Champions League

Unai Emery has set an ambitious target for his Aston Villa squad, urging them to solidify their position as contenders for a top-eight finish in the Champions League. The team is on the brink of achieving their fourth consecutive victory in the tournament, with a crucial match against Club Brugge scheduled for Wednesday. So far, Villa has impressively not conceded any goals in the competition. Emery believes that to secure a place in the top eight, his team will need to accumulate around 16 or 17 points. He expressed confidence in their potential, stating, “We have the possibility to get one step ahead in this competition, to be contenders for the top eight. This is really an amazing objective that we can achieve.” The Villa manager highlighted the team's fighting spirit since their return to Europe's elite club competition and emphasized the importance of the upcoming match in Belgium. “We are aware of the possibility to get the fourth victory, which would bring us to 12 points, and the expectation for the next round is to be in the top eight. If we win, clearly we can be contenders to be in the top eight,” Emery added.

**Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Champions League – Live Updates** Join us for live updates from the Champions League match kicking off at 8pm GMT. In a recent discussion, Niall Mullen posed an intriguing question: “Is it too iconoclastic to suggest that Xabi Alonso wasn’t the same player at Liverpool after Frank Lampard broke his ankle?” While acknowledging Alonso's talent, Mullen expressed the opinion that the midfielder improved significantly after leaving Anfield, possibly due to the slower pace of La Liga. He reminisced about a memorable moment from Alonso's career, which left him both impressed and puzzled. Another fan chimed in, recalling that the leg break occurred during Alonso's first season at Liverpool. Despite that setback, Alonso went on to achieve remarkable feats, including scoring numerous long-range goals. The debate continues among fans about the impact of that injury on his development as a player. Stay tuned for more updates as the match unfolds!

Sporting Lisbon is set to face Manchester City, while Celtic will take on RB Leipzig in the Champions League. In addition to these matches, Liverpool is also playing against Bayer Leverkusen, and you can follow the live updates for all the action. For those interested in more football content, the latest Football Daily features insights on Nottingham Forest. Additionally, David Squires has released a new cartoon that humorously depicts Manchester United's decision-making process regarding Rúben Amorim. Be sure to check out the full cartoon for a lighthearted take on the situation.

**UEFA Risks Champions League Popularity with Increased Fixture Supply** In a bold move, UEFA has decided to increase the number of fixtures in the Champions League by 51%. This decision raises concerns about the long-term popularity of the competition, as it contradicts the established strategy of maintaining excess demand, which has proven beneficial over time. To illustrate this point, we can look back to 1991 at the University of Chicago, where economist Gary Becker, who would later win a Nobel Prize, presented a compelling case in one of his papers. He described a scenario involving two seafood restaurants in Palo Alto, California. One restaurant, known for its popularity, consistently has long queues during peak hours, while the other, despite offering comparable food and service at slightly higher prices, often has empty tables. The question arises: why doesn’t the popular restaurant simply raise its prices to reduce the wait times or expand its capacity to accommodate more customers? The answer lies in the potential negative consequences of such actions. Increasing prices could alienate loyal customers, while expanding capacity might dilute the restaurant's unique appeal and atmosphere, ultimately harming its business. This economic principle highlights the risks UEFA faces with its decision to increase the number of Champions League fixtures. By flooding the market with more games, UEFA may inadvertently diminish the competition's allure, moving away from the scarcity that has historically driven its popularity. The long-term benefits of maintaining a sense of exclusivity and high demand could be jeopardized, potentially impacting the Champions League's status as one of the premier football competitions in the world.

**Sports Quiz of the Week: Geoff Capes, Triathlon Troubles, and Playground Goals** Put your sports knowledge to the test with our quiz covering a significant week in the NBA, MLB, Champions League, and the Women’s T20 World Cup cricket. From the impressive feats of Geoff Capes to the challenges faced in triathlons, and the excitement of playground goals, this week has been packed with thrilling sports moments. Dive in and see how well you can recall the highlights and key events from the past week in sports!

**Champions League Review: Bayern Struggles While Raphinha and Pulisic Shine** In the latest round of Champions League action, two prominent teams faced challenges, while AC Milan has discovered a dependable performer. Here’s a look at the highlights and lowlights from the week’s matches. **VFB Stuttgart:** Last season, it was Stuttgart that finished second in the Bundesliga, trailing only the unbeaten champions Bayer Leverkusen. However, replicating that success has proven difficult for Sebastian Hoeness’s squad, currently sitting in 10th place in the German league. On Tuesday night in Turin, Stuttgart put on a dominant display against Juventus, who delivered their poorest performance under coach Thiago Motta and were left with 10 men after Danilo received a red card. Although Deniz Undav’s stunning first-half goal was disallowed by VAR, it seemed that Mattia Perin, who made a remarkable save against Enzo Millot’s penalty, would thwart Stuttgart’s efforts. Ultimately, it took a moment of creativity from El Bilal Touré to secure Stuttgart’s first Champions League victory this season, marking a significant achievement for a club returning to the competition after a 15-year absence.

In the latest episode of the Football Weekly Extra podcast, hosts Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning, Philippe Auclair, Mark Langdon, and Sid Lowe delve into the recent Champions League matches. They discuss Liverpool's impressive away victory against Leipzig, which saw them secure another win and maintain a clean sheet. The conversation also highlights Erling Haaland's stunning performance for Manchester City, where he showcased his acrobatic skills during a dominant win over Sparta Prague. Listeners are encouraged to rate, review, and share the podcast on various platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast, and Stitcher. The hosts invite fans to join the conversation on social media or via email.

Darwin Núñez's goal secured a victory for Liverpool against Leipzig, helping the team maintain their perfect start to the season. While it may be premature to evaluate Liverpool's overall potential or the new Champions League format, the early results under head coach Arne Slot are impressive. Liverpool has achieved a remarkable feat, winning 11 of their first 12 matches this season and claiming victory in all six of their away games. Their latest triumph came from a close-range finish by Núñez against a Leipzig side struggling in the Champions League, having yet to earn a point. With three wins from three matches in the competition, Liverpool is on the verge of advancing to the next stage.

Celtic celebrated a hard-fought draw against Atalanta in the Champions League, and there was no shame in their reaction. The match showcased a determined Celtic side that had learned from their previous heavy defeat. Just weeks earlier, Celtic faced a humiliating 7-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund, a result that left a significant mark on the team and its supporters. Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, faced intense scrutiny following that match, as many expected a more robust response from his players. However, he remained resolute, stating that the team had been unfairly criticized after the defeat. In contrast to the Dortmund debacle, Celtic's performance in Italy was a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline. They managed to keep Atalanta at bay, demonstrating a newfound strength and unity. The draw not only boosted their confidence but also served as a reminder of their potential in the competition.

Leipzig vs. Liverpool: Champions League – Live Updates Join us for live updates from the Champions League clash between Leipzig and Liverpool, kicking off at 8pm BST. Tonight's action features several other Champions League matches, including the highly anticipated Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich showdown. Will Unwin will be providing updates throughout the evening. Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Leipzig vs. Liverpool at the Red Bull Arena. While October may not be a month known for major trophies—unless we’re reminiscing about the 1988 Mercantile Credit Centenary Trophy—there's always a reason to celebrate being at the top of the league. A victory for Liverpool tonight, combined with favorable results elsewhere, could see them sitting atop both the English Premier League and the European standings. Stay tuned for all the action!