Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg has been appointed to lead the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium. Nyberg, a FIFA referee since 2016, brings a wealth of experience to the fixture, including officiating the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup final. His appointment comes amidst previous controversies surrounding his decisions, particularly during a Champions League quarterfinal clash between Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
Manchester City welcomes Inter Milan to the Etihad Stadium for their Champions League opener, marking a reunion with the team they defeated in the 2023 final. This match kicks off the new, expanded tournament format, while City navigates the ongoing financial breaches case.
Barcelona forward Dani Olmo will be out for up to five weeks after suffering a hamstring injury. This setback comes as a huge blow to Barcelona, particularly ahead of their Champions League campaign.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed the club will rely on academy players to navigate a demanding week ahead, which includes the start of their Champions League campaign, an independent hearing into alleged financial breaches, and a packed fixture list. Guardiola acknowledges the concerns of his players regarding the congested calendar, but emphasizes the club’s commitment to competing in all competitions.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese football legend, received a special award from UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, recognizing his remarkable achievements in the UEFA Champions League. The award was presented during the draw for the inaugural 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 36-team league phase in Monaco. Ronaldo’s illustrious career in the competition, spanning over 18 years, was celebrated, highlighting his record-breaking goal-scoring feats and multiple Champions League titles.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League, was recognized with a special award by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin for his exceptional career achievements in the competition. The award was presented during the Champions League draw ceremony in Monaco, celebrating Ronaldo’s remarkable impact on the world’s premier club competition.
Real Madrid, the reigning champions, will face a tough group stage in the revamped UEFA Champions League. The draw, held in Monaco, pitted them against Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, AC Milan, Atalanta, Salzburg, Lille, Stuttgart, and Brest. They will play four home and away matches against each opponent during the group phase.
The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League season kicks off with a new format and a thrilling draw ceremony in Monaco. The draw sees more teams competing and a revamped format that promises greater competition. Cristiano Ronaldo was on hand to receive an award ahead of the draw.
Lille secured their place in the Champions League group stage despite a 2-1 loss to Slavia Prague in the second leg of their playoff. Other teams securing qualification include Red Star Belgrade, Slovan Bratislava, and Dinamo Zagreb.
The UEFA Champions League is undergoing a significant transformation for the 2024-25 season, introducing a new format with more teams, more matches, and an enhanced competition structure. The draw for the revamped tournament is scheduled for August 29th in Monaco, marking the start of a new era for the prestigious competition.
