in a column in the Times newspaper on Tuesday.</p>

<p>"He is selfless, he puts himself at the back of the queue because he looks after everyone else first. He puts Jordan Henderson last,"&nbsp;Gerrard said.</p>

<p>Henderson came in for criticism early on in his Liverpool career and former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said in his autobiography that he had passed up the chance to sign the midfielder due to concerns over his running style.</p>

<p>"Everyone in football gets doubted. Jordan has had his fair share but he handles it well and the best thing to do is let your football do the talking. That is what he has done, that is what he will continue to do," Gerrard added.</p>

<p>When <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/only-the-start-jurgen-klopp-predicts-more-good-times-ahead-for-liverpool-223575">Jurgen Klopp</a> took charge of the club in 2015, a lack of cover in defensive midfield forced him to deploy Henderson in a deeper role but the 28-year-old also made decisive contributions in an advanced position this season.</p>

<p>"He has running power, you can trust him with the ball, has a good range of passing. Over the past few months, (he) has risen to the challenge of pushing Liverpool forward and has come right into top form," Gerrard said.</p>

<p>With <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-mohamed-salahs-penalty-strike-against-tottenham-hotspur-in-champions-league-final-223514">Liverpool </a>set to resume their title battle with Premier League champions Manchester City next season, Gerrard said he hoped his former teammate would kick on from winning the Champions League to collect more trophies.</p>

<p>"I am hoping this will become the catalyst for him to lift more trophies above his head. I know that is what he wants," Gerrard said.</p>


Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been hailed as the 'ultimate professional' by former skipper Steven Gerrard after the midfielder led the Merseyside club to their sixth European Cup.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been hailed as the 'ultimate professional' by former skipper Steven Gerrard after the midfielder led the Merseyside club to their sixth European Cup. Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in Saturday's Champions League final to claim their first trophy since the League Cup in 2012 and Gerrard added that he was 'especially proud' of Henderson's refusal to fold in the face of criticism. Henderson joined Liverpool in 2011 but came close to leaving a year later before finally establishing himself as a first-team regular, replacing the departing Gerrard as club captain in 2015. "If I had to name someone I regard as the ultimate professional, then Jordan would come right at the top of the list," Gerrard wrote in a column in the Times newspaper on Tuesday. "He is selfless, he puts himself at the back of the queue because he looks after everyone else first. He puts Jordan Henderson last," Gerrard said. Henderson came in for criticism early on in his Liverpool career and former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said in his autobiography that he had passed up the chance to sign the midfielder due to concerns over his running style. "Everyone in football gets doubted. Jordan has had his fair share but he handles it well and the best thing to do is let your football do the talking. That is what he has done, that is what he will continue to do," Gerrard added. When Jurgen Klopp took charge of the club in 2015, a lack of cover in defensive midfield forced him to deploy Henderson in a deeper role but the 28-year-old also made decisive contributions in an advanced position this season. "He has running power, you can trust him with the ball, has a good range of passing. Over the past few months, (he) has risen to the challenge of pushing Liverpool forward and has come right into top form," Gerrard said. With Liverpool set to resume their title battle with Premier League champions Manchester City next season, Gerrard said he hoped his former teammate would kick on from winning the Champions League to collect more trophies. "I am hoping this will become the catalyst for him to lift more trophies above his head. I know that is what he wants," Gerrard said.

Steven Gerrard hails Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson for rising above criticism to win Champions League

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-beat-tottenham-to-win-champions-league-final-223520">UEFA Champions League final</a> match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur was halted for a few seconds when a female fan invaded the pitch, wearing a black swimsuit, in the first half of the game.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The female pitch invader later identified as a Russian swimsuit model Kinsey Wolanski, who is an Instagram model and her handle is @kinsey_sue.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-mohamed-salahs-penalty-strike-against-tottenham-hotspur-in-champions-league-final-223514">Mohamed Salah's penalty strike against Tottenham Hotspur in Champions League final</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the reports, Wolanski is the girlfriend of YouTube prankster Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, popular for his YouTube name VitalyzdTV.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Zdorovetskiy is banned from major sporting&nbsp;events.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch the pitch invasion:</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pitch Invader LOOOLL <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLfinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLfinal</a> <a href="https://t.co/ebKcQjatLd">pic.twitter.com/ebKcQjatLd</a></p>
— 🔮™️ (@iseekwisdm) <a href="https://twitter.com/iseekwisdm/status/1134902964898881536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A penalty in 22 seconds<br />
<br />
Female pitch invader in a Champions League final...<br />
<br />
What a start 😂 <a href="https://t.co/67jaawUGbT">pic.twitter.com/67jaawUGbT</a></p>
— Football HQ (@FootbaII_HQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/FootbaII_HQ/status/1134904853707276289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwufP_oFRwz/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Good morning honey 🍯</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kinsey_sue/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Kinsey Wolanski</a> (@kinsey_sue) on <time datetime="2019-04-26T17:01:18+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Apr 26, 2019 at 10:01am PDT</time></p>
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<p>In the match,&nbsp;Mohamed Salah's early penalty and a late goal by Divock Origi steered Liverpool to a sixth Champions League title on Saturday as they beat Tottenham 2-0 in an all-English final in Madrid.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Salah scored the second quickest goal in Champions League final history as he converted from the spot after just one minute and 48 seconds following a handball by Moussa Sissoko.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Belgian striker Origi, who scored the winning goal against Barcelona in Liverpool's remarkable semi-final comeback, sealed victory three minutes from time with a superb low finish.&nbsp;</p>


The UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur was halted for a few seconds when a female fan invaded the pitch, wearing a black swimsuit, in the first half of the game.

The UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur was halted for a few seconds when a female fan invaded the pitch, wearing a black swimsuit, in the first half of the game. The female pitch invader later identified as a Russian swimsuit model Kinsey Wolanski, who is an Instagram model and her handle is @kinsey_sue. Watch: Mohamed Salah's penalty strike against Tottenham Hotspur in Champions League final As per the reports, Wolanski is the girlfriend of YouTube prankster Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, popular for his YouTube name VitalyzdTV. Zdorovetskiy is banned from major sporting events. Watch the pitch invasion: Pitch Invader LOOOLL #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/ebKcQjatLd — 🔮™️ (@iseekwisdm) June 1, 2019 × A penalty in 22 seconds Female pitch invader in a Champions League final... What a start 😂 pic.twitter.com/67jaawUGbT — Football HQ (@FootbaII_HQ) June 1, 2019 × View this post on Instagram Good morning honey 🍯 A post shared by Kinsey Wolanski (@kinsey_sue) on Apr 26, 2019 at 10:01am PDT × In the match, Mohamed Salah's early penalty and a late goal by Divock Origi steered Liverpool to a sixth Champions League title on Saturday as they beat Tottenham 2-0 in an all-English final in Madrid. Salah scored the second quickest goal in Champions League final history as he converted from the spot after just one minute and 48 seconds following a handball by Moussa Sissoko. Belgian striker Origi, who scored the winning goal against Barcelona in Liverpool's remarkable semi-final comeback, sealed victory three minutes from time with a superb low finish.

UCLfinal: Female pitch invader's identity revealed

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-mohamed-salahs-penalty-strike-against-tottenham-hotspur-in-champions-league-final-223514">Mohamed Salah</a>'s early penalty and a late goal by Divock Origi steered Liverpool to a sixth Champions League title on Saturday as they beat Tottenham 2-0 in an all-English final in Madrid.</p>

<p>Salah scored the second quickest goal in Champions League final history as he converted from the spot after just one minute and 48 seconds following a handball by Moussa Sissoko.</p>

<p>Belgian striker Origi, who scored the winning goal against Barcelona in Liverpool's remarkable semi-final comeback, sealed victory three minutes from time with a superb low finish.</p>

<p>Salah&nbsp;scored the second quickest goal in Champions League final history&nbsp;as he converted from the spot after just one minute and 48 seconds following a handball by Moussa Sissoko.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-final-female-pitch-invaders-identity-revealed-223518">Female pitch invader's identity revealed</a></strong></p>

<p>Italy great Paolo Maldini holds the record for the fastest goal after he scored with just 50 seconds gone in the 2005 final against Liverpool.</p>

<p>Mohamed Salah took on the responsibility and converted the penalty into a goal and became the first Egyptian to score in the Champions League final.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🏆 CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE! 🏆<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLfinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLfinal</a> <a href="https://t.co/4W9diw8Q94">pic.twitter.com/4W9diw8Q94</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🔴 Liverpool's name is on the trophy for the sixth time!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLfinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLfinal</a> <a href="https://t.co/9AJSZtAhUv">pic.twitter.com/9AJSZtAhUv</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Divock Origi 🙌<br />
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Semi-final hero ✅<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLfinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLfinal</a> hero ✅ <a href="https://t.co/2EETtC2U2k">pic.twitter.com/2EETtC2U2k</a></p>
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<p>A disappointing final never truly got going after that, but Liverpool will not care, as they saw Alisson Becker make several confident saves in the latter stages before substitute Origi drilled in the killer second in the 87th minute.</p>

<p>That led to an explosion of joy from their supporters inside the Metropolitano Stadium as Jurgen Klopp's side made up for their defeat in last year's final against Real Madrid and the deflation of missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City.</p>

<p>Salah has his redemption after injury ruined his night against Real in Kiev, and the revered Klopp has his first trophy as Liverpool manager, three and a half years on from his arrival at the club. The German ends a run of six straight defeats in finals.</p>

<p>More importantly, Liverpool have their sixth European Cup, further cementing their status as one of football's most storied clubs.</p>

<p>They now have more than Barcelona or Bayern Munich, and twice as many as their great rivals Manchester United.</p>

<p>Perhaps the occasion was just too much for Tottenham in their first ever appearance in the Champions League final. Beating Liverpool was always going to be a big ask, and they have now lost all three meetings with these opponents this season, winning just one of their last 15 encounters.</p>

<p>Mauricio Pochettino's decision to start Harry Kane after nearly two months out did not pay off, and he is still looking for his first trophy after five years in charge.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, if they can keep him, and with the impetus from the move to their new stadium, maybe they will be back on such a stage before long.</p>

<p>That they were here at all was remarkable, Lucas Moura's sensational hat-trick that dumped out Ajax in the semi-finals capping a memorable Champions League season all round.</p>

<p>The stage was set for this match, only the second all-English final, but after all the hype and the stories of fans paying thousands for tickets for a game they simply could not miss, this was a strangely subdued affair between the two goals.</p>

<p><strong>Kane gamble backfires</strong></p>

<p>Perhaps the stakes were simply too high, or perhaps the three-week break since the end of the Premier League season was to blame.</p>

<p>Most likely the suffocating Madrid heat impacted on the players and prevented this from being like a typical Premier League clash.</p>

<p>However, it might also have been a result of the opening goal coming so early, badly affecting Tottenham's confidence.</p>

<p>Pochettino had opted to start Kane after an ankle injury, meaning Lucas was on the bench. Kane hardly touched the ball.</p>

<p>Eight members of Liverpool's team also started last season's final, when Salah went off injured and in tears in the first half.</p>

<p>This time Liverpool were the ones celebrating after a whirlwind start, Slovenian referee Damir Skomina pointing to the spot inside 25 seconds when Sissoko blocked Sadio Mane's cross with his arm.</p>

<p>Salah confidently blasted home the penalty for the second-fastest goal ever scored in the final of the modern Champions League.</p>

<p>The only faster effort was Paolo Maldini's effort for AC Milan against Liverpool in Istanbul in 2005, when the Anfield side famously won on penalties.</p>

<p>Spurs just did not get going, and there was none of the frenzied pressing and attacking associated with Klopp's side, although Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson both came close in the first half.</p>

<p>Pochettino's team did improve after the break, but Virgil van Dijk was immense for Liverpool and there was no way past Alisson, with the Brazilian saving well from Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen late on.</p>

<p>It was left to Origi, one of the heroes of the stunning semi-final win over Barcelona, to wrap it up with three minutes left as he swept home inside the box to end any doubt.</p>


Mohamed Salah's early penalty and a late goal by Divock Origi steered Liverpool to a sixth Champions League title on Saturday as they beat Tottenham 2-0 in an all-English final in Madrid.

Mohamed Salah's early penalty and a late goal by Divock Origi steered Liverpool to a sixth Champions League title on Saturday as they beat Tottenham 2-0 in an all-English final in Madrid. Salah scored the second quickest goal in Champions League final history as he converted from the spot after just one minute and 48 seconds following a handball by Moussa Sissoko. Belgian striker Origi, who scored the winning goal against Barcelona in Liverpool's remarkable semi-final comeback, sealed victory three minutes from time with a superb low finish. Salah scored the second quickest goal in Champions League final history as he converted from the spot after just one minute and 48 seconds following a handball by Moussa Sissoko. Also Read: Female pitch invader's identity revealed Italy great Paolo Maldini holds the record for the fastest goal after he scored with just 50 seconds gone in the 2005 final against Liverpool. Mohamed Salah took on the responsibility and converted the penalty into a goal and became the first Egyptian to score in the Champions League final. 🏆 CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE! 🏆#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/4W9diw8Q94 — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 1, 2019 × 🔴 Liverpool's name is on the trophy for the sixth time!#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/9AJSZtAhUv — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 1, 2019 × Divock Origi 🙌 Semi-final hero ✅#UCLfinal hero ✅ pic.twitter.com/2EETtC2U2k — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 1, 2019 × A disappointing final never truly got going after that, but Liverpool will not care, as they saw Alisson Becker make several confident saves in the latter stages before substitute Origi drilled in the killer second in the 87th minute. That led to an explosion of joy from their supporters inside the Metropolitano Stadium as Jurgen Klopp's side made up for their defeat in last year's final against Real Madrid and the deflation of missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City. Salah has his redemption after injury ruined his night against Real in Kiev, and the revered Klopp has his first trophy as Liverpool manager, three and a half years on from his arrival at the club. The German ends a run of six straight defeats in finals. More importantly, Liverpool have their sixth European Cup, further cementing their status as one of football's most storied clubs. They now have more than Barcelona or Bayern Munich, and twice as many as their great rivals Manchester United. Perhaps the occasion was just too much for Tottenham in their first ever appearance in the Champions League final. Beating Liverpool was always going to be a big ask, and they have now lost all three meetings with these opponents this season, winning just one of their last 15 encounters. Mauricio Pochettino's decision to start Harry Kane after nearly two months out did not pay off, and he is still looking for his first trophy after five years in charge. Nevertheless, if they can keep him, and with the impetus from the move to their new stadium, maybe they will be back on such a stage before long. That they were here at all was remarkable, Lucas Moura's sensational hat-trick that dumped out Ajax in the semi-finals capping a memorable Champions League season all round. The stage was set for this match, only the second all-English final, but after all the hype and the stories of fans paying thousands for tickets for a game they simply could not miss, this was a strangely subdued affair between the two goals. Kane gamble backfires Perhaps the stakes were simply too high, or perhaps the three-week break since the end of the Premier League season was to blame. Most likely the suffocating Madrid heat impacted on the players and prevented this from being like a typical Premier League clash. However, it might also have been a result of the opening goal coming so early, badly affecting Tottenham's confidence. Pochettino had opted to start Kane after an ankle injury, meaning Lucas was on the bench. Kane hardly touched the ball. Eight members of Liverpool's team also started last season's final, when Salah went off injured and in tears in the first half. This time Liverpool were the ones celebrating after a whirlwind start, Slovenian referee Damir Skomina pointing to the spot inside 25 seconds when Sissoko blocked Sadio Mane's cross with his arm. Salah confidently blasted home the penalty for the second-fastest goal ever scored in the final of the modern Champions League. The only faster effort was Paolo Maldini's effort for AC Milan against Liverpool in Istanbul in 2005, when the Anfield side famously won on penalties. Spurs just did not get going, and there was none of the frenzied pressing and attacking associated with Klopp's side, although Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson both came close in the first half. Pochettino's team did improve after the break, but Virgil van Dijk was immense for Liverpool and there was no way past Alisson, with the Brazilian saving well from Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen late on. It was left to Origi, one of the heroes of the stunning semi-final win over Barcelona, to wrap it up with three minutes left as he swept home inside the box to end any doubt.

Liverpool beat Tottenham to win Champions League final

<p>A first trophy in seven years for Liverpool, and a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-beat-tottenham-to-win-champions-league-final-223520">first win in seven finals for Jurgen Klopp</a>. The European Cup is heading back to Anfield for the sixth time and their manager is confident there is much more to come.</p>

<p>A beaming Klopp revealed after Saturday's 2-0 final victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid that he had received a congratulatory phone call from Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola.</p>

<p>Three weeks ago, the Reds were denied a first league title in 30 years by City, despite losing just once and racking up 97 points, but winning the Champions League makes up for that disappointment.</p>

<p>"We promised each other already that we will kick our butts next year again," Klopp said of his brief exchange with Guardiola in between speaking to the world's media at the Metropolitano Stadium. "We will go for everything and we'll see if we get something."</p>

<p>It was a sentiment shared by centre-back Virgil van Dijk as he spoke after being named man of the match in the final.</p>

<p>"In July when we start again, everyone starts on nil and everyone's working towards their goals," he declared.</p>

<p>"Obviously we want to challenge for every trophy if possible. We have the squad for it, but you've also seen it this year, you still have to do it, and hopefully we can challenge Manchester City again next season for the title, because I don't think they will go anywhere, so we won't go anywhere either."</p>

<p>Liverpool had won nothing at all since defeating Cardiff City on penalties in the League Cup final in 2012. A trophy, but not on the same level as this.</p>

<p>After losing the Europa League final in 2016 and last year's Champions League final against Real Madrid, Liverpool seized their chance this time thanks to Mohamed Salah's early penalty and Divock Origi's late strike.</p>

<p>This was already a club reborn under the German's management, but such a tangible reward was needed, three and a half years on from his arrival on Merseyside.</p>

<p>"I'm interested really in development, but I get it, we have to win things, and so it's really important that people don't ask now all the time about not winning things," he said.</p>

<p>"Now we won something, and we will carry on, we want to win things, 100 per cent.</p>

<p>"This is only the start for this group, it's a wonderful age group, they still have the best times in their career still ahead of them, so that's big."</p>

<p><strong>Istanbul again?</strong></p>

<p>The former Borussia Dortmund coach has continually improved Liverpool in his time at the club, and nowhere was that more evident on Saturday than in goal.</p>

<p>Twelve months after two hideous errors by Loris Karius cost them dear against Real, his replacement Alisson showed just why Liverpool were prepared to pay £66.8 million (75 million euros, $84 million) to sign him from Roma as he made several key saves late in the game.</p>

<p>"He of course played a sensational game, he looked completely unbeatable pretty much," said Klopp.</p>

<p>Van Dijk was again outstanding too, so good that it was put to him that he could be a contender to win this year's Ballon d'Or.</p>

<p>It was not a great game and it was not a vintage Liverpool performance, but Klopp emphasised the importance of getting over the line. Now he will hope to strengthen again for next season, although they don't have long, with the new campaign starting on August 10.</p>

<p>Four days after that they will play Europa League winners Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul, and some fans will already be dreaming of a return to the Turkish city next year when it hosts the 2020 Champions League final.</p>

<p>"We know that sometimes we carry the burden of history and making Istanbul happen again will be a target I would say, but it will be difficult," warned Klopp.</p>

<p>Liverpool's previous Champions League triumph before this came in Istanbul in 2005, when they went 3-0 down to AC Milan but came back to win on penalties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Van Dijk added: "To be two years in a row in the Champions League final, it's something we hope to do every year, but we know ourselves how difficult it is to reach."</p>


A first trophy in seven years for Liverpool, and a first win in seven finals for Jurgen Klopp. The European Cup is heading back to Anfield for the sixth time and their manager is confident there is much more to come.

A first trophy in seven years for Liverpool, and a first win in seven finals for Jurgen Klopp. The European Cup is heading back to Anfield for the sixth time and their manager is confident there is much more to come. A beaming Klopp revealed after Saturday's 2-0 final victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid that he had received a congratulatory phone call from Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola. Three weeks ago, the Reds were denied a first league title in 30 years by City, despite losing just once and racking up 97 points, but winning the Champions League makes up for that disappointment. "We promised each other already that we will kick our butts next year again," Klopp said of his brief exchange with Guardiola in between speaking to the world's media at the Metropolitano Stadium. "We will go for everything and we'll see if we get something." It was a sentiment shared by centre-back Virgil van Dijk as he spoke after being named man of the match in the final. "In July when we start again, everyone starts on nil and everyone's working towards their goals," he declared. "Obviously we want to challenge for every trophy if possible. We have the squad for it, but you've also seen it this year, you still have to do it, and hopefully we can challenge Manchester City again next season for the title, because I don't think they will go anywhere, so we won't go anywhere either." Liverpool had won nothing at all since defeating Cardiff City on penalties in the League Cup final in 2012. A trophy, but not on the same level as this. After losing the Europa League final in 2016 and last year's Champions League final against Real Madrid, Liverpool seized their chance this time thanks to Mohamed Salah's early penalty and Divock Origi's late strike. This was already a club reborn under the German's management, but such a tangible reward was needed, three and a half years on from his arrival on Merseyside. "I'm interested really in development, but I get it, we have to win things, and so it's really important that people don't ask now all the time about not winning things," he said. "Now we won something, and we will carry on, we want to win things, 100 per cent. "This is only the start for this group, it's a wonderful age group, they still have the best times in their career still ahead of them, so that's big." Istanbul again? The former Borussia Dortmund coach has continually improved Liverpool in his time at the club, and nowhere was that more evident on Saturday than in goal. Twelve months after two hideous errors by Loris Karius cost them dear against Real, his replacement Alisson showed just why Liverpool were prepared to pay £66.8 million (75 million euros, $84 million) to sign him from Roma as he made several key saves late in the game. "He of course played a sensational game, he looked completely unbeatable pretty much," said Klopp. Van Dijk was again outstanding too, so good that it was put to him that he could be a contender to win this year's Ballon d'Or. It was not a great game and it was not a vintage Liverpool performance, but Klopp emphasised the importance of getting over the line. Now he will hope to strengthen again for next season, although they don't have long, with the new campaign starting on August 10. Four days after that they will play Europa League winners Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul, and some fans will already be dreaming of a return to the Turkish city next year when it hosts the 2020 Champions League final. "We know that sometimes we carry the burden of history and making Istanbul happen again will be a target I would say, but it will be difficult," warned Klopp. Liverpool's previous Champions League triumph before this came in Istanbul in 2005, when they went 3-0 down to AC Milan but came back to win on penalties. Van Dijk added: "To be two years in a row in the Champions League final, it's something we hope to do every year, but we know ourselves how difficult it is to reach."

'Only the start': Jurgen Klopp predicts more good times ahead for Liverpool

<p>Pochettino's side are the underdogs for the UEFA <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/silverware-is-priority-for-liverpool-says-alexander-arnold-ahead-of-champions-league-final-against-tottenham-223223">Champions League final against Liverpool</a> but they have overcome the odds on more than one occasion this season to make the final.</p>

<p>When talking about matters on the pitch Pochettino said he would make a decision about striker Harry Kane after the training session at Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano stadium on Friday evening.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tottenhams-danny-rose-never-imagined-reaching-champions-league-final-222555">Spurs </a>sneaked into the knockout stages of the competition with only eight points from six games and had to rely on Inter Milan failing to beat PSV Eindhoven in the final game to progress.</p>

<p>Pochettino praised his players after all of the difficulties they've faced this season, adding that they will give their best against Liverpool who he believes are the best side in the English league alongside Manchester City.</p>

<p>Reaching the final also gives Hugo Lloris the opportunity to become only the second captain to lift the World Cup and Champions League trophy in a 12-month period.&nbsp;</p>

<p>''As a professional athlete, I think it's important to enjoy the way you work and we know football is a collective sport. We spend so much time together and when you start to work on the togetherness aspect in training, then it can help us to achieve big things as a team in the competition,'' Lloris said.</p>

<p>Llorris added, ''This is probably why we are at this stage of the competition because we are a proper team."</p>

<p>Goalkeeper Lloris won the World Cup with France in July and he can now emulate Franz Beckenbauer who claimed the same feat with Germany and Bayern Munich.</p>

<p>The match will kickoff at 1900GMT on Saturday.</p>


Pochettino's side are the underdogs for the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool but they have overcome the odds on more than one occasion this season to make the final.

Pochettino's side are the underdogs for the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool but they have overcome the odds on more than one occasion this season to make the final. When talking about matters on the pitch Pochettino said he would make a decision about striker Harry Kane after the training session at Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano stadium on Friday evening. Spurs sneaked into the knockout stages of the competition with only eight points from six games and had to rely on Inter Milan failing to beat PSV Eindhoven in the final game to progress. Pochettino praised his players after all of the difficulties they've faced this season, adding that they will give their best against Liverpool who he believes are the best side in the English league alongside Manchester City. Reaching the final also gives Hugo Lloris the opportunity to become only the second captain to lift the World Cup and Champions League trophy in a 12-month period. ''As a professional athlete, I think it's important to enjoy the way you work and we know football is a collective sport. We spend so much time together and when you start to work on the togetherness aspect in training, then it can help us to achieve big things as a team in the competition,'' Lloris said. Llorris added, ''This is probably why we are at this stage of the competition because we are a proper team." Goalkeeper Lloris won the World Cup with France in July and he can now emulate Franz Beckenbauer who claimed the same feat with Germany and Bayern Munich. The match will kickoff at 1900GMT on Saturday.

Hugo Lloris eyes winning his second final in a year as Tottenham face Liverpool in Champions League final

<p>Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose has a reputation for straight talking which in the past has led to him publicly questioning his club's ambitions and their ability to challenge for the biggest trophies in the game.</p>

<p>But as he prepares for Saturday's Champions League final against Liverpool and the chance to get his hands on the biggest trophy of them all, he is happy to have been proved wrong by coach <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/tottenham-hotspurs-coach-mauricio-pochettino-hints-leaving-the-club-if-they-win-the-champions-league-217190&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj2l6ec68DiAhWV7HMBHfd_AtkQFjACegQIDRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2NZssnQyxp8wJO9JQkxguk">Mauricio Pochettino</a>.</p>

<p>"Since I've been at the club being in a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/losing-champions-league-final-would-be-painful-says-tottenhams-son-heung-min-218869&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwixkOO468DiAhXV8XMBHd3UDMAQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2T_raEpiqEq_PYMaHxtp2u">Champions League final</a> has never ever entered my thought process," said Rose, who joined Spurs from Leeds as a teenager in 2007 and qualified for the competition for the first time in 2010.</p>

<p>"We've got to one Carabao Cup final and two FA Cup semis, we've huffed and puffed in the league and ultimately never come close.</p>

<p>"Now we're 90 minutes away from maybe lifting the Champions League, I never thought that could happen at Tottenham. It shows you anything can happen in football," Rose said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/mauricio-pochettino-optimistic-harry-kane-will-play-in-champions-league-final-221259&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwixkOO468DiAhXV8XMBHd3UDMAQFjADegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2jzKY_bGPewAVum1Kl7Eig">Pochettino</a> has always had lofty ambitions for Spurs, ever since he took charge in 2014 and talked about the need to change the club's mentality after repeatedly finishing outside the Premier League's top four.</p>

<p>Rose is the first to admit he did not take the incoming coach's message too seriously.</p>

<p>"It wasn't that I didn't believe him, I just didn't understand. Now I definitely understand. It shows that's why he's the manager and I'm the player," added Rose, speaking to reporters ahead of the showpiece in Madrid.</p>

<p>The 28-year-old made headlines two years ago for questioning why Tottenham did not compete with their Premier League rivals to sign top players, saying they recruited unknown players who he had to look up on Google.</p>

<p>Spurs have not signed anyone since Lucas Moura in January 2018 and have repeatedly been out-spent by their rivals, but Rose now sees the value in Pochettino keeping a tight squad together and being careful about upsetting the balance.</p>

<p>That sense of togetherness has come in handy in the team's dramatic path to the final, from overcoming a disastrous start in the group stage to sneak into the knockout round to beating all-powerful Manchester City and overhauling a three-goal deficit to Ajax Amsterdam.</p>

<p>"We don't know the ins and outs and why the club hasn't signed anybody. You can either take it that the manager has got full confidence in what he's worked with or you can take it that nobody wants to join Tottenham and the club hasn't been able to provide the funds to buy anyone," Rose said.</p>

<p>"Despite what I may have said in the past, the manager believes in his way, we're all behind his way and looks what it's brought us. It's brought us to a Champions League final, another year of Champions League football next season, a lot of credit should go towards the manager, we've all done ever so well," added Rose.</p>


Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose has a reputation for straight talking which in the past has led to him publicly questioning his club's ambitions and their ability to challenge for the biggest trophies in the game.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose has a reputation for straight talking which in the past has led to him publicly questioning his club's ambitions and their ability to challenge for the biggest trophies in the game. But as he prepares for Saturday's Champions League final against Liverpool and the chance to get his hands on the biggest trophy of them all, he is happy to have been proved wrong by coach Mauricio Pochettino. "Since I've been at the club being in a Champions League final has never ever entered my thought process," said Rose, who joined Spurs from Leeds as a teenager in 2007 and qualified for the competition for the first time in 2010. "We've got to one Carabao Cup final and two FA Cup semis, we've huffed and puffed in the league and ultimately never come close. "Now we're 90 minutes away from maybe lifting the Champions League, I never thought that could happen at Tottenham. It shows you anything can happen in football," Rose said. Pochettino has always had lofty ambitions for Spurs, ever since he took charge in 2014 and talked about the need to change the club's mentality after repeatedly finishing outside the Premier League's top four. Rose is the first to admit he did not take the incoming coach's message too seriously. "It wasn't that I didn't believe him, I just didn't understand. Now I definitely understand. It shows that's why he's the manager and I'm the player," added Rose, speaking to reporters ahead of the showpiece in Madrid. The 28-year-old made headlines two years ago for questioning why Tottenham did not compete with their Premier League rivals to sign top players, saying they recruited unknown players who he had to look up on Google. Spurs have not signed anyone since Lucas Moura in January 2018 and have repeatedly been out-spent by their rivals, but Rose now sees the value in Pochettino keeping a tight squad together and being careful about upsetting the balance. That sense of togetherness has come in handy in the team's dramatic path to the final, from overcoming a disastrous start in the group stage to sneak into the knockout round to beating all-powerful Manchester City and overhauling a three-goal deficit to Ajax Amsterdam. "We don't know the ins and outs and why the club hasn't signed anybody. You can either take it that the manager has got full confidence in what he's worked with or you can take it that nobody wants to join Tottenham and the club hasn't been able to provide the funds to buy anyone," Rose said. "Despite what I may have said in the past, the manager believes in his way, we're all behind his way and looks what it's brought us. It's brought us to a Champions League final, another year of Champions League football next season, a lot of credit should go towards the manager, we've all done ever so well," added Rose.

Tottenham's Danny Rose never imagined reaching Champions League final

<p>England's preparations for their Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands on June 6 could be thrown into disarray if two Premier League teams reach the Champions League final, national team manager Gareth Southgate has said.</p>

<p>The Champions League final will be held in Madrid on June 1, with England set to play their semi-final in Portugal five days later, leaving Southgate little time to work with his players.</p>

<p>"It could be a mess," the 48-year-old told reporters on Wednesday. "Let's say if two of our teams made it to the Champions League final then we wouldn't see them, at best, until the Monday before we play on Thursday.</p>

<p>"And with the emotion of (the Champions League final), can those players even realistically play on Thursday night for us?"</p>

<p>Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Liverpool are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the first time since 2009 that four teams from</p>

<p>England's top flight have reached the competition's last-eight.</p>

<p>Southgate's squad for this month's European Championship qualifiers has 13 players from the four clubs, including Spurs striker Harry Kane, Liverpool captain Jordan</p>

<p>Henderson and City winger Raheem Sterling.</p>

<p>"They would all need a period where they would need to psychologically switch off," Southgate added. "We`d have to look at Champions League final players when we get to it.</p>

<p>"It will be a little bit like the World Cup in that players will finish at different times."</p>

<p>England face the Czech Republic at Wembley on March 22 followed by a trip to Montenegro three days later.</p>


England's preparations for their Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands on June 6 could be thrown into disarray if two Premier League teams reach the Champions League final, national team manager Gareth Southgate has said.

England's preparations for their Nations League semi-final against the Netherlands on June 6 could be thrown into disarray if two Premier League teams reach the Champions League final, national team manager Gareth Southgate has said. The Champions League final will be held in Madrid on June 1, with England set to play their semi-final in Portugal five days later, leaving Southgate little time to work with his players. "It could be a mess," the 48-year-old told reporters on Wednesday. "Let's say if two of our teams made it to the Champions League final then we wouldn't see them, at best, until the Monday before we play on Thursday. "And with the emotion of (the Champions League final), can those players even realistically play on Thursday night for us?" Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Liverpool are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the first time since 2009 that four teams from England's top flight have reached the competition's last-eight. Southgate's squad for this month's European Championship qualifiers has 13 players from the four clubs, including Spurs striker Harry Kane, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and City winger Raheem Sterling. "They would all need a period where they would need to psychologically switch off," Southgate added. "We`d have to look at Champions League final players when we get to it. "It will be a little bit like the World Cup in that players will finish at different times." England face the Czech Republic at Wembley on March 22 followed by a trip to Montenegro three days later.

Champions League final may 'mess' with England, says Gareth Southgate

<p>As Liverpool takes on Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Kiev later today, all eyes are on none other than Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has been unstoppable since he arrived at Liverpool from Roma last summer for $49 million, a bargain considering transfer market after Brazilian Neymar Jr's $263 million over-rated move to Paris Saint-Germain. Salah's performance has been awe-inspiring and he has proved every pundit, who expressed doubts over his ability to adapt the high-pressing style of Jurgen Klopp's football, wrong.</p>

<p>The Egyptian has scored 44 goals in 48 appearances this season for Liverpool- a record that does not look out of place next to the elite attacking players in the game like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.</p>

<p>And there have been calls already for him to be the next winner of the most prestigious individual accolade in world football -- Ballon d'Or.</p>

<p>Red's talisman broke the back of his former club Roma, his former club, in the semi-final first leg scoring two goals and provided assists for Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, in the process setting up the summit clash with the 12-time winner Real Madrid.</p>

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<p>The dribbling, dancing and grooving Salah helped send Liverpool to the Champions League final but things could have been so different if Chelsea hadn't sold him.</p>

<p>The Egyptian was on the books at the Blues, but his time was short-lived as he was shipped out on loan to Fiorentina and then eventually sold to Roma after a loan deal with the club.</p>

<p>Chelsea's loss is Liverpool's gain. Mohamed Salah has won the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award for 2017-18. Salah has also won the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year award among many others after a stunning debut season with Liverpool. The Egyptian winger has become the first African to ever win the prize.</p>

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<p>The Egyptian king's success in England is a source of immense pride to those back home. He has rapidly reached demigod level in Egypt because of his performances at Liverpool.&nbsp;In fact, according to reports, such is the adulation being heaped upon Salah that it earned him hundreds and thousands of write-in votes in March's presidential election.</p>

<p>His status quickly rose beyond the boundaries of sport, cementing him as a symbol of Egyptian potential and hope even amid a gloomy period for the country, with a troubled economy and few outlets for free expression.</p>

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<p>Dejan Lovren, Salah's Liverpool teammate, recently in an interview showered encomiums on him. Lovren said that when people talk about Ronaldo and Messi they should also talk about Salah. He deserves it, he deserves to be mentioned for the Ballon d'Or, he said and added at the start of the season he didn’t know he could do this, but you see how he is working, how he wants the ball, he is just a different player to what he was.</p>

<p>Having said that, there is no denying that Salah calls for mention when people talk about contemporary greats like Messi and Ronaldo. But the question is whether the Egyptian will be able to do it consistently over several seasons as Messi and Ronaldo have been able to do?</p>

<p>If the Egyptian's performance this season at the Merseyside is anything to go by, the answer to the question yes, he can.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


The Egyptian has scored 44 goals in 48 appearances this season for Liverpool- a record that does not look out of place next to the elite attacking players in the game like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar

As Liverpool takes on Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Kiev later today, all eyes are on none other than Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has been unstoppable since he arrived at Liverpool from Roma last summer for $49 million, a bargain considering transfer market after Brazilian Neymar Jr's $263 million over-rated move to Paris Saint-Germain. Salah's performance has been awe-inspiring and he has proved every pundit, who expressed doubts over his ability to adapt the high-pressing style of Jurgen Klopp's football, wrong. The Egyptian has scored 44 goals in 48 appearances this season for Liverpool- a record that does not look out of place next to the elite attacking players in the game like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. And there have been calls already for him to be the next winner of the most prestigious individual accolade in world football -- Ballon d'Or. Red's talisman broke the back of his former club Roma, his former club, in the semi-final first leg scoring two goals and provided assists for Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, in the process setting up the summit clash with the 12-time winner Real Madrid. The dribbling, dancing and grooving Salah helped send Liverpool to the Champions League final but things could have been so different if Chelsea hadn't sold him × The dribbling, dancing and grooving Salah helped send Liverpool to the Champions League final but things could have been so different if Chelsea hadn't sold him. The Egyptian was on the books at the Blues, but his time was short-lived as he was shipped out on loan to Fiorentina and then eventually sold to Roma after a loan deal with the club. Chelsea's loss is Liverpool's gain. Mohamed Salah has won the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award for 2017-18. Salah has also won the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year award among many others after a stunning debut season with Liverpool. The Egyptian winger has become the first African to ever win the prize. Mo Salah has rapidly reached demigod level in Egypt because of his performances at Liverpool × The Egyptian king's success in England is a source of immense pride to those back home. He has rapidly reached demigod level in Egypt because of his performances at Liverpool. In fact, according to reports, such is the adulation being heaped upon Salah that it earned him hundreds and thousands of write-in votes in March's presidential election. His status quickly rose beyond the boundaries of sport, cementing him as a symbol of Egyptian potential and hope even amid a gloomy period for the country, with a troubled economy and few outlets for free expression. Mohamed Salah deserves to be mentioned for the Ballon d'Or × Dejan Lovren, Salah's Liverpool teammate, recently in an interview showered encomiums on him. Lovren said that when people talk about Ronaldo and Messi they should also talk about Salah. He deserves it, he deserves to be mentioned for the Ballon d'Or, he said and added at the start of the season he didn’t know he could do this, but you see how he is working, how he wants the ball, he is just a different player to what he was. Having said that, there is no denying that Salah calls for mention when people talk about contemporary greats like Messi and Ronaldo. But the question is whether the Egyptian will be able to do it consistently over several seasons as Messi and Ronaldo have been able to do? If the Egyptian's performance this season at the Merseyside is anything to go by, the answer to the question yes, he can. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Mohamed Salah - The Egyptian King who rules Liverpool

<p>It is a ritual that's repeated every year at the very end of May. The minutiae are always the same: Anticipation and mass hysteria in the build-up, analysis and ecstasy or heartbreak at the end. UEFA, the press and the 'stakeholders' drive the narrative. It's about that one all-consuming match, the ultimate centre piece, the Champions League final.</p>

<p>This year that mass hysteria has been taken to a new level: Liverpool will play the European Cup final on Saturday in the Ukrainian capital against Real Madrid, the kings of the continental game, and from across the globe the club's fans have set their minds on 90 minutes of utter delirium in Kiev. There is, however, a complication: The host city is not easy to reach. In fact, it's rapidly become a nightmare destination.</p>

<p>"I gambled and booked my flight and accommodation before Liverpool had secured their spot in the final," says Lars Frosland, a fan from Norway. "However, the hotel prices were insane at that time too, so I went for Airbnb to a fraction of the cost. The craziest or most emotional thing was waiting for ticket ballot details."</p>

<p>Liverpool were allocated 16,626 tickets by UEFA for the final, prices ranging from £61 to £394. On Ticketbis, tickets were offered up to a staggering £14,000. Liverpool fans also faced soaring airfares and inflated hotel rates, with return flights to the Ukraine easily costing more than £1,000.</p>

<p>Still, they plotted their way to Kiev. They slogged their way around the continent, by airplane, by bus, by train, by car. "Our flight was diverted to Rome," says Arjun Gupta, a Liverpool fan from India. "The visa on arrival in Kiev took five and a half hours to process after which we found out that our luggage was still in Rome. We left New Delhi on Tuesday at 10pm. We stayed inside airports and flights for 40 hours straight without seeing the outside world. For two hours of football. Madness."</p>

<p>Fans happily fork out money to attend the climax of the European club season. UEFA considers supporters as 'fan customers'. That corporatism, a worldview envisages a different fandom: A middle class of lawyers, doctors and architects and their families, who go to the ground to enjoy a day out, but who are, in general, not emotionally invested in the game. Liverpool fans are different: Football matters for them and triggers deep emotions.</p>

<p>"UEFA should definitely consider logistics and infrastructure more," argues Frosland. "The city must be able to handle intense flight traffic and 100,000 visitors. Are there enough hotels? Will the airport handle the flight traffic? I am in favour of not going for Paris, London, Berlin every year, but UEFA must make sure the final city is convenient for supporters."</p>

<p>Behind closed doors, UEFA has discussed taking the final outside of Europe - to New York, to the Gulf. UEFA president Alexander Ceferin repeated on Thursday that it is a 'theoretical possibility'. The idea is very marketable - and the fans will repeat the ritual, but perhaps it will all feel a little more hollow.</p>


Fans happily fork out money to attend the climax of the European club season.

It is a ritual that's repeated every year at the very end of May. The minutiae are always the same: Anticipation and mass hysteria in the build-up, analysis and ecstasy or heartbreak at the end. UEFA, the press and the 'stakeholders' drive the narrative. It's about that one all-consuming match, the ultimate centre piece, the Champions League final. This year that mass hysteria has been taken to a new level: Liverpool will play the European Cup final on Saturday in the Ukrainian capital against Real Madrid, the kings of the continental game, and from across the globe the club's fans have set their minds on 90 minutes of utter delirium in Kiev. There is, however, a complication: The host city is not easy to reach. In fact, it's rapidly become a nightmare destination. "I gambled and booked my flight and accommodation before Liverpool had secured their spot in the final," says Lars Frosland, a fan from Norway. "However, the hotel prices were insane at that time too, so I went for Airbnb to a fraction of the cost. The craziest or most emotional thing was waiting for ticket ballot details." Liverpool were allocated 16,626 tickets by UEFA for the final, prices ranging from £61 to £394. On Ticketbis, tickets were offered up to a staggering £14,000. Liverpool fans also faced soaring airfares and inflated hotel rates, with return flights to the Ukraine easily costing more than £1,000. Still, they plotted their way to Kiev. They slogged their way around the continent, by airplane, by bus, by train, by car. "Our flight was diverted to Rome," says Arjun Gupta, a Liverpool fan from India. "The visa on arrival in Kiev took five and a half hours to process after which we found out that our luggage was still in Rome. We left New Delhi on Tuesday at 10pm. We stayed inside airports and flights for 40 hours straight without seeing the outside world. For two hours of football. Madness." Fans happily fork out money to attend the climax of the European club season. UEFA considers supporters as 'fan customers'. That corporatism, a worldview envisages a different fandom: A middle class of lawyers, doctors and architects and their families, who go to the ground to enjoy a day out, but who are, in general, not emotionally invested in the game. Liverpool fans are different: Football matters for them and triggers deep emotions. "UEFA should definitely consider logistics and infrastructure more," argues Frosland. "The city must be able to handle intense flight traffic and 100,000 visitors. Are there enough hotels? Will the airport handle the flight traffic? I am in favour of not going for Paris, London, Berlin every year, but UEFA must make sure the final city is convenient for supporters." Behind closed doors, UEFA has discussed taking the final outside of Europe - to New York, to the Gulf. UEFA president Alexander Ceferin repeated on Thursday that it is a 'theoretical possibility'. The idea is very marketable - and the fans will repeat the ritual, but perhaps it will all feel a little more hollow.

Champions League final: Fans spend 40 hours in flight to watch 90 minutes of football

<p>AS Roma fought hard till the end but it was not enough to stop Liverpool from advancing to the finals of the Champions League at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night.</p>

<p>Klopp's team went down 2-4 to a resurgent Roma who were determined to show their home fans they could overcome the 3 goal deficit of the first leg at Anfield as Radja Nainggolan struck late with 2 goals, but it was not to be as the visitors held off to win the game on a 7-6 aggregate.</p>

<p>The five-times European champions&nbsp;will now face holders Real Madrid in the May 26 final.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Liverpool's Sadio Mane struck in the ninth minute to put them in front but an own goal from James Milner put the Reds back. Georginio Wijnaldum header then put Liverpool back in front but Edin Dzeko levelled it for Roma early in the second half.</p>

<p>Nainggolan struck again in the 86th minute to make it tantalising close for the hosts but the Italians left it too late as Liverpool held their nerves to advance with a single goal advantage having won at home with a 5-2 scoreline.</p>

<p>"We are deserved finalists 100 percent," said Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp. "You don’t come without luck. We needed it only one time tonight. "The boys deserve it, the character they showed, the football they showed -- it was just crazy. I forgot the score. It was 7-6 right? Unbelievable."</p>

<p>"Liverpool did not rob us of anything. They demonstrated they were a great team with some very great players," Roma coach Eusebio di Francesco said.</p>

<p>"The team that won, won on the details where we were not so good."</p>

<p>Liverpool last won the coveted trophy in 2005 and made it to the finals in 2007, they will now meet Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine later this month.</p>


Liverpool last won the coverted trophy in 2005 and made it to the finals in 2007

AS Roma fought hard till the end but it was not enough to stop Liverpool from advancing to the finals of the Champions League at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night. Klopp's team went down 2-4 to a resurgent Roma who were determined to show their home fans they could overcome the 3 goal deficit of the first leg at Anfield as Radja Nainggolan struck late with 2 goals, but it was not to be as the visitors held off to win the game on a 7-6 aggregate. The five-times European champions will now face holders Real Madrid in the May 26 final. Liverpool's Sadio Mane struck in the ninth minute to put them in front but an own goal from James Milner put the Reds back. Georginio Wijnaldum header then put Liverpool back in front but Edin Dzeko levelled it for Roma early in the second half. Nainggolan struck again in the 86th minute to make it tantalising close for the hosts but the Italians left it too late as Liverpool held their nerves to advance with a single goal advantage having won at home with a 5-2 scoreline. "We are deserved finalists 100 percent," said Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp. "You don’t come without luck. We needed it only one time tonight. "The boys deserve it, the character they showed, the football they showed -- it was just crazy. I forgot the score. It was 7-6 right? Unbelievable." "Liverpool did not rob us of anything. They demonstrated they were a great team with some very great players," Roma coach Eusebio di Francesco said. "The team that won, won on the details where we were not so good." Liverpool last won the coveted trophy in 2005 and made it to the finals in 2007, they will now meet Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine later this month.

Champions League: Liverpool edge out AS Roma, to meet Real Madrid in final

<p>Juventus defender Dani Alves produced an inspired display capped by a stunning volleyed goal in a 2-1 win over AS Monaco on Tuesday that took the Italians into their second Champions League final in three years.</p>

<p>Brazilian Alves crossed for Mario Mandzukic to net the first goal in the semi-final, second leg and then scored the second through an explosive strike which, with Juve leading 2-0 from the first game, effectively finished off the tie by halftime.</p>

<p>Juventus were coasting until Monaco&#39;s exciting 18-year-old forward Kylian Mbappe pulled a goal back in the 69th minute, ending a run of six successive clean sheets in the competition for the Serie A side and veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.</p>

<p>Tempers then flared when Monaco defender Kamil Glik appeared to stamp on forward Gonzalo Higuain, although the referee took no action against the Pole, leading to a bad-tempered final 20 minutes as Juve ran out comfortable 4-1 winners on aggregate.</p>

<p>They will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, who meet in the other semi at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday with Real leading 3-0. The showpiece match is in Cardiff on June 3.</p>

<p>&quot;I&#39;m very happy with the way the lads played,&quot; said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, whose side lost 3-1 to Barcelona in the 215 final. &quot;It wasn&#39;t easy to play in the Champions League and they deserved to get to the final.&quot;</p>

<p>Monaco started brightly as they began the thankless task of trying to breach the Juve defence and the home side&#39;s 39-year-old keeper Buffon flapped at Bernardo Silva&#39;s cross in the first minute, although nobody was on hand to take advantage.</p>

<p>Mbappe then hit the inside of the post from a narrow angle, though he was flagged offside, and Radamel Falcao drove over from long range as the visitors pressed forward.</p>

<p>But Juventus always seemed to have too much guile and Higuain had already squandered one chance, with a failed attempt to dink the ball over goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, before Mandzukic put them ahead after 33 minutes.</p>

<p>The move started with Alex Sandro breaking out of defence to charge 50 metres down the left and the ball eventually found Alves who lofted a high cross over from the right.</p>

<p>Mandzukic&#39;s header was brilliantly saved by Subasic but the keeper could do nothing as his fellow Croat fired home the rebound from close range.</p>

<p>Both teams had further chances as the game ebbed and flowed but Juve were sharper in attack and struck again just before halftime.</p>

<p>Alves, who in the previous attack had played in Paulo Dybala with a precision pass, met Subasic&#39;s punched clearance with a full-blooded volley from 25 metres and the ball flew into the net with the goalkeeper out of position.</p>

<p>Juventus were able to drop the pace in the second half and neither Mbappe&#39;s goal nor Glik&#39;s tackle were anything more than mild annoyances as the reigning Italian champions cruised into next month&#39;s final.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>


This will be their second final in three years

Juventus defender Dani Alves produced an inspired display capped by a stunning volleyed goal in a 2-1 win over AS Monaco on Tuesday that took the Italians into their second Champions League final in three years. Brazilian Alves crossed for Mario Mandzukic to net the first goal in the semi-final, second leg and then scored the second through an explosive strike which, with Juve leading 2-0 from the first game, effectively finished off the tie by halftime. Juventus were coasting until Monaco's exciting 18-year-old forward Kylian Mbappe pulled a goal back in the 69th minute, ending a run of six successive clean sheets in the competition for the Serie A side and veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Tempers then flared when Monaco defender Kamil Glik appeared to stamp on forward Gonzalo Higuain, although the referee took no action against the Pole, leading to a bad-tempered final 20 minutes as Juve ran out comfortable 4-1 winners on aggregate. They will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid, who meet in the other semi at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday with Real leading 3-0. The showpiece match is in Cardiff on June 3. "I'm very happy with the way the lads played," said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri, whose side lost 3-1 to Barcelona in the 215 final. "It wasn't easy to play in the Champions League and they deserved to get to the final." Monaco started brightly as they began the thankless task of trying to breach the Juve defence and the home side's 39-year-old keeper Buffon flapped at Bernardo Silva's cross in the first minute, although nobody was on hand to take advantage. Mbappe then hit the inside of the post from a narrow angle, though he was flagged offside, and Radamel Falcao drove over from long range as the visitors pressed forward. But Juventus always seemed to have too much guile and Higuain had already squandered one chance, with a failed attempt to dink the ball over goalkeeper Danijel Subasic, before Mandzukic put them ahead after 33 minutes. The move started with Alex Sandro breaking out of defence to charge 50 metres down the left and the ball eventually found Alves who lofted a high cross over from the right. Mandzukic's header was brilliantly saved by Subasic but the keeper could do nothing as his fellow Croat fired home the rebound from close range. Both teams had further chances as the game ebbed and flowed but Juve were sharper in attack and struck again just before halftime. Alves, who in the previous attack had played in Paulo Dybala with a precision pass, met Subasic's punched clearance with a full-blooded volley from 25 metres and the ball flew into the net with the goalkeeper out of position. Juventus were able to drop the pace in the second half and neither Mbappe's goal nor Glik's tackle were anything more than mild annoyances as the reigning Italian champions cruised into next month's final. (Reuters)

Inspired Alves leads Juventus into Champions League final

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