Champions League

Arsenal secured a crucial victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, bolstering their chances of advancing in European competition. Despite having numerous opportunities to dominate the match, the Gunners faced a tense finish after Dmytro Riznyk saved a penalty from Leandro Trossard in the 79th minute. The decisive moment came from an unexpected source: Riznyk himself, who inadvertently scored an own goal in the first half, which ultimately determined the outcome of the match. Shakhtar Donetsk remained competitive throughout the game, putting up a strong fight against their opponents. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be concerned about the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori, who was forced to leave the pitch in visible pain with 20 minutes remaining.

A recent survey conducted by Level Playing Field, an organization advocating for disabled sports fans, has revealed serious shortcomings in Uefa's support for disabled supporters during European away matches. The findings indicate that communication from Uefa to disabled fans is largely "non-existent," highlighting significant barriers faced by these supporters when traveling to watch their teams compete in Uefa club competitions. The report criticizes Uefa for its apparent lack of commitment to ensuring accessible matchday experiences for all fans, raising concerns about the governing body's dedication to inclusion. The survey paints a troubling picture of the challenges disabled fans encounter, calling for Uefa to take more proactive steps to improve accessibility and support for this community.

Mary Fowler secured a crucial victory for Manchester City in the Women’s Champions League, helping the team overcome a surprising challenge from Austrian underdogs St Pölten. Just a week after delivering an impressive performance against the reigning European champions, Barcelona, City faced a significant scare when they found themselves trailing 2-1 early in the second half. Manager Gareth Taylor had opted to rest several key players at the start of the match, but he quickly brought in his star players to turn the tide. As City ramped up the pressure, Fowler emerged as the hero, scoring a late header that clinched a 3-2 win. The victory was vital for the team, who currently lead the early-season Women’s Super League standings.

Bayern Munich staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Arsenal 5-2 in their Champions League Group C opener, with Pernille Harder delivering a stunning performance by scoring a hat-trick in just 13 minutes. Arsenal initially took the lead in the first half thanks to Mariona Caldentey, but the match quickly turned in favor of the energized Bayern side. After goals from Sydney Lohmann for Bayern and Laia Codina for Arsenal, Harder’s explosive scoring spree sealed the game for the German team. This early defeat raises concerns for Arsenal, as they face a crucial week ahead, including a match against Chelsea in the Women’s Super League on Saturday. The manner in which Arsenal conceded the last three goals will be particularly frustrating for manager Jonas Eidevall, as the pressure on the team continues to grow. The significance of this loss could have lasting implications for Arsenal's season.

Chelsea kicked off their Women's Champions League campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Madrid, marking a successful start under new manager Sonia Bompastor at Stamford Bridge. The Blues showcased their attacking prowess with goals from Sjoeke Nüsken, Guro Reiten, and Mayra Ramirez, securing their 10th consecutive unbeaten home game in the group stage. However, the match also revealed some defensive vulnerabilities, as Chelsea conceded two goals, raising concerns about their backline. Despite the minor setback, the win reflects Chelsea's strong start to the season and sets a positive tone for their campaign ahead.

Arne Slot has made it clear that he will not tolerate mediocrity at Liverpool, emphasizing that every player donning the iconic red jersey must strive for excellence. Despite Liverpool's recent ascent to the top of the Premier League following a 2-1 victory against Wolves, the new head coach expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the team's performance. As Slot prepares for his first European night at Anfield, he is on the verge of making history. A win against Bologna in the Champions League would mark his eighth victory in nine matches, a feat no Liverpool manager or head coach has achieved before. Slot's commitment to high standards reflects his determination to elevate the team's performance as they look to build on their recent success.

**Football Daily | Emiliano Martínez’s Ears Are Ringing, But Manchester United’s Are Burning** Aston Villa may have disappointed their fans with high ticket prices, but they excelled in other areas leading up to their impressive victory over Bayern Munich last night. Off the pitch, the club honored their legendary 1982 European Cup-winning team by hosting a special event to celebrate their remarkable achievement. Additionally, they paid tribute to the recently deceased Gary Shaw, featuring a heartfelt remembrance on the front of the matchday program. In a touching gesture, Shaw's name was also included on the team sheet, symbolizing the connection between past and present as the current squad aims to replicate the success of their predecessors. This is just a glimpse of our daily football newsletter, Football Daily. For the complete version, be sure to check out our subscription page for more insights and updates.

James McAtee scored his first goal for Manchester City, helping the team secure a 4-0 victory against Slovan Bratislava. Despite the absence of Rodri, whose presence typically provides stability and control in midfield, Pep Guardiola's side managed to dominate the match and achieve a convincing win in their opening game of the 36-team league phase. To compensate for Rodri's absence, Guardiola opted for Ilkay Gündogan and Matheus Nunes in central midfield. However, City struggled at times to maintain possession, particularly around Slovan Bratislava's penalty area, which left them vulnerable to counterattacks—issues that Rodri usually mitigates with his play. McAtee's goal in the 73rd minute capped off a strong performance from City, marking a significant milestone for the young player as he found the net in club colors for the first time.

In a thrilling Champions League encounter, Bayer Leverkusen secured a 1-0 victory over AC Milan, thanks to a second-half goal from Victor Boniface. This win marked a perfect start for the German side in the tournament, while Milan remains without any points. The decisive moment came just six minutes after the halftime break when Boniface capitalized on a rebound, firing the ball into the net after Milan's goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, had parried a shot from Jeremie Frimpong. In other matches, Barcelona made a strong comeback, with Robert Lewandowski shining brightly by scoring two goals in a commanding 5-0 win against Young Boys. Additionally, Mehdi Taremi delivered an impressive performance for Inter, while Brest continued their flawless start to the season.

Karim Adeyemi delivered a stunning performance, scoring a hat-trick as Borussia Dortmund overwhelmed Celtic in a Champions League match that quickly turned one-sided. The contest was effectively decided long before the half-time whistle, with Dortmund showcasing their dominance. Having won both of their matches in this new format, the German side is eager to replicate last season's impressive tournament run, although they will face tougher challenges ahead. The match resembled a Grand Master effortlessly outmaneuvering an inexperienced opponent—an illustration of the disparity between the two teams. Celtic now faces mounting pressure as they prepare for their upcoming match against Atalanta. Their lackluster performance in this game has cast doubt on the widely held belief that they are better equipped for the Champions League than in previous years. The team’s display was riddled with errors and vulnerabilities. Brendan Rodgers, who has managed three different Celtic squads, has now seen his teams concede seven goals in a single Champions League match on three occasions, with previous records showing losses of six and five goals as well.